Embassy Freetown Dedicates New Embassy Compound November

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000953

SIPDIS

NAIROBI FOR LARRY ANDRE AND JAMES STEWART
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO AMBASSADOR PETER CHAVEAS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO ABLD AGMT CVIS SL
SUBJECT: Embassy Freetown Dedicates New Embassy Compound November

16.


1. On November 16, Embassy Freetown officially dedicated the New
Embassy Compound. OBO Director General Charles E. Williams and
Sierra Leone Vice President Soloman E. Berewa (representing
President Kabbah who was out of the country) and the Ambassador
participated in the outdoor ceremony, unveiled the plaque and cut
the ribbon, in front of a high-level invited audience. The Director
of the Office of West African Affairs Philip Carter represented the
Bureau of African Affairs. Embassy Freetown will open for business
on the new compound on December 4.


2. The Embassy is located on a spectacular site in the shadow of
Leicester Peak and commands breathtaking views of Freetown and the
Atlantic Ocean. It is high enough above sea level to enjoy its own
micro climate. During the dedication ceremony, OBO Director General
Charles E. Williams commented on the impressive location and
recalled his first visit to Freetown when he toured the proposed
site by helicopter. He later returned to participate in the 2004
groundbreaking ceremony with President Kabbah and Ambassador Peter
Chaveas. He expressed his pleasure at being able to return to
Sierra Leone for a third time to participate in the dedication.


3. Sierra Leone Vice President Soloman E. Berewa lauded the opening
of the $60 million embassy compound and said it reflected a
significant investment of confidence by the United States in the
secure future of Sierra Leone, which emerged from a brutal civil war
in 2002. He commented on the strong ties Sierra Leone enjoys with
the United States and expressed appreciation for U.S. contributions
to Sierra Leone's development. Amid audience applause, he
particularly welcomed the new consular facility which will enable
Sierra Leoneans to apply for visas in Freetown, rather than
traveling to Conakry, as they have done for the past ten years.
(Note: The Consular Section will open for non-immigrant visa
services in early 2007. End Note).


4. The New Embassy Compound has spawned a building boom in the
neighborhood that has grown up alongside the construction of the NEC
since 2004. Even the Foreign Ministry plans to build nearby. While
the structure is substantially completed, the Ambassador noted in
his address that significant projects remain, including finding a
sustainable water supply, restoring the scarred adjacent hillside,
and the need for the Government of Sierra Leone to honor its lease
commitment to improve the road passing in front. Above all, he
added, despite the area building boom, there must be limits to
Freetown's expansion to help preserve the Western Area forest
reserve.


5. Almost all invitees showed up for the noontime dedication, a
partial reflection of the eagerness to be among the first to tour
the new U.S. Embassy. Usually, one can only anticipate a fifty
percent turnout to events in Sierra Leone. The approximately 250
guests included government ministers, the Chief Justice and senior
judiciary, high ranking civil servants, members of civil society and
prominent religious leaders. The Milton Margai School for the Blind
Choir, who had performed at the groundbreaking, returned to sing the
U.S. and Sierra Leone national anthems and later performed in the
atrium during the reception. The Sierra Leone Armed Forces Band
also played for the event.


6. After the dedication, invited guests toured the chancery public
areas and viewed the extensive artwork. They admired the building,
easily the most impressive and modern structure in Sierra Leone.
Embassy employees are eager to move and have expressed pride that
they will be working in the new structure, even though many will
face longer daily commutes. Nevertheless, as the Ambassador noted,
we will leave behind our location in the heart of Freetown, in the
shadow of Sierra Leone's historic centuries-old Cotton Tree with
nostalgia, after 40 years.


7. The dedication received considerable positive press coverage.
Eight newspapers carried front page coverage with photos. Headlines
included: "US Embassy Dedicates New Building"; "After 40 years, US
Embassy relocated to Leicester Peak"; "US Visas to be issued in
Freetown,", and "$60 million Embassy opened". All the local radio
stations carried the Embassy press release in their coverage and six
stations broadcast speech excerpts. The BBC Africa service also
reported on the event, highlighting the anticipated return of visa
services. The local private TV station also carried the story with
several clips of the event. A pre-recorded interview with the
Ambassador on UN radio aired on Sunday November 19 and mentioned the
dedication and anticipated resumption of non-immigrant visa
services.

PRATT