September 2005 Press Releases
Text of United States Assistant Secretary Of State Christina B. Rocca’s Address for U.S.-Maldives Friendship Week
September 27, 2005 : Assistant Secretary Rocca: It is my pleasure to welcome you to the opening of our first U.S. – Maldives Friendship Week. This celebration of the growing relationship between our two countries provides us an opportunity to further explore one another’s cultures.
Over the past few years, we’ve expanded our economic ties, increased our educational and professional exchanges, started the Fulbright Scholar program, and opened an American Corner. The depth of our friendship is evidenced by the assistance provided following the tsunami disaster. More than $10 million in official US assistance to the Maldives is helping to rebuild infrastructure throughout your country. The people of the United States have reached out in friendship and have personally contributed, more than any other time in history, to those affected by the December 26 disaster. At the same time, the US is sincerely grateful to the Maldives for their generous offer of assistance in response to the devastating destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
I am glad that many U.S. companies have joined us this week at our Trade show. American companies provide the world’s highest quality products, the most advanced technology and unsurpassed customer service. US products are a tremendous value for the money. I look forward to the continued expansion of our commercial ties over the coming years.
Tonight, in addition to kicking off our Friendship week, we are also commemorating the U.S. National Day - or Independence Day - which is also the birthday of the United States as a free and independent nation. Most Americans simply call it the "Fourth of July," on which date it always falls. Our declaration of independence from England marked the emergence of the United States as a sovereign nation and established the protection of our recognized “inalienable rights – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This year, we mark our 229th year as an independent, democratic country. We welcome the democratic developments that have taken place in the Maldives. The registration of political parties and the People’s Majlis’s recognition of the Maldives Human Rights Commission marked significant steps forward in the reform process. However, there is still work to do. It is essential to respect human rights and the rule of law. We encourage Maldives to continue forward on the road to reform. Right now, Maldives faces an opportunity at a crossroads in history. By continuing on your current path of progress, your country has the potential to become a beacon for other nations seeking to implement democratic reforms. I look forward to the follow through on your commitments to democratic processes. We firmly believe in the potential of the Maldives and that is why we are so pleased to celebrate US-Maldives Friendship Week.
I am happy to know that the friendship between our two countries will grow throughout this week and continue to develop over the coming years.