Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,
Representative of His Excellency Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic,
Distinguished members of the Government,
Honourable Members,
Venerable Senators,
Distinguished representatives of judicial authorities,
Distinguished Ambassadors and Representatives of the diplomatic corps,
Distinguished Heads of Missions of international organizations accredited in the Republic of Congo,
Distinguished guests in your ranks ranks and qualities,
My fellow Americans,
Ladies and gentlemen :
I welcome you to the Embassy of United States of America on the occasion of the 238th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the American democratic experiment.
This year’s Independence Day is special for me because it is the first I celebrated here in Congo as Ambassador and Personal Representative of the President of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama . Thank you very much for your warm welcome since I arrived and sign your support by joining us tonight.
This Independence Day is dear to the American people more than any other day, because it is the celebration of the creation of a country whose government was created “of the people, by the people and for the people “;and a country that cherishes the values of inclusion and freedom. President Obama called our Founding Fathers stubborn, resolute, and courageous face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This spirit guided the United States – one of the oldest democracies in the world – through the centuries continued progress toward “a more perfect union. ”
The Independence Day was often an opportunity to freely express viewpoints vary whose expression is the foundation of democracy. For example, leaders of the anti-slavery movement organized meetings to remind the people and the authorities that, for African Americans, the dream of “freedom for all” had not yet been completed. And today it was 50 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act after a courageous fight for equality.
During this time of year, I join Americans across the world to reflect on the example of our founding fathers and their spirit, which lives for generations.It is not enough to remember the courage of our ancestors who built our country; also must renew the sacred duty to ensure that our nation realizes the vision of the founders. We also need to bring the spirit of “service to the country” in the future. We share these values with the brotherly peoples of the earth respecting the historical and cultural differences.
The United States of America believes that other countries of the world who are fighting to strengthen democracy and promote the welfare of the people, have the opportunity to mark their time in the same way. They have the unique chance to write their own history, to an even better future for their descendants.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
This day allows me to do a mid-term review of the growing relationship between the United States of America and the Republic of Congo, and our many mutual interests. I am very pleased that the idea of “investing in the next generation” occupies a special place for our two countries. This is the theme of the first summit of African Heads of State in Washington, which President Denis Sassou Nguesso will take part next month.
“Investing in the Next Generation” implies the development of the sectors in which our two countries are already working together; such as education, health, the environment and regional security.
“Investing in the Next Generation” begins with youth. The Embassy of the United States of America is committed to supporting youth activities in the Congo, which now account for over 60% of the population. Thus, in partnership with the Congolese government and the National Youth Council, the Embassy supports the efforts of the youth in many ways. In April, we held workshops on civic engagement of young people in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. Three young Congolese are currently in the United States with other young African leaders to propose and discuss solutions to major challenges facing the African continent. This initiative of young African leaders – YALI – launched by President Barack Obama in 2010, establishes a growing continental network, and is also a great investment in the future of Africa.
Speaking of youth is to talk about education. 2014 is a year of education in the Congo, and the Embassy continues to support the education of youth.For example, we organized seminars on teaching English, in collaboration with the Congolese government, for 300 teachers of English in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Owando. As a former English teacher myself, I know that English is an asset for the youth, enabling them to diversify study destinations. The United States of America today recorded a record increase of young Congolese students in American universities.
I would like to acknowledge the support of the US government program that contributes to the education system, the school canteen program, piloted by the NGO, IPHD, in partnership with the Congo and other international partners. This program provides meals to children of Congolese schools and develops along an agricultural program. A well-nourished and healthy generation is a generation ready to meet the challenges of development. The Global Fund to fight against HIV / AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria receives a third of its US budget. We also work with our Congolese partners in scientific research on emerging diseases.
The future of the world, so our children depends on how we treat the earth today. Thus the Congo Basin is a resource to be treasured and cherished.The Congo and the United States, along with other local and international partners are fully engaged on projects that include the fight against poaching, protected areas management, and the protection of fauna and flora for sustainable development . Indeed, the US President currently partnership for forests in the Congo Basin.
In the same way we protect the environment together to secure life on Earth, the same way we work together to support peace efforts in the subregion.
I take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Republic of Congo to address the crisis in the Central African Republic and especially its leading role in the sub-region to restore peace and stability in Central Africa. The United States considers Congo as a reliable partner in the resolution of this crisis and support President Denis Sassou Nguesso in its efforts to restore peace. Congo has financially supported the RCA and contributes the largest number of troops to peacekeeping to the International Support Mission to Central Africa, “MISCA,” under the mandate of the African Union.
The United States also support Central African nations at the humanitarian level, and through the MISCA defense equipment.
Thanks to the cooperation agreement that the United States and Congo signed in March, our bilateral cooperation in the military field is growing. We are able to support the benefit of efforts to maintain peace of Congolese troops, and the strengthening of maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea.
Thank you once again for coming this evening and especially for your partnership in several areas is “an investment in the next generation. ”
Natondi inch bolakisa biso, tee Nzela na Ndako are Moninga eza mosika you.
Thank you for showing us that the road to a friend’s house is never far.
To my fellow Americans, I wish you a very Happy Fourth of July.
Long live the partnership between the Republic of Congo and the United States of America! Thank you.
