US Ambassador ends tour of duty

The US Ambassador to Malta, Anthony Gioia, and his wife Donna left Malta yesterday as Mr Gioia completed his tour as President George W. Bush's envoy to Malta, the embassy said.

The Gioias spent more than three years in Malta, arriving just prior to the events of September 11, 2001.

Before leaving for the airport yesterday, Ambassador Gioia commented to assembled friends and colleagues about his tour and Malta-US relations, noting that "it has been my privilege to represent the United States in Malta during one of the most challenging times in our history. Malta has always been a good and supportive friend of the United States but never more than in the wake of September 11 and the global war on terror that began in earnest on that day".

He noted that it was particularly apt that his final day in Malta should fall on December 7, the date in 1943 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed "the Island of Malta, its people and defenders... one tiny bright flame in the darkness - a beacon of hope for the clearer days which have come".

"More than 60 years later, my government and the American people still admire Malta for the key, stabilising role it plays in the central Mediterranean and indeed for its efforts to create a more secure and peaceful world," Mr Gioia said. He also noted that he leaves behind a good team at the American Embassy that will continue to cultivate the excellent Malta-US relationship.

Ambassador and Mrs Gioia both remarked that while they look forward to being reunited with family and friends in the United States they are sad to leave behind so many close friends and colleagues in Malta.

"It's been a fantastic, truly memorable experience," said Ambassador Gioia. "We will never forget the beauty of Malta nor the hospitality of its people. We have made many friends for life, so we certainly expect to return some day. In the meantime, you can be sure that even back home, Donna and I will continue to do what we can to foster ever stronger Malta-US relations."