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| St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and United States Ambassador to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Her Excellency Mrs. Mary Ourisman. |
BASSETERRE, ST, KITTS NOVEMBER 16TH 2006 (CUOPM) St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas hopes that the spirit of co-operation that brings mutual benefits to the twin-island Caribbean Federation and the United States of America will continue with the appointment of a new America Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis.
I believe that we can continue to work closely with each other on the large number of challenges that we are facing. We have made some very difficult decisions in recent times in the transformation of our national economy and we have seen the benefit of not only interest on the part of the United States, but also the benefits of investment from Americans who have been working with us with the transformation of our national economy, Prime Minister Douglas told newly-appointed United States Ambassador the Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Mrs. Mary Ourisman, when she paid a courtesy call of the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.
Dr. Douglas noted that the United States of America holds pride of place in the relationship that exists between St. Kitts and Nevis and other countries and over the years the established relationship has been based on mutual respect for each other.
We have been able to work not only in a successful and bilateral way, but generally on regional and international issues, said Prime Minister Douglas, who pointed out that former US ambassadors accredited to St. Kitts and Nevis have secured that lasting relationship and there is no doubt that you shall, walking closely in the footsteps, if not beyond them, achieve much more than has been achieved in the past.
Dr. Douglas noted that St. Kitts and Nevis has been a friendly country to the United States of America as many nationals of the twin-island Federation hold dual citizenship with the US.
We have had some difficult moments in the past, but they hopefully are behind us. Let us go forward being conscious of our past, but with a very strong resolve to build on what has been left behind and to plan a brighter future for your people and our people, said Prime Minister Douglas in welcoming Ambassador Ourisman.
In response, the American diplomat said she did not imagine when she visited St. Kitts and Nevis last February, that months later she would be the United States Ambassador.
And I can certainly pledge to you that the United States will continue our mutual resort for each other and each others democracy and work hard with you and your government to help you through your transformation of the national economy, said Ambassador Ourisman.
~~Adz:Right~~I know that you have taken on a big challenge to become a globalised economy and making that tough decision about your sugar industry and moving on to other areas and you are to be commended for that and I know that there are many ways that America can help the people of St. Kitts and Nevis in the transition towards other areas of the economy, said the United States diplomat who is based in Barbados.
During her visit to St. Kitts and Nevis new US diplomat presented her credentials to the Governor Generals Deputy, His Honour Mr. Edmund Lawrence.
She also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris; Deputy Governor General of Nevis, His Honour Mr. Eustace John; Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Harry and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, the Hon. Malcolm Guishard.
