Speech by Ambassador Dan Mozena
Official Fourth of July Celebration
July 2, 2009
U.S. Embassy, Luanda

 

Ambassador Mozena suggests a toast for stronger bilateral relations between Angola and the United States.

Excellencies Members of the Angolan Government

Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps

Representatives of Political Parties, Media, and Religious and Civil Society Organizations

Friends from the American community and especially those who have contributed so generously to make this reception possible …

My wife Grace and I and all of us at U.S. Embassy-Luanda welcome you and thank you for joining us this evening.

We celebrate today the birth of the United States of America on July 4, 1776.  On that day a group of farmers, merchants and lawyers, representing the then thirteen British colonies in America, declared those colonies independent from Great Britain.  As they signed the Declaration of Independence, each pledged his life, fortune and sacred honor to create a free nation, based on the premise that all men are created equal and that they have the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This vision guides America today as it has through good times and bad over the past 233 years. 

As I reflect on the long ago events we commemorate today, I recall that Angola’s role in the history of America goes back much further, more than 400 years to the time of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America.  As a boy studying the history of my country, I was taught that America was created by the English.  In fact, that was not true.  As reflected in Jamestown, the foundation of America comprises three pillars:  the English, the Pawhattan Indians who were living in the area where the English settled, and the Angolans, who came to Jamestown in 1619, twelve years after the founding of Jamestown.   The Angolans had been seized from a Spanish slave ship and left at Jamestown as indentured servants, like many of the European settlers of the time.   

The story of Angola’s key role in founding America is told in the new Jamestown Museum, which Grace and I visited last October.

The relationship between Angola and America continues to this day as the two countries work together to make reality our shared vision of a peaceful, secure, prosperous, healthy and democratic Angola.  I am especially proud that my country has been a key partner in Angola’s campaign to cut in half by next year deaths of children from malaria.  The Foreign Minister’s historic visit in May to Washington and his meeting with Secretary Hillary Clinton added new dimensions to the relationship, especially relating to expanded trade and investment, deepened military relations, and possible establishment of a Peace Corps program that would enable American volunteers to teach English at secondary schools. 

I reaffirm today  the continuing commitment of the United States to help build “the new Angola.”

I would like to address a few words in English to my fellow citizens:

Switch to English:

With the world gripped by recession and financial crisis, these are tough times.  Some might think it is hard to celebrate the Fourth of July with enthusiasm this year given the challenges facing our nation.  I think the opposite.  I am reminded of my mother’s counsel that the dark clouds of tough times often have bright linings.  She would be an authority, as her life had more than its share of tough times, and she may be right yet again.  I think the challenges of these times will help us Americans rediscover that the fundamental strength of our nation is simply we, the people, and our tenacity, our resilience, our ability to see opportunity in adversity, our creativity, our willingness to work hard and smart, and our determination to build a better life for our children.  As we discover anew who we are as a nation and what makes us strong and vibrant, then indeed we have much to celebrate this year.

I wish also to repeat in English the gratitude I earlier expressed in Portuguese for those who contributed so generously to make possible this celebration this evening.  Thank you.

Switch to Portuguese:

This past year was a milestone in building democracy in both Angola and America.  Angola held peaceful and credible elections, the second in the young nation’s history.  America, the world’s oldest democracy, held elections that featured the first major African-American, female and Hispanic presidential candidates, and America chose as president a man who has direct linkages to Africa.

As we celebrate our National Day and the foundation of our republic, I extend my country’s best wishes to the people of Angola as they, too, build their own democracy and prosperity.

I ask each of you to join me in raising our glasses in a toast to His Excellency President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to the people of Angola, to President Barack Obama, and to the people of America.