[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1079-E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   U.S. EMBASSY IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2002

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member wishes to commend the Bush 
Administration

[[Page E1080]]

for its recent decision to open a U.S. Embassy in Malabo, Equatorial 
Guinea. Indeed, the investment of Federal funds and State Department 
personnel for representation in the small African country may pay huge 
dividends in the form of American lives saved and U.S. national 
interests protected.
  According to the State Department, over 1,500 Americans live and work 
in Equatorial Guinea--primarily in the oil industry. Additionally, U.S. 
investment in Equatorial Guinea is over $5 billion. As the U.S. 
presence increases, it is critical that the U.S. provide services and 
assistance to our citizens. For example, in the case of a natural 
disaster, access to American embassy officials who can serve as 
liaisons between Americans and the local hospital could mean the 
difference between life and death for those Americans caught in the 
country during the emergency. Also, maintaining a U.S. embassy in 
Equatorial Guinea would allow U.S. businesses to explore future 
investment opportunities in the country. Such investments would be 
important for a region which is struggling to build economic stability 
for the long term.

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