2003 Press Releases

Remarks by Ambassador Jacobson at the National Alumni Conference Lunch

Sept. 10, 2003

Welcome, and thank you for your participation in the first National Alumni Conference for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.

The U.S. government has supported international exchange programs for more than 50 years. Since Turkmenistan attained independence in 1991, more than 1,100 Turkmen citizens have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, from high school exchanges to professional exchanges to the International Visitors program. The U.S. government supports international exchange programs for one fundamental reason: to promote better understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, like Turkmenistan. Secretary of State Colin Powell has called exchange programs an "investment in peace".

For most Americans, Turkmenistan seems very far away. We don't read about Turkmenistan in our newspapers, or see Turkmenistan on TV. If you told an American that Turkmenistan was part of the Soviet Union, and is in Central Asia, he might think Turkmenistan was undeveloped, wild, and dangerous, and that Turkmen citizens lacked education and exposure to the world. That perception is certainly not true.

But the misperception works both ways. Was America like you thought it would be, before you had the chance to spend time there? Did Americans behave the way you expected? Did your ideas of America and Americans come from music videos, movies, and the old Soviet Union?

My government realized that we had a problem. We want to cooperate, to work together to find solutions to our common problems, but in the case of Turkmenistan, 10 years ago we didn't know one another or understand one another very well. We needed to find a way to get to know one another, and exchange programs are an excellent method of achieving that goal.

Society does not progress when people isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Increasing people's international awareness in matters of education, knowledge, and research creates a more stable and informed world community. The opportunity to study abroad, to learn other languages, and to experience other cultures and perspectives is increasingly important in many fields today. Professional exchanges stimulate the cross-cultural interchange of ideals and strategies needed to expand business, to inform media, and to improve public choices.

Exchanges establish trust, confidence, and international cooperation. Trust and cooperation are indispensable to the conduct of foreign policy. It will come as no surprise to any of you that my government's primary goals in Turkmenistan are to promote democratic development, respect for human rights, economic development, and security cooperation. A stable community of democratic nations respectful of human rights serves all of our interests.

We know that we won't achieve these goals simply because the American Embassy wants them. In order to achieve them, the people and the government of Turkmenistan must want them, must work for them.

I hope that your experiences in the United States taught you that these goals - democracy, respect for human rights, a strong free-market economy - are important, and worthy of your time and effort. I have only been in Turkmenistan for two weeks now, but I have already had the opportunity to meet alumni of exchange programs on two different occasions. I am impressed. The alumni I have met have energy, enthusiasm, and ideas to bring success to their country. Alumni have established community service programs, and teaching programs. Alumni work for the Government of Turkmenistan. Alumni are successful businessmen. Alumni raise money for those less fortunate than themselves. It is clear to me that you have taken the messages of democracy, respect for your fellow citizens, serving you country through government service, and striving for economic prosperity to heart.

I know that you will continue to work for the good of your country, your communities, and your families. I hope that this National Alumni Conference has provided you with the means to work together, to combine your energies to achieve the goals that we all believe are important for Turkmenistan, for the United States, and for the world.

Thank you.