FOR THE RECORD: President Yushchenko's Ukrainian Independence Day speech (09/04/05)

FOR THE RECORD: President Yushchenko's Ukrainian Independence Day speech

Following is the full text of President Victor Yushchenko's speech on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24, which was delivered that day on Independence Square in Kyiv. (The text has been edited for clarity.)

Dear Ukrainians, everybody that hears and sees me, glorious, historic Maidan:

Today we celebrate the greatest creation of the Ukrainian nation - the independent and free Ukrainian state. Fourteen years ago we asserted our right to be masters in our own house.

I am proud to be a part of this nation. We had enough strength and unity to make this irreversible step. We have chosen statehood as the main purpose for our land and as a talent for every one of us. We could not make a different choice because, like guardian angels, our great ancestors stand behind us.

They left behind not only a few lines in history books. From them we inherited spiritual strength and special Ukrainian identity, born from glory, labors and patience of many generations.

Rus'-Ukraine freely chose its religion and Prince Volodymyr was christened not a leader of a subjugated nation but a leader of a state that stretched from Korus in the Crimea to the Baltic shores. Byzantium, the Muslim world and European states sought alliances with that ancient Ukraine.

From those times we have sustained confidence that we can decide our own fate, we can be equal among other peoples. St. Sophia, where prayers for our state are held every year on this date, was built in those days.

Our Ukrainian Kozak state has instilled a firm belief in us that everybody has their rights and liberties, and that it is everybody's sacred duty to defend them. That was where our ancestors were taught honor and dignity, equality and democracy. The first constitution in Europe, written by Pylyp Orlyk, is an eternal testimonial to Ukrainian thought and Ukrainian freedom. From that time on, our history has shown that our people will forever strive for freedom.

Shevchenko's prophetic words, the works of such thinkers and freedom fighters as Franko and Hrushevsky, Khvyliovyi and Stus, have instilled in us our firm belief in Ukraine. This belief sheds eternal light on the roads traveled and those lying ahead of us. Even in the worst of times our fathers and grandfathers did not forsake it.

The greatest tragedies in the history of humankind tested our nation in the past century. With two world wars, the Holodomor and the Holocaust, and the destruction of our spiritual relics, foreign empires wanted to turn our land into their obedient district. Every second man and every fourth woman perished in Ukraine between the years 1914 and 1915. Our family tree has lost a lot of its best branches.

It is written, however, "Nobody lives for himself and nobody dies for himself." The fates of those who are gone trouble the ones living. We, the Ukrainians, have learned a significant historic truth: only freedom can save the people, only independence can lead them to a prosperous and peaceful world.

Since then, that truth has been living in the heart of every Ukrainian. Millions of people have sustained it with their sweat and blood. The victory over Nazism, the 60th anniversary of which we celebrate this year, was a heroic feat accomplished by many in the name of the life and freedom of our people.

Time and time again I turn to you, our dear veterans and our brave soldiers who, under many flags, fought for Ukraine. It is the right and honorable thing to shake hands on Independence Day. I believe that some already did it in May, some - earlier, some will do it today, and some will do it tomorrow. Do not leave the old enmities for your grandchildren. Better than anybody else you know the price of liberation and the price of Ukrainian unity.

The desire to see our native country free gave us the strength to raise Ukraine from the ruins. The restoration of the Khreschatyk and the Donbas after the war, the launches of the Dnipropetrovsk rockets and the Mykolayiv ships, the record-breaking yields of the fields of Tavria, and the flights of the Ruslan and Mria are all steps toward Ukrainian statehood. It was brought closer by our scientists' discoveries, by unique surgeries done by Ukrainian doctors, by poetic Ukrainian cinematography, by honest and wise books - by everything made through the genius and labor of the people.

Independent Ukraine has remained the purpose of life for millions of our fellow countrymen living in fa-away lands. For its sake they preserved everything Ukrainian within themselves. They told the world the truth about Ukraine, stretched out their helping hand and rejoiced over our victory with us.

Our statehood has ripened by the end of summer like an apple in Dovzhenko's orchard. Together we built it - our independence, our free Ukraine.

We remember everything we lived through and we did. Memory has become an inseparable part of our identity. We know that Ukraine is being built by every one of us, regardless of the language they speak, the church they attend, or the political preferences they have. We all have one fate and one Ukraine.

Dear friends:

We would like to preserve the dearest of what we have: children and families, peace and tranquility, jobs and prosperity, hope and belief. We know that only respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy and justice can accomplish that. These are our values. They hold our unity and our strength. And we are ready to defend them.

We proved it that last fall on this glorious "maidan." The freedom won here does not belong to any single political force. Millions of people who came through cold and snow defended the honor and dignity of every person in Donetsk and in Lviv, in Sumy and in Crimea. With every passing day people are better able to see it.

The victory of freedom has strengthened our independence and reaffirmed our choice made in 1991. This year's surveys show that, for the first time in 14 years, most Ukrainian citizens called their country truly independent.

We have come through a tough trial. Ukraine has emerged before the entire world as a country on a unique mission. I believe that we will be worthy of it.

For thousands of years, borders that divided Europe used to go along our borders or even cross our land. Nonetheless, they failed to divide us. The freedom and unity of Ukraine and the stability of our state prove that the old quarrels can be set aside.

Our example shows that peoples from the Baltic to the Black Sea can be successful modeling their countries, building democracies and guaranteeing security. This is why so many of our neighbors are paying close attention to us and are seeing Ukraine as a regional leader.

Not only do we see our future as being a part of the United Europe, but we also believe that Ukraine's success can open new horizons for the entire continent. I believe that, in the near future, it will not be possible to imagine a new Europe without Ukraine, without its borders and its role in the contemporary world.

As president, I represented the new Ukraine in the capitals of many near and far countries. All negotiations were carried out in the language of national interests. The world has started reckoning with us. We are invited to participate in important projects both in the West and in the East. We have earned a historic chance to become a modern, prosperous and respected state.

Dear Ukrainians: I want to say the main thing!

I am convinced we will unveil our potential. And we should know that prosperity cannot be presented on a platter. The country's progress, freedom, democracy and welfare are made by millions of hands. All of us will have to work hard. We should be firm, single-minded, united and respectful of each other. That is how we won a victory on the maidan and how we will win in the future.

We have every reason to speak about our prospects. Only a strong nation could have changed the country so radically over the last months. Today we speak about Ukraine, very often using the phrase "for the first time."

For the first time we can express our ideas freely. There are no issues and persons forbidden for the media. A journalist criticizing the authorities risks neither his or her work nor life. Freedom of speech - the alpha and omega of democracy - has become a reality in Ukraine. We have an opportunity to breathe freely, and we are now learning to do it.

For the first time social justice was not only declared but made the top priority in the work of the new government. As it was envisaged by my electoral program, the budget was meant for the people. Pensioners got a minimum pension equal to a living wage for the first time. A mother who gave birth to a child got decent financial aid from the state for the first time.

I know that there is a long way to go to defeat poverty, yet people saw a gleam of hope. For the first time social programs include points concerning the disabled, orphans, servicemen, teachers and doctors. And they can depend on the state more surely year after year.

Ukrainian business deliberately supported changes in the country. For the first time it demonstrates its willingness to move out of the shadows, to get over shadow barriers and to pay taxes fairly. Entrepreneurs demand stable and fair rules of play rather than privileges. And for the first time the state offers partnership instead of pressure.

And the most important thing is that the nation has awakened. Millions of people feel they are citizens for the first time; they are aware of high responsibility for their state, their families and their own fates. We became stronger as we understood that everything was up to us.

This strength enables us to speak honestly about our life, looking into each other's eyes. And I know that hope is next to anxiety in our hearts.

We know why it is so - everything is not so perfect, yet there are no difficulties that we are unable to overcome. We are entering a new stage.

New faces came to power, still the face of this new power did not change much. Dealing with newly appointed officials, citizens see the same bureaucracy and indifference to their problems.

I will not accept this. And staff replacements will go on. Those who think that the first wave has passed and that they can work as before are absolutely wrong. We have enough decent and honest professionals, and I will clear the way for them.

I have always been guided by one thing in evaluating the work of state officials: their ability to see not a paper but a person, their readiness to support an orphan, the disabled or the jobless. Such people are trusted, and we will take them to power.

Corruption is retreating rather slowly. The former system often grinds down newcomers before they can change it.

We are beginning an offensive against corruption. All top officials will declare their incomes and expenditures.

From letters, appeals and polls it is well-known where corruption is flourishing now. I demand that the government and law-enforcement bodies closely control customs, the sphere of land, and the process of granting permits and licenses. Next year we will introduce a common university entrance test. We will raise the status of doctors and provide proper health care financing. We will cut the ground out from under corruption's feet.

Law-enforcers have not been able to do away with crime, yet they are making progress in this direction. Their weak point is "patronizing" criminals, being closely tied to them. Law-enforcement bodies will protect us instead of filling their pockets. My decision to reorganize the State Automobile Inspection is a warning to everybody: your status won't relieve you of responsibility. Order on the roads will be secured by other bodies that will help drivers instead of humiliating them.

Another problem is the current economic situation. It is the economy that is the basis for the nation's welfare. And we know that the way toward prosperity is not paved with flowers.

The young, enthusiastic and self-confident government has demonstrated both a macroeconomic culture and an increase in social standards. A good combination of these two priorities is the formula for a modern economy that encourages the strong and supports the weak. There should be consistent actions and long-term objectives to keep such a balance.

The first one is high technology, which can become our economy's engine, create well-paid jobs quickly and provide high social standards. We have things to offer the world community within the aerospace, communications and energy industries. I have commissioned the government to encourage innovations and to create comfortable conditions for investments in all spheres.

The state's proper assistance inspires other branches of the economy and culture. The state will particularly focus on the coal, engineering and steel industries.

In recent days I visited the Alchevsk steel plant and saw updated production meeting the highest world standards. There I saw the largest national investment made in the last 14 years, 2.5 billion hrv - directed not to buy yachts but to modernize a certain enterprise.

The task of the government is to give such incentives to renovate all basic branches of national economy.

Dear friends:

Next year is to be the year of the countryside. Efficient support of the agrarian sector will give us the opportunity to eat our own bread. Ukrainian farmers will gain a proper and stable position on world food markets.

Millions of people are searching for spiritual support. The people want to hear the voice of their intellectuals - artists, writers, historians and ethnographers. And your mission is to show the spiritual world to our society through your works and safeguard our culture against mediocrity.

And a renovated single Ukrainian Orthodox Church is to fulfill its high-profile mission of returning the nation to its traditions.

Dear friends:

We are in for extensive structural changes within the economy and the social sphere: from judicial to municipal reforms. They are to be understood and widely supported by citizens. I demand that the government conduct a dialogue, convince the people and show the advantages of each party interested in this process.

I am sure that this applies mostly to reforming our political system.

In November the people rallied since the old regime had exhausted its potential. We need mechanisms that will allow the people to control the authorities, to take part in the decision-making process and to assert their rights and interests. Together we will build this system.

Dear Ukrainian people:

Only through joint efforts can we guarantee that we won't return to the past. One of these guarantees is the efficiency of the future Parliament. I believe there are enough patriots among our national deputies to raise the vote threshold [for election to] the Verkhovna Rada. Thus, we will have a real representative power rather than a club of political parties' owners.

I believe in the people's wisdom and that in the spring we will have a Parliament able to accelerate changes, represent different interests and at the same time unite our country around democratic values. The fairly elected Parliament will learn the lessons of the recent past.

Democracy is the daily influence of the people over the government. And I am happy that an awakened nation is searching and finding ways to do it. In Kyiv the people rally to defend a historic building, in Donetsk - the rights of accident victims. There are hundreds of such examples.

This is our country, and what is happening here is our affair. I welcome the initiatives of civil organizations, trade unions and others. Together we will consolidate our democracy.

My dear friends:

Independence is a symbol of our nation. It reminds us of our glorious forefathers. And we will get over all our difficulties. We are talented and strong enough to fulfill our dreams. The most important thing is being united. Together we can do everything, and separately - nothing.

Happy holiday, dear compatriots!

Every happiness and prosperity to our independent and unified Ukraine! Glory to you, glory to all of us, glory to God and glory to Ukraine!

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