MCC CEO, GOL joint Press Conference

U.S. Ambassador Robert B. Nolan’s Remarks
Joint Press Event
MCC CEO Ambassador Danilovich and GOL Ministers

Thursday November 22, 2007

His Majesty King Letsie III,
The Right Honorable the Prime Minister,
Honorable Government Ministers,
Principal Secretaries here present,
Ambassador Danilovich,
Members of the Press Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor to stand here today with senior representatives of the Government of Lesotho and with Ambassador Danilovich to mark Lesotho’s progress on the road to full implementation of its impressive and groundbreaking Millennium Challenge Account compact.

The Government of Lesotho’s compact with the MCC is not just a financial agreement or a traditional aid package.  The $362.6 million compact is nothing less than the physical embodiment of two powerful forces:  first, the achievements of the Government of Lesotho to capture the aspirations of the Basotho people and to forge them into a plan that will have a significant economic and development impact for generations to come; and second, the willingness of the American people to recognize these achievements and potential by providing the Basotho people with the resources they need to transform their own blueprint into reality. 

Ambassador Danilovich’s presence here is yet another indication that the United States has a strong desire to further strengthen our longstanding bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom of Lesotho and to continue our pursuit of mutual interests.  This MCA compact initiative joins many ongoing cooperative efforts of the United States and Lesotho, including unprecedented efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (known as PEPFAR) and the remarkable success that we have jointly achieved in spurring trade and industrial growth through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (known as AGOA).  Indeed, implementation of the compact will be closely linked to these ongoing initiatives.

Our bilateral cooperation also extends to wonderful story of the United States Peace Corps program in Lesotho.  Peace Corps recently celebrated 40 years of uninterrupted service in the Kingdom, and nearly 2,000 Americans have served over the years in all ten districts of the country, making important contributions in health, education, agriculture, and community development.   In addition, several dozen U.S.-based NGO and university partners operate in Lesotho, collectively presenting what we believe is the best face of American generosity, ingenuity, and cooperation.

We are proud to count Lesotho among our partners in creating a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world.  Lesotho’s MCA compact is an integral part of this spirited story of cooperation between the Basotho and American peoples.  I thank Ambassador Danilovich for his visit, and I also express appreciation to the Government of Lesotho and to all stakeholders, including civil society, for their continued partnership.  I am certain that the MCA compact will serve as a bright emblem of the brilliant future of our bilateral relationship.  May God bless the Kingdom of Lesotho and the United States of America.

Thank you.