Loading ...The President also attended the unveiling of a memorial before the main offices of the National Defence Ministry and an anniversary plaque. ‘As a token of high gratitude and full recognition of the importance of the place, role and performance of the General Army Staff in the architecture and the progress of Romania’s military body, I have decorated the battle flag of the Romanian General Army Staff (SMG) with a Romania’s Star National Order in rank of Officer and military insignia,’ said the President.
‘November 12, 1859 is a historical highlight in the calendar of Romanian military traditions, because it was then that ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza established the Military Staff Corps of the United Principalities, a leading structure that in the decades that followed issued all the decisions of a major impact on the Romanian military body and implicitly on the defence policy of the country,’ he said.
The President also highlighted his respect to the Armed Forces as President and reserves commissioned officer, and also his respect as a simple citizen to the troops, whom he said are providing examples of dignity and resolve.
‘During the five years in office I have had the opportunity to visit the Romanian troops deployed in various operation theatres and to wear for some hours the uniform of the Romanian Army, to share their aspirations, concerns and needs,’ he said.
The President said that sadly there have also been moments when wounded or killed Romanian troops were repatriated. ‘That is why I was and I will always be sympathetic to the suffering of the dead troops’ families – their parents, sisters, spouses or children. This is the price of freedom and on April 2, 2004, when we all rejoiced Romania becoming a full NATO member, I knew that all the security guarantees extended by the Alliance also entails our duty for solidarity with the other members of the Alliance and that it also entails costs, commitments and sacrifices,’ the President said.
He also remarked that this December Romania will celebrate 20 years since its anti¬communist Revolution, reiterating his respect to the Romanian Armed Forces, saying that they had the courage to break away from the communist system, get rid of dated mentalities and practices and side with the people.
‘The most beautiful gift offered by the Romanian Army to its fellow nationals on that Christmas was freedom, and freedom has to be defended at any risks and any price. Back then, in December 1989, the Romanian people regained its identity and Western virtues thanks to the decision of the Army to side with the people,’ Basescu concluded.
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