Saakashvili Addresses Nation on Independence Day

In his speech before the largest-ever military parade marking Georgia’s Independence Day on May 26, President Saakashvili told Abkhaz and Ossetian “brothers and sisters” that “Georgia wants peace,” but he added that Tbilisi will never make compromises over its territorial integrity.

He also called on, as he put it, “patriotic” political forces in the country for consolidation in order to address persisting threats.

13 000 soldiers, 5 000 servicemen from the reserve troops and 400 officers from the Interior Ministry were marching on May 26 on Rustaveli Avenue for an hour and a half to mark Georgia’s Independence Day. Military hardware (except of tanks to avoid damage of newly reconstructed roads) and total of 42 helicopters and fighter jets were also participating in the military parade.

Below is slightly truncated transcript of President Saakashvili’s speech:

“We greet the strong, disciplined and combat capable Georgian army. We have great traditions, but two years ago, more than two years ago, we inherited – officers remember this very well – the disintegrated, unfortunate Georgian army. In recent years, together with you, we have done everything to create the armed forces, which could be a source of pride for entire Georgia, the armed forces, which pose no threat to anyone, except of those people who are ready to infringe Georgia’s freedom, security of Georgian citizens; except of those people who want disorders in Georgia and putting an end to Georgia’s independence…

… We, Georgians are needed for not only ourselves, but also for others, we are needed for freedom loving world. We are creating an example of successful development, an example which is so much needed for many nations, who fight for freedom, liberty and success.

We greet new Georgia. We greet Georgia which should be a source of pride for each Georgian; [we greet] Georgia, which will never bow head to enemy, Georgia which is capable of protecting its security and interests.

We greet each citizen of our country, regretless of ethnicity, because Georgia belongs to everyone.

We greet everyone who cares about Georgia… Georgian citizens could prove that they are capable of building developed and civilized state. It is because of you that Georgia is well-known around the world as one of the fastest developing democratic state, which constantly fights for protection of its interests and freedom.

We greet our youth, including members of the Patriotic Movement, students and pupils.

We greet entire patriotic political spectrum. Of course we can desperately argue [with each other], but we should remember one thing for ever: no matter how we argue, no matter how opposite our positions are, we are not enemies to each other, we are opponents to each other; we should be opponents who will be able to unite against those huge challenges, which currently persist and which pose a threat to Georgia’s independence, liberty and future and we should not repeat mistakes of the past, when because of tinny political disagreement, confrontation, jealousy we were surrendering our major values in front of our enemy and were losing our own country and our own future. None of the Georgian politician should allow this happen any more.

Today we greet all our friends. Georgia returns to the European family. We greet all freedom loving people and nations.

Time will come soon, when Abkhazians and Ossetians will celebrate this Day [of Independence] as other citizens of Georgia are celebrating it.

I want to tell our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters, that we want peace and building of our small, but beautiful country together with you. Successes, which we have today, would have been more appreciated if Abkhazians and Ossetians participated in it as well. Time of destruction and confrontation is over in Georgia. It is better to continue construction together and to live together in the united country happily and safely after some time.

And I want to tell those people who want Georgia’s disintegration, that Georgia has no lands for distribution any more… We are not going to make compromises which will be linked to our territorial integrity.

We also greet our teachers and scientists… Education is of major priority for us. We are doing today a job, which will give its results in three, five, fifty, or hundred years…

… We greet Georgia’s rural population… I greet our winegrowers and I want to tell them: do not be afraid. No one will be able to destroy this sector in Georgia; on the contrary it will further develop…

… We greet Georgians living abroad and hundreds of representatives of the Georgian diaspora who have arrived in recent days in Georgia. I want to tell you that we are proud of your successes… Our goal is to bring you back [to Georgia], our goal is to use you potential for Georgia’s wellbeing…

…Two years ago, during the [Rose] Revolution, a hope of building strong Georgia united us. Situation changed today. Already gained strength unites us today and those huge goals, which strong Georgia should accomplish in the near future for uniting our country. God bless our homeland Georgia.”