As prepared for delivery...

Remarks by Ambassador Michael Klosson at the Opening of Kemal Saracoglu Foundation Nicosia, August 25 , 2004

I am pleased to join you this evening and to have this opportunity to talk about an issue that concerns each and every one of us, an issue that knows no political boundaries, yet one which must be faced head on by both the private and public sectors.  That issue is health and disease prevention.

Cyprus—like the United States and the rest of the world—continues to make progress in fighting cancer and in alleviating the suffering it inflicts on men, women and children. 

I am proud to say that the United States has itself been a significant investor in the health of people living in Cyprus over the years.  Just as we have worked hard in support of the UN Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a Cyprus solution – and continue to believe a solution can and should be achieved before next May based on the Annan plan – so too have we contributed millions of dollars toward medical infrastructure on the island.  In addition, the U.S.’ bicommunal programs—with valued partners such as UNDP, UNOPS, the Cyprus Fulbright Commission and Amideast—have trained doctors and nurses; technicians and emergency responders; database programmers and social workers.  They have all contributed (and continue to contribute) to the improvement of medical care on the island.  I recently held a brainstorming session with Turkish and Greek Cypriots from various sectors of the health field to explore further avenues of cooperation.

Skills and infrastructure are necessary to eliminate cancer as a major health problem, but they are not sufficient.  This objective can only be achieved by improved collaboration between the public sector, private companies, health care providers, policymakers, the public at large and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) --  NGOs like the Kemal Saracoglu Foundation. 

I am happy to be here with you tonight to welcome this new and vibrant NGO to the health scene of the island.  It promises to play a productive role raising awareness, improving service provision, advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and serving as a source of information, networks, and expertise.

More than ever, I believe that NGOs like the Kemal Saracoglu Foundation can initiate and sustain dialogue between different parts of society in order to improve the overall human condition.  NGOs can bridge the distance between the public and private sectors; the governors and the governed; the young and the old; consumers and producers; and on Cyprus, even between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. 

The Kemal Saracoglu Foundation has set a noble and ambitious task for itself—to prevent cancer, to save lives, and to diminish suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.  It has already begun to do so with its campaigns and its collaboration with other organizations on the island and abroad.

I know you join me in wishing it every success.