S. HRG. 107-750 BALANCING MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CENTRAL ASIA OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION JUNE 27, 2002 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Relations Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate 82-602 PDF U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Prepared statement Responses to additional questions from Senator Torricelli Brownback, Hon. Sam, U.S. Senator from Kansas, statement submitted for Courtney, Hon. William H., former U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Craner, Hon. Lorne W., Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Bureau, Department of State, Washington, DC Crouch, Hon. J.D. II, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Secu- rity Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, Responses to additional questions from Senator Gordon Smith 54,57 (III) BALANCING MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CENTRAL ASIA THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2002 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON CENTRAL ASIA AND SOUTH CAUCASUS, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:50 p.m., in room SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Robert G. Torricelli (chairman of the subcommittee), presiding. Present: Senators Torricelli, Lugar, and Brownback. Senator TORRICELLI. The subcommittee will please come to order. I am pleased today to convene this hearing to consider United States policy in one of the most vital regions of the world. Since the Subcommittee on Central Asia and South Caucasus was created last August, the region it covers unexpectedly has taken on a role at the very center of our Nation's foreign policy. Five central Asian nations are now key partners in our diplomatic and military campaign to destroy global terrorist networks. These partnerships offer the prospect of deepening security and economic ties which will benefit all nations involved. At the same time there are potential dangers which must be addressed. Prior to September 11, United States policy in the region was largely focused on promoting democratic reform, increasing respect for human rights and encouraging economic growth. Many observers of the region now believe that that agenda is in jeopardy, and are concerned that the United States will hold back from promoting democracy and human rights to avoid friction with the central Asian leaders. None of us question the vital importance of the military actions the United States is undertaking in Afghanistan, and the indispensable role that central Asian nations have played in supporting our operations. I have been a strong supporter of the American military campaign currently underway, indeed I went to Afghanistan in April to assess its progress and to meet with our Armed Forces. But it would be a serious mistake if we were to sacrifice our agenda for the promotion of democracy and human rights in exchange for security cooperation. Rooting out terrorism, promoting democracy and human rights are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, they are probably mutually reinforcing. (1) |