Presentation of Credentials

Remarks of Robert B. Nolan Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Lesotho On the Occasion of Presentation of Credentials – October 10, 2007

Your Majesty, King Letsie III:

I am most honored and privileged to present to you today the Letter from the President of the United States, George W. Bush, accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Letter of Recall of my predecessor. I bring with me greetings from President Bush and the American people, and best wishes for Your Majesty’s continued good health and for the prosperity and well being of the Basotho nation.

Your Majesty, I consider myself most blessed and honored to have been designated by the President to represent the United States in the Mountain Kingdom, particularly at a time when our bilateral relations are flourishing.  I look forward to working with you, the members of Your Government, and the Basotho people to build our cooperation on many shared objectives.  My wife Nancy will join me in a few months, and she shares my enthusiasm for our service in the Kingdom.

The United States, Your Majesty, is committed to strengthening its partnership with the African continent, and in particular cooperative and effective nations like Lesotho.  The Kingdom has demonstrated remarkable leadership in this regard, and we heartily congratulate Lesotho for its effective international role on free trade, global health, and efforts to thwart international crime and terrorism. It was my pleasure to witness the Honorable Prime Minister’s recent participation in the signing of a compact agreement with our Millennium Challenge Corporation.  Your Majesty’s Government deserves to be proud of its success in surpassing the difficult qualification standards for MCC funding and for taking ownership of this unprecedented assistance program. I am confident that during my tenure implementation of the $362 million compact will substantially reduce poverty and spur economic growth to the benefit of generations of Basotho to come. 

I am most gratified, Your Majesty, that Lesotho is one of the greatest success stories of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  Lesotho’s robust textile and garment industry now supports over 40,000 jobs in the Mountain Kingdom.  This is not enough, however.  I hope that we can collaborate further to expand the benefits of open access to the U.S. market to tap the ingenuity of the Basotho people in bringing greater prosperity to this nation. The Government of the United States also applauds strides made by the country’s political stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions and processes.  For nearly a decade, these efforts have been characterized by free elections, increasing dialogue, and growing respect for the rule of law.  I hope that we can continue to work with Your Government and the political opposition to continue these efforts, especially in gaining a greater appreciation by all stakeholders for power sharing and inclusion.

This year, as another sign of our commitment to a strong relationship with Lesotho, the United States Peace Corps celebrates its 40^th anniversary in this nation.  Currently, over 80 volunteers are living and working in Lesotho, assisting in the education, health, and agricultural sectors.  We are extremely proud of the nearly 2,000 committed Peace Corps volunteers who have served in Lesotho over these many years, and of the kind and capable Basotho who have collaborated with them.

This year, we renewed military to military assistance to Lesotho in the form of our International Military Education and Training program.  I am confident this cooperation will contribute to the growing professionalism of your military and to appreciation among the armed forces for civilian rule.  My Embassy will also continue our community-level assistance to the Basotho people through the Ambassador’s Girls’ Scholarship Program and grants from the Special Self-Help and the Democracy and Human Rights Funds.  These efforts not only assist communities and at-risk citizens to reach their potential, but also cement the bond between our peoples at the grassroots level. 

Your Majesty, while we remain optimistic about the future of the Kingdom, we agree with Your Government that the scourge of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis pose a very real threat the Basotho people.  We need to make concerted efforts to combat these diseases and ensure that future generations are protected.  On behalf of the United States, I reiterate our resolve to continue working with you to eliminate the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Our increasing support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief demonstrates that Lesotho is not alone in this fight.  Lesotho’s internationally renowned “Know Your Status” campaign is a remarkable sign of political will at the highest levels to defeat HIV/AIDS.  Only sustained efforts by all Basotho people and international partners, however, can win the battle against this killer and lead Lesotho to a healthy future.

Your Majesty, on behalf of President Bush and Secretary Rice, but especially on behalf of the American people, I offer our view that the common goals and values that we share serve to advance the interests of both our nations.  I welcome the challenges and opportunities that await me in further advancing our warm and productive relations.   May God Bless the Kingdom of Lesotho and the United States of America.  Thank you very much. 

Your Majesty, may I present to you my Letter of Credence and Letter of Recall of my predecessor.