Remarks

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Judith A. Chammas at the America Week 2006 Opening Dinner

Hotel Peninsula, Chittagong

March 14, 2006

Honorable Morshed Khan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ladies and Gentlemen; honored guests: Asalamu Aleikum, nomoskar, good evening.  Thank you for making us so welcome here in Chittagong. 

Three and a half years ago we launched our first America Week here in Chittagong.  Over the intervening years, we have visited Sylhet, Rajshahi, and Khulna.  It is wonderful to be back in Chittagong, for what I am sure will be the best America Week yet.

Sometimes I get asked why we hold America Week.  Secretary Rice has emphasized the importance of Embassies reaching out to populations outside of capital cities – that is something that we at Embassy Dhaka have always considered important.  America Week is a wonderful opportunity for us to share with the people of Chittagong information about our activities here in Bangladesh – as well as our chance to learn about your lives here in Chittagong.

Known for its port, Chittagong is the commercial hub of Bangladesh.  It is the lifeline that connects the industries and consumers of Bangladesh with the markets and products of the rest of the world.  We always stress that trade rather than aid is the best engine for development.  In Bangladesh, much of that trade passes through the port here in Chittagong. 

Among our guests tonight is Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and I would like to congratulate him on his reelection last year.  People occasionally ask me which candidate the Embassy supports in elections here in Bangladesh, and my response is always that it is up to the people of Bangladesh (or in this case the people of Chittagong) to support particular candidates.   The Embassy supports the process of free and fair elections rather than any candidate.  Everything that we have heard indicates that the elections last May in Chittagong were free and fair and that the results represent the popular sentiment of the people of Chittagong.  That is my definition of electoral success.

The Chittagong Division is one of the most diverse in Bangladesh: home to the beautiful Hill Tracks and the long beach at Cox’s Bazar.

Just as Chittagong Division is diverse – the programs that we have scheduled for the next several days are diverse.

For students, our American Center will offer programs on everyday life in America and will visit schools and universities to offer advising sessions for young people who may be interested in studying in the United States.
 
For those of you interested in development, our USAID partners have set up booths at the Agrabad Hotel that showcase the projects in this region that our staff works on year round. The Honorable Minister, the Honorable Mayor and I visited these booths earlier today and I am sure that they were as impressed as I was.  Every day, there are also presentations by program partners that provide even more information about specific projects.  Mission Director Gene George and I will also have the opportunity to visit some of these projects while we are in Chittagong.

Our Trade Development Center also has a booth at the Agrabad, as does the Peace Corps.

Earlier today, I participated in the first of three press conferences that will take place during America Week. 
 
Tomorrow, 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 help ensure food security during disasters. 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.
 
On Thursday, Elizabeth Gourlay, our Consular Section Chief, will speak and answer questions on the visa process – I know that I always get questions about visas, so I am sure that the journalists will have many questions.  Our consular officers will also be available at a booth in the Hotel Agrabad to answer questions from the general public.
   
My personal thanks go to the local security and administration for making our stay in Chittagong safe and pleasant.
 
I would also like to thank the many, many people, whose tireless efforts have made this fifth America Week so exciting.
 
Finally, I want to thank our hosts - the people of Chittagong - 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