#2 - RW 261
BBC Monitoring
Putin Addresses Red Square Rally on National Holiday
Source: RTR Russia TV, Moscow, in Russian 0843 gmt 12 Jun 03
[Putin] Dear friends, esteemed compatriots,

I congratulate you cordially on the occasion of the national holiday, Day of Russia. On this day we celebrate our fatherland, the country with a thousand-year history and a unique heritage, the country that brings together, on a vast space, a multitude of peoples, territories and cultures.

This holiday of all-Russian, nationwide unity is being marked today in all the regions of the country. It is being celebrated, together with Russia, by all those who hold the Russian land dear and close to their hearts. We value these feelings greatly, and wish all our compatriots and friends all the best, we wish them prosperity and well-being. Russia is seeing in its holiday as a united country. Just now, all the constituent parts of the Russian Federation have marched through the Red Square in a colourful parade. It is their successes and their work that constitute the power and dignity of a great country. It is in the regions that its wealth is created, it is for the sake and in the name of the people living there that the Russian state is growing strong and developing.

For every person, Russia begins in their own homeland. That is why there is not only a public but also a private dimension to Russia. Wherever we are born and grow up, all this is our native land, and together we are one, united and powerful, Russian nation.

From our own experience we know that it is better to live in a close-knit family with strong bonds. We also know how much care and attention we should give Russia. It is only together that we can make it an economically powerful nation, open to the world and democratic. It is only together that we shall make Russian statehood strong, and the country itself comfortable to live in - for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

We have heard today the best melodies of our songs. They were created at different times, but to this day they are remembered and loved by the people. After all, these songs are about us, about love for the fatherland, about the one, indivisible, strong and great country.

Esteemed citizens of Russia! Every year of our centuries-long history, whether it was a victorious or a dramatic year, formed part of the destiny of our native country, meaning our common destiny. It was the destiny of millions of our ancestors who defended and transformed Russia. They multiplied its achievements and passed them on to their children. They, our predecessors, taught us that a country such as Russia can only be a strong country. That is why we have no right to forget history, the history with all its bright as well as dark pages.

Today we already have the foundation on which we can build a stable future for our great fatherland - the future for many years, for decades. And we know that our strength is in consolidation. Our victories are in firm unity. Russia sees its opportunities, it knows about them. It is confident about its own strength, and this confidence comes from the citizens of this country, from the whole Russian society.

Happy holiday, dear friends! Happy Day of Russia!

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