APFN
HEARING ON U.S. INTERESTS IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS
Fri Oct 19 00:01:24 2001


HEARING ON U.S. INTERESTS IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1998
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa48119.000/hfa48119_0f.htm

[snip]
Today the Subcommittee examines the interests of a new contestant in this new great game, the United States. The five
countries which make up Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, attained their
independence in 1991, and have once again captured worldwide attention due to the phenomenal reserves of oil and natural
gas located in the region. In their desire for political stability as well as economic independence and prosperity, these nations
are anxious to establish relations with the United States. In response, last November, Secretary of Energy Frederico Pena led a
Presidential mission to the Caspian-Central Asian region for discussions. The area's energy resources were also discussed
during November visits to Washington of Kazakhstani President Nazarbayev and Uzbek Prime Minister Sultanov.

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Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan possess large reserves of oil and natural gas, both on-shore and off-shore in the Caspian Sea,
which they urgently seek to exploit. Uzbekistan has oil and gas reserves that may permit it to be self-sufficient in energy and
gain revenue through exports. Estimates of Central Asian oil reserves vary widely, but are usually said to rival those of the
North Sea or Alaska. More accurate estimates of oil and gas resources await wider exploration and the drilling of test wells.
Stated U.S. policy goals regarding energy resources in this region include fostering the independence of the States and their
ties to the West; breaking Russia's monopoly over oil and gas transport routes; promoting Western energy security through
diversified suppliers; encouraging the construction of east-west pipelines that do not transit Iran; and denying Iran dangerous
leverage over the Central Asian economies.
In addition, as has been noted by Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, the United States seeks to discourage any one
country from gaining control over the region, but rather urges all responsible States to cooperate in the exploitation of regional
oil and other resources.
Central Asia would seem to offer significant new investment opportunities for a broad range of American companies which,
in turn, will serve as a valuable stimulus to the economic development of the region. Japan, Turkey, Iran, Western Europe, and
China are all pursuing economic development opportunities and challenging Russian dominance in the region. It is essential that
U.S. policymakers understand the stakes involved in Central Asia as we seek to craft a policy that serves the interests of the
United States and U.S. business.
On the other hand, some question the importance of the region to U.S. interests, and dispute the significance of its resources
to U.S. national security interests. Others caution that it will take a great deal of time and money to bring these resources to
world markets. Still others point to civil and ethnic conflicts in Tajikistan and Afghanistan as a reason to avoid involvement
beyond a minimal diplomatic presence in the area.
[snip]

GO HERE FOR FULL STORY:
HEARING ON U.S. INTERESTS IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1998
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa48119.000/hfa48119_0f.htm 

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