2008 Embassy News
DAS Krol covers “Everything under the sun” during November 10-12 visit
During a two and half day trip to Tajikistan November 10-12, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia George Krol met with a broad cross section of Tajik society, starting with the president and foreign minister, and including human rights activists, USG program alumni, entrepreneurs, and Tajik families facing a tough winter in the regions. Undaunted by an 8-hour delay in his flight, Krol met with embassy staff upon arrival mid afternoon, then human rights and religious freedom advocates. The next day Krol met President Rahmon and Foreign Minister Zarifi and delivered a speech at the Center for Strategic Studies’ conference on Central Asia and Afghanistan. At his press conference later that day he told journalists he had discussed “everything under the sun” with the President, i.e., Afghanistan, prospects of the Obama presidential administration, preparations for the coming winter in Tajikistan, and the development of Tajik society and state institutions. He had coffee with Tajik exchange alumni who shared with him their experiences and impressions. He discussed Tajikistan’s business and development climate with entrepreneurs and representatives of international financial institutions and donor organizations. Krol spent November 12 traveling to the Nizhniy-Pyanj Bridge and visiting Tajik families in the Khatlon Region who received USG aid to help cope with the coming winter (press release). Krol was previously in Tajikistan in June to attend the fourth annual Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
Read Krol's conference remarks, "Central Asia and Afghanistan: An American Perspective."