2001 Press Releases

Ambassador Kennedy TV Address on Turkmenistan's Tenth Anniversary of Independence

Oct. 17, 2001

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Turkmenistan's Independence, Ambassador Laura E. Kennedy made a televised address to the people of Turkmenistan. The following is the text of this address:

Good evening. I am delighted to convey the heartfelt congratulations of President Bush and the American people to President Niyazov and the people of Turkmenistan on your tenth anniversary of independence.

We are deeply conscious that Turkmenistan may be one of the world's newest states but that it has a long and rich history. From the beginning, we have been strong supporters of Turkmenistan's independence and warm friends to its people.

We were deeply touched by the many expressions of sympathy from our friends in Turkmenistan on our recent national tragedy. We were also heartened by the support and solidarity shown by the President and government of Turkmenistan for the international coalition against terrorism.

America shares with Turkmenistan a determination to ease the suffering of the victimized Afghan people. The U.S. has been proud to work with Turkmenistan to keep humanitarian aid flowing.

Turkmenistan has worked hard to promote stability in the region. It has been a responsible member of the international community in such key institutions as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Turkmenistan is blessed with great human and natural resources. My country is eager to assist you to unlock this vast potential by developing democratic and free market institutions.

We are eager to promote enhanced ties between our two peoples, and we are delighted that hundreds of young Turkmen have come to America to study. We want to introduce more Americans to Turkmenistan and we are looking for ways to increase exchanges.

In my first week as the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, I was deeply honored to join your government in celebrating a joint project to preserve the Great Mosque at Annau. I hope our countries will find many such wonderful ways to cooperate in the years ahead.

Let me close by quoting Secretary of State Colin Powell: "In centuries past, the great Silk Road brought wealth and well-being to the peoples of Central Eurasia. In the 21st century, President Bush and I believe that Turkmenistan will find great new prosperity on the road to political and economic freedom."

America heartily applauds the people of Turkmenistan as they set their course along that well-proven road to the future.