SPEECHES 2008

U.S. AMBASSADOR BARBARA J. STEPHENSON UPON HER ARRIVAL TO PANAMA

August 4, 2008

Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson

Good afternoon and thank you very much for this warm welcome. It is a pleasure to be in Panama once again after twenty years. I am looking forward to visiting the city and the rest of the country and taking in all the changes.

My husband Matthew and I have very dear memories of our first time in Panama as newly weds. We can barely believe our luck in being able to return now with our children during such a promising time in Panama’s history.

I thank Ambassador William Eaton for the great job he did here. He left me a new Embassy that is a symbol of the excellent relationships between Panama and the United States. He has also left a committed and hard-working staff.

I look forward to the many opportunities we will have to work together.

Once again, I appreciate your welcome.

Good Afternoon.