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American Embassy, Rome, 5/28/89
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American Embassy, Rome, 5/28/89
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Draft Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
2011-2184-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13488
Folder ID Number:
13488-014
Folder Title:
American Embassy, Rome, 5/28/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
15
7
4
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MAY 23, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
w
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
MARK LANGE mt
SUBJECT:
AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING, ROME
Attached are talking points for your greeting of some 600
American and Italian staff members and their families at the
Villa Taverna in Rome, on Sunday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m.
You may want to informally recognize three Italian employees, who
between them have given 101 years of service to the U.S. mission,
and who will be retiring in a few weeks.
Ms. Lea Simcic, Commerical Assistant, retires after 40 years.
Mr. Eugeni Conti, Federal Benefits Unit, retires after 40 years.
And Mr. Otello Marcucci, electrician in General Services, retires
after 21 years.
TALKING POINTS: AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
VILLA TAVERNA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1988
2:30 P.M.
0
AMBASSADOR RABB
RUTH
FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES:
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AT VILLA TAVERNA.
- 2 -
0
You've ENJOYED EIGHT YEARS OF OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP UNDER AMBASSADOR MAX RABB. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK MAX AND RUTH FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS.
THEY HAVE KEPT AMERICAN-ITALIAN TIES STRONG AND
PRODUCTIVE.
- 3 -
0
You CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO THE ARRIVAL
OF YOUR NEW AMBASSADOR, MY GOOD FRIEND PETE
SECCHIA. THE SENATE SHOULD COMPLETE ACTION ON
HIS NOMINATION SHORTLY -- AND HE AND HIS
CHARMING WIFE JOAN SHOULD BE HERE BEFORE LONG.
- 4 -
0
THANKS IN LARGE MEASURE TO YOUR EFFORTS, OUR VISIT
HAS GONE VERY WELL. WE'VE HAD GOOD TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT COSSIGA AND THE PRIME MINISTER -- A GALA
EVENING LAST NIGHT -- AND A MOVING CEREMONY AT
NETTUNO THIS MORNING. I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK GOES
INTO MAKING THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE -- AND I'D LIKE
TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.
- 5 -
0 I'VE BEEN AN AMBASSADOR ABROAD; I KNOW THAT THE
CONTINUITY
AND EXPERIENCE OUR NATIONAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDE IS
INVALUABLE. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THEM, AND GLAD TO
SEE OUR ITALIAN FRIENDS HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
- 6 -
0 To THE STUDENTS WHO ARE WITH US TODAY, FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN ROME, LET ME WISH YOU THE
VERY BEST. I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE THE FULLEST
ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE LIVING AND STUDYING IN
ROME.
- 7 -
o
WE NOW GO TO BRUSSELS FOR THE NATO SUMMIT -- AND
THEN ON TO BONN AND LONDON. BUT WE WILL NOT FORGET
OUR FIRST WONDERFUL STOP HERE IN ROME. THANK YOU
ALL VERY MUCH -- AND GOD BLESS YOU.
# # #
(Lange/Wallace)
May 23, 1989
5:30 p.m.
[AMERCOMM.TPS
TALKING POINTS:
AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
VILLA TAVERNA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1988
2:30 P.M.
Ambassador Rabb
Ruth
friends and colleagues: it's a
pleasure to be here at Villa Taverna.
You've enjoyed eight years of outstanding leadership under
Ambassador Max Rabb. I would like to thank Max and Ruth for
their many contributions. They have kept American-Italian
ties strong and productive.
You can look forward with confidence to the arrival of your
new Ambassador, my good friend Pete Secchia. The Senate
should complete action on his nomination shortly -- and he
and his charming wife Joan should be here before long.
Thanks in large measure to your efforts, our visit has gone
very well. We've had good talks with President Cossiga and
the Prime Minister -- a gala evening last night -- and a
moving ceremony at Nettuno this morning. I know how much
work goes into making these events possible -- and I'd like
to thank you for all you've done.
I've been an ambassador abroad; I know that the continuity
and experience our national employees provide is invaluable.
We are grateful to them, and glad to see our Italian friends
here this afternoon.
To the students who are with us today, from the
international schools in Rome, let me wish you the very
best. I hope you can take the fullest advantage of your
experience living and studying in Rome.
We now go to Brussels for the NATO Summit -- and then on to
Bonn and London. But we will not forget our first wonderful
stop here in Rome. Thank you all very much -- and God bless
you.
TALKING POINTS: AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
VILLA TAVERNA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1988
2:30 P.M.
0
AMBASSADOR RABB
RUTH
FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES:
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AT VILLA TAVERNA.
- 2 -
0
You've ENJOYED EIGHT YEARS OF OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP UNDER AMBASSADOR MAX RABB. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK MAX AND RUTH FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS.
THEY HAVE KEPT AMERICAN-ITALIAN TIES STRONG AND
PRODUCTIVE.
- 3 -
O You CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO THE ARRIVAL
OF YOUR NEW AMBASSADOR, MY GOOD FRIEND PETE
SECCHIA. THE SENATE SHOULD COMPLETE ACTION ON
HIS NOMINATION SHORTLY -- AND HE AND HIS
CHARMING WIFE JOAN SHOULD BE HERE BEFORE LONG.
- 4 -
0 THANKS IN LARGE MEASURE TO YOUR EFFORTS, OUR VISIT
HAS GONE VERY WELL. WE'VE HAD GOOD TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT COSSIGA AND THE PRIME MINISTER -- A GALA
EVENING LAST NIGHT -- AND A MOVING CEREMONY AT
NETTUNO THIS MORNING. I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK GOES
INTO MAKING THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE -- AND I'D LIKE
TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.
- 5 -
o I'VE BEEN AN AMBASSADOR ABROAD; I KNOW THAT THE
CONTINUITY
AND EXPERIENCE OUR NATIONAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDE IS
INVALUABLE. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THEM, AND GLAD TO
SEE OUR ITALIAN FRIENDS HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
- 6 -
0
To THE STUDENTS WHO ARE WITH US TODAY, FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN ROME, LET ME WISH YOU THE
VERY BEST. I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE THE FULLEST
ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE LIVING AND STUDYING IN
ROME.
- 7 -
0
WE NOW GO TO BRUSSELS FOR THE NATO SUMMIT -- AND
THEN ON TO BONN AND LONDON. BUT WE WILL NOT FORGET
OUR FIRST WONDERFUL STOP HERE IN ROME. THANK YOU
ALL VERY MUCH -- AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
TALKING POINTS: AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
MAY 30, 1989
2:15 PM
-- BARBARA AND I ARE PLEASED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO VISIT THE BRUSSELS AMERICAN SCHOOL.
2 $ $
-- I WANT TO COMMEND MY HOST HERE, DR. JENNIFER
BECKWITH, FOR THE WORK YOU DO AT WHAT IS REALLY A
RATHER LARGE ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE -- KINDERGARTEN
ON UP.
-- I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR AMBASSADORS: MIKE
GLITMAN, OUR ENVOY TO BELGIUM, AMBASSADOR TO NATO
ALTON KEEL, AND AMBASSADOR TO THE EC ALFRED KINGON.
- 3 -
-- You SERVE WITH DISTINCTION IN VERY DEMANDING
ASSIGNMENTS.
-- AND IT'S A TEAM EFFORT. ALL OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE
FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS ROOM CONTRIBUTE TO OUR
SUCCESSES.
- 4 -
-- RIGHT NOW, BRUSSELS IS THE HUB OF SOME OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT AND EXACTING DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN THE
WORLD.
-- BARBARA AND I REMEMBER OUR TIME IN CHINA -- THE
EXCITEMENT, AS WELL AS THE DIFFICULTIES AND RISKS
INVOLVED IN FOREIGN SERVICE LIFE.
- 5 -
-- I ASSURE YOU, I'LL BE DOING ALL I CAN TO MAKE YOUR
OVERSEAS DUTY AS REWARDING, SAFE AND FULFILLING AS
POSSIBLE.
-- THANK YOU FOR THIS KIND WELCOME. ON BEHALF OF ALL
AMERICANS, LET ME THANK YOU FOR THE REAL
CONTRIBUTION ALL OF YOU MAKE TO ADVANCE AMERICA'S
MISSION IN THE WORLD.
###
TALKING POINTS: AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
MAY 30, 1989
2:15 PM
-- BARBARA AND I ARE PLEASED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO VISIT THE BRUSSELS AMERICAN SCHOOL.
- 2 -
-- I WANT TO COMMEND MY HOST HERE, DR. JENNIFER
BECKWITH, FOR THE WORK YOU DO AT WHAT IS REALLY A
RATHER LARGE ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE -- KINDERGARTEN
ON UP.
-- I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR AMBASSADORS: MIKE
GLITMAN, OUR ENVOY TO BELGIUM, AMBASSADOR TO NATO
ALTON KEEL, AND AMBASSADOR TO THE EC ALFRED KINGON.
- 3 -
-- You SERVE WITH DISTINCTION IN VERY DEMANDING
ASSIGNMENTS.
-- AND IT'S A TEAM EFFORT. ALL OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE
FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS ROOM CONTRIBUTE TO OUR
SUCCESSES.
- 4 -
-- RIGHT NOW, BRUSSELS IS THE HUB OF SOME OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT AND EXACTING DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN THE
WORLD.
-- BARBARA AND I REMEMBER OUR TIME IN CHINA -- THE
EXCITEMENT, AS WELL AS THE DIFFICULTIES AND RISKS
INVOLVED IN FOREIGN SERVICE LIFE.
- 5 -
-- I ASSURE YOU, I'LL BE DOING ALL I CAN TO MAKE YOUR
OVERSEAS DUTY AS REWARDING, SAFE AND FULFILLING AS
POSSIBLE.
-- THANK YOU FOR THIS KIND WELCOME. ON BEHALF OF ALL
AMERICANS, LET ME THANK YOU FOR THE REAL
CONTRIBUTION ALL OF YOU MAKE TO ADVANCE AMERICA'S
MISSION IN THE WORLD.
###
TALKING POINTS: AMERICAN COMMUNITY GREETING
VILLA TAVERNA
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1988
2:30 P.M.
0
AMBASSADOR RABB RUTH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES:
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AT VILLA TAVERNA.
- 2 -
0
YOU'VE ENJOYED EIGHT YEARS OF OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP UNDER AMBASSADOR MAX RABB. I WOULD LIKE
TO THANK MAX AND RUTH FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS.
THEY HAVE KEPT AMERICAN-ITALIAN TIES STRONG AND
PRODUCTIVE.
- 3 -
0 You CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO THE ARRIVAL
OF YOUR NEW AMBASSADOR, MY GOOD FRIEND PETE
SECCHIA. THE SENATE SHOULD COMPLETE ACTION ON
HIS NOMINATION SHORTLY -- AND HE AND HIS
CHARMING WIFE JOAN SHOULD BE HERE BEFORE LONG.
- 4 -
0
THANKS IN LARGE MEASURE TO YOUR EFFORTS, OUR VISIT
HAS GONE VERY WELL. WE'VE HAD GOOD TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT COSSIGA AND THE PRIME MINISTER -- A GALA
EVENING LAST NIGHT -- AND A MOVING CEREMONY AT
NETTUNO THIS MORNING. I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK GOES
INTO MAKING THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE -- AND I'D LIKE
TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.
- 5 -
0
I'VE BEEN AN AMBASSADOR ABROAD; I KNOW THAT THE
CONTINUITY
AND EXPERIENCE OUR NATIONAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDE IS
INVALUABLE. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THEM, AND GLAD TO
SEE OUR ITALIAN FRIENDS HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
- 6 -
0
To THE STUDENTS WHO ARE WITH US TODAY, FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN ROME, LET ME WISH YOU THE
VERY BEST. I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE THE FULLEST
ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE LIVING AND STUDYING IN
ROME.
- 7 -
0
WE NOW GO TO BRUSSELS FOR THE NATO SUMMIT -- AND
THEN ON TO BONN AND LONDON. BUT WE WILL NOT FORGET
OUR FIRST WONDERFUL STOP HERE IN ROME. THANK YOU
ALL VERY MUCH -- AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
#695
ic
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Rome, Italy)
For Immediate Release
May 28, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT AMERICAN EMBASSY COMMUNITY GREETING
American Embassy
Rome, Italy
2:30 P.M. (L)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr.
Secretary, and thank all of you for that warm Memorial Day Weekend
welcome. First, to Ambassador Rabb and Ruth, -let me simply add our
profound thanks for a job well-done. I'll tell you, you stay around
Max for about 24 hours, and that energy level that exhausting
energy level is something. And it all has been steered into
improving relations -- this energy of his -- improving relations
between Italy and the United States.
And yesterday, when I met with the Italian leaders I told
them, I don't believe this relationship -- this bilateral
relationship -- has ever been stronger. And I think a large bit of
the credit for that goes to our Ambassador and his wife. And then
I'd have to add to every single one of you that works here in the
United States Embassy, thank you for a job superbly done.
(Applause.)
I will say just a word about our new Ambassador, Pete
Secchia, a good friend of both the Secretary's and mine, he'll do a
good job -- energetic. He knows what he doesn't know. He knows he
going to have to learn a lot from the staff here. But you're going
to like him and I'm convinced the Italians will as well. I believe
the Senate will act promptly on that nomination. And he and his
Joan, that Jim Baker and I know very well, will be along, but what
remarkably big shoes they have to fill.
Thanks, in large measure, to your efforts -- I agree with
Max -- this visit has gone well. I saw Barbara Watson, who is the
admin officer of the United States Embassy. And I looked at her very
carefully before I went over and shook hands. And I wanted to see if
she looked in a high state of irritation -- (laughter) -- or if she
looked perfectly normal. And I would say this -- I saw her -- it
wasn't that she looked on edge at all -- (laughter) -- but I told her
that we would leave on time. And she smiled from ear to ear and was
very gracious. (Laughter.)
And I say all that because I have been on the receiving
end -- when I served in China -- the receiving end of a visit from a
President of the United States and I know what it's like -- a
pluperfect pain. (Laughter.) No, she was very pleasant about it.
And it gives me the occasion to thank all of you -- the admin and the
security and the political side of the Embassy and commercial or
military -- whatever -- for the superb cooperation. Our people tell
me they' ve never seen a more cooperative effort, and I think it has
shown through in the way this visit has gone. And I might say,
parenthetically, my thanks to the members of the U.S. Navy for
providing us that wonderful music here on this very celebratory day.
Now, we've had good talks here -- substantive talks with
President Cossiga and then with -- of course, with the Prime
MORE
- 2 -
Minister, the Foreign Minister. We had a gala evening last night and
then -- I agree with the objective side of what Max said about the
ceremony at Nattuna oh, I'misure most of you all have been there.
And if you haven't, you've got to see it. You've got to see that
tribute to those who gave their lives fighting for our country,
fighting for freedom. It was very, very moving for Barbara and me.
And I expect any American who goes and takes a look at that beautiful
cemetery will have that with them for the rest of their lives. And
so I want to thank those who handle that end of our visit -- those
who serve to keep up that beautiful memorial to our fallen brothers.
I know, as I say, that this has been a complicated event.
And now, as you know, we go on from here to NATO -- to the meeting
there that is very, very important for the Alliance. I happen to
believe this Alliance has never been stronger. And I salute my
immediate predecessor, President Reagan, for his role in guaranteeing
the strength of the Alliance.
So we go there in a time of great optimism -- a time when
our values worldwide are winning -- the values of freedom and
democracy and all the things that we believe in and things these kids
learn about in school every single day and get from their families.
So it's an optimistic time for the Alliance. And it's a great time
for the United States of America.
I look forward to that part of it. But there was
something more than symbolic about Italy being my first stop.
Because I think it signals to the Italian people how important we
view not only their participation in NATO and their willingness to
undertake complicated NATO assignments, but the strength of our
bilateral relationship that so many of you have worked many years to
encourage and to strengthen. So I'm grateful again for that. And
please make no mistake -- when we chose Italy we did it very, very
carefully. And we came here to symbolize exactly this -- the
strength of the friendship between our two peoples.
Now, thank you all very much. What I really want to do
-- and I don't know that we can talk these kids into it -- but what I
really want to do is see if we can get. the kids - and to be a kid,
you've got to be -- (laughter) -- you guys are out -- you've got to
be, what, about 15 to come so we can have a group picture taken up
here. And if anybody feels offended, we' got to do that. But in
the meantime, let me end this way because this is a marvelous
Memorial Day Weekend. And let me simply say thank you and God bless
the United States of America.
Thank you all very, very much.
END
2:39 P.M. (L)