2005 Press Releases

Interview by Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson to Turkmendowlethabarlary (Turkmen State News Service) on the Occasion of American Independence Day

July 4, 2005

Question: Please tell us about yourself and your path in life.

Ambassador Jacobson: I arrived in Turkmenistan in August, 2003 – it’s been almost two years since then; time has gone by so quickly. Turkmenistan is my first post as an Ambassador but my fifth overseas assignment in the diplomatic service. I have also served in Seoul, Moscow, Nassau and Riga. The last assignment was particularly exciting. Like Turkmenistan, Latvia received its independence 13 years ago, and set for itself ambitious goals. During my time there, the Latvians worked very hard, making sometimes difficult political decisions, to successfully achieve those goals.

I have also worked in Washington, DC, both in the State Department and at the National Security Council at the White House during President Clinton’s second term. As much as I enjoyed those assignments, for a diplomat, the most rewarding work is often overseas – and working in transitional countries is particularly interesting.

I come from an international and largely military family. My father was a U.S. Air Force officer. Both of my mother’s parents were in the British Army during World War II, and my sister is married to a U.S. Navy pilot. However, after completing my graduate studies, I decided to serve my country in the Foreign Service.

Question: What is the most valuable thing from the 13-year experience of the embassy?

Ambassador Jacobson: The most important work of our embassy over the past 13 years has been to develop a good understanding of Turkmenistan’s people and government, to promote mutual understanding between our two countries, and to play a positive role in Turkmenistan’s development. Our focus is on four main areas: the promotion of democracy and human rights, economic reform, health reform, and security cooperation. I am pleased with the progress we are making with security cooperation and hope for more progress in the promotion of democracy and human rights and assistance in economic cooperation.

Question: What do I personally plan to do to develop relations?

Ambassador Jacobson: I think one of the most important things I can do is promote educational and professional exchanges. This not only gives people from Turkmenistan a chance to develop skills in a new environment, but it gives the Americans who meet them a chance to learn more about Turkmenistan. Exchange programs are the best tool we have for increasing mutual understanding and developing relations. This year we have sent 128 people to the United States on different kinds of programs, and I would like to be able to expand this.

We are also working hard to reach outside of Ashgabat, into Turkmenistan’s regions, to ensure that students from throughout Turkmenistan have access to our exchange programs. We have established internet access and training programs throughout the country; our Peace Corps volunteers are working hard in etraps and villages, and we introduced a new English language scholarship program this year. We also are working with the Ministry of Education to implement an educational enhancement program called PEAKS. An important goal of these efforts is to ensure that students in rural as well as urban areas can learn English well enough to participate in exchange programs.

We are also looking to expand our cooperation with the government of Turkmenistan in the security area – we want to help Turkmenistan to strengthen its borders and to fight transnational crime like drug trafficking and trafficking in persons. I hope that during my time here, we can increase our engagement in this area by providing equipment and training and exchange opportunities.

I think it’s very important for us to continue to develop our knowledge of Turkmenistan, and how it envisions its future, and how we can be a partner. To this end, I hope to be able to continue to develop a strong working relationship with the President and other government officials.

Question: What do I think? How do impressions differ from initial conceptions?

Ambassador Jacobson: I grew up in California, and my hometown has a similar climate to Ashgabat, so I immediately felt at home here. The first thing I noticed was the overwhelming hospitality of the Turkmen people. I have very much enjoyed traveling throughout the country. I have visited every welayat at least twice. Ashgabat is a beautiful city, but I think it’s important for diplomats to travel to all corners of the country, to understand how people live, work, and think. I have really enjoyed meeting with civil society leaders, businesspeople, and alumni of our exchange programs throughout the country – especially the young people. Before I came, I was told that Turkmenistan’s most important natural resource was its petrochemical wealth, but now I know that it’s the people of Turkmenistan who are its real wealth.

Question: What does Independence Day mean for me as an American citizen?

Ambassador Jacobson: Particularly as someone who spends a lot of time abroad, Independence Day is an important time to reflect on what it means to be an American. These days, in addition to celebrating our independence, we celebrate our shared ideals – the belief in the power and responsibility of the individual. America is a nation largely composed of immigrants and descendents of immigrants who came to America in search of freedom – both political and economic. You could say that a love of freedom is in our genes. But we also say that freedom isn’t free – every individual has an obligation to cherish and protect that freedom. Of course, Independence Day is always a big celebration at home, and we’re planning a party here as well. We look forward to celebrating this holiday together with friends and colleagues here in Ashgabat.