Elsa M.
Heir Apparent , TRF Author
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
- Messages
- 5,808
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- Portugal
Translation:LaChicaMadrilena said:
"I want my first words to express, in the Princess’ and my own name, our deep affective greeting and welcome to all the victims of terrorism - both Spanish and coming from other countries - to this warm city of Valencia.
Thus are inaugurated these journeys of coexistence, but also of reflection and analysis, within the framework of this Third International Congress of Victims of Terrorism.
Let me address our congratulation to the Valencian Independent Community and to the city of Valencia, for its generosity by hosting this Congress with its traditional hospitality reinforced by the affection of all. We are sincerely thankful to all those who participate in this organization for the invitation to preside over this act.
As you remember, I already had the unforgettable opportunity of being able to join you two years ago in the inaugural act of the First International Congress celebrated in Madrid. And I also wanted to be here today - this time along with the Princess -, to reiterate our firmest condemnation and our deep repulse towards terrorism; in order to share again with you this deep moment of emotion, and to dedicate our sincere tribute of permanent solidarity and commitment to all the victims of terrorism and to their families.
Just a few weeks after the First Congress, we lived in Spain that ferocious attack of terrorist barbarism that, on March 11th 2004, so wildly harvested the life of 192 people in Madrid, wounding hundreds of people and sinking Spain in a deep commotion and a profound pain. Since then, we have accompanied the deep suffering of cities like London or Cairo, among others, where terrorism also left track of its cruelty without limits.
Terrorism continues being a great threat anywhere in the world; the restless enemy of the rights, values and fundamental principles of all the men and women of good will: Life and Freedom, Peace and Dignity. And it is thus, no matter the reasons, the excuses, the ideologies or the flag that impels it; simply because no cause can ever legitimize it.
The victims represent the most eloquent and cruel plea against the always unjustifiable, always perverse terrorist phenomenon. All the victims of the terrorism, all you without distinction, have in common the unfortunate being struck, in the most unnecessary as irrational way, by the most cowardly aberration that the human being can perpetrate.
The whole society owes its permanent endorsement, its affection and understanding and all its respect to you. Those feelings are indeed those that today, once again, we want to transmit to you with these words.
In front of that common, fanatical and heartless enemy, whose face is blurred by the hatred atrocities, threats, alibis or extortions, we have to remain firm. Only through the strength of our democratic convictions, our moral certainty, and relying on all the instruments of the State of Right, reinforced by the international cooperation, will we be able to fight it with effectiveness, and definitely eradicate such pain - caused by those who see in violence the only and absurd language – from our societies.
Only this way we will be able to continue living our future peacefully and freedom, under the tolerance and the pluralism that feed the democratic coexistence.
For many years, the terrorism has ruthlessly snatched lives, causing hundreds of wounded people, breaking without remedy numerous families, seeding suffering and destruction in so many countries, towns and cities. Unfortunately, for decades, Spain has known well the death and pain caused by terrorism, and the Spaniards have always condemned with firmness its aberrant actions, reacting with rejection and indignation to their objectives, and generously with dignity offering our solidarity to its victims.
But there is something it has never reached and that it will never achieve: to defeat us. It has not mined our moral strength, it has not managed to break our will to stop it, it has not destroyed our faith on that only democracy, respect to pluralism, the defence of freedom and coexistence is possible to construct a fair society, in which they no one has the capacity to use violence and its useless destructive eagerness. In sum, the execrable actions of the terrorism have never been able nor will ever be able to abolish our confidence on that the democracy, along with its liberties and rights, will always prevail over them.
There are you, the victims, and your relatives those who strengthen our societies against the terrorist barbarism. Your dignity in the pain, your sacrificed example and your unshakeable spirit constitute the mirror in which we all have to watch ourselves. Because, having suffered as much as you have, you have never responded violence with violence, you have never replaced the hope by the desperation, and you have never resigned to the reasonableness and justice to put an end to the terrorism. Your commitment with the freedom and justice, so exemplary and so worthy, reinforces its value, when it reflects the commitment of all the society, united, convinced and shared in common.
We wish that these Journeys are fruitful and can contribute to bring consolation, strength and hope to each one of you (those who have suffered the atrocious harm of terror); that they can make you feel that you are not alone, that our heart is with you.
For that reason, allow me to finish with the same words that I have pronounced two years ago, on the occasion of your First Congress: you, victims of the terrorism, are not alone, nor in your pain neither in your hope. We are and we will always be at your side.
Allow me, finally, to fulfil the personal order which I have received from H.M. the King to transmit, in his own and on H.M. the Queen’s name, the expression of his deepest affection and solidarity to all the victims of the terrorism and to their families, reinforcing that you will always be able to count on the greatest respect, on the permanent breath and constant endorsement of the Crown”.
