U.S. Independence Day, 2003

Remarks by Ambassador Joseph M. DeThomas

Mr. President of the Republic of Estonia Arnold Rüütel, President Meri, Mr. Prime Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the 227th celebration of the independence of the United States of America.

This celebration commemorates the signing of our declaration of independence, a document written not for the American people but for the people of the world. Its stated purpose was to show "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind," by explaining the reasons why the people of the American colonies would take the radical step of violently separating themselves from the British Crown. In 1776 we did not ask the world's permission to act, but we did feel we owed it a cogent explanation.

There were many specific complaints listed in the declaration, the scars from which have long since healed. But, the core of the declaration – the very basis upon which it was written - was that human freedom was granted to us by God and not by government. This gift of liberty was granted not to a class, a culture, a race, a religion, or a region, but to all of mankind.

For Americans and Estonians this truth has become indeed – in the words of the declaration – "self evident." It is not so in many places. Today we are testing this proposition in the Middle East.

Americans, Estonians and a coalition of many nations represented here are trying to help the people of Afghanistan and Iraq achieve peace and liberty. Many nations are also working to create a democratic Palestinian state within three years. There are those who believe this a hopeless or misguided task. Some believe freedom cannot flourish in that part of the world. The same, of course, was said about this part of the world not so long ago. At various times in history, it was said that women, working people, religious and racial minorities were not intended to be free.

The history of my country is the history of expanding the definition of human freedom. Every time we have wagered in favor of expanding freedom we have been rewarded. Let us hope we will be correct again.

It was a risky proposition when the signers of the Declaration of Independence embarked on their radical experiment. Indeed, many of the signers perished, were imprisoned, or lost their families and property during the American Revolution.

The pursuit of human freedom always entails risks. The generation of Americans who believed that freedom would flower in the eastern half of Europe if the people of that region were given the chance expended four decades, 90,000 lives in Korea and Vietnam and trillions of dollars in its effort. Today, as then and in the centuries before, those who support freedom must pledge "our lives, or fortunes and our sacred honor" in order to achieve their ends.

Mr. President, will you raise your glass in honor of American and Estonian friendship and in our mutual efforts to make the world a home for free men and women.