Mitch Landrieu: “I make special note of the visit to the United States by the distinguished President of the Republic of Kyrgystan, Askar…”

“I make special note of the visit to the United States by the distinguished President of the Republic of Kyrgystan, Askar Akaev. President Akaev was in the our country for the opening of the session of the United Nations and also traveled to Utah to discuss the reforms taking place in his country and to talk about the efforts his nation is taking in the war on terrorism. Today we face a global war against terror, a war we cannot win alone. It is in that spirit that we should recognize and support democracies worldwide, particularly those burgeoning democracies for which freedom is a new concept. The Republic of Kyrgyzstan, is just such an example. A small country of 5 million in Central Asia, the Kyrgyz Republic has been one of the most progressive countries in the region, especially amongst the countries which once made up the former Soviet Union. Plagued by an inflation rate of 88% in the year 1994, Kyrgyzstan under the leadership of President Akaev was successful in carrying out a number of market reforms, which allowed it to lower that inflation rate to 15 percent in just three years. President, Askar Akaev was first elected in October of 1990 and is internationally recognized for his promotion of science, human rights and democracy world wide.”