Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher’s Travel (Taken Question)

Q. Where is Richard Boucher? Is he traveling? If so, what is he doing?

Assistant Secretary Boucher has just completed a visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan as part of his regional consultations. He held discussions with President Bakiyev and Foreign Minister Karabayev, as well as other Cabinet officials, members of Parliament, and civil society, and addressed the graduating class at the American University of Central Asia. His talks focused on the range of U.S.-Kyrgyz cooperation efforts, including on education, security, and counter terrorism.

Prior to traveling to Bishkek, Assistant Secretary Boucher visited Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan June 4-7, and met with Kazakhstani Government officials, including Prime Minister Masimov and Foreign Minister Tazhin, and civil society leaders regarding democratic reform, energy cooperation, and economic developments.

Assistant Secretary Boucher is en route to Islamabad, Pakistan for talks June 12 - 15. His agenda includes a range of meetings with Pakistani officials, including Foreign Minister Kasuri and President Musharraf, and civil society representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest and cooperation such as education, democratic and economic development programs, security, and counterterrorism.

2007/467