SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF VICTORY DAY

Dear compatriots!

Comrade Generals, officers, and soldiers!

Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II with pride, honoring the memory of the sons of Tajikistan and their bravery and heroism in the fight against Hitler’s fascism.

On this important historical date, I cordially extend my congratulations to participants of the Great Patriotic War, labor veterans, those who worked with all their hearts in the rear during that difficult period, and all the people of Tajikistan.

It is an undeniable fact that the World War II is considered the most dreadful conflict in modern human history in terms of scale and human tragedies.

More than 70 countries around the world were engulfed in that war, resulting in the deaths of more than 55 million people.

Tens of thousands of cities, large and small, were destroyed, devastated, and wiped off the face of the earth.

According to experts and specialists, the total military costs and damage from this war amount to 4.5 trillion US dollars in today’s values.

Current and future generations must always remember that it was friendship, brotherhood, solidarity, and support of the peoples of the former Soviet Union that became the main factor in defeating the invaders and preventing the spread of the “plague of fascism” in the 20th century.

We must also always remember with pride that along with other nations fighting against the fascist tyranny, the honorable men and women of Tajikistan made an effective and worthy contribution to achieving this victory.

Although the bloody battlefield was thousands of miles away from Tajikistan, its echoes were heard throughout our land, and every Tajik family was touched by its tragedy.

Not only in the cities, but also in the most remote villages of our country; there was no family that had not sent their father, brother, son, or a relative to the front to fight against the fascist invaders.

We also consider this terrible war the darkest page in history and a great tragedy for our country.

Because out of the one and a half million people in Tajikistan at that time, more than 300 thousand were mobilized to the front, which was 50 percent of the country’s working population.

More than 100 thousand of them lost their lives on battlefields, more than 40 thousand went missing, and another 60 thousand returned from the war as disabled.

All these sacrifices, forever inscribed in our modern history, exemplify the contribution of the Tajik people to this great victory and the provision of peace and security throughout the world.

We will never forget the good name and service of those who did not return from the war, and will always honor those who returned to their homeland with victory.

For the courage and heroism shown during the World War II, 58 thousand Tajik officers and soldiers were awarded orders and medals, and 55 people were decorated with the high title of “Hero of the Soviet Union”.

More than 45 thousand Tajik residents were sent to industrial enterprises in other regions of the Soviet Union, and most of them were mobilized from there to the war.

Also, during the war, more than 100 thousand people, mostly women and children, were resettled to Tajikistan from various war-torn regions, and our country became their second home.

Our people did not consider them strangers; provided them with housing, food, clothing, and raised most of them.

It is worth noting that even in the rear, the population of Tajikistan made an unprecedented contribution to ensuring victory.

All human, material, and technical resources of our republic were mobilized for the needs of the front line.

In those difficult days, children, women and adults endured the hardships of hunger and other stresses of wartime, worked day and night, making their invaluable contribution to bringing Victory Day closer.

Our people, although themselves were hungry, sent grain, food, clothing, and cash to the front.

I would like to emphasize that the courage, bravery, resilience, and dedication of Tajik officers and soldiers during the World War II are an example for you — the servicemen of the Armed Forces of independent Tajikistan.

Never forget that the current peaceful and prosperous situation in the country was achieved at a very high price, and its protection is now entrusted to you as a responsible and honorable duty.

In the early 1990s, just a few decades after World War II, our independent Tajikistan was plunged into an imposed civil war, which had tragic and grave consequences for our country.

The number of victims and material losses from this war for newly independent Tajikistan exceeded the human and material losses of our country in World War II: more than 150 thousand of our compatriots died, more than a million people became refugees, and the national economy suffered damage in the amount of more than 10 billion dollars.

Of course, the people of Tajikistan, the servicemen of the Armed Forces, and law enforcement officers played a major and decisive role in ending the war and bloodshed, restoring constitutional order, and ensuring peace and tranquility in the country.

Thousands of brave and courageous officers and soldiers gave their lives on this path.

The people and Government of the country will always honor this historical service of their faithful and courageous sons.

In this regard, I would like to remind you that the protection of the Motherland and the peaceful life of the people at all times is the sacred and honorable duty of every educated and patriotic citizen and brave young men.

In particular, the negative and dangerous processes that have affected the modern world, including the severe confrontation between superpowers, the surge in rapid armament, the “Cold War”, as well as the expansion of destructive actions by terrorist and extremist organizations, require from each military serviceman a high level of training, professional skills and abilities, a sense of patriotism, courage and bravery, and selflessness.

The trust and hope of the people call on each of you — loyal sons of the Motherland — to always be vigilant, not to lose your political awareness, constantly improve your level of professionalism and combat readiness, be an example of compliance with law and order and military discipline.

I also emphasize that maintaining lasting peace, complete political stability, strengthening national unity, self-awareness, and the foundations of Tajik statehood are the sacred duty of every person in our society.

That is why promoting peace, stability and peaceful life throughout the world is defined as one of the main goals of our state’s foreign policy.

It is in pursuit of this goal that I proposed at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a special resolution on the proclamation of a “Decade of Strengthening Peace for Future Generations”.

Tajikistan, as a country that survived a terrible imposed war, has always been a supporter of resolving all conflicts and disagreements only by peaceful means, that is, through negotiations.

We also consider the expansion of dialogue between civilizations to be one of the needs of our time.

I am confident that the peace-loving people of Tajikistan, with gratitude for the independence, freedom, patriotism and complete stability of our country, will continue to make even greater efforts to protect and honor these great blessings in the name of future generations of our people.

Once again, I congratulate the participants and veterans of the World War II, the glorious people of Tajikistan and you, loyal defenders of the Motherland, on the 80th anniversary of this historic Victory.

I wish you all, dear compatriots, health and happiness, a prosperous life, eternal national unity, lasting peace and stability for our beloved Tajikistan.

Happy Victory Day, dear compatriots!