News

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... andĄ 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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