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Notes for the Independence Day Speech

English Pages, 4. 7. 2002

Mr. Ambassador, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am personally honoured to be asked to say a few words on behalf of the Czechs who are here today.

We are, all of us, honoured by being here together with our American friends celebrating the 226^th Independence Day of the United States of America.

I feel obliged to remind us that this is already the 13^th Independence Day we celebrate in a free country and only hope that this country will never forget its past and will always be able to appreciate the meaning of the words free and freedom.

This morning we got the information that the Board of Directors of Radio Free Europe decided to cease its broadcasting in Czech language which I consider as one of the confirmations of the fact that democracy in our country has already been fully established and that this fact becomes internationally more and more recognized. 

Last year brought all of us one huge and unexpected tragedy - September 11 terrorist attack on America - which we - in the Czech Republic - took as an attack on us as well and as an attack on the whole free world. I am proud we demonstrated so rapidly our willingness and readiness to support and help fighting terrorism.

Almost three weeks ago we went through parliamentary elections and - as it must be so - not all of us are satisfied with the results. I have to say, however,  that the elections were already ordinary elections. They were not about basic orientation of the country after the collapse of communism as in 1990, not about the future of the Czechoslovak federation as in 1992, not about the substance and forms of transformation as in 1996, not about the defence of parliamentary democracy as in 1998. The elections of 2002 gave us an elementary contest between the left of centre and right of centre political stances as it is - and should be - in all standard democracies in the world. Our country, however, moved in another direction than America two years ago.

We are at the gates of EU and are aware of what it means. We can assure you that the Czech Republic will not forget the importance of the transatlantic cooperation and of our friendship with your great country.

Once again, we are happy to be here with you.

Václav Klaus, 3.7.2002