MONROVIA – Whether a Liberian or American knows it, appreciates it, or disputes it, the historical ties between the United States of America and Liberia are as clear as day light in the summer, and indubitable. And more often than not, Liberia comparatively holds the relationship at heart. Thus, as the US celebrates its 248th Independence Anniversary, people in the officialdom of Liberia are not taking it lying down; they are helping to organize colorful events here and there, and making speeches. At one of such events, a senior US diplomat, the Charges’Affaires, reflected on what she considered “the strategic partnership” between her country and Liberia. The Analyst reports.
The United States Chargé d’Affaires to Liberia has been exalting US-Liberia ties, saying her country cherishes the friendship and strategic partnership between the two the countries.
Speaking the celebration of the United States’ 248th Independence Anniversary program organized in Monrovia this week, Ambassador Catherine Rodriguez said: “We cherished the friendship and strategic partnership between the United States and Liberia and relationships that we have with other nations represented here today.”
“We have made certain progress, but it remains unfinished,” the US Chargé d’Affaires added: “Our history with Liberia is embedded with a lot. Liberia shares a deep cultural and historical tie with the United States than any other country.”
She recounted Liberia’s own struggles, including its own civil wars and through the establishment of the War Crimes Court, having undergone a free and fair election and peaceful transfer of power.
“This is a testament to Liberia’s amendment to democracy by its people, political parties and hard work of the National Elections Commission, international observers and the joint security team,” the US ambassador said further.
“It sets the example for other countries to follow. Liberia is moving forward trying to address corruption, institutional accountability, improve education and foster economic development. This quest requires the full participation of its citizens to work together and we as a strategic partner for Liberia creates efforts to form its own perfect union for its entire people.”
She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm hospitality and affection Liberia offers her country.
Speaking directly to Americans at the program, Ambassador Rodriguez said: “To my fellow Americans, make this month of July fill with pride in our great nation and a renewed sense of promise in our nation and to support peace and democracy around the world.
“Today we gather to celebrate the founding of the United States 248 years ago for the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 12, 1776. It is a unique opportunity to celebrate the birth of our nation in Monrovia, a city named after our fifth president.”
She reflected on an extraordinary history which dates back to 1822 when the first African Americans settled in Liberia to create a brand, new nation. “Joyfully this is time to celebrate with friends and family. We celebrate the founders of this place in reflections on our historic founding.”
Like any national birthday is a great time to reflect on what needs to be a citizen of your country, the US diplomat said, “we reflect on what it’s to be American. America is an idea and it is also the melting point of people of every country around the world, a country is not defined by a particular race, ethnicity, religion, heritage or other democrat. Instead as a democracy we are bound together by a national constitution which lay down the principles and rights that every citizen enjoys”.
“When we look at the opening statements of the Declaration of Independence it reads, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and they all are endowed by their creator,” he further reminded her fellow citizens. “With certain non-inalienable rights amongst other rights are liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“When the founders signed the declaration of independence, these principles were truths for some but not all of the inhabitants of the US…women have the rights and the whole idea of democracy in the time of kings and other oligarchy rulers was adaptable…but even during those times the fathers understood the need for change as they wrote the preamble to our constitution the need to form a more perfect union. Creating a perfect union is not just a nation and can be before we realize rather a perpetual journey.”
She said no country can have a perfect union of its people, but democracy gives Americans the tools to make progress towards that goal, including to protect free speech, free press, holding free and fair elections to keep the government accountable and maintain a fair justice system to seek redress.
“In the US, our struggles happened, from our civil war to end slavery, to the 19th Amendment granting women rights to vote in 1920 to the civil rights and voting acts in the 1960’s, to the American (responsibility or Visibility) act of the 1990 to establish rights for the LGBTQI communities,” Madam Ambassador Catherine Rodriguez said.
President Boakai Remarks
At the occasion was President Boakai who said “We join you as a safer, your moment of clocking 248 years of existence is a viable exemplary Republic.
“It is sense with great honor and humidity that I on behalf of the people of the of the Republic of Liberia extend to you, Your Excellency Madam Charges’ Catherine Rodriguez and the great people of the United States of America the sincerest of all our good wishes for success in all of your endeavors, continentally and globally. I thank you and the people of the United States.”
President Boakai said as Liberians and Americans gathered on the eves of the 248th independence anniversary of the great United States, “I take much pride to the family people of our traditional allies and friend. Warm and special greetings or congratulations from the great people of my country. It’s certainly a joyous occasion as we in just a matter of days witness with the American people crack nobbles through century-and-a-half years.”
He continued: “Why we as a sister century nation are following closely to mark our 177 years as we clocked later in July. We cannot sound enough gratitude for the long, helpful, rewarding and promising relationship that subsisted between Liberia and the United States in the founding of the republic.
“We take this occasion to again reiterate our commitment to further deepen and strengthen our relationship. From day one of the ushering in of my administration, it came to view at the moment as a golden opportunity for the opening of a new and clean chapter in our relationship.”
The Liberian leader said his expectation was that the relationship with the US would be a period of honesty, respect, transparency, equity, probity for all.
“This will be a time that the fruit if our partner will directly and positively impact the conditions of our people and elevate the image our country,” he asserted. “This is the hope, dream, and prayer of our nation. We have more and forcefully sounded our determination to ensure that we do not indulge in business as usual.”
He pledged to lead by example and to ensure that the use of the products of Liberia-US partnership bring relief and satisfaction to all who have invested here.
“I therefore once more proclaimed that our arms are wild opened to embrace the new era of productive mutually beneficial relationship with you our traditional ally,” he noted.
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