As prepeared for delivery...

Swearing-in Remarks

by Ambassador Michael Klosson

Treaty Room, Department of State

August 19, 2002

Mr. Secretary, Ambassador Marcoullis, Charge Anghelopoulos, friends.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for those very kind remarks and for taking time the day before a busy trip to officiate at this ceremony.  I very much appreciate your presence.

In the vernacular of my children, it’s “awesome” to be standing here, before family, friends and colleagues, and to take that very solemn oath of office.

I want to start by thanking President Bush and Secretary Powell for the trust they placed in me, the Senate for providing its advice and consent, and the State Department desk officer for Cyprus, Jim Seevers, together with Ngoc Clark, an intern in EUR this summer, for their outstanding assistance these past two months.

I am also indebted to many, many others, some here today and some not.  First and foremost is Boni, my wife, partner in life and a former Foreign Service professional in her own right with a career of 25 years. The twinkle in her eye, her warm smile, her love and support are what keep me going; her sound advice keeps me pointed in the right direction; and her straight-talking is certainly what keeps any of this diplomatic life from going to my head.

I’m indebted deeply to my children, Emily and Karen, whose eyes and own experiences of life in Stockholm, The Hague and Hong Kong have helped me see things in new ways.

As momentous as today’s ceremony is for me, the most “awesome” name I ever will be called is “Dad.”

My work has taken time away from my family.  I do hope that we will have time together to enjoy all the beautiful sights, sounds and tastes Cyprus has to offer.

I am also indebted deeply to my mother, Harriet Klosson, who is here today, and my father, Boris Klosson, who has passed away.  They encouraged me in so many ways, had confidence in me and were always there when I needed the help.

So many other family, friends and colleagues are special to me. I would not do them justice with brief mentions, so I hope they understand how much I value their friendship, advice, and encouragement. 

As the son of a Foreign Service officer, I found the diplomatic urge early.  When I was nine, my father was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.  The early 1960’s were the height of the Cold War, but my siblings and I were determined to make friends with ordinary Russians.  After all, we shared an apartment complex on the outskirts of town.

One day in our open courtyard, we taught baseball to some Russian kids.  Everything was proceeding smoothly until a Russian boy smashed a home run through an apartment window.  The Russian kids vanished instantly.  We Americans were left holding the bag,or the bat in this case, when an angry Russian stormed out into the courtyard, ball in hand.  So much for telling our father that night about our success as budding young ambassadors for America.  I could only wonder how Pravda would feature this “provocation” the next morning.  My future as a diplomat seemed to disappear before it even began.

The world has changed dramatically since those days, and so have I.  It has been a privilege to represent the United States over the past 27 years in Europe and East Asia and to work on U.S. policy from positions in Washington.  I have had the honor to work closely with several Secretaries of State, and numerous members of Congress.

My experiences have taught me that diplomacy does matter.  Diplomacy can change the course of history.  With its global outlook and engagement, the United States thus needs all the diplomatic resources it can muster.  For those of us going abroad to represent the United States, it’s a source of tremendous encouragement that the Executive and Legislative Branches have rallied together in recent times around the importance of American diplomatic readiness.

Today we face a moment of tremendous challenge, but equally tremendous opportunity.  The challenge of terrorism and proliferation has given us new purpose.  It has also strengthened our resolve to show the world, as Secretary Powell has said, that “democracy and free markets work…”  Like other American diplomats, I will take that message with me.  The 21st century can be one of hope and prosperity for all as freedom progresses and unleashes the creative power of each individual.

This is also a moment of unique opportunity for Cyprus. I feel the weight of my responsibilities as the U.S. ambassador at this crucial juncture.

The United States has long believed it important to achieve a just and durable, comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.  That would benefit Cypriots themselves, promote peace and stability in the region, and advance U.S. interests. 

President Clerides and Mr. Denktash are engaged in direct talks.  The UN Secretary General and his Special Advisor are playing a critically important role in that process. 

I am committed, as part of the U.S. team working on this issue, to make every effort I can to promote a settlement that meets the legitimate interests of both sides and promotes regional stability.  Such a settlement holds out the prospect of a brighter future for generations of Cypriots from one end of the island to the other.  Pursuing the current talks with a greater sense of urgency is thus all the more important.

Reaching an agreement is ultimately up to the two leaders, but the international community can provide support in a variety of ways.  I look forward to continuing strong encouragement for creative bicommunal activities.  By providing opportunities for Cypriots from both sides to get to know one another and work together, we can make it more likely that a settlement will be welcomed and take root.

Our relations with Cyprus are on a sound and positive footing.  There are numerous economic, educational and people-to-people ties drawing us together.   I look forward to strengthening our cooperation across this broad range of other issues.  We appreciate Cyprus’ cooperation in counter-terrorism since September 11, but it is incumbent upon all of us in the international coalition to sustain and strengthen our efforts. In the field of law enforcement, we can build on the recent ratification of our bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement.  I also wish to focus on the commercial side of our relationship with Cyprus. 

This may sound like a full plate, but I am fortunate to have a talented and dedicated group of men and women, Americans and Foreign Service nationals, from different U.S. Government agencies serving in the Embassy. It will be a privilege to work with “Team Nicosia” to advance these important American interests on behalf of the American people.  I take very seriously my responsibilities to this official community as well as the broader community of Americans on the island. 

My family and I are eager to begin.  Thank you.