ACCESSION NUMBER:384774
FILE ID:AEF505
DATE:03/24/95
TITLE:BISMARCK MYRICK SWORN IN AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO LESOTHO (03/24/95)
TEXT:*95032401.GFA CO:LESOTHO/AMB. MYRICK SWEAR-IN/MOOSE,RF,WPL,(FR),HRsp
*AEF505 03/24/95
BISMARCK MYRICK SWORN IN AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO LESOTHO
(FR) (Will seek to bolster process of democracy there) (590)
By Robert Fullerton
USIA Staff Writer
WASHINGTON -- Asserting that "one of the most promising developments" in
southern Africa in 1994 "was the successful restoration" of Lesotho's
democratically elected government, Bismarck Myrick was sworn in March 23 as
1.S. ambassador to Lesotho.
"Your country's experience provides a model for successful conflict
resolution," he said, turning to Lesotho's Ambassador to the United States
Eunice Bulane.
About 300 people attended the swearing-in, held in the State Department's
elegant Benjamin Franklin Room, whose balcony overlooks the Washington
Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Potomac River. Among the guests were
Myrick's family, teachers and former classmates at Norcom High School in
Portsmouth, Virginia, friends, and State Department colleagues, including
Richard Moose, State Department under secretary for management.
Reflecting on his upcoming assignment, Myrick noted that Lesotho's closest
geographical neighbor, South Africa, "is in the midst of profound changes
which will pose challenges and opportunities to all other regional
nations."
"In that connection," he said to Ambassador Bulane, "I look forward to
working with you and your government as you seek ways to strengthen
regional cooperation and as you continue your progress of democratization.
I intend to cultivate honest, frank, and respected dialogue with members of
your government and with all elements of Lesotho society."
The new ambassador told guests: "Your attendance at this ceremony
revalidates my strong faith in the goodness, beauty, and generosity of
America and all of its people. I will take great pride in representing my
country, all of you, and this administration in the Kingdom of Lesotho."
In his introductory remarks, Under Secretary Moose said that Myrick "will
bring his considerable intelligence, reasoned judgment, and his
demonstrated courage and a lifelong commitment to advancing U.S.
interests."
Moose recalled that as assistant secretary for African affairs 15 years ago,
he worked closely with Myrick on the new ambassador's first department
assignment as country officer for Somalia. Both share a "fascination" with
the continent, he said.
"He has spent a good part of his career advancing American interests in that
part of the world," Moose said. "His reputation as an Africanist has been
honed through tours in Monrovia, in Durban, and most recently in Cape
Town... and¡ the Kingdom of Lesotho is receiving a person in whom our
president places great confidence."
Turning his focus briefly to southern Africa, Moose said nations there are
experiencing "a profound transition."
South Africa, he said, "has embraced non-racial democracy. Mozambique has
forsaken war and has installed an elected government, and Angola,
hopefully, finally appears poised to end that region's last civil conflict.
Through multiparty elections in Namibia, in Botswana and soon in Zimbabwe,
the people of southern Africa have once again demonstrated that commitment
to democracy crosses international borders."
When some Basotho attempted to oust the democratically elected government in
a coup last year, the people of Lesotho "strongly, but peacefully refused
to go along. And Lesotho's democratic neighbors served notice that
southern Africa would not tolerate an anti-democratic coup."
That experience, Moose continued, "demonstrates once again that democracy is
a process and that we must continually strive to strengthen the
institutions that underpin our democratic system. The United States is
proud of its role in supporting democracy and sustainable development in
the Kingdom of Lesotho. I know that Bismarck will bring his proven talents
to bear to assume a prosperous, stable, and democratic Lesotho within
1outhern Africa."
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