[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1697-E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               KYRGYZSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the President of 
Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev, and the First Lady, visited the United 
States.
  I rise to welcome them and thank them for their friendship.
  Kyrgyzstan is centrally located along the Great Silk Road, an ancient 
economic and cultural trade route that connected Europe to Asia.
  Kyrgyzstan has absorbed traditions from the East and the West, making 
its history rich and its people diverse.
  Today, the Great Silk Road is being renewed and Kyrgyzstan, once 
again, is at the center.
  Kyrgyzstan has made notable progress since its independence, but it 
still faces many challenges.
  Over the past decade, Kyrgyzstan has moved to adopt democratic 
reforms and a market economy. However, the potential that Kyrgyzstan 
holds to be an example to the region has not yet been fully realized. 
The U.S.

[[Page E1698]]

must work closely with President Akayev to encourage additional 
reforms.
  Still, the Kyrgyz people are hungry for democracy and thirsty for 
economic prosperity. The future of the Kyrgyzstan rests in the hands of 
its young people. And it is a bright future. With this in mind, it is 
encouraging to see the hard work of the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan on 
behalf of the children in her country. The U.S. must continue to 
support these efforts.
  Kyrgyzstan has also been a strong supporter of the United States' war 
on terrorism. President Akayev has cooperated in allowing the use of an 
airbase in Bishkek and the government has helped with providing 
information on terrorist cells in the region.
  A prosperous Kyrgyzstan is important for regional security and 
stability. Therefore, we must work together to continue building 
relations between Kyrgyzstan and the U.S.

                          ____________________