*EPF514 01/18/2002
Assistant Secretary Jones Stresses Growing Importance of Central Asia
(State Department's Beth Jones interviewed on CNN January 16) (780)

By Louise Fenner
Washington File Staff Writer

Beth Jones, assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, discussed her upcoming visit to Central Asia during an interview on CNN January 16 and stressed the "huge geostrategic importance" of Central Asia to the United States and other countries, including China, Russia and the rest of Europe.

Central Asia "deserves a lot more attention, and it's getting a lot more attention," Jones said.

The Central Asian countries "have asked us to be much more engaged, and we would like to be more engaged. It's not just the United States government, it's many, many other governments."

Prior to leading a delegation to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic January 24-February 1, Jones said she will talk with her European Union colleagues about building on programs already in place in Central Asia, including those involving institutions such as the World Bank and World Health Organization, as well as increasing the international community's involvement.

"There are many American companies and international companies that are already hard at work" in Central Asia, she said. The U.S. government can help assure "that American investments can proceed in a legal environment that meets international standards, that corruption issues are addressed, that tax issues are fair, that customs issues are handled in the way they would be internationally."

She acknowledged some "very serious difficulties with both human rights and democracy efforts" in some Central Asian countries, but said that increased involvement with them provides an opportunity to discuss difficult issues. "And that's why there will be members of my delegation who are experts in human rights issues and democracy issues."

In answer to a question, Jones said "it isn't all about oil. Oil is certainly a ticket to prosperity for the region, or one of the tickets to prosperity.

"But one of the things that, for example, the government of Kazakhstan has been extremely concerned about is not to allow their economy to be based solely on oil because they've seen the dangers of that, the dangers of the very lopsided economy in other countries. So we have been talking to them ...about how to expand the economy."

Asked about cooperation with Russia, Jones said the United States has had "very detailed discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin about "why we're interested in Central Asia."

She added that "we have come to a complete meeting of the minds...with the Russians and with the Chinese and the countries of the region [about] the importance of getting at the threat of terrorism coming out of Afghanistan or coming out of any country in the region."

"All of us want to get at the threat of terrorism," narcotic trafficking, health issues such as TB and HIV/AIDS, Jones said. The United States also helps with long-term military training in the region, she said, adding that "it's focused on how to develop a defensive military, a military that is focused on border controls and the kinds of things that protect the country. These are not meant to be offensive military organizations."

Jones emphasized that "We are not talking about United States bases in Central Asia for any length of time. What we need now is access to Central Asian bases in order to prosecute the war against terrorism in Afghanistan... But this is not the long-term effort. The long-term effort is the one that you asked about, is in training, is in inter-cooperation, regional efforts."

Asked about fear in the region that once the United States meets its short-term military objectives are met, the United States will leave them, Jones replied that "we have spent a lot of time and effort to reassure each of the countries of the region that that is not our intention.

"We've been there since right after the breakup of the Soviet Union. We have had embassies in each of these countries, and we intend to keep them there and keep our programs going and encourage non-government, non-United States government organizations to be involved and participate as well."

The United States is making an effort "to expand knowledge in the United States, Europe, Asia, elsewhere, about the importance of these countries and the opportunities that are available to enterprising businesses and NGO's in each of these countries," Jones said.

A State Department announcement January 17 said Jones and her delegation are going to Central Asia to consult with leaders on a broad range of political, economic, and military issues and to convey America's desire for "deepened and greatly expanded ties" with the region.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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