PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN ADDRESSES CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE REPUBLIC DAY

ARMENMPRESS
MAY 28, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 28, ARMENPRESS: President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
addressed Armenians on the occasion of the Republic Day. Presidential
press service told Armenpress that the message of the President runs
as follows: "Dear Compatriots: I congratulate us all on the occasion
of Republic Day.

May 28, 1918 crowned the centuries-long struggle of the Armenian
people. Our people who had gone through foreign oppression, brutal
exploitation, racial and religious discrimination, persecutions,
massacres and, ultimately, genocide finally assumed responsibility –
responsibility for our own destiny, assumed responsibility before
the world and before history. It was a moment when many thought
that Armenia and the Armenian people would never recover after those
heavy blows they suffered. But a new nation of survivors and a new
state had emerged from the ruins of two perished empires. Triumphs
of May 1918 were revealing stories of our people’s adamant will,
unwavering desire to be free, and boundless faith in the Armenian
future. Victories of May are among the most shining examples of our
unconditional national unity, and I am confident those victories will
continue to be the inspiration for many generations as they were for
our generation in the struggle for Artsakh’s freedom.

Statehood is the ultimate form of association for any
people. Theoretically it is a well-known fact; however that
theory had acquired flesh and blood through the toiling of the
best sons and daughters of the Armenian nation, through their
determination and knowledge, boundless devotion and even through their
lives. Irrespective of the achievements and failures of the Republic
of Armenia’s the two and a half years of existence one thing is clear:
she became the anchor for the today’s Armenia, whose proud citizens
we are honored to be.

Modern Armenia is the heir of millennia-long cultural, historical
and spiritual achievements which had been created and passed on to
us by our predecessors. But Armenia is also a country which belongs
to the 21st century, which deals with contemporary challenges and
charts her political course with a steady look into the future. In
that future we see Armenia as a safe and secure state, as a state of
political liberties, as a state of economic development, as a state
where science is of international level, as a state which exists in
a peaceful and stable region. Probably today all these sounds like
a dream, but not to believe in and not to take steps toward such
a future means fail to believe in the triumph of righteousness and
justice, fail to believe in the eternity of the Armenian nation.

On this glorious day I wish we bow not only to the memory of the
heroes of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, Gharakilis, not only take pride
in the deeds of the founders but also ponder on what worthy work we
are going to present to the test of the future generations.

May 28 proves that we, as a nation, are able to set formidable
goals and achieve them together, as a nation. It requires collective
efforts, internal accord, mutual respect, generosity of spirit and
tolerance. Regrettably, sometime we fail to be that way.

For our nation 1918-1920 were the years of national rebirth, outburst
of its creative forces and abilities, realization of the right to
be free and independent. The young state had failed but through its
existence and its demise was able to send serious messages to all
succeeding generations of the Armenians. Brief history of the Republic
of Armenia even today reminds us that we must reject utterly internal
animosity which is wearing out our unity and view the intolerance as
evil. The Government of the First Armenian Republic was working hard
to prevent the breakup of the Armenian society on ideological or class
grounds. Unfortunately, it was not prevented. Seeds of resentment,
acrimony and discord bore bitter fruits.

Have we learned that lesson well enough? I would say no, regrettably,
no. The events of March 1 would suffice to prove that we still have
much to do in learning the lessons of the past. These events, which
became our common pain, proved that in our days too a situation can
emerge when everybody loses, when unity and kindness lose too, when
bitterness and intolerance win and emotions reign.

At some point it is essential to stop.

At some point it is essential to open a new page.

This is what the lessons of the past teach; this is what the future
of our country demands.

Dear Fellow Citizens, Today is a great day. I once again congratulate
all of us on the occasion of Republic Day and I wish us all peaceful
skies, happiness, success and new achievements for the glory of our
Motherland and our People.