2002 Press Releases

U.S. Secretary of Defense Meets With Turkmen President

April 28, 2002

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld met with President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov on Sunday, April 28, 2002, to discuss Afghanistan, regional stability issues, and a range of bilateral and multilateral security issues. The meeting was held in the Caspian Sea city of Turkmenbashy.

Secretary Rumsfeld thanked President Niyazov for his strong support of humanitarian aid to neighboring Afghanistan. Over one third of all food aid reaching Afghanistan since September 11 transited Turkmenistan, helping to avert a humanitarian disaster. The Secretary noted that Turkmenistan can also play a positive role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan, which will require strong international cooperation.

Secretary Rumsfeld discussed with President Niyazov the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program, by which the U.S. Department of Defense provides foreign militaries with training and basic equipment. Last year, the U.S. Coast Guard donated an unarmed coast guard cutter to help Turkmenistan patrol its waters in the Caspian Sea as part of this program. Secretary Rumsfeld also noted the success of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which has sent about twenty military officers from Turkmenistan to the U.S. since its inception four years ago.

Secretary Rumsfeld also discussed with President Niyazov the Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Program (EXBS), which was created by Congress to help prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Government of Turkmenistan signed a letter of agreement on this program in January 2002. Under the EXBS program, the U.S. Government can provide Turkmenistan with border security assessments, inspection and communications equipment, and training programs. Secretary Rumsfeld also discussed Turkmenistan's participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace.