Colonel El Waly, Chief of the National Navy
Director of Maritime Transport, Mr. Barro
Director General of Friendship Port, Mr. Guenaya
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I ask that you join me in welcoming Vice Admiral Stufflebeem, Deputy Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe and Vice Admiral Peterman, Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic. They are here today to explore ways the United States can help Mauritania secure its coastline.  During their visit, Vice Admiral Stufflebeem and Vice Admiral Peterman met with the Ministers of Defense, Transport, and Fisheries.  They discussed our mutual concern for maritime awareness as it affects the global economy.  They also called on the Chiefs of Staff of the National Guard, Gendarmarie and Armed Forces to speak about defense issues in relation to port activities. 

In today’s economy all nations are interdependent.  Each nation sells what it produces and acquires what it needs through the global marketplace.  The vast majority of trade, over 80%, is transported by water.  Maritime security is necessary to ensure freedom of the seas, facilitate navigation and commerce, advance prosperity and liberty and protect the ocean’s resources.  The livelihood of everyone depends on the security of ports around the world. 

Although the global economy continues to rely heavily on the ocean as a means for commerce and a source of sustenance, technology and the forces of globalization have lessened its role as a barrier.  Thus this vast expanse which connects and touches us all serves as a nearly unbounded, ready and largely unsecured medium for an array of threats.  Criminal syndicates and terrorist organizations exploit the maritime link to further trafficking in persons, arms and narcotics, illegal fishing, environmental exploitation and other illicit activities. 

The partnerships that have been initiated during this visit will serve as a platform on which to provide not only greater port security but also a more prosperous economy.  We look forward to working with the newly elected government to expand our bilateral cooperation on security and economic interests. 

Thank you.

Chargé d’Affaires Steven Koutsis
Embassy of the United States of America in Mauritania

Nouakchott May 17, 2007.