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WILLEMSTAD, Curacao - U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Timothy M. Broas, accompanied by Acting U.S. Consul General Hormazd Kanga, visited Curac¸ao, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Bonaire this week.

In Curac¸ao, Ambassador Broas met with Prime Minister Bernard “Ben” Whiteman and other government officials. His visit coincided with Curac¸ao Baseball Week, an event that brings local superstars of America’s national pastime back to Curac¸ao to inspire and train young baseball players on the island. Ambassador Broas observed a coaching seminar at Tio Daou Ball Park, and co-hosted with Acting U.S. Consul General Hormazd Kanga a reception at the historic Roosevelt House in honor of Curac¸ao Baseball Week.

“I’ve found baseball to be an effective way to bring young people together. It transcends cultural differences and connects diverse communities, urban and rural, rich and poor, mainland and island. It is an especially powerful tool to build cross-cultural understanding. And that’s why the U.S. government is so supportive of sports diplomacy, and that is why I have dedicated so much time and effort to promoting baseball in the Kingdom – the entire Kingdom,” said the Ambassador at the reception.

In Sint Maarten, Ambassador Broas met with Governor Eugene Holiday and Prime Minister William Marlin to discuss a range of issues including U.S. tourism on the island. He also toured the American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine and met with students, faculty, and administrators. On Saba, Ambassador Broas met with Governor Jonathan Johnson, who also gave the visiting delegation a personal tour of “The Unspoiled Queen,” as the island is known. On Bonaire, Ambassador Broas met with Governor Edison Rijna and Kingdom Representative Gilbert Isabella. He also toured Washington-Slagbaai National Park.

Ambassador Broas last visited the Dutch Caribbean in March. He has now visited all six islands of the Dutch Caribbean.

Timothy Broas was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on January 6, 2014 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 13, 2014. He presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem Alexander on March 19, 2014, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

More information about Curac¸ao Baseball Week: http://www.curacaobaseballweek.com/