Until Later (Illa Liqa’) A Message from U.S. Ambassador to the Bahraini People
(Ambassador's Message in Arabic)
By now, you may have heard the news that Secretary of State Rice and President Bush have asked me to go to Iraq for a year, and then return to Bahrain to continue serving as the U.S. Ambassador.
This is a very difficult time for my wife and me. In the nine months we have been in Bahrain, we have come to love your country and its wonderful people. We have made good friends and forged strong bonds. It will be painful to leave them for a year, but I have been asked by my country to serve, and this is a duty I must honor.
America's leaders have decided that since Iraq is our highest priority, we must match our words with deeds and dedicate our best people to this challenge. There is no more important mission for the United States or the region than getting it right in Iraq. The consequences of failure would be disastrous for all of us, including Bahrain. For that reason, the United States has and will continue to sacrifice the blood of its sons and daughters and the wealth of our nation to build an Iraq that is independent, free, strong, and a force for good.
We are at a critical moment in the history of a region that America cares deeply about. Your stability is our stability; your security, our security. And just as our friendship and commitment to Bahrain for the last 60 years has helped ensure the peaceful and prosperous growth of this kingdom, so we owe the people of Iraq the support and assistance that will ensure a better future for them and their children. As a diplomat representing the United States of America, this is a calling that I cannot refuse.
The good news is that I will return to Bahrain next summer, after one year of service in Iraq. Meanwhile, my wife Marina will stay in Manama --which is and will remain our home - and I expect to visit regularly. During my absence, our Embassy and bilateral relations will be managed by our outstanding Chargé d'Affaires, Chris Henzel. I hope you will support the three of us, and the rest of the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, over the next year as we try to manage these unique circumstances.
We have accomplished much in the past nine months. President Bush visited Bahrain and His Majesty King Hamad reciprocated with a trip to Washington. Our Secretaries of State, Defense and Homeland Security have all come here. Bahrain's navy took command of a coalition force in the Arabian Gulf. Boeing and Gulf Air entered into an important new partnership benefiting both countries. These achievements demonstrate the strong ties and deep friendship that Bahrain and the United States share. Together, I am sure we will further strengthen this relationship in the year ahead.