Ambassador Perry's Speeches

July 4 Celebrations (04 July 08)

Independence Day Address
The Honorable June Carter Perry
Ambassador of the United States of America
United States Embassy, Freetown, Sierra Leone
July 4, 2008

The Honorable Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone,
Honorable Alhaji Alpha Kanu, who is representing President Koroma,
Mr. Speaker of Parliament,
Honorable the Acting Chief Justice,
Honorable Ministers,
Your Excellencies Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations,
Members of the Consular Corps,
Your Worship the Acting Mayor of the Municipality of Freetown,
Honorable Members of Parliament,
Religious Leaders,
Civil Society Representatives,
And Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon and Welcome to the American Embassy.

Thank you for joining us and Americans around the world in celebrating the 232^nd anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.  We are honored to be surrounded by so many of you who have been friends of the United States and partners in  helping Sierra Leone to reach its aspirations in areas including democracy, health, education and security.  The American-Sierra Leonean relationship has been strong – based on mutual respect, trust, and commitment to a more prosperous future – since Sierra Leone’s independence.  It is timely that this celebration of American independence comes so soon after that of Sierra Leone’s independence, and falls on the eve of this country’s local elections, in which transparency and unity will be critical elements in the nation’s continuing growth.  In his message on this day, President Bush reminds us “It was the desire for freedom that inspired our Founding Fathers, and it is the belief in the universality of freedom that guides our Nation.”  As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said:  “Let freedom ring.”

Democracy is one of the ideals comprising the American identity, and we are proud to share that ideal with Sierra Leone.  Since our last American Independence Day celebration, Sierra Leone conducted elections that were truly a model for nations around Africa and the world.  While many segments of society here and elsewhere contributed to that success, the credit for the peacefulness and fairness of those elections lies with the citizens of Sierra Leone.  To secure future success in Sierra Leone, the people of this country must guard their democracy with zeal, letting no individual or group threaten it.  To support you in this, the United States is pleased to have provided seminars and on-the-ground training of the electorate and candidates.  We have collaborated closely with many organizations working with voters to ensure the sanctity of the process.  Through United States government assistance, we have ensured the activities of the National Democratic Institute, (NDI) and supported the Political Parties Registration Commission (PRC) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 

In free and fair elections, gender equity is a fundamental element.  The United States promotes such equity here in Sierra Leone in tandem with the government and other entities such as 50/50 -- an organization committed to women’s voter education -- by educating women as voters, candidates, and elected officials to serve as role models for the young women of today.  

We will work as partners with the Government of Sierra Leone to help ensure the democratic process succeeds at the local as well as at the national level.  We are extremely hopeful that tomorrow's elections will be as successful as those held last year.  I commit to you that the United States will continue to support democracy after the elections since it is important that newly-elected officials understand fully their responsibilities and how to navigate the processes of governing.

On international issues, we have in common many of the same values.  Most recently, we have been pleased to share a commitment to issues at the forefront of global politics, not only issues concerning the future welfare of our own nations. We stood together in the United Nations to support the Kosovar right to independence, and we joined forces to combat piracy in Somalia through arms sanctions.  As friends and allies, we have worked to ensure the safety and security of people across the African continent and around the world.  In that regard, we also wish to see Sierra Leone and the Mano River Union states work together to consolidate stability throughout this region.

To enshrine the hard-won stability that Sierra Leone now enjoys and to share the lessons it learned throughout its history, it is crucial to ensure that those bearing the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed during the civil war face justice.  The United States has always stood as the primary supporter of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.  Now, having made tremendous progress towards its goals, the Court has begun to wind down its proceedings.  With the continued support of the United States and the international community, we look forward to seeing the Court complete its essential duties according to its calendar so that the people of Sierra Leone can achieve closure on the tragic era of war, while preserving the legacy of what has been accomplished in its aftermath.

As Sierra Leone moves beyond the turmoil of the past into a bright future, education is one of the greatest challenges.  To leap from the post-war reconstruction phase of development into the growth phase, the children of Sierra Leone must have access to knowledge.  Today, the United States is providing 4000 scholarships to school, feed and clothe the next generation of Sierra Leoneans, the foundation of the country.  Many of those scholarships have been provided through the Ambassador’s Girls Scholarship Program, which gives representatives of the President of the United States the ability to bring students in need of support through their entire education – from elementary through to secondary – while at the same time providing practical skills, knowledge of health issues, and many other important life skills.  We are currently working to increase the number of boys in the program as well as girls.

In the area of security, our cooperation has been continuous.  In the last year, we have moved toward further understanding on a Status of Forces Agreement to strengthen our mutual security interests.  Our Embassy has brought in military and civilian experts from the United States to provide training on civilian-military relations, maritime security, and management of fiscal resources in the military and law enforcement arenas.  Our cooperation has included humanitarian efforts and programs to improve the health and welfare of Sierra Leone’s military personnel.   Specifically, our HIV/AIDS Prevention Program has made great strides to educate those in the military on HIV/AIDS prevention and to treat those who are infected, assisting their families and communities as well.  Our partnership in the areas of security and health is critical to the development of a functional military under civilian rule and to strengthening the nation’s population as a whole.  Unless a nation’s greatest resource – its people – are in good health, the country cannot flourish.

As we celebrate American independence, democracy, and liberty here today and around the world, we are proud to share our core values with the people of Sierra Leone.  I anticipate our continued cooperation and partnership in the year to come, and am optimistic that the people of Sierra Leone may look forward to a future bright with hope and promise.  Indeed, Let freedom ring “from every hill and every valley.”  Let it be heard from every mountain top by each and every citizen of the country at this auspicious time.

May God Bless America

And May God Bless Sierra Leone.

Thank you.