Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Text: Statement to Senate Panel by Ambassador-nominee to Moldova
(Sept. 25 confirmation hearing for Pamela Hyde Smith)

September 25, 2001

Pamela Hyde Smith, President Bush's nominee as ambassador to Moldova, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee September 25 that her agenda as ambassador will include encouraging continued economic reform, and working for a political settlement between the government of Moldova and the separatist regime in Transnistria.

Another issue is the presence of Russian troops and tons of munitions in Transnistria, she said. "The combination of this vast weapons cache and the lack of proper border controls creates a dangerous opportunity for terrorists... It is therefore an urgent necessity to foster a political settlement, reunify the country, achieve the removal of Russian forces in accordance with Russia's commitments in Istanbul in 1999, and establish proper border controls so that terrorists do not have access to weapons or technology."

Following is the text of Smith's statement at her confirmation hearing:

(begin text)

STATEMENT BY PAMELA HYDE SMITH BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS SEPTEMBER 25, 2001

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

I am pleased and deeply honored to appear before this committee today and to have the distinction of being nominated by President Bush to be the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. I am grateful for the confidence and trust that the President and Secretary Powell have placed in me.

Mr. Chairman, we all agree that at this moment no greater priority confronts the United States than eradicating the scourge of terrorism. If confirmed by the Senate, my most urgent mandate will be to work with the government and people of Moldova to support our counter-terrorism efforts. I look forward to the opportunity to utilize my background to this important end. It is gratifying to know that the Moldovan nation has offered us its condolences and its assistance.

My twenty-six years in the Foreign Service have been dedicated to the promotion of U.S. interests overseas. Assignments in Romania, Yugoslavia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, as well as in Washington, have given me experience in running large bilateral exchange programs, negotiating with foreign governments, and advocating U.S. policies to foreign publics and the press. I have had significant management responsibilities in public diplomacy positions here and abroad, most recently as Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in London.

Moldova offers major challenges and opportunities for U.S. interests in a region that has not fully stabilized since the breakup of the Soviet Union. At the southwestern edge of the former Soviet Union, Moldova has a blend of cultures and ethnic groups. Moldova's success or failure will have an impact well beyond its borders.

There is much that is positive in the news coming from Moldova. Democracy and human rights seem well established. Moldova's leaders, including the current Communist-dominated government, support European integration. We and others in the international donor community have worked closely and successfully with the Moldovan government on democratic development, but there is more to do in building civil society, and I look forward to that task.

The economic front presents a stark contrast of problems and successes. With U.S. and other assistance, Moldova has gone farther with economic reform than its post-Soviet counterparts, including comprehensive privatization of agricultural land. Moldova recently joined the World Trade Organization and the Southeast Europe Stability Pact. Yet the country remains one of the poorest in Europe, with daunting economic problems that must be overcome on an urgent basis. We can help make that happen if the government of Moldova follows through with its intention to pursue reform.

Regional security offers the biggest challenge of all to U.S. interests, and now especially in the context of our battle against terrorism. Today the separatist regime in Transnistria occupies one of the remaining Black Holes in Europe, a place where international standards of human rights, transparency, border controls, and cooperation with the international community, are lacking. No country recognizes the regime, and we are working through the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] to reunify Moldova through a political settlement. Meanwhile Russian troops and thousands of tons of munitions remain in Transnistria, hundreds of miles from the nearest Russian territory. The combination of this vast weapons cache and the lack of proper border controls creates a dangerous opportunity for terrorists seeking transit of weaponry or persons. It is therefore an urgent necessity to foster a political settlement, reunify the country, achieve the removal of Russian forces in accordance with Russia's commitments in Istanbul in 1999, and establish proper border controls so that terrorists do not have access to weapons or technology.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I appreciate this opportunity to address you and I look forward to answering any questions you may have. Thank you.

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