|
SPEECH
BY PRESIDENT ALHAJI DR. AHMAD TEJAN ON THE
GROUNDBREAKING
CEREMONY FOR THE
NEW AMERICAN EMBASSY AT
LEICESTER PEAK, FREETOWN,
MAY 21, 2004
What
we are witnessing here today is of great significance
both for the United States Government and for
the people and government of Sierra Leone.
|
|
|
President
Kabbah Making his speech
|
This groundbreaking ceremony underscores the excellent
bilateral relationship between the governments
of the United States and Sierra Leone.
We
are particularly pleased with your expression
of confidence in the future of Sierra Leone. Thank
you Mr Ambassador for those kind words. This feeling
towards each other is mutual partly because of
the historical links between our two countries
and also partly because of the consistently excellent
relations that both countries have enjoyed over
the years, spanning the slave trade era up to
its abolition and the settlement of freed slaves
on these shores. We also share a common language,
English, which the British so generously bequeathed
to us.
This
complex which is about to be constructed is indeed
a manifestation of the excellent ties between
the Governments and Peoples of the United States
of America and Sierra Leone.
As
the world's only superpower this sends a clear
message that the peace we have worked so hard
to bring about after a little over a decade of
conflict is being consolidated by our friends
and partners in development.
Indeed, the United States Embassy is here in Freetown,
but to many Sierra Leoneans they cannot understand
why they must travel to Guinea or to la Cote d'Ivoire
and even beyond to obtain their visas to travel
to America. A curious citizen once asked me to
explain to her why Sierra Leoneans who speak English
like the Americans and have had close affinity
with America over the years must go to Francophone
countries in order to meet English-speaking American
officials to obtain visas.
I have observed from your comments about the anxiety
of Sierra Leoneans for the reopening of the US
Embassy after the war. This concern according
to you is based on the need for our people to
have easy and less expensive access to obtain
US visas. I might venture to suggest that the
reason you have given for this concern is also
based on the assurances given by your predecessor
that soon after the war the Consular Section of
the US Embassy in Freetown would be reopened.
I personally recall that he assured me that steps
were being taken to that end. I therefore suspect
that these assurances must have heightened the
expectations of our people for an early resumption
of Consular services at the US Embassy in Freetown
following the end of hostilities. Now that this
building is going up and hopefully will be completed
shortly, we are all looking forward to its completion
so that the Embassy can undertake its full range
of services.
Well, Mr Ambassador, you have just highlighted
some of the problems which have caused this hardship
for our travelling citizens. Vulnerability of
the current location of the Embassy at the junction
of Siaka Stevens and Walpole Streets has been
stated as one of the concerns.
We in Sierra Leone are familiar with situations
where threat to life and property poses serious
challenges. That was why we were too pleased to
provide a suitable location that met the requirements
of the United States Government for the construction
of an embassy compound.
This
serene surrounding at the foot of Leicester Peak
with beautiful greenery and vegetation, in my
view, provides an ideal location for work and
reflection by US embassy staff who will be working
here when this compound will have been completed.
General Williams, Mr Ambassador, US Embassy staff
and all Americans present here today, I extend
to you and your Government heartiest congratulations
for commencing development on this land so soon
after its acquisition.
By providing this piece of land the Government
and People of Sierra Leone have demonstrated their
abiding commitment to further strengthening the
friendly relationship between our two Governments
and Peoples. I wish all those who come to work
here well.
Thank you for your attention.
-End-
|
