The Fourth of July marks the 233rd anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. On this day, Americans celebrate the birth of our nation and honor our founders.

The United States was blessed with a group of founders who worked collaboratively to solve the seemingly intractable problems of the day. Those founders were true statesmen. Even as they struggled with serious issues of the day, they set aside personal agendas to work for the common interests of the new nation. Acknowledging that democracy was a goal toward which we would strive, the Preamble to the Constitution stated that, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Not everything the founders proposed succeeded. The current U.S. Constitution was our second attempt; the earlier Articles of Confederation (?) proved unequal to the task of governing our young democracy. We have amended the U.S. Constitution 27 times. Our nation is not perfect, but the strength of American democracy is our ability to adapt to changing circumstances while guaranteeing the people's rights. The message of the Declaration of Independence states "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Bangladesh and the United States enjoy a strong, healthy relationship. Like Bangladesh, we fought for freedom. We are bound by the same fundamental beliefs: the rights of the individual, a faith in the importance of free speech, freedom of religion and the press, and a dedication to the fundamental principles of democracy.

President Obama recently reached out to the Muslim world to strengthen our relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect. He emphasized that we shared common values - "principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." Like Bangladesh, the U.S. also contains diverse ethnic groups and people of different faiths.

We look forward to many years of continued close cooperation with Bangladesh - a democracy, a partner, and a friend.



James F. Moriarty

U.S. Ambassador in Bangladesh