DUSHANBE, February 20, 2010, Asia-Plus — Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, made an official visit to Tajikistan on February 20. During his visit, he met with President Emomali Rahmon.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Tajik leader, Ambassador Holbrooke noted that, during his meeting with President Rahmon, they discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the role of Tajikistan in stabilizing the country, and regional energy partnerships.
He noted that this is his third meeting with high-ranking Tajik state officials in six months, and he expects to have more in the future.
The U.S. Af-Pak envoy noted that Tajikistan can play an important role in stabilizing Afghanistan. “During today’s meeting, President Rahmon informed me about the situation in Tajikistan, Central Asia and Afghanistan,” Ambassador Holbrooke said, noting that Tajik leader dwelled at length on relations between Tajikistan and Afghanistan and expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for the Tajik-Afghan bridge built in Nizhny Panj.
According to him, they also discussed construction of a new bridge connecting Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
They also considered issues related to implementation of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) and water-and-energy problems in the region.
Besides, answering questions of reporters, Ambassador Holbrooke noted that the real threat in the region is less from the Taliban Movement than from Al-Qaeda terrorist network, which wants to train international terrorists, but that is an issue of common concern to the United States and to all countries in the region. “The U.S. Government calls on all countries of the world, in particular, the countries of the European Union, China and Russia to combine efforts to fight international terrorism that poses threat to the whole civilized world,” Mr. Holbrooke noted.
