Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 08, 2012 News
– US Ambassador
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, has charged the US embassy in Guyana to find creative new ways to achieve shared goals between Guyana and the US.
Ambassador Hardt is determined to forge a mutually beneficial partnership between the countries to help build a safe and secure, democratic, prosperous and healthy Guyana that would see the United States as a friend and ally.
He made those remarks on the occasion of American Independence Day at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, on July 4.
Speaking on Guyana’s political climate, he expressed confidence that Guyana will continue to come together as a nation and find ways to work in the national interest, even as it debates and discusses different approaches and priorities.
Ambassador Hardt arrived in Guyana last September in the midst of a heated campaign trail leading up to National Elections. Witnessing elections proceedings in Guyana, Hardt said he is pleased that the US was able to continue its longstanding tradition of support to help ensure a free, fair and peaceful election that yielded an historic result– Guyana now has a minority Government.
Hardt believes that this has given Guyanese a renewed sense that they have a seat at the democratic table and that their voice can be heard.
“And voices are being heard in the National Assembly, in the newspapers, and on the streets. That is just the way it should be in a vibrant democracy. Certainly that is the way it was in the American colonies before agreement was secured on a Declaration of Independence in 1776, and even more so thereafter when the democratic experiment threatened to come apart at the seams,” he said.
Celebrating 236 years of American Independence, Hardt said that the American history teaches how the human spirit finds a way to rise to meet the challenge so that all people can enjoy their inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
He emphasized, “The United States road to independence and national unity was fraught with dissension, division, debate and uncertainty. It was a messy process – as democracy always is. In fact, our country has always had – and will continue to have – a contentious and conflicted history, marked by political, regional, economic, and religious differences. That is why we are highlighting the theme of the American Tapestry.”
The principles “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are what binds the US together as a nation,” Hardt said.
However, the US did not get where it is today, easily. There were many hurdles that the country overcame such as a bitter Civil War, and the stain of slavery. Looking at the US’s history Hardt said it could be useful to reflect on in the context of Guyana today.
“Many people look at current events, the heated debates in the Assembly and the sharp points and counterpoints in the media, and wonder where it will lead. To me, as a student of history, this “messiness” is the medley of democracy in action.
“As in the United States two centuries ago, progress will require compassionate leadership, a spirit of compromise, and a sense of a national interest to move forward.”
“When we arrived in Guyana last September, I was determined to forge a mutually beneficial partnership between our countries to help build a safe and secure, democratic, prosperous, and healthy Guyana that would see the United States as a friend and ally. I was convinced that our countries shared goals that we could best advance by working together, and I have lead our Embassy team to find creative new ways to work in that spirit.”
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