Fourth of July in Tripoli

REMARKS BY CHARGE D’AFFAIRES TRIPOLI JULY 4, 2006

 

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Friends and Colleagues –

In the United States today, Americans will be celebrating with fireworks, barbecues and parades.  Here in Libya, I would like to extend a welcome from all of us at the American Embassy in Tripoli, and to thank you for sharing this commemoration of the 230^th anniversary of the independence of the United States.

 

This is the third year that we have marked Independence Day since American diplomats began arriving in Tripoli in 2004.  Shortly after our arrival, the Ambassador of Belgium, which was then still our protecting power in Libya, performed one of his many services to both Libya and the United States:  He hosted a reception to introduce us to the community which we were joining.  Ambassador Scavee graciously welcomed us that evening, then turned to me for remarks.

 

Happily, what I said then was little noted nor long remembered.  But I did make one pledge which I would like to renew tonight:  The U.S. Interests Section, and then the U.S. Liaison Office, and now the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli is committed to representing the American view of the world to our hosts directly and without evasion – and, just as important, we are committed to listening to what Libyans have to tell us. 

 

In international affairs as in life generally, it is often easier to talk clearly than to listen closely, but there is no such thing as one-way communication.  We came here in the interests of the United States to learn about Libya and Libyans, and we have learned a great deal – mostly by listening carefully to the points of view of Libyans and conveying those perspectives to Washington.  That has been our most important contribution to the process that led to full diplomatic relations between our countries – an essential contribution, in my view, and one that I am proud of.

 

So now we are America’s newest Embassy.  But the process of building relations among peoples, though it may be marked by milestones like the designation of Embassies, never really comes to an end. 

 

Because of the historic decisions taken in recent years by the most senior political leaders in Libya and the U.S., we can now be confident that there are vital areas in which we can and must cooperate.  But there are also areas in which we disagree, and some of those are of great importance to both countries.  In our views on some regional issues, as well as on governance and reform, our countries’ differences are often more evident than our areas of agreement.  If that were not true, there would be no job for diplomats to do.  For our part, I would like to pledge again, as I did two years ago – this time in the name of the newly established Embassy of the United States – that we will raise and discuss those differences honestly and frankly, and that we will listen and report in such a way that Libya’s views are well known in Washington. 

 

During my more than two years here, I have had occasion to deal with many Libyan counterparts.  Again and again, they have earned my respect for their straightforward approach to even the most difficult issues facing us.  That is the firm basis of our relationship, and we are sure that it will not change.

 

With our mission to Libya, we have been given a trust – to represent Americans, and to listen to Libyans.  We can now carry out those tasks much better than we could two years ago, because – with the help of our many friends here – we have created a full Embassy in Libya. 

 

Two years ago, Ambassador Scavee welcomed us as members of his staff in Tripoli.  Tonight, it is my privilege to welcome you to an evening with the staff of the Embassy of the United States in Tripoli.  Thank you for joining us.  Thank you for helping us to become an Embassy.  Thank you for your friendship and support as we move forward, and once again – Happy Independence Day.