AMBASSADOR'S SPEECHES

Speech of Ambassador Aubrey Hooks At the Opening Ceremony of “Plateau Plage Coca-Cola”

22 September 2005

Mr. Mayor,

Mr. President of the Association des Jeunes du Plateau,

Mr. Community Affairs Manager of Coca-Cola,

Mr. General Manager of NEG COM,

Distinguished guests,

Dreams are drawn from the inspiration of special places.  These are places, which captivate the mind and energize the body. This beach is such a place.  In this pool a future Olympic athlete may take her first strokes.  On this sand families can come closer together.  In these chairs the great thinkers of tomorrow may gaze out upon the lagoon and envision a better future for this country. 

I would like to express my thanks to Coca-Cola of West Africa for helping to make this dream a reality.  You represent the best of American business in your commitment to customers and communities.  You are an example for others here in Cote d’Ivoire of how a business grows to be successful through investment in employees, their families, and the future of their neighborhoods. Being a good corporate citizen is not just good for public relations, it’s good for the bottom line.  This project is also a testament to the possibilities of cooperation between businesses, governments, and communities. 

For big dreams and simple pleasures this will become a special site in Abidjan for those young and old to come and enjoy.  It will be a place where people from all walks of life can come to play together, to speak together, and to share special moments together.  In so doing, it can help to reunite the wounds of this country and remind Ivoirians how much they share in common.  A love of sports, music, and good food can all be shared here.  Sharing these experiences will help to bring this country closer together one sports match, picnic, and conversation at a time.  Let this place help remind us of the simple joys in life and how we can learn to live together in harmony.  

I thank you.