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Remarks At The Signing of the U.S. Participation Contract In the Aichi, Japan 2005 World Exposition

Secretary Colin L. Powell
Benjamin Franklin Room
Washington, DC
September 7, 2004
(5:50 p.m. EDT)

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Lisa Guillermin Gable Named U.S. Commissioner General of Section of the United States Exhibition to the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Ambassador, Dr. Toyoda, Commissioner General Gable, ladies and gentlemen, it's a great pleasure to add my words of welcome to that of Pat Harrison and to take this opportunity to thank Pat for all the fine work she has done to make this event possible this evening.

And I welcome you all to the State Department because this is an important ceremony as we formalize America's commitment to take part in the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan.

Since President Bush confirmed to Prime Minister Koizumi our enthusiastic intention to participate, many friends of America and Japan, in this room today, have been working hard to ensure that the U.S. exhibit will be a great attraction, a successful attraction. Many more contributors to this exciting effort are with us in spirit, not least of all our wonderful Ambassador to Japan and my dear friend, Howard Baker, who I can report to you is well on the mend after having a bypass operation not too long ago. President Clinton obviously heard that Howard Baker was having a bypass operation -- (laughter). And Howard had a double so Mr. Clinton had to have a quadruple. (Laughter.)

How very appropriate it is that today's signing ceremony should take place here in the Ben Franklin State Dining Room. It was truly an inspired idea to make "The Franklin Spirit" the theme of the Pavilion. And we are all very fortunate that award-winning Franklin biographer Walter Isaacson -- where are you, Walter? -- I saw you a moment ago -- there he is -- (applause) -- is with us today. Walter serves on the board of Aichi -- the Aichi board with so many other distinguished private citizens and that is why he is here with us today and we are pleased to have him.

Of course, we remember Ben Franklin, first and foremost, as a founding father. But here at the State Department, we are especially proud to claim him as our nation's first foreign envoy. And so it is fitting that in this room, named in Franklin's honor, we often receive heads of state and foreign ministers and we have dinners and lunches here to honor our visitors from around the world.

We do more in this room. We swear in our new ambassadors as they depart for their posts overseas. And it is also here in this room that I swear in all of our new Foreign Service Officers and we swear in our new Civil Service employees in this room as well.

I want to pass on the legacy of Ben Franklin and this room gives these dedicated young men and women a deep sense of connection to the generations of public servants, going all the way back to Benjamin Franklin, who have contributed so much to our nation and to the world.

I slip very often, and we don't talk of Mr. Franklin as Benjamin Franklin. He's Ben to us. He was a master of what we now call public diplomacy. When he wasn't playing with lightning in the backyard, he was winning America friends abroad by his charm and by his intellect. As Walter Isaacson can attest, artists across Europe vied for the chance to render Franklin's likeness. His humble face was carved into marble, painted in oils, etched into metal, etched and sketched onto paper and fashioned into ladies' jewelry. Franklin must have delighted in the sight of his image resting on so many of the finest décolletages of Europe. (Laughter.) And he was known to appreciate that kind of thing -- and I go no further. (Laughter.)

Franklin was the embodiment of democracy, a man from ordinary beginnings who realizes extraordinary potential living in freedom. People embraced Franklin's democratic and enterprising spirit. That spirit will be reflected in the U.S. Pavilion at the Exposition as a whole. And that same deeply shared belief in democratic and economic freedom animates the relationship between America and our good friend, our steadfast ally, Japan.

We are not just dynamic democracies; we are the world's two largest economies. And it is no coincidence that we are also the world's leading pioneers in science. Our breakthroughs are transforming the world -- from the cars people drive to the medicines that they take. We're leaders in the development of nanoscience and new energy sources.

Benjamin Franklin would be proud of these achievements borne of free inquiry, borne of the free enterprise system. And for more than half a century, the U.S.-Japan alliance has helped to create the secure conditions under which liberty and opportunity can spread, not just in Asia, but all around the world.

In the last few years alone, Japan's resolute support of coalition efforts has helped to free over 50 million Afghans and Iraqis. With Japan's substantial assistance, the people of Afghanistan and Iraq are reconstructing their countries and building democratic futures for themselves and for their children.

As Japan's own successful experiment in democracy attests, freedom is a universal value and people of all cultures and all continents should have the chance to enjoy the blessings of liberty that Ben Franklin worked so hard to secure for his young nation.

Friends, news of the 2005 Exposition somehow reached old Ben Franklin in the other world, and he found the prospect of coming to Aichi irresistible. So Franklin the diplomat always regretted that he did not live long enough to participate in Japan's opening to the world. And Franklin the scientist in the hereafter became greatly intrigued by the Exposition's focus on progress and the importance of man's relationship to the natural world.

So I am thrilled today to announce that Benjamin Franklin has figured out a way to harness the power of electromagnetism, which will enable him to materialize -- (laughter) -- at the Pavilion in Aichi and once again serve our nation as a goodwill ambassador.

We checked with our legal experts; they told us that it will not be necessary for Ambassador Franklin to go through the Senate confirmation process. (Laughter.) But I can assure you that when you visit the Exposition you will see Ben Franklin there once again representing the United States of America and the American people to the people of Japan and to the people of the world. And I look forward to seeing him there myself.

In Aichi, I am sure that in his own special way, Ambassador Franklin will have much to say about how advances in science can help men, women and children across the globe realize their God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I wish to add my own words of thanks to all of the private sector partners from America and Japan who have lent their support to Aichi-U.S.A. 2005. Your generosity and commitment to a strong U.S.-Japan relationship have made our participation at the Exposition possible.

And I congratulate Lisa Guillermin Gable on her appointment as our Commissioner General for the Exposition. I know that Lisa's extraordinary and legendary energy, expertise and effectiveness will ensure that the 2005 Pavilion is an outstanding success. Lisa, Ambassador Franklin very much looks forward to working with you, as does Ambassador Baker who will actually be there in body and spirit. And Ambassador Baker, from his bed, has sent you these words of welcome:

"Dear Madame Commissioner General," -- I like that "General" part, Lisa. (Laughter.)
"I sincerely regret that I cannot be with you on this great occasion. I have every confidence that the Exposition will be a great success.

Both I, and our Embassy in Tokyo, look forward to working with you and supporting you and your efforts to the fullest extent. Please extend my greetings to your family and friends who are present with you today. Nancy and I extend our very best wishes to you as you embark on this very important assignment.

Sincerely,
Howard H. Baker"

And Lisa, we all join in that expression of support and we thank you.

(Applause.)

Friends, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Kanagawa, the treaty of peace and amity that opened up relations between the United States and Japan. When that treaty was signed, who could scarcely have imagined the variety and extent of cultural exchanges between our two countries over the past century and a half.

These exchanges have greatly enriched the lives of our peoples and have fostered cooperation across a host of fields of far-reaching importance to America, to Japan and to the world. There is no doubt that the 2005 Exposition will further contribute to our wonderful tradition of cultural exchange, creativity and enterprise.

Let me say, then, on behalf of President Bush and the American people how much we look forward to joining our gracious host, Japan, and the 120 nations from all around the world who will be our fellow participants in Aichi. We know that the 2005 Exposition will be a tremendous, tremendous success.

Thank you very much.

(Applause.)

2004/950
[End]

Released on September 8, 2004

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