We must protect our freedom – US Ambassador

Jul 07, 2016 News

US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway delivering remarks as Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan (right); First Lady, Sandra Granger and the wife of the Prime Minister, Sita Nagamootoo look on.

The United States Embassy here in Guyana officially celebrated that country’s Independence at the Marriott Hotel, Battery Road, Kingston Georgetown last evening. The USA also celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

On Monday last, the USA celebrated its 240^th Independence anniversary. The event was attended by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and wife, Sita Nagamootoo; the First Lady, Sandra Granger; members the American Embassy here in Guyana; Ministers of Government; Members of the Opposition; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Heads of Organisations; Members of the Private Sector; and other special invitees, guests and well-wishers.

American Ambassador, Perry Holloway, during his remarks, spoke about preserving freedom.

He told the gathering that the 4^th of July is about freedom. He explained that freedom is something that we often take for granted until some aspect of it winds up being restricted, resulting in us jumping in to action often screaming ‘bloody murder’ and sometimes in extreme cases, even resort to revolution.

“Freedom is something we all enjoy every day and if we want to continue to enjoy it every day we need to support it every day,” Ambassador Holloway added.

The Ambassador urged that persons should engage in activities that will protect freedom and preserve it for future generations. One way of doing this he said, is to do the right thing every day.

Treating each other with respect and equality; participating in Government activities, vote, engaging in debates; and writing letters to the Editor of newspapers, were some of the tips given by the Ambassador.

“Don’t be caught standing on the side of your street as your country moves forward,” he cautioned, “When your candidate does not win, continue to participate because it will only make our country better”.

The US elections, he added, are often a 50/50 affair and if 50 percent of the US stopped participating in elections because their candidate did not win, he questioned what kind of country would there be.

“The third thing that is very important to preserve our freedom in the long term is to educate yourself and those around you – especially the children. We live in a complex world and our access to information – whether right or wrong, is greater that it has ever been. Figuring how to assess that information and how to impart it to our young people is our challenge going forward, he said.

We must place emphasis on education if we want to remain free and continue in the advancement of our country and our individuals, he added.

The last piece of advice offered by the Ambassador to protect our freedom is to invest in the future. This advice, he said, is not limited to oneself and one’s family but also, to one’s country.

He added that we cannot live on our past and the reality of the present, but rather keep the ball moving and invest in education, infrastructure and government to protect freedom going forward.

50 years of diplomatic relations with Guyana

Reflecting on the past 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Ambassador said that it has been a “wonderful” 50 years.

He added that the Guyana and the USA relationship is built on mutual hopes and dreams.

While admitting that both countries from time to time do not see eye to eye, the relationship between both counties are currently strong and should Guyana need the US, they will be there to help in any way possible.

“Our hope is that our relationship can lead to a more secure, prosperous and inclusive Guyana, “he added.

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