Ambassador's July 4th Remarks, translated from Arabic

Mister Minister of Foreign Affairs
Members of the Government
Members of the Mauritanian delegation
Ladies and Gentlemen

My country celebrates today the 230th anniversary of its founding.  That memorable date reminds us of the birth of a free  nation on American soil. A nation that considers one of its principal sources of strength to reside in its unity.  That unity has enabled this nation to reach its goals, despite the diversity of its people, their beliefs, and their opinions.

Distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs

I am proud of the cooperation that exists between Mauritania and the United States.  I am confident that the efforts of the Mauritanian people to develop their country will succeed.
And I believe that the transition through which Mauritania is passing constitutes a historic turning point in the life of the Mauritanian nation.  The United States government is following with great interest the various steps Mauritania has taken to increase freedom and to  establish a democratic system to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to a democratically elected government.
We have noted with satisfaction how smoothly the recent national Constitutional referendum went.  It reinforced our optimism about the ultimate success of Mauritania's transition to democracy.  It strengthened our conviction that the political and economic future of Mauritania is bright, especially now that Mauritania has, enviably, become an oil-producing state.

Esteemed Ministers

The United States is eager to see -- and to help ensure -- the emergence of a democratic and prosperous society in Mauritania, where one can enjoy peace and prosperity.  The recent changes in Mauritania have been profound, and the United States deeply  appreciates the efforts that have been made to create a national dialogue on sensitive issues of concern to all Mauritanians. The Government of the United States, while offering its help to promote this necessary and important dialogue, recognizes that these are Mauritanian issues that must be, and can only be, solved by Mauritanians themselves.

Ladies and gentlemen

Both my wife and I wish to express our deep gratitude to you for the time we have spent in Mauritania.  All good things must come to an end, as they say, and I would like to thank all the Mauritanians whom we have met since our arrival in this beautiful country three years ago for their generosity and hospitality.  In this, I refer both to all Mauritanians generally and to those Mauritanians we visited throughout all regions of the country.  Your hospitality and generosity is strong testimony to your great and tolerant religion and to your unique Arab-African traditions.  I can assure you that we will never forget all the happy moments we have spent with our Mauritanian friends.
Long live the friendship between Mauritania and the United States.
Thank you.

Joseph LeBaron,
Ambassador of the United States of America to Mauritania

Nouakchott, July 4th, 2006