Speeches 2006

December 13, 2006

Dr. Roy L. Austin, U.S. Ambassador
Remarks on the Dedication of the
Port of Spain Management Annex

Ambassador Austin and General Williams

Ms. Melba Dedier, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago; the Honorable Charles E. Williams, Director of the Department of State’s Overseas Building Office and Mrs. Williams; other Washington visitors; other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning!

Welcome to a very special and long-awaited day, the dedication of our new Management Annex building. 

Ms. Dedier, I thank you for your kind words on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. And Washington friends, I thank you for the time and effort you have committed to travel here to attend this ceremony.

Special thanks to General Williams. Your actions on behalf of Post Port of Spain have convinced me that you are dedicated to providing comfortable, safe and secure facilities in the shortest possible time for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy overseas. On two occasions when progress on the building seemed non-existent, my phone call to you produced renewed vigor in OBO employees and revived our hope for relatively early occupation. It is noteworthy, also, that your efforts from afar were complemented for a long time by our GSO, Luberta Abraham; and, more recently by GSO Michelle Issimbabi. Our embassy’s employees, American and local, who occupy this building now toil in a much improved environment because the three of you cared. Undoubtedly, their productivity and the quality of their work will likewise improve.

The members of our embassy community are committed to a caring relationship with our hosts, the people of Trinidad and Tobago.  The resulting cooperation between our two governments shows itself every day, in ways big and small: in our academic exchange programs, in joint programs that utilize this country’s vibrant culture in beneficial ways, in mutual support in the wars on drugs and terror, and in promoting mutually beneficial business and trade.  This building will witness many events and see many changes, but as we saw during October’s earthquake, Mr. Conrad Sabga has constructed a building that will remain a solid symbol of the friendship between our nations.

During the construction of this building, I came to know its owner, Mr. Carlos Sabga as a patient, friendly and most likeable gentleman. We can , therefore, understand the depth of sorrow shown by his family over his passing from this world. Mrs. Roberta Sabga, we too feel that this country has lost a giant with a suitably sized heart.

We look forward to continue to work together, Trinidadians and Americans, side by side in this Management Annex for many years to come. May the Almighty shine his blessings on it and on us. 

I thank you.