Dedication of the Embassy of the United States of America in Dar es Salaam

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen -- We are pleased to have each of you with us today. It is my pleasure to recognize our special guests and participants in today's ceremony -- The Honorable Vice President of Tanzania Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, Under Secretary of State for Management Grant Green, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner, Director of Overseas Building Operations General Charles Williams, Sheik Hassan Chizenga, Director of Religious Affairs for the National Muslim Council of Tanzania and Rt. Rev. Valentino Mokiwa, Anglican Bishop of Dar es Salaam. We welcome Tanzania's First Lady -- Mama Mkapa and we are also fortunate to have Zanzibar's First Lady Mama Karume --Could I ask you both to stand for a warm USA welcome -- It's a pleasure to welcome my fellow Ambassadors and Honorable Ministers of Tanzania. It is especially meaningful to have family members of the victims of the terrorist bombing. Finally, of course, we welcome our many friends and supporters.

Thank you for joining us today to officially launch the new United States Embassy facilities in Dar es Salaam. This event (and a similar one in Nairobi) is most meaningful as it provides a significant level of closure to the terrorist bombing of our Embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi on August 7, 1998. Among our audience today are courageous men and women who experienced this terrible attack on the United States and Tanzania. We also remember today those who were lost in that tragic terrorist act and we do so with profound gratitude for their service to the United States and to Tanzania.

Today is a resurrection day -- one that demonstrates to the people of Tanzania and to the world that the United States of America will not be intimidated by AL Quaeda or any other terrorist group who seek to destroy freedom and those who love it. This beautiful compound reflects many priorities, including a determination to fight and win the war we all face with terrorism. It also reflects our commitment and intentions to the Government and people of Tanzania.

We are pleased and honored to have each of you here today and would ask you now to please stand for the Invocation by Bishop Mokiwa followed by the presentation of the colors by our Marine Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthems by our Embassy choir and Kijitonyama choir.