Remarks of His Excellency

Girma Wolde-Giorgis

President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

“Lucy” Press Conference

September 26, 2007

Good morning Ladies and gentlemen, it is wonderful to be back in your beautiful city where I am blessed to have so many great friends.  

This is an exciting and rare opportunity for all of us today, for today we share in the joy and wonderment of bringing Ethiopia’s greatest treasure to the people of Houston and the United States.

Through our exchange of mutual trust and admiration, this rare jewel, Lucy, represents all that is good between our two countries. She presents a solidarity that can only come with confidence and faith that our two regions will continue to form a lasting bond.

My country is a land of plenty – with a long and noble history of cultural diversity – we boast more than 80 unique, rich linguistic groups.

From the dramatic grandeur of our national parks to the spectacular Nile Falls, the Great Rift Valley, Danakil Depression and imperial castles, Ethiopia embodies a country rich with hidden treasures – many – like Lucy are ripe for discovery. It is people like you in this room who work with us – partner with us – that will bring the true Ethiopia to the world audience.

Ethiopia is a stable democracy with a rich history that offers much expanded commerce between our countries. We are a market oriented economy with ample opportunities for investing and trading.

And, with the friendships that have developed between my country and representatives of Houston, including Jeff Moseley , president of the Greater Houston Partnership – I believe our opportunities can only increase with time.

As my country is known as the “Cradle of Humanity,” Houston is known as the Gateway to Global Marketplaces – a Gateway through which we will travel together on our journey of increased commerce and a sharing of our cultures.

 Thank you.