Embassy News

New U.S. Centcom Commander Visits Turkmenistan

PAS No 226
January 15, 2009

General David H. Petraeus and Charge d’Affaires a.i. Ambassador Richard Miles

Ashgabat, January 15, 2009 – Today, General David H. Petraeus started his first official visit to Turkmenistan in his new position as the head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM).  General Petraeus is scheduled to meet with various Turkmen officials to discuss issues of common interest in support of peace and security throughout the Central Asian region.  His visit to Turkmenistan comes directly after an official visit to Kazakhstan.  He will continue on to other countries in the region.

A spokesman for General Petraeus said that this was his first trip to Central Asia as part of his overall assessment of his new command area of responsibility.  He is looking forward to holding constructive meetings with senior leadership in Turkmenistan. 

General David H. Petraeus assumed command of the United States Central Command in October 2008, after serving for over 19 months as the Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq.  The headquarters of Central Command are located in Tampa, Florida with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.