DUSHANBE, November 11, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, Ambassador George A. Krol, is giving a press conference at the Republican Press Center in Dushanbe today afternoon

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, Ambassador Krol arrived in Tajikistan on a short visit and during his stay in Dushanbe, he is scheduled to hold talks with a number of high-ranking Tajik state officials as well as representatives of business sector and NGOs.  

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs will also deliver a statement at international conference formally titled “Central Asia and Afghanistan: Problems, Opportunities and Prospects” that will is being held at the Center for Strategic Studies in Dushanbe today.

Ambassador George A. Krol is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, rank of Minister-Counselor.  He joined the Foreign Service in 1982 and served as U.S. Ambassador to Belarus 2003-2006.  He has served in overseas postings in Warsaw, New Delhi, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev and Minsk and has held several domestic assignments including as Director of the State Department’s Office of Russian Affairs and as Special Assistant to the Ambassador-at-large for the New Independent States. He has also taught at the National War College and was a member of the State Department’s Senior Seminar.  Ambassador Krol is the recipient of several State Department Meritorious and Superior Honor awards. He speaks Russian and Polish. Ambassador Krol is a graduate of Harvard University and Oxford University, England.