Remarks on the Occasion of the 233rd Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

Ambassador Robert Bradtke - Zagreb, Croatia - July 2, 2009

233 years ago, in the city of Philadelphia, fifty-six men signed their names to a document, the Declaration of Independence, an event that  Americans mark as the birthday of the United States.

It is on this day that Americans, who pride themselves on their diversity, come together to celebrate the values they share, to celebrate the principles that are expressed so concisely in that Declaration:

• the belief that all men are created equal;
• that all men are endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and,
• that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

This year, I believe, we have shown again, as President Obama has said, that America remains a country where “the dream of our founders is still alive,” and America is still a place “where all things are possible.”

In two weeks, I will complete my mandate as American Ambassador to Croatia.

Over the past three years, it has been my privilege to serve in Zagreb when the strong ties of friendship between the United States and Croatia became the unbreakable bond of allies in NATO.

We can be proud of what we have achieved together:

• The United States and Croatia have helped train the Afghan Army to protect the Afghan people from the threat of terrorism.
• We have worked together, as partners in Southeastern Europe, to promote stability and Euro-Atlantic integration.
• We have cooperated closely in the United Nations Security Council in addressing global issues and problems.
• We have made progress towards the day when Croatians will be able to travel to the United States without visas.
• And, something that is of personal importance to me, with the support of the Croatian and American business communities and the Ministry of Education and Science, we created a program to provide scholarships for Croatian students to study in the United States, and we will soon establish a new foundation to make this program permanent.

During this period, we are grateful for the excellent cooperation we have had under the leadership of Ambassadors, Presidents, and Prime Ministers come and go, and our good relations do not depend on just a few individuals.

They are based upon our shared interests and our common values.

So, we look forward to working with the new government, based upon our joint commitment to democracy and rule of law and in pursuit of our joint interest in peace and stability in Southeastern Europe.

As I bid farewell to Croatia, let me also add, wherever I am and whatever I am doing, Croatia will have a friend, a friend who will never forget the warmth and generosity of its people, and a friend who believes deeply in its future.

Thank you and please enjoy the evening.