Expert on Central Asia to talk at UVSC session

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 14, 2006

OREM -- S. Frederick Starr, one of the country's leading experts on Central Asia, will be among a group of speakers on Friday at a conference at Utah Valley State College.

Starr, chairman of the Central Asian Institute at John Hopkins University, will be the keynote speaker for the conference, "The U.S. Interests in Central Asia and the Future of the Countries of the Region," from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centre Stage in the Sorensen Student Center. The conference is for anyone with an interest in the development of Central Asia and is free and open to the public.

Several speakers will be featured, including senior representatives from the U.S. State Department and the United Nations, as well as ambassadors from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyz Republic. Speakers will examine the progress being made in Central Asia and how the United States can be a significant partner in the future development of that region.

Starr is chairman of the Central Asian Institute at John Hopkins University. Facilitator of this year's conference is Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, former ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic and a visiting professor at UVSC.