Your Excellency, Mr. Representative of the High Authority of the Press and Broadcast Media (HAPA)
Workshop participants

Thanks to all those who participated in the workshop that took place this week. The topic of this workshop, “the role and responsibilities of the journalist in a democracy,” is timely.  For it comes within a context particularly important in the history of a country friendly to us, Mauritania. You have all raised and debated important questions, in particular professional ethics, the relation between you and your readers, your sources, and your leaders.

No one can ignore that a free, professional and responsible press constitutes the foundation of any democracy and contributes to the emergence of a democratic society as well as a democratic culture. It also allows one to establish a tolerant dialogue between individuals and peoples. That is why the United States has a particular interest in the emergence of a free and democratic society in Mauritania. To achieve this goal, we think that the contribution of all, politicians, religious figures, intellectuals, ordinary citizens, and, perhaps in particular journalists, is indispensable.

The United States has heard you, Mauritanians, through the medium of your journals: your desire for democracy and installation of the rule of law in which equality, justice, transparency, and good governance constitute the standard shared and respected by all the citizens of Mauritania. I profit from this opportunity offered to me to reaffirm the deep and firm commitment of my country to accompany, through its unwavering support, this dynamic. 

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our fervent wish is that this spirit can continue and that the Mauritanian people can attain the goals they have already defined for themselves. The United States, as far as we are concerned, will work to honor its commitments.
Wishing you great success, I thank you.

Ambassador Charles H. Twining
Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States in Mauritania
Nouakchott, February 8, 2007