2001 Press Releases

Ambassador Kennedy Addresses Turkmenistan on the Occasion of Neutrality Day

Dec. 7, 2001

U.S. Ambassador Laura E. Kennedy gave a TV address on the occasion of Turkmenistan's Neutrality Day on December 7, 2001. The following is the text of this address:

Congratulations to President Niyazov and the people of Turkmenistan on Neutrality Day.

Turkmenistan deserves recognition for the responsible role it is playing internationally, and regionally. My government is pleased to cooperate with Turkmenistan on the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. This has been a vitally important partnership involving many countries and private relief organizations all working together under the guidance of the United Nations. In the longer term, we hope to continue such cooperation with Turkmenistan as the international community focuses on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan to repair the ravages of over two decades of civil war and to link it with its neighbors in Central Asia.

Turkmenistan's policy of neutrality has been accompanied by a record of peaceful relations with its neighbors. We hope that Turkmenistan will build on this record by increasing its cooperation in the international arena and especially with its regional partners. In our increasingly global economy and society, such engagement is ever more necessary. We look forward to cooperating more closely with Turkmenistan under the umbrella of such valuable international organizations as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and NATO's Partnership for Peace.

Such increasing interaction is of course compatible with neutrality. Positive neutrality does not mean isolation from the rest of the world nor avoiding the necessity of making choices. Notably, in the war against terrorism, there is no neutrality. The civilized community of nations to which Turkmenistan belongs, recognizes that there is no middle ground. Any form of support for terrorism puts the provider of that support squarely in the camp of the terrorists. Similarly, a neutral foreign policy does not mean that one should avoid speaking out against any form of abuse, whether it involves human rights or any other global issue.

I appreciate this opportunity to speak to the people of Turkmenistan on Neutrality Day. I would also like to use this address to convey the best wishes of Americans to the people of Turkmenistan. Many millions of our Muslim citizens join you in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, just as Christian communities in both countries prepare to celebrate Christmas.

May the blessings of God be on all our peoples.

Thank you.