2006 Speeches

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Katherine Canavan at U.S. Alumni Association Conference Day Saturday, February 11, 2006, 9:15 a.m.Tsodilo Room C, Gaborone International Conference Center

February 11, 2006

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, friends and colleagues:
It is my privilege to welcome you to this conference day, one that has been long awaited, and which is a cooperative effort. We at the U.S. Embassy are especially grateful to the Botswana/AED Association for its pioneering the idea of an alumni association. You are the core group that made today possible. You are also proof that living and studying in the United States is an experience that has a lasting impact.
I am happy to welcome here as well former grantees of programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Projects, the Fulbright Exchanges and Humphrey Fellowships, and other programs. We are pleased as well to have Mr. Khumalo of the Swazi-U.S. alumni association here. I know that some of you have lived and worked in the U.S. for some duration; some of you have had a shorter, but intensive experience of the United States.

But all of us know that when we say, ‘the United States’, many associations come to mind. These can be memories of spending time studying in libraries, talking with Americans, the skyline of a city, the way the autumn leaves fall. All of us have our own impressions of “America”, of friendships, of lonely moments, of the things you like, and the things you found unattractive. The pace of daily life, the speech rhythms, the style of our politicians and media, are distinctive. These are difficult things to convey when you reach back home. That is true even though worldwide media, delivers American television, movies, and music. Many people think they ‘know America’.

You and I know that the reality of the U.S. is more complicated than pop culture. I think all of you have a good sense of the size and diversity of my country. But you have more: you have a wealth of personal experience to draw on, and you understand the U.S. better than those who have never visited.

That experience makes you, from my perspective, a potential ambassador. It is your experience in the United States that enables you to be a permanent ambassador of the United States-- unlike me, who will be here for just three years. You can explain things about the United States to Batswana who have not visited. We value the fact that you can explain aspects of American society, culture, and political system that seem truly foreign to others.

But communication is a two-way street. You are not just explainers for us, but you are also potentially messengers to us about your society, and about Botswana generally. You inform us. We look to your creativity and your experience to suggest ways in which we can be more effective.

The relationship between Botswana and the U.S. is cordial and strong. That is so primarily because we share the same values. We work together in a number of areas, including improving health and combating HIV/AIDS through our ten-year old partnership, the BOTUSA project, a collaboration of the Government of Botswana and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. government. BOTUSA provides technical assistance, consultation, and funding. It implements programs and conducts research with the Botswana Government and other local and international partners for the prevention, care and support, and surveillance of HIV/AIDS and turberculosis. In recent years, President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has increased the resources at BOTUSA’s disposal. Although we cannot rest in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we all—Batswana and Americans—have reason to be proud of the work that is being accomplished through BOTUSA.

You are all aware, I’m sure that the Peace Corps Volunteers returned to Botswana three years ago. They are deployed at the district and community level, working in partnership with Batswana to combat HIV/AIDS.

The U.S. and Botswana also share an interest in promoting trade, diversifying the economy, and attracting foreign direct investment in Botswana. The past two years have witnessed noticeable improvements in U.S. - Botswana trade growth. In just the first six months of 2005 (Jan - Jun), Botswana’s exports to the U.S. totaled $61.8 million, nearly double last year’s six-month total of $33.2 million, and more than 350 percent more than the entire calendar year total for 2003 of just $13.6 million. Botswana’s exports under the AGOA preferential treatment program also expanded in the first six months by 13 percent, from $7.9 million in 2004 to $9.0 million in 2005, despite the expiration of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing. This tremendous growth in Botswana’s exports to the U.S. is matched only by the impressive growth of U.S. exports to Botswana, which increased nearly 100 percent in the first half of this year to $39.8 million from $21.8 in 2004. The growth in trade is only one, but a significant example, of the ties between our two countries.

These are some of the illustrations of the way that Batswana and Americans work together. Your being present today at this Botswana-U.S. Alumni Association conference is a welcome sign that our partnership extends beyond government cooperation. It is clear that we have many mutual interests, and much to discuss. I am sure that your discussions today will be productive. Thank you. Good luck. PULA.