Zeeland citizen thanks the United States for WWII assistance
November 29, 2006 Ambassador Arnall receives a painting of the USS Bainbridge from the artist Mr. Pieter Boer of Vrouwenpolder, Zeeland. Mr. Boer's painting is in honor of the U.S. efforts to liberate the Netherlands in World War II. Ambassador Arnall's visit to Zeeland included meetings with Mr. W.T. van Gelder, the Queen's Commissioner; government officials; Mr. Cees van Minnen, Director of the Roosevelt Study Center, and U.S. businesses based in the province.
Iftar Dinner
October 12, 2006 Ambassador Arnall hosted an interfaith Iftar dinner at his residence, complete with Middle Eastern decorations, music, and dancers. The 180 guests included leaders and representatives from the Dutch Muslim community, Christian, Jewish and Muslim clerics, ambassadors from throughout the Muslim world, and senior government officials including the Minister of Education. Ambassador Arnall remarked: "Though we are faced with adversities and uncertainties today, we remain committed and determined to bridging the cultural and religious crossroads that confront us." In addition the Ambassador read President Bush's Ramadan message.
Ambassador Arnall's remarks
Photo Gallery: Celebrating Ramadan in America
U.S. Public Diplomacy Chief at Eid-ul-Fitr Event Lauds Diversity
American and Dutch Muslims Engage in "Diversity Dialogues"
November 2, 2006 The American Embassy in The Hague and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (based in Washington, DC) co-organized a major conference in Noordwijk, November 1-2.
"Diversity Dialogues - Sharing Ideas, Building Bridges: A Dutch-U.S. Muslim Dialogue" enabled a people-to-people exchange between over 70 Dutch and American Muslims focusing on identity, civic participation, media portrayal, youth development, women's issues and economic opportunity.
Participants included civic activists, imams, social workers, business people, elected officials, educators, students and artists.
The desired outcomes were to:
(1) create a genuine dialogue between and among Dutch and American Muslims,
(2) exchange best practices for civic participation in society, and
(3) look at specific, future engagement between the two sides.
Ambassador Roland E. Arnall and Mr. Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, addressed the importance of diversity.
In addition, sixty "Dialogue Partners" from both countries, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matt Bryza, held parallel sessions and heard the dialogue participants' final reports. For more information, please see http://www.diversitydialogues.nl/.
Ambassador Arnall visits Tilburg University
September 28, 2006. Ambassador Arnall participated in the 2006 International Efact Conference at Tilburg University on "Uncertainties, Risks and Crises".
Ambassador Arnall and Consul General Ames visit Amstelveen
September 27, 2006 Ambassador Arnall and U.S. Consul General Ames had a lunch with Mayor van Zanen of the Municipality of Amstelveen, together with representatives of the International School, General Electric, Schiphol, Mattel Europe, KPMG, Wright Medical, British American Tobacco, KLM and TBWA.
Ambassador Arnall visits the province of Utrecht
September 26, 2006. Ambassador Arnall met with a group of MA students of Utrecht University’s American Studies Program at his visit to the Province of Utrecht. On the photo, Ambassador Arnall, the Dean of the Faculty of Letters on the left and Professor Rob Kroes on the right and some faculty members.
The U.S. Thanks Dutch Air Force for Service in Operation Enduring Freedom
September 21, 2006 Ambassador Arnall awards a medal to a Dutch Air Force Officer during an event at Volkel Air Force Base. The officer was one of 100 members of the Dutch Air Force honored in a ceremony to thank the Dutch for their contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom, the campaign against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Dutch were active at the Ganci airport in Manas, Kirghistan, between October 2002 and October 2003. Ambassador's remarks
U.S. Demonstrates Commitment to Doha
By Roland E. Arnall, US Ambassador to the Netherlands - Agrarisch Dagblad, September 15, 2006. Read the article
The Power of Song - The Yale Alumni Chorus in the Netherlands
September 14, 2006 Ambassador Roland Arnall and his wife Dawn Arnall hosted a concert by the Yale Alumni Chorus called "Power of Song" at the Kloosterkerk in The Hague, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of September 11th attacks in the United States. The Yale Alumni Chorus' tour to the Netherlands included a concert with Maestro Valery Gergiev and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the performance for the diplomatic community at the invitation of Ambassador Arnall, and an exchange concert with The Leiden University Chorus.
Interfaith Service Commemmorates the Victims of September 11, 2001
September 11, 2006 Ambassador Arnall spoke at an Interfaith Commemoration in the Liberaal Joodse Gemeente Beth Jehoeda in The Hague. Ambassador's remarks
Remarks by Imam van Bommel
Remarks by Rabbi Soetendorp
Remarks by Father Sjaak de Boer
Prime Minister visits Embassy to remember 9/11
September 11, 2006 Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende joined Ambassador Arnall, parliamentarians and others at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, to pay respects to the victims of the September 2001 attacks.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said, "hate is not the answer, openness is". Prime Minister's remarks
Ambassador's remarks
Ambassador Opens "Headlines of History" Exhibit
Ambassador Arnall opened the exhibition: "Headlines of History: September 11, 2001" in Nieuwspoort in The Hague. The exhibition shows a selection of front pages of international newspapers covering the events of 9/11.
Celebrating Americ's Birthday
July 3, 2006 Ambassador Roland Arnall speaks at the official Independence Day Reception, The Hague.
American Muslims in the Netherlands as "Citizen Diplomats"
June 20, 2006 Four "Citizen Diplomats" from the U.S. had a town hall meeting with an overflow crowd of 180 in The Hague. The dialogue covered a range of topics, including Muslim life in America, the assimilation of immigrants in society, as well as the participation of minorities in civic and political processes. The U.S. panelists in the photo are (from left to right) Mr. Mehdi Alhassani, former White House intern; Dr. Yahya M. Basha, M.D., radiologist and businessman; Ms. Farah Pandith, Director for Middle East Regional Initiatives for the National Security Council; and, Dr. Talal Y. Eid, imam and Muslim chaplain. Standing to the right is U.S. Ambassador Roland E. Arnall. The event took place in the "Societeit De Witte" in The Hague, as part of the Citizen Dialogue initiative of the U.S. Department of State.
"I Sold Tulips" - Interview with Ambassador Arnall in "Elsevier's Magazine" June 3, 2006. Read the Interview
Fulbright Award Ceremony 2006
June 1, 2006 Ambassador Arnall gave a speech at the Fulbright Award Ceremony 2006 which was held in the West-Indisch Huis in Amsterdam. Ambassador's Remarks
Ambassador Arnall speaks at American Chamber of Commerce
May 31, 2006 Ambassador Arnall was guest of honor and speaker at a Chamber luncheon after the Annual General Meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, held in Wassenaar. Ambassador's Speech
Margraten Memorial Day Ceremony 2006
May 28, 2006 Ambassador Arnall gave a speech during the Memorial Day Commemoration at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Limburg. A congressional delegation of members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee took part in the ceremonies. The delegation consisted of Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA). Ambassador's Remarks
Senator Craig's Remarks
Ambassador Arnall visits Royal Military Academy in Breda
May 24, 2006 Ambassador Arnall visited the Dutch Royal Military Academy in Breda. The Ambassador was informed about the latest developments at the Academy. After a lunch with students, he received a tour through the complex. At the end of his visit, the Ambassador said that he intended to visit Breda again. Source: Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Ambassador Arnall visits the Aalsmeer Flower Auction
May 16, 2006 Ambassador Arnall and Mrs. Arnall inspect a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley at the Flower Auction in Aalsmeer in the early morning. The Ambassador wanted to learn more about the global trade in cut flowers.
Congressman Lantos in the Netherlands
May 14, 2006 Ambassador Arnall hosts Congressman Tom Lantos in the Netherlands. Congressman Lantos is the Ranking Democratic Party member of the House International Relations Committee.
Ambassador Arnall welcomes JOVD
April 28, 2006 Members of the JOVD, the youth wing of the VVD political party, were welcomed by Ambassador Arnall at the American Embassy.
Ambassador's March& Visit to the JP Coen School
March 13, 2006 Ambassador Arnall visited the JP Coen School in Zeeburg, Amsterdam, as part of his desire to learn about the Dutch education system. There he met with the school's director, drs Mustapha Khaddari, and Zeeburg representative Fatima Elatik.
Ambassador Arnall receives Student of the Year
Ambassador Arnall congratulates Student of the year 2005 Murat Ersoy.
Ambassador Arnall presents his Credentials
March 8, 2006 Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Roland E. Arnall, presented his credentials to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. Press Release
Ambassador Arnall arrives in the Netherlands
February 28, 2006 Ambassador and Ms. Roland E. Arnall arrived in the Netherlands, greeted by Deputy Chief of Mission Chat Blakeman and Defense Attaché Captain Frank Buerger.
Ambassador Arnall's Statement Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - October 20, 2005. Full statement