Remarks

Opening Remarks for America Week  Khulna

Hotel Castle Salaam, Khulna

February 28, 2005

Honorable Sheikh Tayebur Rahman, Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, Ladies and Gentlemen, honored guests, As-salaamu alaikum and good afternoon. Thank you for making us all so welcome in the fair city of Khulna. America Week is an event that seems to improve every time it’s held. This year, in Khulna, I am proud to say that we look forward to the most exciting, productive program we’ve experienced so far.
 
Three years ago, America Week began with the concept of outreach. The US Embassy wanted to, needed to, reach out to Bangladeshis in all corners of the country.
 
Over the course of our journeys to Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi and now Khulna, America Week has expanded its scope to include much more than outreach or a trade catalog show. It has become an opportunity for us to exchange ideas, increase understanding and even form friendships with people we may not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet.
 
Known for its industry: jute mills and shrimp processing, Khulna is also the gateway to the Sundarban Forest, where I had the pleasure to vacation about 2 weeks ago.
 
When much of the world thinks of “Beautiful Bangladesh,” the first image that comes to mind is the Royal Bengal Tiger. As the last remaining home of the Bengal Tiger, Khulna Division, in some ways, represents the outward face of the country.
 
Like the diverse flora and fauna of the Sundarbans, the programs scheduled for the next few days are also diverse.
 
For students, our American Center will hold advising sessions to help young people take advantage of opportunities to study in the United States.
 
For those of you interested in development, our USAID partner booths will showcase the projects in this region that our staff works on year round. Our Deputy Chief of Mission Judith Chammas and I will have the opportunity to visit the sites of some of these projects.

Over the next 3 days, several colleagues and I will speak to the press on our individual areas of expertise.
 
Gene George, our USAID director, will speak on the great humanitarian projects that his offices are involved in. In this region, USAID partner projects are diverse. They strengthen the foundations of democracy. They teach shrimp farmers to maintain high standards of quality. They help bring electricity to rural areas and develop alternate sources of energy. They improve health care for women giving birth. They save children’s lives with essential tools of hydration.
 
Elizabeth Gourlay, our Consular Section Chief, will speak and answer questions on the visa process.
 
Jonathan Cebra, the Director of the American Center, will describe America’s outreach goals and policy objectives.
 
We also have a special guest here with us from the United States Army, Imam Muhiyyaldin Ibn Noel, who will speak on his role in our military as a Muslim chaplain.
 
Following the America Week programs, I encourage all of you in Khulna to attend the anti-trafficking film show. Trafficking in persons has become a worldwide crisis. In South Asia particularly, it is an issue of great concern to the United States and the global community at large. USAID, Action against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and the American Center collaborated to organize this daylong film show at Zia Hall, which will be open to the public.
 
My personal thanks go to the local security and administration for making our stay in Khulna safe and pleasant.
 
I would also like to thank the many, many people, whose tireless efforts have made this fourth America Week so exciting.
 
Finally, I want to thank our hosts-- the people of Khulna-- who have welcomed us to your city with open arms. I look forward to working with you and learning with you side-by-side today, tomorrow and in the future.

-------------------------

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from The American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call The American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov).