Ambassador Perry's Speeches

SPEECH BY AMBASSADOR JUNE CARTER PERRY
ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS
TO PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA
STATE HOUSE, FREETOWN, 7 APRIL 2008

Your Excellency,
Thank you for receiving me to present my Letter of Credence as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Letter of Recall for my predecessor, Ambassador Thomas Hull, III.  I am honored that President George W. Bush has appointed me, with the consent of the United States Senate, to represent him and the government and people of the United States of America in your country.

Mr. President,
The United States shares many of the goals of your government. We are committed to working as partners with countries like Sierra Leone in order to achieve a more democratic and prosperous environment. I know democracy has taken firm root here. Before I arrived in Sierra Leone, I watched with admiration as the national elections unfolded in such a free and transparent manner.  When you assumed office, I was particularly impressed by your pledge to unite all Sierra Leoneans as one nation and to put aside all differences.  Your commitment to a government of national unity, reassurances to those who are no longer in office, and pledge to address the difficult challenges facing Sierra Leone are admirable.
Sierra Leone has set a fine example for other countries, not just in the region, but throughout Africa and the world.  The national elections were a concrete expression of the progress Sierra Leone has made in recent years.  I would like to commend the National Elections Commission led by Dr. Christiana Thorpe, the Sierra Leone Police, and the people of Sierra Leone.  The eagerness of Sierra Leone’s citizens to cast their vote, without fear of retribution, is the first step in rebuilding confidence in government

Mr. President,
I am fully aware of the many challenges you face and the high expectations of all Sierra Leoneans who voted you into office.  Just as you have pledged good governance and economic reforms for the people of Sierra Leone, I pledge to you our continued collaboration at this critical juncture in Sierra Leone's history.  Please rest assured that the United States will support your efforts to encourage government reform and social and economic development.  Through our assistance programs, we will continue to promote local governance, agricultural development, responsible mining, food security and education.  I am also committed to assisting Sierra Leone to take advantage of more opportunities through the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  I hope, too, that, together we can craft a way forward for Sierra Leone to qualify for Millennium Challenge Corporation involvement in the future.

As a result of Sierra Leone’s successful elections, our mutual standards for democracy in Sierra Leone are high.  Peaceful transition of power was a momentous step, but it was only the first step.  We have high hopes for the next five years.  Under your leadership, we hope to see increased respect for the rule of law and civil authority, a more autonomous judiciary, and economic development, encouragement of business and strong anti-corruption measures.

I was particularly encouraged by your own declaration that you have “zero tolerance” for corruption.  Corruption eats away at the fabric of government and society and robs future generations of a brighter and prosperous future.  I look forward to supporting your initiatives to combat corruption, promote government transparency and effectiveness, and to open the doors of opportunity to all Sierra Leoneans, no matter their age, gender or affiliation.

I also personally plan to reach out to private organizations to encourage them to provide assistance to Sierra Leone.  Private foundations and corporations harness tremendous good will and resources.  During my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho, I was very successful in attracting private sector support to key areas, such as health. I fully intend to build on this positive experience.

Mr. President,
Democratic societies by definition respect human rights, and a particular concern of the United States is the status of women and children, most notably the problem of Trafficking in Persons. I applaud the Sierra Leone Government for their initiatives to implement and enforce the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and I offer our continued support to the Trafficking in Persons Task Force.  Equal status for women is essential to each country’s ability to advance.  International and multi-lateral bodies, as well as the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account criteria posit the equity of woman as major criterion for eligibility.  We look forward to Sierra Leone’s active advancement of women’s rights.

Mr. President,
One of my principal responsibilities is to promote good relations on all levels between our governments and our peoples. Like Ambassador Hull, I have a long connection to the Peace Corps.  I served in the Washington headquarters as Director of Public Affairs for all U.S. Government Action volunteer programs, including the Peace Corps, and traveled abroad with my husband when he was a Peace Corps Country Director.  Peace Corps volunteers in Sierra Leone would have vast potential to impact positively the areas in which they serve.  I hope to see the return of the Peace Corps to Sierra Leone early in my tenure.

As Ambassador to your Republic, I look forward to frequent, cordial and frank dialogue with you and your government so that together we can achieve our shared objectives. Just as the United States seeks to assist Sierra Leone to prosper, I will also respectfully seek on occasion your assistance, such as support for U.S. positions on issues of joint interest in international fora.  Please communicate with me as needed, and be assured that, as I represent America’s interests, I shall also be cognizant of our ultimate interest of having Sierra Leone be a peaceful, secure, democratic and prosperous member of the community of nations.

Thank you, Mr. President.