Remarks

Ambassador’s speech at signing ceremony to provide $100,000 to fund volunteer AIDS Counseling and Testing Center at “Stop SIDA”

His Excellency the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Vice-President of the National Commission to Combat AIDS
Excellencies Members of the Government
Mr. Executive Secretary of the National Commission to Combat AIDS
Mr. President of NGO Stop SIDA
Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all let me congratulate you and extend my best wishes to you and to the people of Mauritania on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Mauritania’s National Independence, wishing your beautiful country more progress and prosperity.  I also would like to thank His Excellency the Minister of Health for devoting a part of his precious time to honor this signing ceremony of an agreement between the NGO “Stop SIDA” and our Embassy.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As it is always the case and within the framework of the cooperation that exists between Mauritania and the United States of America, our Embassy decided, in celebrating this day, World AIDS Day, to provide funding to the NGO “Stop SIDA” in the amount of one hundred thousand (100,000) US dollars.  Based on this agreement, a free AIDS Screening Center managed by “Stop SIDA” will be built in Mauritania.  Through this achievement, my country seeks to support Mauritania hand-in-hand to combat this grave disease and thus contribute to the great efforts that are being done by the Mauritanian authorities in this field.  We also seek through this funding to help the Non Governmental Organizations that are active in combating AIDS in the country.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The United States of America has played a distinguished role in combating AIDS through the strategy decided by President Bush to relieve AIDS victims.  This strategy provides an unprecedented amount, estimated at fifteen billion dollars.  This strategy is considered the highest commitment in the history of humanity ever made by a single state to combat specific diseases.  Within the framework of this strategy, the American people have donated, during the current year as well as the past year, amounts considered far larger than those of all other countries in the world combined. The American people will donate more and more during the upcoming year inchallah!

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We value the eminent role being played by the medical staff and the religious leaders in Mauritania in the field of sensitization over the risks of AIDS.  We also consider that, without a doubt, their efforts will surely be fruitful.   
On this occasion, I renew to you, Mr. Minister, our will to pursue assistance and support to the friendly country of Mauritania to preserve the health of its kind people.

I wish you full success and thank you.

Ambassador Joseph LeBaron

Nouakchott, December 1st, 2005.