From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Jun 01 2001 - 10:25:48 EDT
U.S. INTENDS TO STEP UP COOPERATION WITH COUNTRIES OF SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
AND CENTRAL ASIA
TBILISI. May 31 (Interfax) - The new U.S. administration intends to
make its cooperation with the countries of the Southern Caucasus and
Central Asia more active, Senator Sam Brownbeck told journalists
Thursday after his meeting in Tbilisi with the Georgian President Eduard
Shevardnadze.
Senator Brownbeck is one of the authors of The Great Silk Road
project. He said he had discussed Georgia's situation and the prospects
of developing this project with President Shevardnadze.
In his opinion, corruption and economic instability may hamper the
realization of the project. He expressed hope that the campaign against
corruption initiated in Georgia would produce the desired effect.
The Senator announced that U.S. President George W. Bush is in
favor of deeper cooperation with Georgia and other South Caucasian
countries as well as with Central Asia.
He said President Bush and his administration are interested in
maintaining stability in those regions, but the U.S. will not interfere
in the internal affairs of the countries.
After his visit to Georgia Senator Brownbeck intends to visit all
the countries of the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia.
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