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Embassy News

July 5, 2005
Embassy of the United States of America
Belgrade

U.S. Embassy Celebrates Independence Day

On July 4, Ambassador Michael C. Polt and Mrs. Hallie Polt hosted a reception at their residence in celebration of the 229th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

Among the almost 1,000 guests were Serbian President Boris Tadic, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, SaM Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Draskovic, SaM Minister of Defense Prvoslav Davinic, and SaM Minister for Human and Minority Rights Rasim Ljaic. The Ambassador welcomed HRH Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic and representatives of Belgrade's diplomatic community including the Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Mexico, the OSCE Mission, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Albania. Also present were religious leaders including Patriarch Pavle, Belgrade Mufti Hamdija Jusufspahic, and Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar.

In his remarks, Ambassador Polt highlighted the achievements of the "everyday heroes" that are moving Serbia and Montenegro forward, and presented Jasmina Duran, Boris Bulic, Quazim Lutfiu, Slavoljub Trajkovic, David Kaljaj and Aleksej Kisjuhas.

 


Remarks by Ambassador Michael C. Polt

Independence Day, 2005

Dragi gosti,

Dozvolite mi da vas pozdravim u ime svoje porodice i u svoje lično ime - dobro došli. Veliko mi je zadovoljstvo što ste se odazvali našem pozivu u ovako velikom broju. Izuzetno mi je drago da budem Vaš domaćin danas, kada moja zemlja slavi svoj najznačajniji praznik, četvrti jul, Dan nezavisnosti Sjedinjenih Američkih Država. Nadam se da ćemo svi zajedno uživati u današnjem druženju i programu koji smo pripremili za vas.

Americans get together every year to celebrate the 4th of July with family, fireworks, barbecues, and a festival of red, white and blue. It is a truly American holiday that resonates deeply with the American people.

This date celebrates the signing of our Declaration of Independence some 229 years ago, the event which precipitated the formation of the United States of America.

In the hearts of Americans, the 4th of July is not only the celebration of an event consummated in the distant past… Rather, it is a celebration of the ideals that Americans cherish …… and a recognition that all across America, ordinary citizens, every day, live out these ideals in little ways… by speaking their minds in public, by voting, by pursuing their dreams, starting a career, practicing their faith, and by holding their leaders accountable. It is these ordinary citizens who have built the American nation and are the ones who carry it forward. And in so doing, they serve as models to the many more who look to them for leadership and inspiration.

These everyday Americans act in the tradition of great leaders such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr., whose examples remind us of the highest ideals and ambitions of our society and serve to inspire the hearts and minds of everyday citizens.

In Serbia and Montenegro, just as in America, everyday heroes are moving this country forward… Ordinary people with vision and courage and ambition and faith in a better future. In my many travels across this country, I have met so many people who have impressed me for their dedication to others, to their communities and to higher values.

These other heroes, then, the ones that we tacitly recognize in our hearts through love of our countries, are the people I want to recognize today. The ordinary citizens who carry our nations forward on their individual backs… with their personal examples.

With their voices of reason and tolerance, their fostering of community, their hard work and love of family, their integrity and ingenuity …… these people are the heart and soul and the strength of any great country.

Some of them have joined us today:

Jasmina Duran is a Bosniak refugee from Visegrad, Bosnia. During the war she fled and was resettled in the Uzice area; married a Bosnian-Serb, and starting from scratch, has started a new existence by becoming a sheep breeder. She has put ethnic differences and tremendous hardship aside, left the past behind and works towards the future.

Boris Bulic from Vojvodina is working with fellow displaced persons and refugees to start a new life and provide for his family. With little land or capital, he and others developed a lucrative cooperative farm, breeding snails on tiny plots but for good profit. Their cooperative offers new livelihoods for hundreds of refugees and other small farmers in the Vojvodina area.

Earlier this week, as many of you saw in the media, President Bush announced that the United States will be providing additional support to people like Ms. Duran and Mr. Bulic who are working hard to grow this economy. These new trade benefits will give products from Serbia and Montenegro duty-free access to the huge U.S. market. With the ongoing support of U.S. economic assistance programs, this will provide new economic opportunities for the smallest to the largest businesses.

Also with us today are Quazim Lutfiu and Slavoljub Trajkovic from Oslare in Southern Serbia. Mr. Lutfiu is a school teacher and Mr. Trajkovic, a woodworker. More importantly, they are founding members of the Community Development Council in Oslare and have helped to establish a cooperative farm in which Serbs and Albanians live and work side by side. In doing so, they serve as an important and positive example to their compatriots, north and south. Their wisdom to look beyond their differences is an inspiration to us all.

Dr. David Kaljaj, a Professor at the University of Montenegro, is a founding member of the first University Department in the Albanian language in Montenegro. He has brought together political parties, the University, and public authorities. The Albanian community and its students have enthusiastically flocked to the program.

Aleksej Kisjuhas is just one of several students here today from Novi Sad University's "It's My University" Project. They represent a multi-ethnic student group active in confronting negative stereotypes and retrograde political ideas. They courageously stand up for their values, all the while finding common ground and establishing progressive codes of conduct for their communities.

There is no denying that powerful leaders bring powerful influence to the events in our world. They direct, they sway opinions; they too can promote… or stifle progress. But the transformation of a country, the healing of wounds, and the growth of real prosperity…. these are changes that come from within a society… from the grassroots as we say.

In my country, the 4th of July recognizes people like Jasmina, Boris, Quazim and Slavoljub, like David and Aleksej and it is an honor for me to acknowledge these everyday heroes in your country as well. Please join me in a big round of applause.

Hvala vam puno and Happy 4th of July.

 


The White House
Office of the Press Secretary


Independence Day, 2005


Since July 4, 1776, Americans have experienced freedom's power to overcome tyranny, inspire hope in times of trial, and turn the creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace. Across generations, our Nation has defended and advanced liberty.

The words of our Founding Fathers first guided a country of 4 million souls, yet they put large events in motion. When the Liberty Bell sounded at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, one who witnessed the birth of freedom in our country said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means something still. America continues to proclaim liberty throughout the world, and we remain a country full of hope and promise where opportunity thrives, where all stand equal before the law, and where our freedoms are celebrated.

Americans live in freedom because of the enduring power of our ideals. In the midst of World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt reminded our troops that our Nation believes in the "right to liberty under God -- for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world." Today, a new generation of Americans continues to defend our Nation and spread freedom. On this Fourth of July, we honor the brave men and women of our military, and their families, and we express our gratitude for their courage, dedication to duty, and love of country.

Laura and I send our best wishes to all Americans on Independence Day. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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For more information on Independence Day, please visit http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/holidays/july4/


Reception at Ambassador's residence in celebration of the national holiday of the United States of America, Independence Day (from left to right): Interpreter; Ambassador Michael C. Polt; Hallie Polt; Roderick Moore, Deputy Chief of Mission; Col Gordon Drake, Defense Attaché; Christine Drake

Reception at Ambassador's residence in celebration of the national holiday of the United States of America, Independence Day (from left to right): Interpreter; Ambassador Michael C. Polt; Hallie Polt; Roderick Moore, Deputy Chief of Mission; Col Gordon Drake, Defense Attaché; Christine Drake

Prijem u rezidenciji Ambasadora povodom proslave nacionalnog praznika Sjedinjenih Američkih Država, Dana Nezavisnosti (s leva na desno): Prevodilac; Ambasador Majkl K. Polt; Hali Polt; Roderik Mur, zamenik šefa misije; Puk. Gordon Drejk, Vojni ataše; Kristina Drejk

Ambassador Polt welcomes Serbian President Boris Tadic

Ambassador Polt welcomes Serbian President Boris Tadic

Ambasador Polt pozdravlja predsednika Srbije Borisa Tadića

Ambassador Polt welcomes Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica

Ambassador Polt welcomes Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica

Ambasador Polt pozdravlja premijera Vojislava Koštunicu

DCM Moore welcomes Vuk Draskovic, SaM Foreign Minister

DCM Moore welcomes Vuk Draskovic, SaM Foreign Minister

Zamenik šefa misije Mur pozdravlja Vuka Draškovića, Ministra spoljnih poslova SiCG

Colonel Drake welcomes Prvoslav Davinic, SaM Defense Minister

Colonel Drake welcomes Prvoslav Davinic, SaM Defense Minister

Pukovnik Drejk pozdravlja Prvoslava Davinića, Ministra odbrane SiCG

DCM Moore welcomes SaM's Chief of Staff Gen. Dragan Paskas

DCM Moore welcomes SaM's Chief of Staff Gen. Dragan Paskas

Zamenik šefa misije Mur pozdravlja generala Dragana Paskaša, načelnika Generalštaba Vojske SiCG

Ambassador Polt welcomes Rasim Ljajic, SaM Minister for Human and Minority Rights

Ambassador Polt welcomes Rasim Ljajic, SaM Minister for Human and Minority Rights

Ambasador Polt pozdravlja Rasima Ljajića, Ministra za ljudska i manjinska prava SiCG

Ambassador Polt welcomes Serbian Patriarch Pavle

Ambassador Polt welcomes Serbian Patriarch Pavle

Ambasador Polt pozdravlja Srpskog Patrijarha Pavla

Ambassador Polt welcomes Belgrade Mufti Hamdija Jusufspahic

Ambassador Polt welcomes Belgrade Mufti Hamdija Jusufspahic

Ambasador Polt pozdravlja Beogradskog Muftiju Hamdiju Jusufspahića

Hallie Polt welcomes HRH Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic

Hallie Polt welcomes HRH Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic

Hali Polt pozdravlja NjKV Princezu Jelisavetu Karađorđević

Ambassador Polt addresses the audience

Ambassador Polt addresses the audience

Ambasador Polt se obraća prisutnima

National Anthem

National Anthem

Nacionalna himna

Ambassador Polt presents "everyday heroes" Jasmina Duran, Boris Bulic, Quazim Lutfiu, Slavoljub Trajkovic, David Kaljaj and Aleksej Kisjuhas

Ambassador Polt presents "everyday heroes" Jasmina Duran, Boris Bulic, Quazim Lutfiu, Slavoljub Trajkovic, David Kaljaj and Aleksej Kisjuhas

Ambasador Polt predstavlja "heroje svakodnevnog života" Jasminu Duran, Borisa Bulića, Quazima Lutfiu, Slavoljuba Trajkovića, David Kaljaja i Alekseja Kisjuhasa


5. jul, 2005
Ambasada Sjedinjenih Američkih Država
Beograd

AMERIČKA AMBASADA PROSLAVLJA DAN NEZAVISNOSTI

Ambasador Majkl K. Polt i gospođa Hali Polt priredili su 4. jula prijem u svojoj rezidenciji povodom proslave 229-te godišnjice nezavisnosti Sjedinjenih Američkih Država.

Među skoro 1000 zvanica, prijemu su prisustvovali i predsednik Srbije Boris Tadić, predsednik vlade Srbije Vojislav Koštunica, ministar spoljnih poslova SiCG Vuk Drašković, ministar odbrane SiCG Prvoslav Davinić i ministar za ljudska i manjinska prava SiCG Rasim Ljajić. Ambasador je pozdravio NjKV Princezu Jelisavetu Karađorđević, kao i predstavnike diplomatske zajednice u Beogradu uključujući ambasadore Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva, Australije, Italije, Meksika, misije OEBS-a, Bosne i Hercegovine, Hrvatske i Albanije. Na prijemu su takođe prisustvovali Patrijarh Pavle, Beogradski Muftija Hamdija Jusufspahić i nadbiskup Stanislav Hočevar.

Prilikom obraćanja gostima ambasador Polt naglasio je značaj "heroja svakodnevnog života" koji rade na napretku Srbije i Crne Gore i predstavio je zvanicama Jasminu Duran, Borisa Bulića, Quazima Lutfiu, Slavoljuba Trajkovića, David Kaljaja i Alekseja Kisjuhasa

 



Govor Ambasadora Majkla K. Polta

Dan Nezavisnosti, 2005.


Dragi gosti,

Dozvolite mi da vas pozdravim u ime svoje porodice i u svoje lično ime - dobro došli. Veliko mi je zadovoljstvo što ste se odazvali našem pozivu u ovako velikom broju. Izuzetno mi je drago da budem Vaš domaćin danas, kada moja zemlja slavi svoj najznačajniji praznik, četvrti jul, Dan nezavisnosti Sjedinjenih Američkih Država. Nadam se da ćemo svi zajedno uživati u današnjem druženju i programu koji smo pripremili za vas.

Amerikanci se svake godine okupljaju kako bi u krugu porodice proslavili 4. jul uz vatromet, roštilj i tradicionalne boje nacionalne zastave: crvenu, belu i plavu. Ovo je poseban američki praznik koji je duboko ukorenjen u američkom narodu.

Danas obeležavamo 229 godina od potpisivanja Deklaracije o nezavisnosti - dokumenta koji je ubrzao proces formiranja Sjedinjenih Američkih Država.

U srcima Amerikanaca 4. jul nije samo proslava jednog događaja koji se zbio u dalekoj prošlosti, već veličanje ideala koje Amerikanci neguju i spoznaja da širom Amerike, obični građani svakog dana žive ove ideale na mnogo različitih načina govoreći javno ono što misle, glasajući, ispunjavajući svoje snove, započinjući karijere, ispovedajući svoju veru, računajući na odgovornost svojih lidera. Ti obični građani su upravo oni koji su izgradili američku naciju i koji je vode napred. Radeći tako, oni služe kao primer mnogima koji u njima vide uzor i inspiraciju.

Ti obični Amerikanci se ponašaju u skladu sa tradicijom velikih lidera kao što su Džordž Vašington, Bendžamin Frenklin, Suzan B. Entoni i Martin Luter King mlađi, čiji nas primeri podsećaju na najviše ideale i ambicije našeg društva i služe kao inspiracija svim građanima.

U Srbiji i Crnoj Gori, baš kao i u Americi, heroji koje svakodnevno srećemo pokreću ovu zemlju napred. To su obični ljudi koji poseduju viziju i hrabrost, ambiciju i veru u bolju budućnost. Na mnogobrojnim putovanjima po vašoj zemlji, susreo sam se sa velikim brojem ljudi koji su me impresionirali svojom posvećenošću bližnjima, zajednici u kojoj žive i višim vrednostima.

Ovi heroji, koje prećutno cenimo u našim srcima i to pokazujemo kroz ljubav prema domovini, su ljudi kojima danas želim da odam priznanje. Obični građani koji vode naše nacije napred svojim sopstvenim naporima, svojim ličnim primerom. Njihov glas razuma i tolerancije, želja za napretkom zajednice u kojoj žive, vredan rad i briga o porodici, njihov integritet i dovitljivost čine suštinu i snagu bilo koje zemlje.

Neki od njih su danas sa nama ovde:

Jasmina Duran, pripadnica bošnjačke etničke zajednice, izbeglica iz Višegrada, odakle je pobegla za vreme rata i nastanila se u okolini Užica. Udala se za Srbina iz Bosne i bez ikakvih sredstava započela je novi život baveći se uzgojem ovaca. Ostavila je po strani razlike u etničkoj pripadnosti, prošlost i ogromne životne teškoće i danas radi u korist budućnosti.

Boris Bulić iz Vojvodine radi zajedno sa drugim interno raseljenim licima i izbeglicama te tako obezbeđuje novi život svojoj porodici. Sa malo zemlje ili kapitala, on je zajedno sa nekolicinom ljudi osnovao unosnu zadružnu farmu za uzgoj puževa na malim parcelama, ali za dobru zaradu. Njihova zadruga nudi novi život stotinama izbeglica i drugim malim uzgajivačima u Vojvodini.

Kao što ste mogli da vidite u medijima, predsednik Buš je početkom ove nedelje objavio da će Sjedinjene Države obezbediti dodatnu podršku ljudima kao što su gospođa Duran i gospodin Bulić koji naporno rade da bi unapredili privredu. Ove nove trgovinske olakšice će na ogromnom tržištu Sjedinjenih Država osloboditi poreza proizvode iz Srbije i Crne Gore. Ovo će, uz postojeće ekonomske programe pomoći, obezbediti nove ekonomske mogućnosti svim biznisima, od najmanjih do najvećih.

Danas su sa nama takođe i Quazim Lutfiu i Slavoljub Trajković iz Oslara u južnoj Srbiji. Gospodin Lutfiu je nastavnik u školi, a gospodin Trajković stolar. Šta više, oni su osnivači Odbora za razvoj zajednice u Oslarima, a pomogli su i u osnivanju zadružne farme na kojoj Srbi i Albanci žive i rade zajedno. Ovim postupkom oni služe kao značajan i pozitivan primer svojim sunarodnicima na severu i jugu. Njihova mudrost da vide dalje od svojih različitosti je inspiracija za sve nas.

Dr David Kaljaj, profesor sa Univerziteta u Crnoj Gori je osnivač prvog Odseka za Albanski jezik na Univerzitetu u Crnoj Gori. On je uspeo da po ovom pitanju ujedini političke partije, Univerzitet i vlast. Albanska zajednica i njeni studenti su sa dosta entuzijazma prihvatili ovaj program.

Danas je sa nama i Aleksej Kisjuhas koji je samo jedan od nekoliko studenata iz Novog Sada koji rade na projektu "To je moj Univerzitet". Oni predstavljaju multietničku grupu studenata koja je aktivna u borbi protiv negativnih stereotipa i nazadnih političkih ideja. Oni hrabro brane svoje vrednosti pronalazeći zajedničke dodirne tačke i postavljajući napredna pravila ponašanja u svojim zajednicama.

Ne možemo poreći da moćni lideri imaju snažan uticaj na događaje u svetu. Oni rukovode, usmeravaju mišljenja, ali u isto vreme mogu promovisati ili ugušiti progres. Međutim, transformacija jedne zemlje, lečenje rana i postojanje istinskog prosperiteta su promene koje nastaju unutar društva, u korenu društva, kako mi to kažemo.

U mojoj zemlji običaj je da se na praznik 4. jula odaje priznanje ljudima kao što su Jasmina, Boris, Quazim i Slavoljub, kao što su David i Aleksej, i za mene je velika čast da odam priznanje ovim herojima iz svakodnevnog života i u vašoj zemlji. Molim vas, pridružite mi se u gromoglasnom aplauzu.

Hvala vam puno i želim vam srećan 4. jul.

 


Bela kuća
Kancelarija Sekretara za štampu

Dan Nezavisnosti, 2005.


Još od 4. jula 1776. godine, Amerikanci osećaju snagu slobode koja pobeđuje tiraniju, pruža nadu u vremenima iskušenja i okreće kreativne sposobnosti muškaraca i žena ka traganju za mirom. Kroz generacije naša Nacija odbranila je i unapredila koncept slobode.

Reči naših osnivača najpre su vodile zemlju sa 4 miliona stanovnika i uticale su na krupne događaje. Kada se začulo Zvono Slobode za vreme prvog javnog čitanja Deklaracije Nezavisnosti, onaj koji je prisustvovao rađanju slobode u našoj zemlji rekao je, "Zvoni kao da nam nešto poručuje." U naša vremena ova poruka još uvek ima značaj. Amerika nastavlja da promoviše slobodu širom sveta i mi smo i dalje zemlja puna nade i obećanja u kojoj postoje mogućnosti, u kojoj smo svi ravnopravni pred zakonom i u kojoj slavimo naše slobode.

Amerikanci žive u slobodi zbog neiscrpne snage naših ideala. U sred Drugog svetskog rata predsednik Frenklin Delano Ruzvelt podsetio je naše trupe da naša Nacija veruje u "pravo na slobodu pred Bogom -- za sve ljude i rase i grupe i nacije, svuda u svetu". Danas, nova generacija Amerikanaca nastavlja da brani našu Naciju i da širi slobodu. Na ovaj 4. juli, mi ukazujemo poštovanje hrabrim muškarcima i ženama u našoj vojsci, kao i njihovim familijama, i izražavamo zahvalnost za njihovu hrabrost, predanost dužnostima i za njihovu ljubav prema domovini.

Laura i ja šaljemo srdačne pozdrave svim Amerikancima na Dan Nezavisnosti. Bog blagoslovio vas i Ameriku.

DŽORDŽ V. BUŠ

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Za više informacija o Danu Nezavisnosti posetite http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/holidays/july4/

 

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