FOR THE RECORD: Myroslava Gongadze's speech at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (07/29/01)

FOR THE RECORD

Myroslava Gongadze's speech at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Below is the text of the speech delivered by Myroslava Gongadze as she accepted the OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy presented posthumously to her husband, Heorhii Gongadze, at the annual session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe held at the French National Assembly in Paris on July 6. Attending were 300 parliamentarians from 52 countries, including 15 U.S. senators and congressmen.

Today, here, in Paris, in the land of Heorhii's ancestors, I would like to share with you a story, passed down through generations, a story which would be ideal for the movie screen. In 1928, the great-grandfather of Heorhii Gongadze, with his family, moved from France to the newly established Soviet Union, searching for an ideal society. And fate brought a very cruel punishment unto him. Out of a family of five, only one, the youngest daughter, miraculously survived the Soviet regime. This was my husband's grandmother, Ruth Berzinsh. She still lives in a small village in the republic of Georgia, and through her a new idealist was born into this world.

Heorhii was born to serve his society. Such individuals as Heorhii come to this world only to change it for the better. He longed to see his native Georgia freed. He fought for freedom of expression and defended the rights of his fellow Ukrainians. He could have done much more for this great cause, but he was purged. And by eliminating him, those who committed this terrible crime tried to destroy freedom within Ukraine.

Like many martyrs before him, Heorhii, through his death, initiated the beginning of change. This change started with the recognition of journalists and expanded to influencing society. I accept this award in memory of Heorhii, as a sign of appreciation and recognition of his life and work.

I would like to thank those Ukrainian and Western politicians, who were not afraid to recognize Heorhii Gongadze as a prominent journalist and fighter for democracy. They spoke the truth, unlike those appointed by the president of Ukraine to investigate my husband's disappearance. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to all who joined me in this fight, and especially those of you at the OSCE, who in your day-to-day work strengthen and spread democracy around the world.

I hope that international organizations continue to play a proactive role in completing the investigation of my husband's murder. Just as his body has not yet been laid to rest, neither has this matter been completely resolved.

From the first day we met, I knew Heorhii was not an ordinary man. We went through many disappointing times, but I never doubted his righteousness and his future. I loved him more than life, and now, after his death, I want our two daughters to know who their father was. I want them to be proud of the fact that Ukraine is their fatherland. That is why I want to dedicate my life and do everything possible to make sure that my children pass this story on to their own children, and my husband's idealistic quest becomes a reality.

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