Sam Brownback: “I rise to introduce the Silk Road Strategy Act of 2006. Joining me as original cosponsors are Senators Kyl and…”

“I rise to introduce the Silk Road Strategy Act of 2006. Joining me as original cosponsors are Senators Kyl and Hutchison. I would like to extend my thanks to both of my colleagues and their staff for their assistance and guidance on many of the provisions in the bill. The original Silk Road Strategy Act of 1999 saw the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia--specifically, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan--as a distinct region bound by history and common interests with a shared potential that was of critical importance to the United States. The goals of that legislation were as follows: to promote independent, democratic government; to promote the protection of human rights, tolerance, and pluralism; to aid in the resolution of conflicts and support political, economic, and security cooperation in order to foster regional stability and economic interdependence; to promote financial and economic development based on market principles; to aid in the development of communications, transportation, health and human services infrastructure; to promote and protect the interests of U.S. businesses and investments. These basic policy goals have not changed; however, historic events since 1999 have had a significant impact on the region's political systems, economic conditions, and security situation which affect U.S. perceptions of and interests in the region.…”