Tatiana Ivanova, Director of the Department of International Protocol for the City of Khabarovsk, congratulated the Portland Khabarovsk Sister City Association on July 4th, saying: Let me congratulate you with Independence Day! This event may be another reason to remember things that unite both our nations and cities. As the West in the USA so the East in Russia were explored by brave and valiant men who were ready to risk their lives for the benefits of their nations. Keeping all these in mind we are sure that we’ll soon reach mutual understanding and good friendly relations. What are those “things” (those experiences and cultural values) that unite the Russian Federation and the United States of America? Ms. Ivanova mentions a proud history of exploration, and keeping in mind that neither a short congratulatory message nor this post are suitable forums for distinguishing exploration from exploitation, we take “for the benefits of their nations” as indicating a mutual belief that individuals can and should give of themselves for the benefit of their fellow citizens. There are of course other shared values that, if not overwhelmed by fear and avarice, would unite our countries in “mutual understanding and good friendly relations”. It is PKSCA’s mission to promote those shared values. We are delighted to see our mission reflected in a congratulatory message from our friends in Khabarovsk.
