Ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR EARL ANTHONY WAYNE AT JOURNALISTS' RECEPTION
December 14, 2006
Honorables invitados.
Quiero darles hoy la bienvenida. Les agradezco por venir y por compartir con nosotros sus ideas sobre Argentina y sobre la relación entre Argentina y Estados Unidos. He descubierto durante mi carrera que los periodistas, además de llevar adelante su función de informar y analizar hechos importantes, son a su vez una de las mejores fuentes de información sobre qué es lo que realmente ocurre en un país determinado.
Siento también un gran respeto por los periodistas y por el papel que cumple el periodismo en una democracia – mantener al público informado, mantener honestos a los funcionarios y políticos y mantener al mercado de ideas floreciente.
Permitanme, por favor, continuar en inglés para expresar con mayor fluidides lo que quiero decir.
As many of you may have heard, i took two years off from my diplomatic career to work as a journalist for the Christian Science Monitor. They were two of the most rewarding years of my life. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to come to grips with complex concepts and events and then sharing that knowledge with the readers.
I must say that in my brief tenure here in Argentina I have been impressed by the strength, depth and tradition of argentine journalism. Your media strives to maintain high standards and to incorporate a wide variety of viewpoints. The time I devote daily to reading the press is rewarding both for the information as well as the intellectual stimulation you provide. It is clear that Argentine journalism is hewing to its historic role as a major social and political force. As I mentioned earlier, I am learning a lot about Argentina from you.
As in many countries around the world, journalism in Argentina is undergoing change. The historic sophistication of its print press is now well established in your electronic media too. Radio, television and the newest format – online media - are linking Argentina to the world on a 24-hour news cycle, not just in the capital but deep into the interior, as was quickly evident on my first trips outside Buenos Aires. The future of Argentine journalism in all its media forms is promising, and I hope you will consider the embassy as a source of support at this important stage of development.
We too have an active and changing media scene in the US, and we understand the demands and stresses that sometimes places on the press and governments to interact responsibly. But a free and responsible press is a pilar of democracy. We are committed to working with you in a transparent and respectful manner to help inform Argentines about developments in the u.s.; in U.S. international policy and in the Argentine-US bilateral relationship.
The Press Section maintains open lines of communication with the media and offers itself as a resource to you. Our job is to get you the facts you need so that your stories and opinions can be based on the most accurate information. We take that job seriously.
I invite you to engage us in dialogue, whatever your viewpoint. A variety of opinions enriches our relationship which thrives when communication is good.
I would like to comment on one recent development in our bilateral economic relations.
The U.S. Congress has passed a bill authorizing the renewal of our General System of Preferences for two years. In 2005, $600 million in Argentine exports - roughly 15% of total Argentine exports to the U.S.-were allowed duty free access under GSP. The renewed GSP Program will permit these products duty free access for the next two years.
Contrary to some speculation that our GSP review was a punitive measure against Mercosur, GSP Program renewal was a serious, objective and transparent process. This outcome is the result of the good work of the administration and Congress.
Vuelvo al español para desear muy felices fiestas y les invito a todos a continuar nuestras conversaciones.