Maravi

US to continue championing human freedoms – Koplovsky

US to continue championing human freedoms – Koplovsky
By Mutale Kapekele
Mon 14 June 2010, 03:50 CAT

THE United States will continue fighting for human freedoms in all countries it cooperates with, embassy charge d’ affaires Michael Koplovsky has said.

Speaking at the US independence celebration on Saturday at his residence, Koplovosky said America would strive to see world governments that were responsible and responsive, that promoted peace and international cooperation, and defended freedoms as well as basic human rights.

Americans living in Zambia celebrated their national day, which falls on July 4, early due to the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

He said America appreciated its freedom and advised countries of the world that freedom was not realised by the declaration of independence but through efforts of citizens regardless of their status in society.

“At the heart of this day Independence Day is a genuine appreciation that we are free, free to assemble, unite, express ourselves, free to take advantage of opportunities to improve our lives, to vote, to participate in our society. We uphold and are protected by unalienable rights – to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Koplovosky said.

“These freedoms were not realised the day the declaration on independence was signed. It took effort, generations of presidents, legislators, scholars, business leaders, athletes and everyday citizens who challenged the status quo and advocated for freedom for everyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation.

The ideals expressed over 230 years ago in our declaration of independence are still a measure of what we strive for every day in America. Those ideals are what we strive for in our relationships with other countries too.”

He also disclosed that America would have contributed US$270 million to the HIV fight in Zambia by the end of this year.

Koplovosky announced that Zambia and the US had signed a new aviation open skies agreement.

And commerce minister Felix Mutati, who was the guest of honor at the celebrations, urged America to address trade issues that African countries had raised about the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

African countries have been given an opportunity to export agricultural products to America through AGOA but they have argued that that countries market was uncompetitive as farmers were highly subsidised.

Labels: FARM SUBSIDIES, FELIX MUTATI, HYPOCRISY, MICHAEL KOPLOVSKY

posted by MrK @ 11:42 AM