Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Marcie Ries at the Dedication Ceremony of the New Embassy Annex (June 27, 2006)

Good morning and a very warm welcome.  We scheduled this so early in the morning so that our “warm” welcome would not literally be too warm. 

I am very pleased to be joined today by Director Williams, Mayor Rama, senior officials, Director Ibraj, Deputy Foreign Minister Harxhi, thank you for coming here this morning, and our esteemed neighbors, Ambassador Iannucci, the French Charge, all our honored guests. We are happy to have you here as we dedicate our new office annex to demonstrate that, despite the formidable walls that surround our compound, the work that we do here is really not so different from everybody else’s work.  The U.S. Embassy welcomes guests and wants to be a good neighbor and member of the Tirana community. 

The charming historic Embassy and residence that we have used until now, and that the Italian Embassy used during the communist period, were probably the first buildings commissioned by the United States government for diplomatic use.  King Zog and several other dignitaries of Albania honored the United States by attending the dedication of this Embassy in November 1930.  The American minister lived in this portion and conducted daily business in this small building.  Of course, at that time, I am told, that only 12,000 people lived in Tirana.

This original Embassy was one of many diplomatic properties that the United States built in order to support the expanded diplomatic staff and services needed at the time to support America’s growing stature in international affairs. Now we are opening a building that we need to support our work and a growing and changing Albania.

The new office space almost doubles the existing space of our embassy. Previously off-site U.S. Government agencies – USAID, Department of Justice -- OPDAT and ICITAP -- are joining us now in the bright new, open offices of this building.  By bringing together our diplomatic and our assistance staff we are realizing what Secretary Rice was talking about when she underscored the U.S. commitment to transformational diplomacy.

The new building will also offer new services to the public. Our Information Centre will have internet so that will be able to help those who are doing research or who are interested in studying in the U.S. 

I want to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior for their support, especially for the safety and security of our Embassy. And I’d like to thank the Municipality and the Mayor for finishing the road and sidewalk access, which are essential to our staff and visitors.  We appreciate very much the cooperation provided to the State Department as we planned and built this project. My appreciation goes to each and every one of you who contributed to the creation of our offices, and especially to general Williams and his staff in the Overseas Building Operation for their very, very hard work to make this building a reality. And now it is my privilege to introduce Director Williams.