Portugal’s outsized globe role!
By  Alfred Hoffman, Jr.
American Ambassador in Lisbon, Portugal

Published on OPED page of ”The  Providence Journal” June 12, 2007

My note:

The American Ambassador Herbet Pell, in 1948,  when  he visited  the Convent of Tomar,  which possesses the main altar Charola  round with 8 arches, made the historical  connection of its  8 arches with the round 8 arches Tower of Newport.

I would like to know what the John Adam,  as the first American Ambassador in Lisbon, for 5 years, wrote,  good or bad, about Portugal and the Portuguese people.

Now,  Ambassador Alfred Hoffman writes in a positive and friendly manner, because he cares  about Portugal and the  good relations between Portugal and the United States.

Why the American Historians and Anthropologists do not go to Portugal and see for themselves the Portuguese national symbols and related them to  the American Monuments we have in this country intimately related with the Portuguese History?

Here is the article written by Ambassador Alfred Hoffman:

 “ARMS AND THE HEROES, who from Lisbon's shore, Thro' seas where sail was never spread before,"   begins Luis de Camões' epic poem "Os Lusíadas" (1572) which narrated the 16th Century Portuguese explora­tions that brought fame and for­tune to the country.

Camões' poem, considered one of the most important works of Portuguese literature, is more than just a retelling of history; it is a symbol for the greatness of the Portuguese nation. The poet had such an impact on Portuguese cul­ture that June 10, the anniversary of his death in 1580, became Portu­gal's National Day.

As the U.S. Ambassador to Por­tugal for nearly two years, I would like to add my voice to those around the world who honored Portugal on Sunday. In the U.S. there were celebrations as well, among the esti­mated 1.5 million Luso-Americans who live primarily in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Cali­fornia, and my home state of Florida.

The United States and Portugal have been good friends for a long time, with ties going back to 1791 when Portugal became the first neutral country to officially recognize the Untied States as an inde­pendent nation. At that point in history, we were just a young republic with few friends, but Portugal saw our great potential. In turn, President Washington sent his Revolutionary War aide de camp David/ Humphreys as our first ambassador to Portugal, where he served for five years. Our second envoy was John Quincy Adams, who later became our sixth president.

Moving from the 1790s to the 1970s, it was our turn to support Portugal. During the turbulent years after its 1974 revolution, U.S. Ambassador Frank Carlucci and Portuguese Prime Minister Mário Soares spent countless hours advancing the cause of democracy and human rights for the people of Portugal, often meeting in "the  crow’s nest”. A room at the very top of the of the  Ambassador’s official residence in Lisbon.

 Today, the Portuguese and American alliance is still as strong. Our mutual commitment to democrat­ic values, our close cooperation in everything from fighting terrorism to forest fires, and the constant flow of people and ideas between the two countries, all point towards a close, fruitful relationship for many years to come.

This flow of people and ideas occurred not only between the U.S. and Portugal, but also Portugal and the world. In a few weeks the largest exhibit ever mounted by the Smithsonian's Sadder and Freer galleries will open in Washington, D.C. Entitled "En­compassing the Globe: Portugal and the World in the 16th and 17th Centuries,"  the exhibit will present ap­proximately 250 objects from each of the cultures touched by Portugal's early trade routes, exemplify­ing the profound impact that country had on the world in those earliest days of globalization.

Those who think that Portugal's glory days of ex­ploration and expansion are over, however, are mis­taken. Portugal may be a small country, but as we move  further into the 21st Century it is "standing tall in Europe and playing a global role which belies its small size.

On July 1st, Portugal will be able to again show its capabilities as it takes over the rotating E.U. presi­dency and for six months will serve as the face and voice of the 27 member states. President Bush re­cently emphasized the importance of our relations with Europe at the April 30 U.S.- E. U. Summit in Washington, stressing that "not only is it important for us to strategize how to promote prosperity and peace, but it's important for us to achieve concrete results." Without a doubt, I know that Portugal will do its part as the president of the E.U. to achieve those results.

Domestically, Portugal is also pursuing concrete results in a number of areas, tapping into both its human and natural resources. Given the country's long coastline and plentiful sun, enormous potential exists in the field of renewable energy — especially wind, wave and solar — and the United States is working together with Portugal to develop these al­ternative power sources. I had the opportunity to at­tend the recent inauguration of the world's largest solar energy plant in Serpa, which is capable of pro­ducing 11 megawatts of electricity using photovoltaic technology.

When I look at Portugal in the 21st Century, I see dynamism and great potential for advancement in many areas, inside and outside its borders. While Portugal's herpes today may not be spreading their sails over unknown seas, they are continuing to ex­plore the cutting edges of the world— whether it's technology and computer software or renewable en­ergy sources. I also predict that the relationship be­tween the U.S. and Portugal, which began with. Por­tugal's brave recognition of us over 200 years ago, will continue to grow stronger.

Finally, for all of Portugal's friends and family who have been celebrating its national day, my wish is for both of our countries to move forward in same spirit chronicled by Camões and which is on display at the Smithsonian — the spirit of explora­tion and adventure, as together we take on the global challenges facing us in today's world.