It is a diplomatic tradition for host nations and foreign missions to exchange courtesies and pleasantries as they mark milestones in the lives of their peoples, governments, and nations. It is here that they evoke the spirits of nationalism and further concretization of their relations. It is here too, that they speak the truth about agreements, policies, and re-commitment to the implementation of these agreements and policies. That is exactly what President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and United States Ambassador Deborah R. Malac did yesterday during the 237th Independence Day Celebration of the United States of America – July 4, 2013 – but with extraordinary fervor. The Analyst has been looking at the comments of President Sirleaf and Amb Malac.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the relationship between the Liberian and American people will continue to grow from strength to strength as both nations strive to meet the hopes and aspirations of their peoples and contribute to the achievement of global peace, development, and security.

Describing the United States of America as a "beacon of freedom, democracy, and prosperity" that is worth emulating by all progressive nations, the Liberian chief executive said its relations with Liberia were beyond ordinary.

"Needless to say, our two nations are bound by a kinship which transcends contemporary diplomatic relationships. We were born of the same dream and the same ideals of freedom, liberty, justice, and prosperity for all.  We are not only friends, we are family!" President Sirleaf said.

She was speaking Wednesday evening at the Executive Pavilion downtown Monrovia on the eve of the 237th Independence Anniversary of the United States of America.

The president extended "warmest greetings and congratulations" to the government and people of the United States for upholding the ideals of their great nation despite the testing realities of the world.

Perhaps in efforts to discredit recent rumors that the Sirleaf Administration was at increasing odds with the Obama Administration over the alleged failure of the former to rein in corruption and punish offenders, President Sirleaf said US-Liberia relations had never been  more cordial for more than a century and a half than it is currently.

Proofs of increasing collaboration and cooperation between the two governments, she said, were the inaugural meeting of the US-Liberia Partnership Dialogue and the declaration of Liberia as eligible for Compact Status under the Millennium Challenge Corporation Account.

The president recounted  the achievements of her recent visit to the US during which she met with congressional and administration officials on the "Statement of Intent" that launched the US-Liberia Partnership Dialogue and noted that that meeting produced fruits beyond expectation.

"At that first working session, held on May 7 in Washington, DC, we agreed to deepen our bilateral cooperation in Agriculture and Food Security, Energy and Power Infrastructure. We look forward to the next meeting of the Dialogue, in Monrovia, where we will hold the first working group session on Human Development, which is critical to our drive to advance human security through greater access to education and increased employment, especially for our young people," she said.

Similarly meeting at the Pentagon – the US ministry of defense -, she said, provided opportunity for Liberia to put forward discussions regarding security sector improvement, the AFRICOM Mentoring program, and the need for institutionalizing training programs in Liberia .

"We also sought U.S. support, in logistics and protective gear, to enable the deployment of the Liberian Platoon to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) – an event which occurred some two weeks ago. That support, along with U.S. mentorship and sponsorship of our small contingent, demonstrates America's partnership with Liberia in ensuring peace and stability in sub-Sahara Africa," the president disclosed.

Under US-Liberia collaboration and cooperation, the president said, Liberia achieved more than critics and skeptics care to acknowledge.

"We were delighted to be selected, last year, for Compact Status – passing 10 of the 20 indicators required under the MCC Initiative – and we look forward to expanding our partnership under the new Compact agreement in the coming months. The Compact being developed by our teams collaboratively will provide needed support in the areas identified as the primary constraints to economic growth, most especially energy," she said.

In light of the thriving relations, the Liberian chief executive joined many African nations to welcome President Obama back to the continent, believing that his trip has energized US investments in Africa.

"We are extremely pleased that Liberia was one of six countries selected for President Barack Obama's new 'Power Africa' Initiative, which he unveiled during his visit to South Africa, and which, with funding from the U.S. Government and private companies, will invest in providing power to millions of Africans crippled by a lack of electricity," she said.

The president said not only has Liberia enjoyed increased cooperation and assistance in areas of security, accountable governance, health and human capacity development but also that it was benefiting from the contribution of the US Peace Corps  and their support of the Twinning Program.

The Twining Program, she said, would provide young Liberian graduates the opportunity to work with volunteers in teaching assignments across the country.

"As a natural resource country, we appreciate President Obama's call to all African countries for better management of these resources. We are also mindful of the Africa Progress Report and of Liberia's progress and challenges which are identified therein," the president said.

She added, "We believe that the commitment of world leaders, through the G8, to support African countries in getting a better deal from their natural resources, by stemming illicit financial flows and encouraging accelerated industrialization that will address common challenges of youth unemployment."

Regarding the country's recovery from war, the president said Liberians today were enjoying ten years of "uninterrupted peace, which has enabled us to intensify the processes of economic reconstruction and national renewal".

"The progress is evident by the policies and strategies we have formulated and implemented, including our Vision 2030 Agenda for Transformation which emphasizes creating jobs for our people, improving our energy and other physical infrastructure, and empowering our citizens, especially the youth. This period has also enabled us to regain our national creditworthiness, dignity, and international recognition. In the achievement of these and many other goals, the United States has stood by Liberia," she said.

Also speaking at the occasion on behalf of the Obama Administration, according to an Executive Mansion press release, Ambassador Deborah R. Malac renewed her government's commitment to Liberia's recovery on the tenet of participatory democracy.

As Liberia celebrates its 166th Independence Anniversary on July 26, the U.S. Ambassador observed, the country is also getting ready to celebrate ten years of peace, which shows that Liberia is headed for a brighter future. She called on Liberians to embrace the progress while acknowledging that there are still challenges ahead.

Recalling that this August marks ten consecutive years of peace for Liberia, Ambassador Malac called on Liberians to uphold the practice of democracy where everyone, despite their diversity, could have a common front in moving the country forward.

Forming common fronts is always characterized by disagreements, the Ambassador noted, but she called upon Liberians to express disagreement responsibly and in a way that subsequently leads to agreement, in the interest of the country.

The United States of America declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. Its first President is George Washington.