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President of the Republic at the awarding of the memorial medal "10 years of the restored defence forces" October 31, 2001 Tallinn Town Hall
31.10.2001


Commander of the Defence Forces,
Officers,
dear friends

Mr Admiral,

I thank the Estonian defence forces and you for this high recognition.

When we restored the Republic of Estonia and the Estonian defence forces ten years ago we swore that from this moment onwards we will never ever voluntarily give up our freedom and our right for self-determination. This pledge is the expression of our will to defend. The will to defend that is handed down from one generation to another must be so natural that it is taken as unwritten law that every Estonian citizen has to follow.

This obligation is carried in the institution of the Estonian Defence Forces. By today the ranks of the members of the defence forces and the Defence League have attained the strength and dignity that they had in the Republic of Estonia before World War Two. The foundation for that lies in the Estonian legislation, the support of friendly countries and our own readiness to organize ourselves into one defence shield.

Security is indivisible. Estonia's decision to join NATO is our weighed decision. It is our readiness to assume obligations equal to other democratic countries. And it talks of hope that Estonia will not be left alone in case of possible aggression.

I wish you, members of the defence forces, energy, resolution and tenacity on your anniversary so that you can reach the goals of yourself and the Republic of Estonia!


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