Press Releases 2005

May 25, 2005

Ambassador-Designate to Panama Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

I am honored to appear before you today as the President’s nominee to serve as the next United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. I am grateful for the trust President Bush and Secretary Rice have placed in me. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with this Committee and throughout the Congress to advance our interests in Panama energetically and effectively.

I would like to pause for a moment, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, to recognize two important people in my life. My mother, Marjory Eaton, and my sister, Christine Fellers, are here today, as they have been throughout my life, as a source of strength and support. They’ve also promised to visit Panama often, if I’m confirmed. I wanted to get that on the record, Mr. Chairman, so they are publicly committed to visit.

I have spent my adult life preparing for this assignment, as a career diplomat in Turkey, Italy, Russia and Guyana; as a senior executive in the private sector, and as a journalist. In my last four years as Assistant Secretary of State for Administration, I was responsible, among other things, for the worldwide logistics, shipping, transportation and procurement for the Department of State; in that aspect, maritime nations and transportation hubs like Panama played an important role.

Just as Panama is an international crossroads connecting two continents and two oceans, it is also a place where many of both of our nations’ interests converge. Indeed, the United States and Panama share a rich history and a special relationship. If confirmed, I would seek to build on that relationship.

Panama and its Canal are strategically important for trade between Pacific nations and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. The safe operation of the Panama Canal is also vital to our national-security and economic interests. About 70 percent of the 13,000 ships that transit the Canal each year are bound for, or have departed from, U.S. ports. That number includes some 100 U.S. warships. Panama deserves high praise for its exemplary management of the Canal.

Just as the Canal is important to Panama’s economy, many Panamanians understand that a free trade agreement with the United States will help create a better investment climate, increase competition and efficiency in their economy and create a level playing field for foreign companies, including U.S. companies, to compete in the Panamanian market.

In addition, Panama’s strategic location and shared border with Colombia make it an important ally in combating the international threats posed by arms shipments, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling and other transnational crime. To address these problems, with U.S. assistance Panama has bolstered security in the porous region bordering Colombia. In February, the United States and Panama agreed to a Counter Narcotics Information Exchange System (CNIES) that further enhances anti-trafficking cooperation.

President Torrijos was elected last year on a reform platform that promised greater transparency, improved governance, and zero tolerance for corruption. We strongly support those noble goals for Panama. The Panamanian government’s commitment to democratic processes even extends beyond its borders, where it provided technical assistance, for example, for the recent Iraqi elections.

Finally, the most important job of any diplomat is to ensure the safety and well being of American Citizens. Besides the 25,000 U.S. citizens who live in Panama and the thousands who visit there each year, there are several hundred Embassy employees and family members who need to be able to live and work in a safe, secure environment. Embassy Panama recently broke ground on a much-needed new Embassy compound. If confirmed, one of my priorities will be ensuring that project is well managed so that our people can move into a new, safe and secure facility on schedule.

Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, thank you again for granting me the honor of appearing before you today. I pledge to you that, if confirmed, I will work tirelessly in Panama to represent our great country to the best of my ability. I look forward to working with you and your colleagues in that endeavor.

Thank you very much.