30 May 2007
During a visit to Sierra Leone, Tony Blair said there had been real progress in the country, although there were "still big challenges"
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Prime Minister:
Thank you very much indeed. It is wonderful to be with you here today in Sierra Leone, and it is a particular honour to be made an Honorary Paramount Chief. Thank you very much indeed. And thank you Mr President for your kind words to me as well.
I think it is very fitting that this Chair was given to Paramount Chiefs during the course of the independence of Sierra Leone from the United Kingdom. And today it has a different symbolism by my presence here today, which is not the old symbolism of colonialism, but the new symbolism of partnership between our two countries for our mutual benefit and good. That is the relationship we have today and we are proud of it.
And I know that the reason this honour is bestowed upon me is your love of your freedom, and your democracy, and your belief that Sierra Leone should only ever be ruled by its people and a democratic state, and never given back to the gangsters and the violent people and the anti-democrats. And I know that this is important for all of you too. Because what you showed a few years ago, not just the help we gave, but the courage you showed, is that in the end what people want is to be free and to live in equality with each other. And whatever their faith or whatever their race, they only want ever the chance to live in peace with each other and to be at peace with each other, and that is why Sierra Leone is an important symbol of the future, not just of Sierra Leone but of our world.
And so I know you have got much more to do here. You have got the schools to build, and the health centres, and you need the power and you need the jobs, and you need all the things that prosperity should bring. But one thing we all know, you in Sierra Leone and we in Britain - which is that only people who are free, free to choose their government, free to live in peace with each other - only those people can find the prosperity that lasts and the sense and the spirit that makes a nation great.
So I thank you for this extraordinary honour that you have bestowed on me today.
I apologise to the visiting British media for not having put on the robe - because I know they wanted a picture of me with the robe and the hat - but I think it looks better on you guys than it does on me. And I would like to thank all of you here for your warmth and your friendship and the kindness of your welcome to me today. It is something I shall treasure in my heart forever. Thank you very much.
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