ASSOCIATION OF PROGRESSIVE MUSLIMS OF CANADA
WELCOME ABOUT US NEWS EVENTS PROJECTS SPONSORS AWARDEES SPEECHES CONTACT US
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ASSOCIATION OF PROGRESSIVE MUSLIMS OF CANADA |
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WELCOME ABOUT US NEWS EVENTS PROJECTS SPONSORS AWARDEES SPEECHES CONTACT US |
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KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY US AMBASSADOR DAVID WILKINS ON CANADA DAY 2008 Thanks,
Goldy, for that very kind introduction and for your friendship.
President
Khaja… Association
Members… Mr.
Vickers… Distinguished
members of the Diplomatic Corps… Members
of Parliament… Honored
guest and friends all: Thank
you for allowing Susan and me to share this very special evening with
all of you. I
confess we’ve come upon that time in our service here in Canada when
moments like this have become bittersweet… Because
they mark for us the beginning of the end of our time here.
For
so long Canada was filled with so many “firsts” for us: Our
first Canada Day… Our
first Question Period… Our
first white Christmas… Our
first white Easter. And
now tomorrow, we’ll be experiencing our
final Canada Day with all of you… And
in a few days our last July 4
celebration here in Ottawa…it’s so hard to believe how fast the time
has flown-by… And…as
Goldy just mentioned… I
guess both Susan and I have really been thinking about time lately with
the birth of our first grandbabies… Watching
our son Robert with his new son and daughter… And
our other son James dote on his new nephew and niece really just took me
back… It
seems like only yesterday when all James wanted in the whole world was a
pet turtle! Well,
unlike that turtle who was a little slow on the up-tick… I
intend to follow the lead of my president and sprint to the finish line
in the 7 months or so I have left to serve my country in yours. As
I travel throughout Canada, a lot of folks express concern about how the
upcoming elections in the United States might impact our trade
relationship – especially in terms of NAFTA. While
no one can predict the future, I have to believe that no matter who the
next president is… He
simply won’t be able to ignore the benefits of NAFTA and all it brings
to this trade relationship of ours. And
I applaud what your government is doing in advancing free trade
in Latin America. President
Bush has worked vigorously to get Congress to support free trade deals
with Colombia… For
example… Because
the more markets you open to economic prosperity… The
more opportunities you advance for the values held sacred by Canadians
and Americans alike. Countries
that lift themselves out of poverty by engaging in the world marketplace
are less likely to become victimized by a host of predators…from
terrorists to drug cartels. Change
may not happen fast enough… But
I am a firm believer that when people are exposed to democracy and the
principles of justice and human rights…freedom always finds a way.
And
free trade can help open that door.
It
is but one important tool in a very long and critical war we’re waging
in the war on terror. You
know now…it seems like a lifetime ago when I flew to Austin, Texas
with a delegation from Columbia, South Carolina to meet with the young
and energetic governor of Texas. It
was 1999. Governor
Bush and his Texas team were laying the groundwork for a presidential
run… And
I went to Austin to let Bush know early and eagerly that he had strong
support in South Carolina.
None
of us sitting there that beautiful fall day could have ever foreseen the
terror and chaos that would soon shatter our nation’s illusion of
invincibility… Or
know that history had much bigger plans for this future president and
commander-in-chief. But
so much of what’s said and written about George W. Bush is by those
who’ve never met him. Those
who don’t know him. So
tonight I’d like to do something I’ve never done before here in
Canada. And
that’s offer a bit of a personal perspective on the president I know:
the man I’m proud to call my friend.
I’m
not asking you to agree with my opinion:
Some
of you may. Some
of you will not. But
that’s part of what makes our countries so great – our ability and
freedom to exchange different viewpoints and ideas.
And
I also offer my opinion as something diplomats rarely present…and that
is simply my personal views
of a man I respect more today than the day I first met him.
The
brown hair President Bush had when he entered the Oval Office is now
gray. But
what has not changed in seven years is President Bush’s resolve to
thwart terrorism and protect North America. I
visited him at the Oval Office less than two months after 3,000 innocent
people… Including
24 Canadians… Were
murdered in New York…Washington and Pennsylvania.
My
country was still deep in mourning after the shock of 9/11… And
as soon as I looked at him… I
could tell the burden he was carrying was heavy.
The
thing that had always impressed Susan and me most about George Bush was
the sense of peace about him… Even
in the heat of an intense campaign… He
and Laura were always peaceful… So
when I saw him that day in the Oval Office… He
still had that unshakable peace about him… But
there was something else… Looking
back…I guess…I’d just call it a sense of conviction.
Here’s
what he told me… I
will never forget the President’s resolve… And
his understanding even then of the crushing decisions yet to come.
And
he was so careful to emphasize from the very beginning the enemy is
certainly not Islam: The
enemy is anyone who hijacks religion to use as a basis for terror and
the murder of innocent people. And
Mobeen…if you’ll indulge me for just a moment here… I’d
like to digress and take this opportunity to personally thank you… This
Association… And
the Muslim Community across Canada… For
all you’ve done for not only Susan and me…but for the entire U.S.
Mission. Whatever
the issue…whether it’s public or cultural affairs…economics
or border issues…you have always extended a hand of friendship and
understanding to our Embassy Team.
I
know I speak for all of us at the Embassy when I say our dealings with
all of you has enriched our lives and made us especially appreciative…and
aware…in this post 9-11 world. Thank
you for your friendship. They
say that time is a great healer…and often it’s good and healthy to
let go of the past. But
those who lead us cannot afford to forget the lessons born in great
tragedy… Because
history can and often does repeat itself. In
the immediate wake of 9-11…we were all living with so many
fears…fears we don’t think much about anymore:
·
Anthrax… ·
The
unexpected package in the mail… ·
Bio-terrorism… ·
Bin
Laden’s next move which back then we anticipated every day.
·
Remember
when just getting back on an airplane was an act of faith? ·
So
was stepping into an elevator…or climbing to the top floor of a
high-rise building. George
W. Bush was just 7-months on the job when he was called to lead our
nation through these fears… Through
the single worst domestic attack in U.S. history – more destructive
and deadly than even the strike on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
And
now less than a decade later…two fragile democracies have been born
where terror and tyranny were once the rule. The
road in Afghanistan continues to be riddled with danger against a
vicious enemy who understands this is his last stand…that is why the
fight is so bitter…and so vital.
·
Roadside
bomb attacks and fatalities in Iraq are down by almost 90% over the last
year… ·
Daily
life has improved as al Qaeda has been all but devastated across the
provinces… ·
And
the Iraqi currency and government are both showing tangible signs of
strength… In
the words of one official with the Council on Foreign Relations…Iraq
has moved from that of a “failed state” to at least that of a
“fragile one”.
And
I’m also reminded that: ·
With
the strength and fortitude of our allied and NATO partners committed to
fighting terrorism… ·
The
smarts and dedication of law enforcement agencies worldwide who have
thwarted dozens of terrorist attacks -- including the planned strike on
two Air Canada flights in 2006 – ·
And
the grace of God… There
has not been another terrorist assault on North America since 9-11. Certainly,
this could not have been accomplished without our friend Canada.
Right
now Canadian heroes are stationed in Afghanistan with our NATO partners
fighting the Taliban… And
helping to rebuild that country in a thousand significant ways:
·
Through
new schools that Afghan girls are attending for the first time… ·
New
roads and safe drinking wells… ·
Trained
Afghan police and military personnel… ·
And
countless other humanitarian and relief efforts.
I
saw Canada’s efforts first hand when I visited your troops in
Afghanistan with General Hillier and Minister MacKay at Christmas time
simply to thank them for their service to your country. I
saw first hand that building a democracy is demanding.
But
we all know that allowing terror and tyranny to breed is devastating. And
that is why we do not turn away. Just
after my visit to the Oval Office in 2001… And
only a few miles away from the still-smoldering tomb of New York’s
Twin Towers’… President
Bush delivered an address to the United Nations’ General Assembly: “We’re
confident,” he said, “that history has an Author who fills time and
eternity with His purpose. We
know that evil is real, but good will prevail against it.
This
is the teaching of many faiths, and in that assurance, we gain strength
for a long journey… We
did not ask for this mission, yet there is honor in history’s call.
We
have a chance to write the story of our times… A
story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness… This
calling is worthy of any life… And
worthy of every nation… So
let us go forward, confident…determined…and unafraid.” This
week as we celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day in the U.S… May
it be in honor of all those men and women of our Armed Services who have
bravely answered freedom’s call... They
are indeed worthy of our deepest devotion and praise.
May
God bless all of them…and all of you. Thank
you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you this evening… But
more importantly thank you for sharing your beautiful country with Susan
and me these last three years. It
has been our honor to live here among you and to call you friends.
May
God bless Canada and God bless America.
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