The Amabassador
Ambassador Robert A. Bradtke
Independence Day Remarks
July 4th, 2007Thank you, Detachment Commander Smith and Embassy Zagreb Marine Guard Contingent, for that moving ceremony, and for your proud service to our country.Gospodine Predsjedniče Vlade
Gospodine Predsjedniče Sabora
Gospođo Ministrice
Gospodo Ministri
Gospodine Gradonačelniče
Uvaženi gosti Ladies and Gentlemen,I am very pleased to welcome you here today to celebrate with us the 231st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the day we mark as the birthday of the United States, and the day we renew our commitment to the "self-evident" truths of equality and democracy, and to the "unalienable rights" to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Proslava Dana nezavisnosti ovdje u Zagrebu također je prigoda da pozdravimo prijatelje, kolege, članove diplomatskog sbora i sve s kojima smo blisko surađivali tijekom prošle godine, te da vam se zahvalimo na pomoći i suradnji. Posebno sam zahvalan na gostoprimstvu i želji za prijateljstvom sa Sjedinjenim Državama na koje sam naišao diljem Hrvatske, od Iloka do Smiljana.
This July 4th is special for me, as it marks the completion of my first year as Ambassador to Croatia. In that time, together we have made great progress in our relations. We have seen President Bush's promise to support Croatian membership in NATO, when the leaders of the Alliance meet next year in Bucharest. We have seen closer consultations between the United States and Croatia in dealing with the unfinished business of Southeastern Europe. We have seen Croatian and American soldiers, side-by-side, supporting democracy and fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.We have seen record numbers of American tourists discover and enjoy the beauty of Croatia and the friendliness of its people.We have seen the largest American investment in Croatia so far, an investment which is opening new possibilities for our economic relations.And we have seen an expansion of U.S.-Croatian educational exchanges, drawing upon the generous contributions of companies whose logos are displayed here today.
Kao netko tko je u Hrvatsku prvi put došao prije 30 [trideset] godina, divim se vašim dostignućima. A kao netko tko vjeruje u budućnost partnerstva Amerike i Hrvatske, gledam s optimizmom na sve što možemo postići zajedno. Svi mi u Američkom veleposlanstvu radujemo se što ćemo s vama i dalje surađivati. Na kraju pozivam vas da uživate u hrani, i glazbi Orkestra Hrvatske vojske i Hrvatske ratne mornarice.
Thank you for coming and please enjoy the rest of the evening.
