(As delivered in Russian on November 15, 2022) Dear Nurlan Turgunbekovich, representatives of the presidential administration and parliament, Ms. Grawe, dear journalists and civil society participants – good morning. “Where there is wisdom, there is justice; there is no falsehood.” [Kyrgyz saying] It is an honor to be here today,and participate in …
Read More» The White House Washington March 19, 2022 His Excellency Sadyr Japarov President of the Kyrgyz Republic Bishkek Dear Mr. President: I want to wish you and the people of the Kyrgyz Republic a peaceful, healthy and prosperous Nooruz. As we celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations and partnership between our two countries, my Administration is …
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Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to …
Read More» Dear colleagues, What has been the most important Kyrgyz news story of the past 18 months since our last awards ceremony? Elections? Coronavirus? Revolution? No. The single most important story of the past 18 months has been the investigative journalism about the criminal empire of Raim Million. But why was it so important? Organized crime …
Read More» November 25, 2020 Mrs. Zhunusheva, Dr. Maanaev, Dr. Aaliyev, Dr. Tolbashieva, Dr. Ainura, respected doctors and nurses in the red zone, Two weeks ago, I did not know what a high-flow oxygen concentrator was or why it was important in the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19. Ten days ago my mother and stepfather in …
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October 11, 2019 The Honorable Minister of Economy Mr. Mukanbetov, Mr. Adilbek uluu, JIA Chairman Omoshov and our host Mr. Mamashov, ladies and gentlemen, Why is there so little American, European, Japanese and Korean trade and investment in Kyrgyzstan? The answer is simple: Fear of corruption. Allow me to offer some suggestions about how the …
Read More» Honorable Prime Minister Abylgaziev, Minister Abaev, Chairman Salimzoda, Mr. Bekmorodov, Dr. Kassim-Lakha, My Kyrgyz teacher taught me, “Оюндан от чыгат” or in Russian, “маленькими щепками можно разжечь больцой пожар.” I would argue that the most important event for civil society recently has been the anti-uranium mining protests that started in the small village of Kok-Moynok …
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Ambassador Donald Lu at the annual Internews Media Awards Ceremony. Photo credit: Internews Kyrgyzstan Саламатсыздарбы. I want to tell you a story of a friend of mine, Khadija Ismayilova. She is a journalist for Radio Free Europe in Azerbaijan. When I knew her she was constantly getting in trouble for standing up to President Aliyev. …
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Senior Bureau Official Alice G. Wells Remarks Illicit Funds Recovery Event with Minister of Finance Baktygul Jeenbaeva Monday, February 26, 2019, 2:30 p.m. Ministry of Finance, 58, Erkindik bulvar, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Саламатсыздарбы! (Translation: Greetings!) Thank you, Minister Jeenbaeva. It is a great honor for me to join you today as a sign of …
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Kyrgyz Republic and the United States: Reflecting on our Partnership The holiday season is for slowing down, taking a break, and enjoying precious time with one’s nearest and dearest. I think that many of us, Kyrgyz and Americans alike, are now taking stock of the past 12 months, celebrating accomplishments, appreciating friendships, and seizing the …
Read More» This year, in marking International Human Rights Day on December 10, we also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In 1945, World leaders, in the aftermath of the horrors of WW2, based the UN’s Charter on their shared desire to foster peace, promote human rights, and chart a path forward …
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