Mr. Prefect of the Region of Nouadhibou
My. Mayor of Nouadhibou
Mr. Representative of the Ministry of Health
Mr. Representative of the president of CNLS
Mr. President of “Stop SIDA”
Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me first of all to extend my best wishes on the occasion of the celebration of the independence of Mauritania and, through you, to all the Mauritanian people. I hope to see Mauritania take the path of progress and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen

It has been several months since our Embassy and the NGO “Stop SIDA” inaugurated an HIV/AIDS counseling, testing, and education center in Nouakchott. Thanks to God, we are reunited here today to sign a protocol to open a similar center here in Nouadhibou.

This accord comes within the framework of activities marking World AIDS Day.  The cost of the center comes to $100,000.  My country aims, through this action, to bring its support to the efforts made by Mauritania to suppress the pandemic of HIV/AIDS and also to support the action of an NGO working in this field. Because the rate of prevalence is still relatively low in Mauritania, we are called to multiply our efforts in order to keep it low, in keeping with the objectives of the Mauritanian government.

Ladies and Gentlemen

No one is unaware of the political and social problems caused by the propagation of HIV/AIDS across the planet. It shows itself by the destruction in human lives and by the harm that AIDS causes to the economic fabric of countries struck hard by this pandemic. The available figures are edifying on this question.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The United States has played an important role in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, through the strategy decided by President Bush, aiming to help the victims of certain diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Since the creation of the Global Fund, the American people have generously given nearly two billion dollars.  This amount represents a third of the contribution that all other countries have given. In the case of Mauritania, I can assure you that the American people will continue to give more assistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I could not finish without offering thanks to the authorities of Nouadhibou for having given us their time.  I thank, also, all those who contributed to the organization of this ceremony.

Thank you.

Ambassador Charles H. Twining
Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States in Mauritania

Nouadhibou

December 1, 2006