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President Islam Karimov’s Independence Day Address
August 31, 2011
Dear compatriots!
Distinguished guests!
Today we celebrate a great holiday, an unforgettable historic date – the
twentieth anniversary of independence Mother Uzbekistan – across the
entire nation, in every single town and kishlak.
Two decades ago, decisively rejecting the old, obsolete totalitarian
Soviet system, we started a new stage of historical development - of
building an open, democratic state with a socially oriented market
economy, free and independent life that had been sought by our people
for many centuries.
It gives me a great pleasure to cordially congratulate you, my dear -
and in your person our entire nation - on the greatest, the dearest
holiday for us all to express my deep respect and reverence.
Strings of years, entire epochs will pass, but for our nation that has
survived much in its millennia-old history, the independence of
Uzbekistan that has fundamentally changed our lives and consciousness
forever, will remain in the country’s history as an event of enormous
proportions in the fullest sense, and will never lose its genuine value
and essence.
Dear friends!
In the intervening period we have experienced and profoundly discovered
the hard-faced truth in our own case that no nation, no country in the
world were given easy way to achieve independence, the very possibility
to breathe freely, to build their own destiny and future with own hands.
Indeed, today, years later, we all should recall once again how
difficult it was to free ourselves from the shackles of a totalitarian
regime, how the situation in the country in the last days of that
regime’s existence, on the eve of independence, exacerbated, getting
dangerous, more and more menacing.
The most devastating effect on the state of affairs was provided by the
one-sided hypertrophy of raw material-oriented economy of the country, a
complete and unconditional monopoly of cotton production that had a
destructive impact on the economy, environment and gene pool of the
population. To understand the gravity of the situation prevailing then,
it suffices to imagine the people in distress, subjected to lawlessness,
whose patience was on the verge of abyss, and the country about ready to
explode, when there stood quite pressing issues of basic human needs, of
maintaining a healthy atmosphere in society.
Today we have without any hesitation every reason to loudly declare that
whatever troubled days we had to endure, no matter what difficulties and
obstacles on the path to independence we had to overcome, no matter what
threats to our country might sound, in moments of toughest tests we
remained faithful to the idea of independence, put the interests of
Uzbekistan above everything, have not turned off from the chosen path
and I am sure, will never do.
From the earliest days of the new life we have been deeply aware of the
truth that the attainment of genuine freedom and sovereignty is not
merely gaining independence, but also its formation and consolidation
from political and economic perspectives and gaining respect and a
decent standing in the world.
I am convinced all of us are well aware of the ways to achieve such
noble objectives, that is, turning into a modern developed democratic
nation by using all our natural resources, our rich industrial and
intellectual potential, the strength, intelligence and energy of our
industrious people who had seen much in life, and at the same time
relying on cooperation with the international community.
On the way to improve the quality of life of the people, the principal
priority for us is to gradually accelerate the pace of democratic
renewal, the liberalization and modernization of all spheres of life.
I think I speak for all present at this majestic square attending this
ceremony, for our wider public, for all the people, if I say that this
is the surest way that has fully justified itself for the twenty years
of our country’s recent history, the path that has acquired an extensive
acknowledgement around the globe as the “Uzbek model”.
Today, one can cite many examples of greatest of our accomplishments
over the past period. Confirmation of the heights and outcomes we have
achieved for the twenty years is that Uzbekistan’s economy has grown
almost 3.4 times, the average salary has increased 14 times, while the
population’s total income in real terms has multiplied roughly nine
times.
Clear evidence of sustained and stable economic development of our
country is the fact that Uzbekistan is one of the few countries in the
world, the negative impact of the ongoing global financial and economic
crisis notwithstanding, who have been able to maintain steady pace of
development. In the last 5 years, GDP average growth makes 8.5 percent,
and it is expected this year that the current level will be preserved.
However, over the years of independence, public expenditures on social
sphere rose more than fivefold, while about 60 percent of the budget
goes to health, education, municipal services, social security and other
sectors every year. Not common in the world, these figures clearly show
that our fundamental goal is the human life, welfare and protection of
their interests.
Here is another notable fact: for twenty years, infant and maternal
mortality in the country has declined by more than threefold, average
life expectancy has increased by 7 years, among men, it reached 73,
among women - 75 years, the country's population currently stands at
28.5 million people.
Dear friends!
Every one of us can confidently and proudly answer the question of what
lies at the heart of our achievements, of our so noble heights: that is,
first is the invaluable gift of independence, self-sacrificing work of
our people everyday, changing identity and mentality of our people,
their faith in tomorrow, their noble dreams and aspirations.
Today, all our compatriots living on this fertile land and considering
Uzbekistan as their common home, regardless of ethnic origins or
professional activity, have the right, with their head held high, to
proudly declare that the accomplishments made by our Motherland include
their own laborious work and well-deserved contribution.
From this rostrum, let me also express my appreciation to all our
foreign friends who have always treated us friendly, supported, provided
assistance, all countries and peoples we have good cooperation with,
pass on kind wishes of happiness and prosperity to them.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere, heartfelt welcome and
express our profound respect and reverence to the foreign ambassadors
and representatives of international organizations present on this
beautiful square, and say to all our dear guests: our holiday today is
and your holiday, too.
Dear compatriots!
There is much talk about what new horizons and opportunities have been
open to us thanks to the independence. Among our greatest achievements,
which will be forever in the annals of our independent country, there is
one whose value does not measure and can not be overestimated.
This is our harmoniously developed, physically and spiritually healthy
generation of young people who master modern knowledge and professions,
have independently thinking mind, becoming the decisive force in our
lives and, crucially, able to take responsibility for the future of the
country.
It is they who are gathered in this magnificent area filled with
enthusiasm and energy of young boys and girls, and through them - all
the youth of the country would like to say today:
Not everybody is happy to be born and live in a beautiful blessed by the
Almighty and unique land, whose name is Uzbekistan. And my fondest wish
is that this vital truth penetrated deeply into your hearts and souls.
May love for the country, devotion to the native land always accompany
you.
Our sacred duty and honor is to always remember and pay tribute to the
dedication of our ancestors, our fathers and grandfathers who survived
tough times, many difficulties and trials, sacrificed themselves for
freedom of the Motherland, and who preserved it for today's generations.
I think that I speak your noble thoughts and aspirations, and when I say
that the honorable duty of every one of us to be ready to devote
ourselves entirely, and if necessary - to give our lives for the future
prosperity of the land dear for us all, in the name of its well-being
and a great future.
Dear friends, dear fellow countrymen!
I am sure you will also agree with me that the coincidence in time of
our major holiday with the sacred Eid Ramadan we may perceive as another
manifestation of benevolence and compassion of the Almighty to our
people and our country.
I embrace you all sincerely, and congratulate you with all my heart once
again on the holiday and wish you a sound health, happiness and best of
luck, prosperity and welfare to your families.
Let our beautiful sacred Motherland be eternal!
May peace always reign in our country and the sky above it be clear!
May our Independence be perpetual!
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