Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Jacobson on the Occasion of American Independence Day

July 4, 2006

I am happy to address you on the 230 th anniversary of American Independence. As I prepare to finish my assignment, I can say I am very proud of the progress that the American Embassy has made over the last three years working together with the government and people of Turkmenistan. As you know, our main policy areas are the promotion of democratic reform and human rights, economic development, public health, and security cooperation. When I arrived three years ago, an exit visa regime was still in place, and religious minorities were not able to practice their faiths legally. I am pleased that we’ve witnessed improvement in both of these areas. In terms of economic development, over three years we have provided training for 3575 entrepreneurs and 1350 accountants. In terms of public health, we funded a salt iodization project, helped improve the TB treatment success rate, and determined the main causes of child mortality. In terms of security cooperation, we have provided training for 474 law enforcement and military officers and almost 17 million dollars worth of equipment. We are well underway in the construction of two crossing points on Turkmenistan’s borders. Perhaps most importantly, we have sent over 500 students and professionals for exchanges in the United States. These are just a few of the achievements of the last three years.

I want to thank the government and people of Turkmenistan who have cooperated with us in these achievements, as well as our colleagues from the diplomatic community and international organizations. Most of all, I want to thank the wonderful team at the American Embassy in Ashgabat. I can assure you that American engagement in Turkmenistan is in very good hands.

Now I would like to share my personal wish with all of you. I hope to be able to return to Turkmenistan someday to witness the country’s progress. I hope to return to a Turkmenistan with a world class educational system that meets international standards. I hope to return to a democratic Turkmenistan where every citizen has the right to express his opinion, and where a vibrant civil society is a partner with the government in charting the course to development. In short, I hope to return to a Turkmenistan that uses its incredible resources – both natural and human – to achieve the freedom and prosperity the people of this beautiful country deserve.

The people of Turkmenistan will be in my heart forever, and I wish you all the best.