"This region needs to have a much higher priority"

Jan. 25, 2008
US Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), the Foreign Relations Committee's ranking minority member, during a Jan. 10-12 visit to Kazakhstan and Tukmenistan

US Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), the Foreign Relations Committee's ranking minority member, during a Jan. 10-12 visit to Kazakhstan and Tukmenistan:

"US strategic and economic interests intersect in Central Asia. With Russia to the north and Iran and Afghanistan to the south, energy-rich Central Asia is at the frontline of American national security priorities.

"We have tremendous opportunities in the region, but it will take time and consistent high-level effort to build constructive relationships. This region needs to have a much higher priority on America's foreign policy agenda."

Moving on to Azerbaijan on Jan. 13-14, Lugar reaffirmed his call for President Bush to appoint a special representative for energy in the greater Caspian region. The senator's trip to the region came at about the same time US Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman visited several Persian Gulf producing nations.