USA - National prayer breakfast - 05.02.2010

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, President of the Government of Spain has defended the values of tolerance, freedom, understanding between peoples and respect for all the choices and beliefs.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who has acted as a special guest at the National Prayer Breakfast in the U.S., has started his speech by thanking the invitation to participate on behalf of Spain, one of the acts of "greatest tradition and symbolism in American society."
He said he would speak in Castilian, "the language in which it was first prayed to the God of the Gospel in this land."
He praised the achievements of a nation like the U.S. which abolished slavery, he recognised the equal vote and outlawed discrimination; that widened pluralism, tolerance and respect for all the choices and beliefs.
He stressed that Spain is "the most multicultural of the lands of Europe," "Celtic and Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Jewish, Arab and Christian, particularly Christian.
The President read Spanish, as usual in this act a passage from the Bible.  The chosen was the 24th chapter of Deuteronomy: "Do not oppress a hired servant poor and needy, whether one of your compatriots or foreigners who live in one of the cities of your country. Give them their pay that day, before they put the sun, because it is needed, and your life depends on your wages. "
Used his speech to defend the integration of those who have come to work and live in our countries.  He also reminded those who suffer from hunger and misery in which he quoted point to Haiti, recent victim of a terrible earthquake that has ravaged the country.
He also drew attention to the responsibilities of the rulers regard to those who suffer from lack of work.
 
Claimed the right of every person, anywhere in the world, moral autonomy, its own search of the property.  Also claimed "freedom of everyone to live their own life to live with the beloved and to create and care for their family environment.
He advocated tolerance, which goes far beyond the acceptance of others, respect for difference, dialogue, coexistence of cultures and the Alliance of Civilizations.
Finally, he had words of remembrance for victims of terrorism and praised the value of freedom as the "foundation of hope in the future."