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HIS MAJESTY
RECEIVES LETTERS OF CREDENCE FROM AMERICA |
The Ambassador
-Designate of the United States of America to Lesotho, Mr.
Robert Nolan presented his letters of credence to His
Majesty King Letsie III at the Royal Palace on Wednesday.
Accepting the credentials, His Majesty said Lesotho has
benefited immensely from various forms of interventions made
by the United States of America in its efforts to accelerate
its (Lesotho) economic development, including the
concessional opening of the American market to Lesotho
textiles under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
He said, "Lesotho took full advantage of the provisions of
the Act as soon as it came into operation," adding that the
act has largely been a driving force behind the country's
job creation initiatives to an extend that the industrial
sector is now the largest employer in the country.
He however noted that the challenge posed by HIV and AIDS
epidemic has a potential of reversing all the socio-economic
advancements the country has made to date.
'With each passing day, huge numbers of Basotho particularly
the youth, succumb to this deadly disease, but we are
encouraged that Lesotho is not on her own in trying to halt
the spread of this epidemic as it has the support of
friendly countries like America', he stated.
On the other hand, Mr. Robert Nolan said the United States
is committed to strengthen its partnership with the African
continent in particular cooperative and effective nations
like Lesotho.
He commended the country's effective international role on
free trade, global health and efforts to foil international
crime and terrorism.
Mr. Nolan, however, said the scourge of HIV/AIDS and
tuberculosis pose a serious threat to Basotho and therefore,
expressed need for concerted efforts to combat the diseases
and ensure that future generations are protected.
He expressed appreciation over Lesotho's internationally
renowned 'Know Your Status' campaign, which he said is a
remarkable sign of political will at the highest levels to
defeat HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Nolan succeeds Mrs. June Carter-Perry.
Source: LENA 10/10/2007 |
