[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FAREWELL TO HIS EXCELLENCY RAUL ENRIQUE GRANILLO OCAMPO, DEPARTING 
               ARGENTINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today in order to pay a 
special tribute to Ambassador Raul E. Granillo Ocampo, until recently 
the Government of Argentina's Ambassador to the United States. 
Ambassador Ocampo left Washington last month to return to Buenos Aires 
and another challenging assignment from President Menem.
  During his nearly 4 years in Washington, Ambassador Ocampo did a 
superb job representing his country's interests. He understood well 
what it takes to be an effective diplomat in Washington. Not only did 
he develop close working relationships with the State Department and 
the White House on matters of mutual concern to the United States and 
Argentina, he also made a special effort to establish close ties with 
the United States Congress.
  The United States-Argentine relationship has never been better. I 
believe that Ambassador Ocampo can take a good deal of the credit for 
this. Certainly issues between our two countries would arise from time 
to time. That is only natural. But, thanks to Ambassador Ocampo's 
diplomatic skills, such issues were never allowed to undermine our 
fundamental friendship and mutual respect.
  Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Ambassador Ocampo, 
quickly recognized and appreciated his special talents. So too did 
President Menem. Hence, it came as no real surprise when in July, 
President Menem announced the appointment of Ambassador Ocampo to the 
post of Minister of Justice--a very important position in his Cabinet. 
That is why Ambassador Ocampo has returned to Argentina.
  Knowing something about Ambassador Ocampo's background, it makes 
perfect sense to me that he would be selected to become Minister of 
Justice. Not only does he have a law degree from the National 
University of La Plata, a master's degree in Comparative International 
Law from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX; and a doctorate in 
law from the National University of Buenos Aires. He has also practiced 
law extensively, served as a judge on the Superior Court of the 
Province of La Rioja, and as the president, or chief judge, for that 
court for 2 years.
  I for one am only grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know 
Ambassador Ocampo personally during his tenure in Washington. Thanks to 
him, I have a much better understanding and appreciation of the 
complexities of the relations between our two countries and of 
importance of working to maintain those close ties.
  Before the August recess, I was able to personally bid farewell to 
Ambassador Ocampo and his charming wife, Chini. However, I also wanted 
to say a more formal farewell to him as well. I particularly wanted him 
to know that we in the U.S. Senate have been enriched by his presence 
in Washington over these last number of years.
  Finally, Mr. President, it is only fitting that as we say goodby to 
an old friend, we also prepare to welcome a new one. President Menem 
has chosen as Ambassador Ocampo's replacement, His Excellency Diego 
Ramiro Guelar, who just recently presented his credentials to President 
Clinton.
  Although I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Ambassador 
Guelar, I understand that he is both an experienced diplomat and an 
experienced politician--he has held a number of ambassadorial posts and 
has been a Representative in the Argentine Congress. I look forward to 
meeting Ambassador Guelar in the very near future, and to working with 
him as I did with his predecessor.

                          ____________________