Ambassador Spratlen's Remarks on July 4th Celebration of Independence Day

July 1, 2011

Добрый вечер! Саламатсыздарбы!

Mr. Kaptagayev, distinguished members of the government and parliament, honored guests and friends, I am so pleased welcome you for this event, my first as U.S. ambassador here. I am honored that you could join us today to celebrate the 235th birthday of the United States of America.

Every year on the 4th of July, we take a break to celebrate with family and friends at picnics and barbecues. It's an important and beloved holiday, and I am so glad you are here to celebrate with us.

It is also a time of reflection upon what it means to be an American, when we ask ourselves how we can better live up to the cherished ideals of our forefathers.

Many of these common ideals are shared by the people of our two nations.

It's partly for this reason that the U.S. State Department published a statement yesterday to congratulate the government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic on completing one year of parliamentary governance.

The statement read:

The United States Government congratulates the people of the Kyrgyz Republic on their achievements in the year since the successful referendum that approved the new constitution. In the past year, the Kyrgyz Republic held competitive parliamentary elections, the political parties in Parliament successfully formed a coalition government in accordance with the constitution, and Parliament actively pursued its constitutional responsibilities of developing and adopting legislation and providing oversight of government activities.

These positive developments demonstrate continued commitment by the people and leaders of the Kyrgyz Republic to upholding the spirit of the constitution they approved last year. The United States looks forward to working with the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen its democratic development.

On Independence Day Americans celebrate the establishment of a representative government that responds to the legitimate needs of its people, and which is held accountable by the people it serves.

This is a value we share with our friends in the Kyrgyz Republic, and which I want to highlight in our celebration of all of our traditions today.

As we remember the signing of the American Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, let us also celebrate this historic year in the Kyrgyz Republic, which included a peaceful constitutional referendum and laudable parliamentary elections.

We are working together with the government and civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic to help ensure that this year's Presidential elections will be equally successful.

Today I would also like to take a moment to note that we live in a world full of opportunity, but also dangers. I and note that protecting the freedoms and benefits we enjoy requires sacrifices. For that reason, I commend the thousands of men and women in our armed forces who reflect the courage of the founders every day.

I also would like to celebrate two important milestones in American history that I think our forefathers would be proud of - the 50th anniversaries of both the Peace Corps and USAID.

These two institutions have been keys to our partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic - USAID's nationwide development projects and the Peace Corps' village-level, people-to-people approach to helping communities. I salute both organizations for the great work they do. They are truly the face of America's friendship with Kyrgyzstan.

And with that, on behalf of our president, Secretary of State and all Americans and our friends, I would like to raise my glass to toast - to our shared values, friendship and partnership - today and long into the future!

Спасибо! Чоң рахмат!