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Islamabad, February 20, 2013 (PPI-OT): The U.S. Mission in Pakistan is celebrating its National Day in February this year with three separate events in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. This celebration is in lieu of an event on U.S. Independence Day, July 4. The U.S. Mission has chosen to celebrate the 237th year of the Independence of the United States on President’s Day to take advantage of the more temperate weather at this time of year.
This holiday marks the birth of George Washington, the first President of the United States and the most revered of the United States’ founding fathers. The American people also use this occasion to pay tribute to numerous other great American presidents, including the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who was also born in February.
Reflecting on George Washington’s vision for America’s foreign relations, Ambassador Olson remarked that, “George Washington was aware that the United States would face challenges that could not be met by our nation alone.
He understood that overcoming these challenges would require the United States to forge pragmatic partnerships with other nations to work together on mutual challenges and opportunities. He cautioned his successors of becoming hostage to emotion, and urged them to enter partnerships based on the merits of results achieved for both nations.”
Ambassador Olson noted that, “President Washington’s words are all the more relevant today as the United States and Pakistan work together to address common challenges and further our shared interests. Over the past several months, our governments have made progress, measured through actions and not words, on a variety of important issues. Moving forward, I am convinced that sustained cooperation between our nations will become even more critical.
I am also confident that if we continue to pursue a principled relationship based on mutual interest and respect, our joint resolve has the potential to overcome huge challenges. We must work together to seize opportunities that further our shared goal of peace, stability, and prosperity in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and across the region.”
“George Washington understood that sustaining a worthwhile partnership is never an easy endeavour, and that – in his words – it ‘must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation,’” the Ambassador said.
“This is true for the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. As is often the case among even close countries, we do not always see eye-to-eye and have had our share of disagreements. But our relationship has endured for six decades because it is based on principles that are fundamental to the peaceful, prosperous, and stable democratic future we want for American and Pakistani citizens alike.”
For more information, contact:
Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov