Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's speech delivered at the inauguration of the Machinery Service Center in Garbova commune, Edinet judet

June 5, 2003

Deputy Prime Minister Todoroglo, ladies and gentlemen, dear farmers, respected audience!

I am extremely pleased to participate today in the inauguration of the Machinery Service Center here, in Gвrbova commune.

After a cold winter and a delayed spring, the beginning of summer has been dry, but we are all hoping that the weather will change and the situation in agriculture will improve.

I have been in the Republic of Moldova for almost two years. During this period, I have lived many beautiful moments associated with the rural life of Moldova. I have actively participated in various agricultural events. On these occasions, I have had the pleasure of meeting many private farmers who started up successful businesses in Moldova.

That is why, I am extremely glad that for the last six years, the United States has had the fortunate opportunity to provide help to Moldovan farmers. Today, the Government of the United States of America is proud of the support provided to the Private Farmers Assistance Program in the foundation of machinery service centers. The financing we provide to the Private Farmers Assistance Program through the United States Agency for International Development demonstrates that we wish you to prosper in your activity as private farmers.

This year, the mentioned organizations have provided one million three hundred thousand US dollars for the purchase of agricultural equipment. Anyone of you, esteemed agricultural workers, can benefit from this agricultural equipment through those 80 machinery service structures.

I would like to tell you that at the Embassy I have in front of me a map of the Republic of Moldova. This map is covered by points indicating all the places where the United States provided support to private businesses. These are not just simple points. They represent hundreds of people like you who work hard to achieve success in private agriculture. I am very curious to see not just the points on the map, but also the places these represent. This is why I am here, to share with you the joy of this event.

The United States welcomes the opening of these centers throughout the entire territory of the republic: from Gвrbova - the northern-most point, to Burlacu - the southern-most point. We are impressed with the efficiency of their economic activity. Certainly, the quality services provided by this center starting today will be appreciated just as highly by the farmers of the region.

I am happy to see mechanical workers eager to start agricultural works with the new equipment. We know that these centers help the private farmers work more efficiently by using quality equipment.

To date, through the Private Farmers Assistance Program, the United States Agency for International Development has provided to the beneficiaries a total of 274 agricultural machinery units, including 23 combine harvesters, 171 tractors, and 36 sprinklers. Starting today, the Machinery Service Center from Gвrbova will have 2 combine harvesters, 9 tractors, including 2 tractors with reversible plows and other agricultural machines.

We hope that by using this equipment, private farmers will improve considerably their living standard. So, good luck in your work, dear farmers, because, as a Moldovan saying reads: "A man is known by his work!"