2003 Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador's First Visit to Dashoguz Welayat

Oct. 20, 2003

U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Tracey Ann Jacobson made her first official visit to Dashoguz welayat October 3-5, 2003. During her trip, Ambassador Jacobson highlighted the U.S. Government's support for exchange programs and educational projects, entrepreneurial initiatives and civil society activities in Turkmenistan, as well as visited the historical sites of Kunya-Urgench.

At a presentation of U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs at the "Bahar" community center, with over 350 visitors from Dashoguz City, the Ambassador emphasized the pride that she takes in promoting educational opportunities for Turkmen citizens. She described academic exchange programs as "the most important work that we do at the American Embassy" and expressed her assurance that they will serve to foster greater mutual understanding between our countries.

On October 4, Ambassador Jacobson met with representatives of civic initiative groups and non-governmental organizations and learned about their successes and challenges. "Building the foundation of society's development is a main characteristic of your work," noted the Ambassador addressing civil society activists of Dashoguz welayat. "The U.S. Embassy will continue to support civic initiatives and NGO development in Turkmenistan as long as I serve as Ambassador here," the U.S. envoy assured participants of the meeting.

During the Ambassador's meeting with entrepreneurs working in the field of agriculture in Dashoguz welayat, several of them shared their success achieved with the assistance of the USAID-funded "Farmer-to-Farmer" program, administered in Turkmenistan by Winrock International. Dashoguz entrepreneurs and farmers had an open discussion with the Ambassador about their businesses and prospects for further development.

The Ambassador also participated in the opening ceremony of an English Resource Center in the Gorogly (formerly Tagta) etrap center on October 5. The center, initiated by Peace Corps Volunteers five years ago, recently received assistance from the Embassies of the U.S. and Great Britain, which jointly funded furniture and equipment to modernize this special library. "There are very ancient, historical and cultural sights in Dashoguz welayat, but what we see here now is a special sight, because this resource center is a symbol of cooperation between our three countries - Turkmenistan, Great Britain and the United States," the U.S. Ambassador said opening the center. A representative from the Gorogly Educational Department expressed his appreciation to the U.S., British and Peace Corps missions in Turkmenistan for "providing opportunities for local students to learn about the culture, science and history of the British and American people, which will expand the children's outlook."

The visit to Dashoguz welayat was Ambassador Jacobson's third trip outside the capital city. She looks forward to continuing to meet the people of Turkmenistan by continuing her travels around the country.