William Cabaniss - the new United States ambassador to Prague
William Cabaniss has been United States ambassador to Prague for less than a month, and is still clearly settling in to his new post. Nevertheless, the ambassador, who introduces himself as Bill Cabaniss, did find the time last week for a first press briefing with Czech journalists. When we spoke afterwards, I asked him if he would tell our listeners something about his background.
Our listeners may be curious to know where your name comes from. Cabaniss is an unusual name - what country is it from?
"French Huguenot. It's from France, but French Huguenot beginnings."
How did it come to happen that you were offered the job of ambassador here? Could you describe the process of getting the job, so to speak?
"Well, the question came from the White House, approximately a year ago. I don't know the process they use to select people. I had a background in business; I had a background in politics in Alabama, serving in the Alabama State Senate. I did for run for the US Senate in 1990, it was a campaign to try to become a member of the US Senate, but I was not successful so I went back to business full-time. I've met a number of people in and out of national politics during my careers in business and politics, and...I don't know how they choose people, but it was an honour for me to be asked if we wanted to be considered. So, after going through the process that's pretty lengthy, to answer all the background information questions, and medical as well as ethical background checks...here I am."
"I would not say we're close friends. We've known each other for over 20 years. We have seen each other in various situations, I respect him immensely and I've very happy to be working for him right now as one of his ambassadors."
Almost as soon as you arrived in Prague you went to Baghdad with the Czech foreign minister, Cyril Svoboda - could you describe that experience for us please?
"It was a tremendous opportunity to be invited to travel with Foreign Minister Svoboda, and to attempt to help the Czech companies who were also travelling to Baghdad to meet the different people in the Provisional Authority, to try to qualify for some of the contracts to rebuild the oil-fields and the infrastructure in Iraq. I was happy to be part of his delegation. I supported the Czech businesses with the Provisional Authority and some of their project manager people: Ambassador Jones, who is Ambassador Bremer's number one person, and Tom Foley's group. So it was an exciting opportunity for me to jump right in to trying to help these Czech businesses do business with the American side of the Provisional Authority."
Given that weapons of mass destruction have not been found in Iraq, and evidently will not be found, do you think that the war was justified?
"I supported President Bush's decision to move into the war with Iraq. I still support very strongly that decision. Hindsight is always 20-20. I think the evidence, the preponderance of evidence, was that Saddam definitely had weapons of mass destruction in the past and I think a lot of evidence indicated that he still had them, or had access to them. And that wasn't the only reason why I think the administration chose to go to war with Iraq. But I certainly very strongly support his decision."
Your predecessor here in Prague, Craig Stapleton, disagreed with the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, about the war, and there has been some question as to whether Mr Klaus will be invited to Washington during George Bush's current term. Do you know anything about that invitation, will it come?
"I hope that President Klaus does get an invitation to visit Washington. That invitation has to come from the White House. I cannot speculate on any given date; I'm just not in a position to speculate on that, at any time."
What did you know about this country before you came here, or before you got the appointment?
"I have a good friend who has Czech parents, who is from Omaha, Nebraska and lives in Birmingham. He opened up his library of books on Czech history, current emails from relatives in the Czech Republic, so I was able to start reading about the Czech Republic in May and June of last year."
The Czech language is famously difficult - are you planning to try to learn it?
"The answer is yes. We took Czech lessons, although time did not allow us to get involved in a very concerted effort. But during our trips to Washington we did take introductory Czech lessons, and we plan to begin those again next week."
You've been here only a few weeks - what are your initial impressions of Prague?
"The city is beyond anybody's dream of what a beautiful city is. I have never been here, of course I've seen pictures since we were notified that we would be coming here. It's just a beautiful city with an awful lot of history connected with it, the Czech Republic has got an awful lot of history behind it. The people have been strong through the ups and downs of different governments, and they have shown tremendous strength in getting to where they are now. It's just a real honour for me to be here to partner with them, to try to lift all the boats as we say in the United States. By helping our trading relations, helping attract American business and jobs to the Czech Republic, and partner with them in every way we can."
I understand you like playing golf - are you planning to get out on the Czech courses once the weather gets better?
"It was suggested to me by a friend of mine, who knows a lot about the Czech Republic and spends a lot of time here, to bring my clubs. I am not a good golfer but I love to play at it and I look forward to playing some of your courses in the spring and summer."
