Mr. Representative of the High Authority of the Press and Broadcast Media (HAPA)
Ladies and gentlemen the journalists
Ladies and gentlemen

To begin let me thank you for your presence here in this training workshop. I would like to say that the organization of this training workshop in this time is a crucial for your country life, and it is particularly important for us.

Ladies and gentlemen

It is not unnecessary to say that the press constitutes one of the most important composants of the democracy, for not to say that it is the most important. This will give you more responsibilities particularly as it requests to plant the democratic culture in the citizen’s mind, and to encourage the dialogue and the tolerance between the individuals and the people. To realize this, we think that the contribution of all is important: political men, religious, intellectuals and particularly the journalists.

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.

Steven Koutsis,
Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritania

Nouakchott, February 26, 2007.