Ambassador Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Carmen Martinez at the Ceremony for the Presentation of Credentials

State House
December 12, 2005

Your Excellency,

Thank you for receiving me to present my credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Zambia. I am honored that the President of the United States has appointed me, with the consent of the United States Senate, as his personal representative to the Republic of Zambia.

Mr. President,

The United States values its growing partnership with the government and people of Zambia. Our nations share many important goals. Both the people of the United States and the people of Zambia cherish their right to elect their leaders, their right to equality before the law, their right to worship as they choose, and their right to express their opinions freely.

Our mutual goals and values underpin the continued growth in our cooperation with Zambia. Governments that rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom receive our strongest support. The strength of our relationship is reflected by the growth in our bilateral programs and by new initiatives that include the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Millennium Challenge Account program, African Contingency Operations Training Assistance, and the White House’s initiative for Women’s Justice and Empowerment. As a result of these and other initiatives, overall assistance from the United States to Zambia has grown from about $40 million in 2001 to more than $200 million in 2005. I look forward to strengthening our partnership during my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Zambia.

Mr. President,

Zambia is an active participant in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. As you have noted so many times, Zambia's economic and political development will be short-lived if the HIV/AIDS threat is not addressed effectively. We value our collaborative relationship with the Government of Zambia, including the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Council, and our numerous Zambian partners around the country. Helping Zambia to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic will be one of my highest priorities as U.S. Ambassador to Zambia. I will be supported in this effort by a dedicated team from the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Peace Corps and the Department of Defense.

Mr. President,

President Bush and Secretary Rice have stressed that good governance is the foundation for sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. This principle underpins the Millennium Challenge Account. I look forward to working with the Government of Zambia on the MCA Threshold Program, to boost Zambia’s economic and political development. With financial support and technical assistance from USAID and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Zambian government already carries out a wide-ranging reform program centered on the battle against corruption, which is a critical element in our expanding bilateral relationship. As Ambassador, I look forward to working with the Zambian government and people to support this nation’s multi-party democracy. Democracy is another essential element in maintaining a strong relationship between our countries. National elections are anticipated in 2006. The Government’s efforts to ensure free and fair elections, which inspire confidence among the voters throughout the country, will be a testament to Zambia’s commitment to the fundamental ideals of democracy.

Mr. President,

Zambia has a well-justified reputation for peace and stability in the southern Africa region, and we are pleased to support Zambia’s contributions to security throughout the continent with our African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance Program. We salute the Zambian contingents that serve the cause of peace in United Nations and African Union peacekeeping operations in the Sudan, and we value Zambia’s cooperation with the United States and other free nations in the war on terrorism. I hope to work with you to improve the security of Zambia, and to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens and U.S. government facilities in Zambia.

Mr. President,

As Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia, I look forward to frequent, cordial and candid dialogue with you and your government so that we can achieve our shared goals in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect.

On behalf of President Bush and Secretary Rice, and especially on behalf of the American people, I look forward to working with you to put in place policies that promote democracy and prosperity in Zambia.

Thank you, Mr. President.