Embassy News

Remarks by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Steven R. Mann, Eurasia Group Luncheon in Honor of  Turkmen President Gurbanguliy Berdimukhammedov

New York City
September 24, 2007

Steven R. Mann, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asian Affairs

President Berdimukhammedov, Ambassadors, distinguished guests, friends. Thank you and warm thanks to our friends at Eurasia Group for yet another brilliant event.  It is a special honor, on behalf of the United States of America, to welcome President Gurbanguliy Berdimukhammedov to New York and to our country.  This is yet another a sign of the new possibilities to build Turkmen-American relations that have opened up under the leadership of President Berdimukhammedov and we warmly welcome his visit.  The possibilities for Turkmen-American relations are powerful and our core message, Mr. President, is that we want to realize those possibilities. 

Our nations don’t know each other well, our countries have been separated.  We are emerging from a period in which Turkmenistan’s contacts with the outside world were limited, so we Americans cannot assume that in this new chapter of our relations, that our motives will be understood or our actions supported.  There is a steady stream of inaccurate speculation in Eurasia about the motives of the United States, so let me speak plainly now.

What does America want? Above all, the United States wants a strong Turkmenistan; it wants a prosperous Turkmenistan.  It wants an independent Turkmenistan.  Every action the United States has taken and will take is oriented toward those goals.

 Why prosperous?  We believe it is in our national interest to strengthen the new nations of Eurasia so that they become independent, stable, friendly nations and so that they do not go the path of internal turmoil and extremism. And why independent?  Because only an independent and sovereign Turkmenistan can use its resources, the enormous talents of its people to the full benefit of national development.

 The challenges indeed are great, and President Berdimukhammedov, your responsibilities are enormous.  We respect that and in this task of modernization, we wish to offer you and your government our heartfelt support.  Look closely at our words, and look closely at our actions and Mr. President, I believe you will like very much what you see.

My invitation to you, Mr. President, is this:  use the resources of the United States to help you build the nation.  The government of the United States is ready with a full range of assistance but I especially invite you to use the power of the men and women represented in this room -- the power of the private sector.

Let me also turn to another source of power -- the power of competition and the power of rule of law.  Democracy and human rights are fundamental to America’s engagement with the world and nothing is more important than rule of law. But for this business audience, let me discuss especially the economic aspects as you consider how to transform Turkmenistan.

What helps a nation develop?  We believe that only with the ability to express opinions freely, do people feel free to suggest new and better ways of doing things. Only with open discussion, can decisionmakers get feedback on what is working or not working in the society.  Only with unfettered travel and communication can the most advanced practices and concepts be shared.  So for these reasons among many, we believe that establishing rule of law is the most pressing issue that confronts Turkmenistan. 

 A word on energy.  Turkmenistan now has the chance to realize its unfulfilled potential.  Objectively speaking, the best chance to do that is by harnessing the world-class technology, training, and profitability of American firms.  The United States Government strongly supports the development of Turkmen hydrocarbon resources; we have no desire to disturb existing commitments; but the future belongs with a way of developing the Turkmen hydrocarbon sector in a way much different than in the past.  We also strongly support the development of new alternative East-West export routes for oil and gas:  not replacing existing routes northwards but offering competitive, modern alternatives to monopoly control.  The past fifteen years have shown us two ways of doing business in the Caspian:  the inefficient model of resource development and the powerful, profitable, long-term vision which American business represents. 

Again, it is a great pleasure to see you on this side of the Atlantic, Mr. President.  You have honored us with a highly competent team of professionals accompanying you, and it is with respect and hope that we receive you and wish you a superb stay in New York. 

Ladies and gentlemen, for this historic figure and for the marvelous nation he represents, I ask you to extend a warm welcome.