Chargé d'Affaires Michael Scanlan's Remarks at the Independence Day Reception

Dear Guests, Friends and Colleagues,

I welcome you at the celebration of 235th anniversary of the U.S. Independence day. Thank you for coming.

Two hundred and thirty five years ago, the United States embarked on a radical idea:  Everyone enjoys the inalienable right to choose his government through free and fair elections. Our founding fathers believed that this simple, and yet so fundamental freedom, would engender a host of other rights without which democracy withers and society cannot prosper. For example, the right to assemble and publicly speak one’s mind without fear of retribution. The founders crafted a government, freely elected, based on a real balance of power among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.  The government exists, as our Declaration of Independence states, to enable “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  

At times in our history we have struggled with ensuring that all our citizens enjoy these rights. However, our firm commitment to the values of our republic has ultimately triumphed, resulting in expanded freedoms. This process continues today. As Secretary Clinton has pointed out, these principles “are not just American…but universal values, uniting all of us by our common hopes and aspirations for a better world.” Endowed with these universal values, we believe that individuals and societies can achieve their full potential and tackle any challenge, however grave or threatening.  And we are sure that, with time, “these common hopes and aspirations” will become a reality.

Thus, please join me in toasting the independence of my country and these universal values and let us remember those who, at present, are not able to enjoy freedom.

Thank you for attention and I hope you will enjoy the reception.