PRESIDENT SARGSYAN’S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
armradio.am
21.09.2009 19:49
"Your Holiness,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Compatriots,
I cordially congratulate you on occasion of the 18th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence.
This is a holiday all the generations of the Armenian nation coveted
and sensed deep in their hearts. I emphasize: all the generations
without exception.
No matter where the battle was fought: at the River Aratsani, in the
fields of Avarayr or Dzirav, on the strongholds of Cilicia, under
the walls of Van, at Sardarapat or at Shushi, we were guided by the
same vision.
Regardless of whether we decorated manuscripts in monastic cells, or
casted letters of Mashtots to print books and journals from Vienna
to Calcutta, and from Echmiadzin to Venice, we were guided by the
same vision.
No matter whether the Armenian was a successful merchant whose private
fleet ranged the oceans, or a hungry and humiliated exile immolated
in the Der Zor Desert, he was guided by the same vision.
No matter how much territory we occupied on the world map, and even
when altogether swept away from the map, we were nevertheless guided
by the same vision: the vision of Independent Armenia that epitomizes
freedom, human and national dignity and, ultimately, the right and
historical ability to create good and beauty.
Th at is what makes this holiday great, precious and sacred for us.
Dear Compatriots,
This day 18 years ago, during the all-national referendum, millions
of hands reached out to ballot boxes to say "YES". Thereafter, we
joined hands to withstand big and small hardships, we overcame and
continue to overcame big and small challenges. However, the main
choice is already made.
>From now on independence is our fortune and destiny, our onus and
responsibility, our weapon and instrument, our might and right,
from now on, irrevocable and eternal.
What does Armenia preach after having reemerged on the international
political arena? Pure and simple concepts: peace, stability, good
neighborly relations, multilateral economic and other kinds of
cooperation in all spheres. We have been sufficiently patient and
wise to take that approach even towards those who for years have
attempted and still attempt to hinder our progress by all kinds of
blockades and Armenophobic propaganda.
What does Armenia preach to its offspring all over the world after
having resurrected from the genocidal hell? Pure and simple concepts:
unity, collective will and effort, the state’s determination to pursue
and protect the interests and goals of Armenians, filial love of and
dedication to the homeland of all Armenians, and a happy possibility
to build up the Armenia of our dreams by joint efforts. And Armenia
says them: "Welcome back to n ative home."
What does Armenia preach to its multinational citizens after
having delivered itself from the clutches of all types of tyrannies,
caliphates and empires? Pure and simple concepts: liberty, democracy,
a rule-of-law state, civil society, and the European system of values.
It also says that economic and other crises are transient, but homeland
is everlasting. Armenia’s able and hard-working citizens also can and
will overcome these obstacles on our way. We are grateful for the aid
provided nowadays to Armenia, however, our century-long experience
prompts us that the foundation of wellbeing is one’s own work.
What does Armenia preach to the ones who menace us with war? Pure and
simple concepts: we have more than once crossed swords with great and
powerful nations that once upon a time mastered the fate of the world,
but nowadays are mentioned only in history textbooks. And we say:
"We want no war, but we are ready for victory"; at the same time we
point out to the possibility of peaceful and political settlement of
the Artsakh problem.
Dear Compatriots,
I once again congratulate all of us on occasion of the great
holiday. The well-established, enhanced and virile Armenian state is
now a reality.
It is a faithful and loyal to its word ally for its allies, dependable
and loyal to its word partner for its partners, an opponent arguing
with weighty arguments again st its opponents.
But above all, it is a sunlit land inhabited by hearty people for
its friends and guests.
It exists and will last as long as the sun shines, and will get
powerful enough to become the embodiment of the vision our great ones
from Khorenatsi to Tumanian, and from Komitas to Aram Khachaturian had.
Long live independence expressed and achieved by all-national will!
Long live the Republic of Armenia!"