Speeches

Chargé d'Affaires Virginia Blaser's Remarks at the 
U.S. Coast Guard Basic Boarding Officer Course Training  
Closing Ceremony

Friday, September 4, 2009
Maritime Training Establishment
Le Chaland

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mario Nobin
Commandant of the National Coast Guard
Participants,
Instructors from the U.S. Coast Guard,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the United States Embassy in Mauritius, it is a great pleasure to be here today to address the Closing Ceremony of the 2009 International Military Education Training Program on Basic Boarding Officer course.

For the national security of Mauritius, as a small island state with vast territorial waters, improved border and maritime security are vital. The development of a strong, well-equipped Coast Guard is an essential element in delivering that security by effectively addressing the adversarial threats, such as potential acts of terrorism, narcotics, trafficking, illegal immigration, and piracy.

However, Maritime security is a topic important not only to the National Coast Guard, but also to everyone in this country and it is critical to your relations with key partners. From a regional perspective, the maritime security threats that exist are certain to challenge the existing capabilities of Mauritius given the traditional engagements of maritime defense. 

I believe the common purpose of everyone present here is to keep the safety of this nation. Thomas Jefferson recognized this great calling when he noted “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Mauritius’ domestic security is fundamentally intertwined with events abroad and must be approached with that in mind.   I want to emphasize that the United States is steadfast in its commitment to continuing to build the capabilities of the National Coast Guard and enhance the efforts of Mauritius to address these adversarial threats impacting its safety and security.

In fact, in support of that commitment, I am extremely happy to announce that the Defender boat donated by the U.S. Government to the Government of Mauritius is now complete and will be transferred shortly.  We are also proud to announce that the U.S. Government will be donating two more boats to the Mauritian Government.  Additionally, the United States recently provided the National Coast Guard and Mauritius Ports Authority with an Automated Information System, which allows them to quickly sort through incoming and outgoing vessels in the coastal waters of Mauritius, separating legitimate from illegitimate sea traffic.  Finally, this year, the U.S. Government has provided IMET training for Mauritius, amounting to nearly five million Rupees to the Special Mobile Forces and the National Coast Guard.

To further demonstrate the United States’ commitment to Mauritius, the United States Coast Guard is offering an outstanding opportunity for a young man or woman, between the ages of 17-22, of Mauritius, to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy under the international application process.

The U.S. Coast Guard serves as the model for Coast Guard Services around the world.  Since 1971, international cadets have attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to receive technical education and professional training that enables them to provide leadership for the Coast Guard Service of their home nations. To date, 106 international cadets from 42 countries have graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; 14 international cadets are currently enrolled.

The Academy is a fully resident, military cadet campus. The undergraduate curriculum is heavily oriented toward math, science, and engineering, and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Professional training in subjects such as Leadership, Maritime Law, and Navigation are provided throughout the four-year program.

All of these programs are part of an effort to help Mauritius build the capacity for a strong rapid reaction to the looming piracy issue and illegal activities in your Exclusive Economic Zone.  As such, they support the overall security of your nation.

In closing, I am reminded of the words of Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

I commend you for “doing something about it” both in your attention today and in the work you do every day.

Defeating the threats facing this nation is critical to protect the regional maritime security, which is the lifeblood of the Mauritian economy and critical to the security of Mauritius. It is only with your help and commitment that Mauritius can improve the ability to provide the warning essential to achieve this task.
I would like to thank the Commissioner of Police for his support in organizing this training,  the National Coast Guard for providing the facilities and coordinating everything and the Maritime Training Establishment for this lovely setting.

I have no doubt that the participants who have completed this training have gained valuable skills and knowledge that will benefit them greatly in carrying out their duties in the protection of Mauritius. I am also certain that our U.S. Coast Guard Officers have themselves learned a lot through their interaction with you all.

To the instructors, thank you for your fine work.

Thank you all for your attention.