press releases 2007
"Let Freedom Ring" by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey D. Feltman
July 4, 2007
Op-ed published in An-Nahar Newspaper, July 4, 2007, in Arabic
Today — on July 4th — the
As U.S. Ambassador, I’ve reflected frequently about the struggle of the Lebanese people for freedom and democracy, independence and sovereignty. Observing both the exhilarating and tragic events of the past three years, I appreciate even more the bravery and sacrifices so many Americans made to protect and preserve the unity, independence and democracy of my own country, the
Americans recognized that it took more than the stroke of a pen to transform 13 diverse colonies into one strong, prosperous and united country. Finding the correct balance between a strong central government and local rights took 17 years -- time for state militias to be integrated into the national army, for Americans to adapt to life without British troops on their soil, and for an American identity to be forged.
Americans also proved their ability to accept the outcome of presidential elections. It wasn’t clear what would happen when second president John Adams (representing the Whig Party) lost to rival Republican Party candidate Thomas Jefferson. Would the powerful Whigs accept their defeat or would they fight the democratic transition through undemocratic means? Fortunately for American democracy, the Whig Party accepted the loss and regrouped to fight the next election at the ballot box, not on the battlefield.
When I review the path to American independence, I recognize the challenges and inevitable missteps. But I admire the foresight, courage and sacrifice of those Americans. I understand how fearful or uncertain they must have been about their future when success seemed so unlikely. But now, 231 years later, as we celebrate Independence Day, there is no question that the signers of the Declaration of Independence made the right decision. We know that our potential would never have been realized had we remained under a foreign mandate, no matter how benevolent.
And what about the long list of angry grievances against a “tyrannical”
July 4th, 1776 was not the birth of a perfect union, but rather the promise made by 56 men of diverse backgrounds and b
As our Founding Fathers pledged to work with each other to realize their vision, so too do we pledge our support to the Lebanese people as they seek to secure an independent, sovereign, prosperous, democratic and united
But the Lebanese are not alone in their struggle. In celebrating our American independence today, July 4th, we celebrate also the partnership of our two diverse and democratic countries —