Remarks
and Speeches by U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay Martin J. Silverstein
Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein's Speech at the Groundbreaking
Ceremony
of the Project to Remodel the Urban Area Around the U.S. Embassy November 7, 2002
Honored Guests. It is truly a pleasure for
me to be with you here today.
From the moment the Embassy was inaugurated in 1969, we
have tried to be a good neighbor. Although we would prefer
not to have added the walls that front the building or the
barriers on the curb, world events have required that we
make modifications. In taking these steps, we have tried
to be sensitive to the needs of our neighbors. This project
is no exception. The improvements to be made to this space
will benefit everyone who lives or works in this neighborhood.
This million dollar project funded by the people of the
United States will create more grass for children to play
and families to stroll. It is a project with an Uruguayan
heart from design through final construction. Every aspect
of this project; from the architect, to the construction
company, to the building materials, to the 70 workers who
will build it, is Uruguayan.
This project has been a partnership made possible by the
cooperation of the government of Uruguay, President Batlle,
Minister Opertti, Minister Stirling and Minister Cacéres,
as well as the Municipality of Montevideo, Intendente Arana,
Architect Jaime Igorra and their entire team. We thank them
all for their support.
I especially want to thank our neighbors. We know that living
next to an Embassy has its good points and its challenging
ones. I recognize this project had some rough beginnings,
however we appreciate the respect and cooperation you have
shown us, and the patience you will have during this construction
period.
Our wish is that this space will only represent an area
of peace and friendship that we can all be proud of.
