UPDATED: 06 Jul 2009 GMT
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U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Larry André congratulating Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe for his remarks on the occasion to celebrate the 233rdAnniversary of the Independence of the United States of America
Speech by U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Larry André (As prepared)
on the 233rd Anniversary of the Independence
of the United States of America
Venue: U.S. Embassy, Dar es Salaam
July 4, 2009
President Barack Obama opened his remarks to the American people on today’s occasion with these words:
“Today, we are called to remember not only the day our country was born – we are also called to remember the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known – a government of, by, and for the people.”
As the President reminded us, our national identity is based on principles which we spend our lives, and our nation's life, pursuing. We have never fully applied these high ideals. We have often fallen well short of them. But we have dedicated ourselves to pursuing them.
Our founding ideals are listed in our Declaration of Independence from Britain. That Declaration insists on liberty and justice for all. In 1776, a time when the institutions of slavery and rule by despots were common worldwide, these ideals were truly revolutionary.
The bold statements in the Declaration—that “all men are created equal” and that there exits “certain unalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”—express ideals shared by people of different cultures and different faiths.
Tanzania’s own founding father, Mwalimu Nyerere, spoke of the “imperishable language in the Declaration of Independence” and called it “one of the greatest documents of all time.”
I am pleased that you have joined us to celebrate these ideals so cherished by both Americans and Tanzanians. We continue to learn from one another in the never-ending task of applying these ideals to the situations faced by our two peoples today, striving to translate ideals into reality.
The partnership between the United States of America and the United Republic of Tanzania is based on these shared ideals. That partnership continues to grow, producing good results for both our peoples.
In May, President Obama invited President Kikwete to meet with him at the White House, the first African head of state to receive such a request. President Kikwete graciously accepted the invitation.
President Obama is concerned about the serious issues faced by the people of this continent. He sought the advice of an African leader he knew to be wise, experienced and motivated by these same shared ideals of liberty, justice and tolerance. The two leaders agreed to work together to solve common problems.
They exchanged views on how best to enhance our partnership, including ways to improve the health, education, and agriculture sectors. They also discussed working with other partners in the region to solve some of the most pressing conflicts on the African continent.
Tanzania has a long and distinguished history of assisting fellow Africans whose nations are in crisis. We Americans value the counsel of Tanzania’s leaders as we seek to be helpful in the work of ending today’s ruinous conflicts.
In recent years, the United States and Tanzania have worked closely together to improve the lives of millions of people throughout this country, creating hope for a better future. The list of our joint accomplishments is long. I will offer a few highlights of what we have achieved together.
This year the United States government will contribute over half a billion dollars in direct bilateral assistance. Mr. Jacob Lew, our Deputy Secretary of State, visited Tanzania this week to see for himself the success of our partnership.
He also probed for weaknesses in our implementation of assistance, confident that we can always do better. The continued vitality of our partnership depends on this determination by both sides to constantly seek better results.
In addition to official assistance, we must honor all the good work performed by private American citizens who give their expertise and treasure to support the efforts of Tanzanians to build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous nation. Also, American businesses are providing much-needed investments in Tanzania's economy.
The President’s Malaria Initiative, in coordination with our Tanzanian and international partners, has removed malaria as a major threat to the health of the people of the isles of Zanzibar. The task now is to sustain that achievement and to extend it to mainland communities plagued by the disease. We have purchased over four million malaria-preventing nets and distributed them to pregnant women and children under the age of five. Our friends here on the mainland have also implemented a successful bed-net voucher system using a unique public-private partnership that we support to help deliver millions of nets in a sustainable way.
The rollout of over 80 Care and Treatment Centers continues across the country, with a new one opening almost every week. These centers provide free life saving HIV/AIDS treatment services with Anti Retroviral Drugs and prevention services in the form of voluntary counseling and testing, using well-trained and skilled medical staff. This comprehensive response to the threat to this society posed by HIV/AIDS is the result of the bold vision of Tanzania’s current President and of our former President.
President Obama and Secretary Clinton have recognized the success and the importance of our shared efforts in the fight against disease. Their orders to my colleagues and me are to continue the good work that we have achieved together thus far.
In September, the five-year clock for the completion of the Millennium Challenge Compact began ticking. This $698 million Compact—the largest in the world—will provide improved transportation, water and energy infrastructure in Tanzania.
Our Peace Corps has a long history of service to this beautiful country. Tanzania was the 2nd country to host volunteers. Since 1962, more than 2,000 volunteers have served in Tanzania, many as teachers in rural schools. All volunteers contribute through cultural exchange, bringing our two nations closer together.
In fact, our new Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson – the United States' top diplomat for the continent - served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the southern highlands. His experience in Tanzania led him to a career of leadership in strengthening the bonds between the United States and Africa.
Throughout Tanzania’s history, you have shown through your actions that you care deeply about the plight of fellow Africans suffering injustice and insecurity. We honor your long and distinguished history of solidarity with fellow Africans suffering tragic circumstances, exemplified in the assistance you gave to anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles.
When citizens of Mozambique, Burundi and Congo fled their countries, Tanzanians gave them refuge. Tanzania's offer of naturalization to tens of thousands of Burundian refugees is an unprecedented act of goodwill. Last year, Tanzania led the African Union effort to restore the authority of the Comoros government on the island of Anjouan.
Today, once again, a suffering people have cried out, and the Tanzanian people have responded. Together, the United States and Tanzania are seeking to assist the people of Sudan to end the terrible suffering in Darfur. The United Kingdom and the United States provided equipment and training to the Tanzanian People’s Defense Force to keep the peace in Darfur. We commend Tanzania's commitment to support the United Nations, the African Union and Sudan through your provision of troops to UNAMID, the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur.
On behalf of the American people, I express my sincere admiration for Tanzania's civilian and military leadership for their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in Africa. This is a solemn and difficult undertaking. Tanzania’s soldiers in Darfur have earned our highest respect.
Americans are currently debating major reforms in the education, health and financial sectors, among others. Tanzania is also in a period of lively discussion and reform.
Unfortunately, we in the United States have seen several high profile corruption cases in our country over the past year. So too has Tanzania. As long as government officials and politicians are recruited from the ranks of fallible human beings, some will be tempted to betray their public trust on behalf of personal greed. All governments suffer this illness to some degree. The difference is that in some countries senior officials are deemed untouchable by the law and so are free to steal from the people at will.
Over the past 12 months, powerful individuals in both the United States and Tanzania have been indicted for corruption. Our two nations share a commitment to the rule of law and to the principle of upholding the integrity of the state as the servant of the people, rather than as the means for greedy, dishonest individuals to enrich themselves. We can both do better.
A year from now, Tanzania will be in the grip of election fever. We just recovered from that fever ourselves! In our judgment, political competition has generated improved governance in mainland Tanzania.
In Zanzibar, the concept that citizens are free to choose their own leaders without fear of violent intimidation or fraud has yet to be adequately respected in practice, as the sad specter of past elections shows us. President Kikwete announced his determination to see reconciliation triumph in Zanzibar through the adoption of a negotiated political settlement that safeguards the legitimate interests of both of Zanzibar’s major political camps. We urge progress in this effort so that Tanzania’s national elections are not again marred by regrettable incidents in Zanzibar such as those observed in 2000 and 2005.
As you know, President Obama has named General Alfonso Lenhardt as his Ambassador-designate to Tanzania. The President's nominee, should the United States Senate confirm his appointment, will bring a wealth of senior executive experience with him to Tanzania. He is presently serving as the President of the National Crime Prevention Council. He served as the U.S. Senate’s head of security during the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent anthrax attacks. His 31-year career of outstanding service to our nation in the United States Army included leadership of our military police forces.
I have had the honor of meeting General Lenhardt. He is enthusiastic about leading the United States Mission to Tanzania and engaging with the senior leadership of this country and with his diplomatic colleagues. He also expressed to me his desire to visit every part of Tanzania to hear directly from the wananchi about how best to further our partnership.
On July 4th 1776 our founders celebrated the beginning of our nation’s journey while that young nation still fought for its life. Two hundred and thirty three years later, on this day July 4th, as Americans and Tanzanians and friends of both, let us celebrate our own journey together: a journey of friendship, cooperation, and respect built on a foundation of shared values. Let us also solemnly agree to constantly strive to improve our partnership on behalf of our two peoples.
Now, Foreign Minister Membe, Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in raising your glasses in a toast to the health of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and to the health and prosperity of the people of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Asenteni sana!
It is now my pleasure to introduce the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bernard Membe.
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