Ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
OPENING REMARKS FOR WELCOMING RECEPTION IN HONOR OF COMMERCIAL COUNSELOR JAMES RIGASSIO
September 11, 2008
Good evening and welcome.
Thank you for joining me tonight to welcome a new member of the US Embassy’s country team. Jim Rigassio joins us here in Buenos Aires as my Commercial Counselor.
Before making brief remarks, let us take a moment to remember what happened on this day in 2001. Thousands of innocent civilians lost their lives when terrorists attacked New York and Washington. Let us take a moment in silence to remember the loss that so many of us experienced on September 11, 2001 and to think about the importance of defending the values and principles of our democracies which are assaulted by such terrorist attacks.
Thank you.
You are here tonight because you are our important contacts for commercial and trade issues. You are well known to the Embassy team for your dedication to deepening and expanding our bilateral economic ties. You now have a new team member for our mutual goal that is make our two countries better allies and stronger economies through trade.
One very important thing I've learned during my time in Argentina is the critical importance of mutual understanding between our two countries. We all know that there is still much misunderstanding of the United States here, just as many people in the United States misunderstand Argentina. When we get to know each other better, the natural understanding that exists between our societies is enhanced.
Our two countries are working closely to strengthen and expand our already rich and varied bilateral and multilateral agenda. Just today, for example, we had a successful bilateral meeting with the Argentine government on the issue of alternative energy. While events sometimes occur that strain the strong bond between our two countries and peoples, we want to make it clear to the people and government of Argentina that the United States values their partnership and that we are committed to a successful relationship.
But the strength of relations between the United States and Argentina does not depend exclusively on government-to-government cooperation. Indeed, it increasingly depends on quality of business relationships established by our companies, the corporate social responsibility they practice, the flow of students and cultural exchanges in each direction, the shared endeavors of non-profit organizations, and in general on the web of ties between business, academia, the cultural communities and civil societies of both countries.
That's where many of you come in. The U.S. company representatives here tonight are some of our country's best Ambassadors, whether they carry an American passport or not. Because of the work of American companies here, the United States accounts for 13 of the top 20 "best places to work" in Argentina, according to a 2007 poll. Argentine newspapers regularly feature initiatives by American companies who are what we call good corporate citizens in Argentina. And, of course, many Argentine companies and entrepreneurs work closely and productively with U.S. firms.
This is important in its own right, but I also appreciate business cooperation and best practices as the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina because they put the bilateral relationship between Argentina and the United States on a sounder footing. A healthy economic and commercial relationship reminds us of the vast areas of long-standing agreement and mutual interest for the future of both countries.
Our overriding purpose is to make sure that our interaction and dialogue with Argentina is as open and fluid as possible. We want to make it clear to Argentina that the United States values our partnership with Argentina and that we are committed to a successful relationship. This is evident in the long list of U.S. officials, elected and appointed, who have traveled to Argentina this year.
As a part of this openness, allow me to say a few words about the current trial in Miami. I want to make it clear that this case is related to actions undertaken in the US by certain non-Argentine individuals violating US laws. It was not an investigation directed at Argentine officials or individuals. This case will take its normal course through the federal court system and a verdict will be issued on the evidence presented with the same openness to media coverage that accompanies such judicial proceedings in the United States.
I regret that comments made today about the case seem to reflect a misunderstanding of how our legal system works and its degree of independence in operation. In fact, one of the pillars of our system of government is an independent judiciary. In our system, federal prosecutors work independently to enforce the laws of the United States.
I want to emphasize and state as clearly as possible, that this case is not about US-Argentine relations, and it is not directed against Argentine authorities. We view these relations as important, and based on shared values and common interests. And the more we build upon these shared values and interests through our expanding exchanges -- commercial, scientific, cultural, and educational -- the stronger our relationship will become.
To that end, we will endeavor to work closely with Argentine authorities, up to and including President Fernandez de Kirchner. We eagerly anticipate the President's upcoming visit to our country, and we will do everything in our power to help make that visit successful.
Which brings me back to Jim Rigassio. The challenge I present to you tonight is to work with Mr. Rigassio and his team to build on our commercial accomplishments, and bring our two economies to new levels of commercial cooperation and openness. Bilateral trade and investment accomplishments will ensure prosperity for our citizens, and more importantly, support our market-based democracies that provide us the freedoms that we all enjoy. Freedoms that neither terrorists nor criminals can take away from us.
Jim began his career with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service in 1992 and has served in several positions in the United States, as well as Chile and, most recently, Bulgaria.
I would like to invite Mr. Rigassio to make a few remarks.
