16 June 2010, Press release
„Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For Lithuania, the beginning of summer will always be associated with painful and tragic historical events. Since 1940, when the soviet army occupied our state and coercively incorporated us into the last empire of the 20th century, we have been commemorating this day in honour of our people who perished and were deported and in memory of all the victims of the occupational regime. Beyond doubts, this is the most painful and heartbreaking experience for our nation and our state; in view of its aftermath, many historians consider it to be the greatest tragedy of Lithuania throughout the whole course of history.
Even so, Lithuanians were not the only nation to suffer. Our neighbours, Latvia and Estonia, experienced the same fate, while the terror of no lesser extent had been continuing for almost a year in another neighbouring state – Poland that was torn apart by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. In the framework of World War II, the tragedy was universal, but the Eastern European states experienced a double threat: they had to leverage between the two occupants; freeing themselves from one of them did not mean the return to freedom, democracy or normal life. Thus, for the Central and Eastern European countries and especially for the Baltic States, the end of the war turned into continuous tragedy, rather than being at an end; we did not free ourselves from prison.
Moreover, we were imprisoned in our own home and on our own land, separated from the rest of the world by the Iron Curtain. Historians, professors of international law and political scientists speak about these processes. For us, the nation that has lived through the Soviet nightmare, it is pleasing to hear that the former regime is condemned and that the crimes committed in its name are divulged. It is commendable that Europe is freeing itself from hysterias of the 20th century and that separation, reproaches and old grievances are substituted by normal and open communication.
This is the best that could have happened to the Iron Curtain and its consequences; this is the best testimony that the Iron Curtain has really fallen. It does not really matter whether it fell with the fall of the Berlin Wall or with the disintegration of the last empire. It is much more important for Europe and for the world to get rid of the legacy of the Iron Curtain or, speaking in medical terms, the residual effect in politics, ideology, attitudes and, most importantly – in ourselves. It was easier to destroy the wall in Berlin than it is to destroy the walls of suspiciousness and mistrust in communication between people, nations and states; particularly, to overcome grievances in the memory, thinking and emotions of the people that went though it all.
This is needed for us to think and act in a truly European way, for us to be free not only in the formal political, but in the most humane and creative sense. The Holy Scripture says, “The truth shall make you free” and life testifies to these words, day after day, year after year, century after century.
Thus, let me express a wish for us all and for the participants of this conference as well as for all the people of our countries and for all nations: let us not fear the truth. No matter how unpleasant or unfavourable it may sometimes be for a certain state, nation or person. This is the only way leading to understanding and respect; towards the human, national and international solidarity. And this, in turn, is the only way for Europe not to loose its fundamental values, not to loose its face and soul. This is the only way to finally and irreversibly destroy the Iron Curtain not only in historic, but in political and human sense as well.
Let me express my gratitude for all of you, who spared no time and no efforts for this meaningful work. The today’s conference, to my opinion, is a piece of such work. Let me sincerely welcome all of you here, in Vilnius. I wish you communication based on truth and openness to history and to each other. We can be on our way forward if we start from communication, understanding and agreement.“
