embassy events 2008
Ambassador Ashe Visits Redzikowo and Slupsk
9 October 2008
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| City Hall in Slupsk (more photos) |
The day began with a meeting with local elected officials, who discussed with the Ambassador their constituents' hopes and concerns regarding the proposed base. Ambassador Ashe stressed the U.S. government's desire to be good neighbors, and to be a positive part of the greater Słupsk community. He also reinforced the U.S. government's desire, to the greatest degree possible, not to interfere with local development plans.
Deputy Wojt Bernard Rybak then led the Ambassador on a walk around Redzikowo, which was followed by a tour of the base. Next, Mirosław Kamiński, president of the Pomorskie Regional Development Agency, showed the Ambassador the Słupsk Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and he met with representatives from several investors in the SEZ. They discussed Słupsk's competitive advantages, and plans for further development in the SEZ.
Ambassador Ashe then met with students and professors from the Wyższa Hanzaetycka Szkoła Zarządzania and the Akademia Pomorska w Słupsku. A question-and-answer session with the students covered a wide range of topics, including the financial crisis in the United States, the upcoming presidential elections, U.S. visa policy, and the role that religion plays in American politics. Ambassador Ashe also toured the Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny w Budowie, including a visit to the hospital's new nephrology unit. He also made a private courtesy call on members of the local clergy.
"I appreciate the hospitality of the people of Słupsk and Redzikowo," the Ambassador said. "This has been a very educational day for me. This is a beautiful area, and I'm very impressed by what I've seen today."
