Ambassador Joseph M. DeThomas' Speech at the
Opening of the American Corner at Narva Central Library
Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Vice Chancellor Pärn, Governor Raidma, Mayor Tammiste, Director Erilaid, ladies and gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure for me to be with you today in Narva to celebrate the opening of our first American Corner in Estonia. This American Corner will offer the residents of Narva and northeastern Estonia free and public access to a wide range of information about the United States - our government, businesses, educational system, history, society, and literature. Your American Corner in Narva will also be able to count on the support of the American Embassy in Tallinn.

The events today represent the culmination of a great deal of planning and hard work for many people. I would like to express my thanks in particular to the Director of Narva Central Library Ingrid Erilaid for the excellent cooperation that has developed between the library and the Embassy. We look forward to growing contacts with the county of Ida-Virumaa, Narva City government and Narva's business community. We are grateful that you could join us today, and we hope you are as enthusiastic about this undertaking as we are.

What is this undertaking? We are here today to open the first "American Corner" in Estonia. American Corners are designed to reach out to people who do not reside in capital cities. They are designed to give people a window that has a view of the United States and an electronic door into the American Embassy. Why is Narva the first city in Estonia to have an American Corner? We examined many possible sites and candidate cities. In the end, we found here a combination of good factors, such as an enthusiastic partner in this library, and a greater need to have contact with the Embassy and the U.S.

Since my first day in Estonia, I have emphasized that the American Embassy in Tallinn is not the Embassy to Tallinn but to all of Estonia. In fact, our decision to open an America Corner here in Narva arose from our desire to demonstrate, in a very tangible manner, our interest in all regions of Estonia. This is part of a growing effort on our part.

In the past, one way in which we have shown our interest in Narva is by arranging for English Language Fellows from the United States to be placed at Narva College to teach English. I am happy to report that we recently got word that a new English Language Fellow position at Narva College was approved for the 2004-2005 academic year.

I firmly believe that Narva's American Corner will serve as a bridge between the residents of Narva and the people of the United States, and that the personal contacts such as those established through the English Language Fellow program will only increase.

This American Corner, as part of your public library, is free and open to everyone -- ordinary residents, students, NGO representatives, businesspeople, government officials -- who wishes to learn more about America, study at U.S. universities, do business with American companies, or contact colleagues and counterparts in the United States. It is our hope that the Corner will serve as a venue for lectures, discussions, and other events that draw our peoples together in continually greater understanding of one another.

Narva has a long and complex history, more history than my country. In 1492, the year that America was discovered, the construction of Ivangorod fortress began, and it was the second fortress in this neighborhood. But we are opening our corner here not because of Narva's past, but because we want to be part of Narva's future. When we look out the window of this room here in Narva Central Library, there opens before us an impressive view of Ivangorod fortress and Narva castle.

For more centuries than my country has been in existence, this has been a point from which to observe the rich history of two nations and two peoples. Beginning today, we can see three countries from this room. With the opening of this Corner, we open up a view to America. I believe that we are also opening a window of opportunity for greater interaction and communication between our peoples. I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the people of Narva for our continued cooperation.

Thank you very much.

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