ambassador speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Robert J. Callahan
Managua International Airport

August 21, 2008

Good afternoon and thank you for being here.  It’s a great pleasure for my wife Debbie and me to be in Nicaragua, a country we first came to know in 1981 in a road trip from San Jose to Tegucigalpa. 

We recall vividly the natural beauty of your lakes, mountains, seas, and forests, and we remember the warmth and generosity of the people.  Although the visit was brief, it was full of pleasant experiences.  We hope to show Nicaragua’s many attractions to our adult sons, our brothers, sisters, and friends, all of whom plan to visit us here during our stay.

As diplomatic protocol prescribes, I must refrain from any comments on bilateral issues until I present my credentials to President Ortega.  I will say, however, that I look forward to working with the government and people of Nicaragua as together we continue to build a mature, respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship.

I’m confident that we can do just that.  The great Ruben Dario, among the new world’s most brilliant writers, called one of his poems, Salutations from the Optimist.   I too am an optimist, someone who believes the future will be more prosperous, peaceful, just, and democratic than the past. 

Once again, Debbie and I are pleased to call Nicaragua our new home and we are eager to get to know this lovely country -- its people, its culture, its customs, and, speaking for myself, its outstanding baseball.

Thank you.