Ambassador Speeches

Ambassador Michael Kirby remarks at the
American Corner Opening Ceremony

Ceadir Lunga Municipal Public Library
October 10, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored to be here today at the Ceadir Lunga Municipal Public Library to open our third American Corner in Moldova.  I would like to thank the Mayor, Mihail Formuzal, and the Library Director, Valentina Pashali, for making it possible to bring this little piece of America to your city.

This American Corner will offer the citizens of Ceadir Lunga open and permanent access to a wide range of information about the United States.  The American Corner, which has collections of books, reference materials, and DVDs in English, will be a great resource for students, professors, alumni, and the general public.  Equipped with computers, television, and a DVD player, the Corner will also give visitors access to various media, including the Internet.  Alumni, Peace Corps Volunteers, and others are also invited to use the Corner as a venue for meetings. 

Your Municipal Library is the ideal institution to host an American Corner.  It shares our interest in reaching the broadest possible range of citizens.  Here you have existing collections of American and European literature that draw students and others interested in international affairs and foreign cultures.  We want to give them access to additional information about the United States, not only for research but for action as well.

Businessmen can use this American Corner to locate prospective clients and suppliers.  Teachers can find material to enhance their lessons.  Students can learn about opportunities for study in the United States.  Journalists can check facts for their reporting.  And public officials and members of non-governmental organizations can find colleagues in the United States who are grappling with the same sorts of issues that they are dealing with here in Ceadir Lunga.

The world is getting smaller every day, even as the challenges that we face seem to get bigger.  To fight poverty, oppression, terrorism, environmental degradation and other problems, we have to work together.  To protect and expand freedom and prosperity, we have to be ready for dialogue and open to new ideas.

Today we are laying a foundation.  In building upon it you will, of course, have the support of the staff of the Embassy in Chisinau.  We will work with you to supplement the collection and to provide interesting programming.  But ultimately the success of this Corner depends on you.  I hope that it will serve as a vibrant point of connection between our nations, one that will benefit Americans and Moldovans alike and lead to new and deeper relations of mutual respect and common benefit.

Thank you very much.