EMBASSY NEWSCENTRE

Speech by General Charles Williams at the Dedication of the Embassy

General Williams is the Director of the Office of Overseas Building Operations at the Department of State

President Gbagbo,
Ambassador Hooks,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am very pleased to be here today and have the opportunity to join with you for the dedication of this new Embassy of the United States of America.  This new Embassy is a true example of America's commitment and a fitting symbol of American presence in Cote d'Ivoire.  This is my third visit to Abidjan and I can truly say that the Ivoirian government and local officials have been very supportive of this project from the start to the completion.

This new facility represents a major improvement in our ability to promote and protect American interests and to provide service to our American citizens who travel to Cote d'Ivoire.  We now have a beautiful building that is secure, safe and appropriate to support other agencies as they work towards regional stability, economic development and trade. 

We began this journey over seven years ago when Ambassador Lannon Walker began a search for an appropriate site for the new Embassy compound.  This gorgeous site of 35,000 square meters for the new Embassy, in the Riviera Section of Abidjan has a beautiful view towards the lagoon.  The Department of State is grateful for the support displayed by the City of Abidjan in making this property available for the U.S. Government to build this new facility.

From the groundbreaking on January 19, 2002, here we are today; ready to open the new Embassy in just 42 months, quite an accomplishment, and they said it could not be done.  With 90 Million Dollars invested in this new facility, the new office building has provided a space of nearly 14,000 square meters for our American and Ivoirian employees.  Together with the ancillary buildings, Marine Security Guard Quarters and Vehicle Maintenance Building on the compound, the total size of floor space is over 22,000 square meters.   At different times, over 700 local workers were employed at the project site and part of construction materials were purchased here in Cote d'Ivoire.  The new embassy project added almost 20 Million Dollars to the local economy.  This new Embassy is now the home of our United States government personnel from 6 agencies, as well as over 300 Ivoirian members of the American Embassy Staff.

Along with the project designer HOK and CMSS architects, we have endeavored to express in the architecture of this Embassy the values of liberty and equality on which our nation is based.  I hope you can see, as I can, the feeling of openness and light; as well as, a connection to nature in this architecture.  The Embassy welcomes visitors to this new compound through a tropical garden.  The plantings selected are from Cote d'Ivoire, and we hope that the Embassy grounds will be for the delight of all.  The office building, in both its construction and operation, is a model for energy efficiency and environmental design, meeting the highest US standards.

The architecture of the new embassy is highlighted with over 10,000 square meters of stones from as far away as Brazil and Spain, symbolizing the connection between this facility and the world community.  The public spaces in the new building are large and the design windows give our employees a stunning view of Abidjan.  The fine Artwork to grace the new Embassy sets a strong cultural tone.  The overall theme of this fine art collection is cloth and the core of the collection is based on fourteen quilts from a quilting society in rural Alabama that has historical ties to West Africa.

At the same time, we recognize through this construction the need for safety and security that will protect not only the American and Ivoirian employees who will work here, but also all the visitors that this Mission will receive.  The design of this office building is so exemplary, that we have developed from it a standard embassy model of which OBO is now using for all our new buildings worldwide.  This recognition began here with you in Cote d'Ivoire.

In this building, we showcase American architectural design at its finest, wrought by the highest standard and quality of construction.  For that excellence, I can thank J. A. Jones International, of Charlotte, North Carolina, our prime American contractor, and his local subcontractor Sibagec. 

As you can see, the workmanship here is the equal of any in Europe or America.   It is a beautiful building, a significant addition to the architectural heritage of Cote d'Ivoire, and one in which we can all share a sense of pride and appreciation.

I do want to specially recognize the outstanding work of my OBO Team, J.A. Jones Team, and the hard work of the local Ivoirian construction workers in making this all possible.

On behalf of Secretary Rice, I want to thank the Ivoirian Government for their cooperation and all of the personnel at post who have worked so hard to make this day happen.

Ambassador Hooks, President Gbagbo, this is a great day.  Let’s cut the ribbon and officially dedicate and commission this new American Embassy.

Thank You.