2002 Press Releases

Assistant Secretary of State A. Elizabeth Jones Meets with Turkmen President Niyazov

Jan. 30, 2002

In an interview January 16, Ambassador Jones stated that Central Asia "deserves a lot more attention, and it's getting a lot more attention." As part of that commitment, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Elizabeth Jones arrived in Turkmenistan January 30 for a two days of meetings. Ambassador Jones met today with President Saparmurat Niyazov to discuss international and regional affairs, including Afghanistan, and a range of bilateral issues.

In addition to the President, she met today with National Security Advisor and Advisor to the President on Humanitarian Asssistance Mukhammet Nazarov and Deputy Chairman Yolly Gurbanmuradov, and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. At Turkmen State University this afternoon, she congratulated law student winners of a moot court competition supported by USAID, who will travel to the United States to compete in an international competition this summer.

Ambassador Jones will meet tomorrow with non-governmental leaders working in the fields of education, ecology, women's issues, and business, and will discuss the humanitarian aid situation in Afghanistan and other international programs with United Nations officials.

Ambassador Jones previously served as the State Department's Senior Advisor for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy, after having been Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (1998-2000). Ambassador Jones served as Ambassador to Kazakhstan (1995-98) and Executive Assistant to Secretary of State Warren Christopher (1993-94). She has also served in Germany, Pakistan, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Her first assignment was in Kabul, Afghanistan (1971-72).