Commissioner Damou
Fellow Ambassadors
Representatives of all the international organizations
Ladies and Gentlemen

Within the framework of efforts made in Mauritania to assure the well-being of the inhabitants of rural areas, I have the pleasure to oversee, with my friend, the Commissioner for Food Security, this ceremony to launch the “Food for Progress” program.  This program is the biggest of its type in the history of cooperative relations between Mauritania and the United States.  It is the first time in 17 years that we have seen such a program in Mauritania.  The value of this program amounts to more than one billion ougiyas (1,031,000,000 UM) and will be dedicated to financing projects for food security and the fight against poverty throughout all Mauritania.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The execution of this vast program confirms the interest and engagement of the United States in assuring a better life for all Mauritanian citizens.  We shall work in this direction as much as we can.  We already know that some Mauritanians know difficulties in finding food and in their daily lives.  The United States will not spare any effort to improve the lives of the Mauritanian people.

Ladies and Gentlemen

This program will be executed with total transparence.  All provisions have been made to assure that.  Among these provisions, we can mention the opening of the door to all international organizations and those government agencies formed to execute the projects.  We have also set up a joint committee between the Embassy and the Commission to closely follow the development of all the different steps of the program.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The “Food for Progress” program begins today.  You may find the application documents at the reception point of the Embassy or by visiting our Embassy website.

Commissioner Damou

I would very much like to thank you for your presence today and your willingness to work with us, in such a transparent manner, which testifies to the success of our partnership and the strength of the relations which exist between our two countries.

I thank you.

Joseph LeBaron
Ambassador of the United States to Mauritania