Central and Southwest Asian Countries:   GAO-03-634R, May 9,
2003  Additional Materials:   Joseph A. Christoff (202) 512-8979
Office of Public Affairs (202) 512-4800  Following the terrorist
attacks of September 2001, prosecuting the global war on
terrorism became the United States' primary foreign policy
priority. The United States focused its initial efforts on
Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom because the country
harbored elements of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. As a
result, countries in the region--Pakistan and the five Central
Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan--became frontline states in the war
on terrorism, raising the profile of U.S. relations with these
countries.  Since the attacks of September 2001, the United
States has broadened its priorities and increased its assistance
and presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the five Central
Asian republics--countries with significant political and
economic challenges that may affect the Un