April 13, 2005

Ambassador Aldona Wos' Speech at the Opening of the American Corner at Saare County Central Library in Kuressaare

Governor Teiv, Mayor Tamkivi, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am so glad you could join me for this very special occasion, the opening of the Kuressaare American Corner. This Corner, a collection of brand new books and magazines from and about the United States, will serve as a link between you, the people of Saaremaa, and my own country. It is my sincere hope that the information that visitors will find here will help them come to know the United States better and more deeply. After all, information is the first step to understanding.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege for my Embassy to work together with various people here today to bring about this long-awaited moment. First and foremost, I'd like to note the invaluable contribution of the Saare County Central Library. When first approached about the idea of hosting an American Corner here, Library Director Anu Vahter leaped at the chance, and offered us this, a choice spot in this beautiful building. We are enormously grateful to her both for her initial willingness to host the American Corner here, as well as all the hard work she and her staff have put in over the course of the intervening months in the planning and establishment of this Corner. They have worked alongside the Director of our Embassy's own library, Vaiko Sepper, whom I'd also like to recognize.

In addition to our new friends from the Saare County Central Library, I'd like to say that I have received a very warm reception here in Saaremaa, on this, my first trip to your island. Governor Teiv and Mayor Tamkivi, both here today to join me in the opening of the American Corner have kindly met with me and introduced me to Saaremaa and Kuressaare: your history, geography, economy, and bright prospects for the future. It is so gratifying to us, the U.S. Embassy, to open an American Corner in a place where the leadership and the citizens welcome visitors from the United States so enthusiastically.

The whole idea of American Corners is to create opportunities to share information about the United States in places far from the capital city, where our Embassy is located. In Kuressaare, we are about as far from Tallinn as we can be without actually leaving Estonia, yet I note that we are also about as close as we can be to the United States without leaving Estonia. Between this geographically significant fact and your kind cooperation and welcoming spirit, I am delighted to declare Estonia's westernmost American Corner open!

Thank you for your attention.