REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR PETER R. CHAVEAS
AT THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
FOR THE NEW AMERICAN EMBASSY COMPOUND
MAY 21, 2004

Today, the American Embassy in Sierra Leone takes a major step in investing in the future of Sierra Leone and in the interests of the United States in this country and sub-region. I would like to start by saying special thanks to two people who are present today who played critical roles in bringing about this event. First, to you Mr President. The keen personal interest that you demonstrated in this project from its inception was of paramount importance. Senior members of your government, most notably the Honourable Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment, offered us immense cooperation but your leadership set the tone. Second, to the Director and Chief Operating Officer for Overseas Building Operations of the US Department of State Charles Williams. You recognized the importance of improving critical deficiencies in our infrastructure and delivered the resources, planning and support without which this day would never have been a reality.

I would also like to recognize one individual who sadly cannot be with us today. Raed Nasserdine was murdered in his Freetown home less than two weeks ago. He was a good friend to the American Mission in Sierra Leone and the closest of friend to many individuals in the American community. He was a very decent and honest man who showed his commitment to Sierra Leone by building a business in this community and doing quality work. He was responsible for the early work on this site, including the perimeter fence and lighting. He is sadly missed.

As many in this audience are aware, the past three years were not my first experience with Sierra Leone. I first served in the American Embassy here starting in 1970 and at that time, the American Embassy was located in the exact same location as it is today. Only the names have changed. At that time we were at the corner of Westmoreland and Walpole Streets. As a result of that experience, I knew well before I returned in October 2001 that the existing Embassy suffered from serious security deficiencies given the very different and difficult global security environment that we live in today. But the first working day that I was back in Sierra Leone I received a considerable shock. I took a complete tour of the Embassy building from the basement to the roof. I found a building in dismal condition with inadequate electricity supply and poor plumbing. It was dirty and most critically, it was a firetrap! We worked quickly and aggressively with Washington to mitigate many of these deficiencies and I think all of my staff would agree that the building is a much better place to work today. But there was one critical deficiency that we could not overcome - the serious security vulnerability inherent in the building's location.

I had a second shock several days later when I held an introductory meeting with representatives of the media. The very first question I was asked was, "when will the American Embassy reopen?" You can imagine my surprise since we were meeting in the Embassy at that very moment. The Embassy seemed very much open to me. But I quickly learned what I was being asked. The question was really, "when would the American Embassy again be open for visa services?" I assure you that there is no question that I have been asked more often over the period of my tenure here and I suspect that my successor will be asked it early and often as well.

Today, we are taking a tremendous step towards that goal. But the construction of this new facility is about much more than the issuance of visas. It is about the United States Government saying "We have confidence in the future of Sierra Leone and we need the best possible facilities in which to do our business over the long term." Thanks to you Mr President, my Government has lease rights to this land for 198 years. We plan to be around for a long time.

I could go on at much greater length about this day and how it came about. I take great personal pleasure and professional satisfaction from the fact that it is happening before my departure. However, there are two speakers to follow, both of whom have made exceptional efforts to adjust their schedules to make this event happen today. One of them is you Mr President. The other is General Williams.

Charles Williams has had an exemplary career in construction and engineering, including twenty-nine years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired with the rank of Major General in 1989. Currently, he is serving as Director and Chief Operating Officer for Overseas Building Operations at the Department of State. As you will immediately note, there is more than one retired Army General Officer making very critical contributions to the mission of the U.S. Department of State these days! Without further ado I would like to turn this podium over to you General Williams.

-End-