To the participants of the solemn commemoration of the victims of Holodomor (New-York, 13 November 2004).

Dear Compatriots!

Our today's meeting is yet another important occasion to honor the memory of millions of Ukrainians who have put their lives on the cruel altar of the totalitarian Soviet regime.

In the history of Ukraine there are wounds that never heal and victims who will never be forgotten. This everlasting pain grows stronger every year as we uncover the truth about the cruel fate of Ukraine under the frightful Stalin regime.

The creation of our own Ukrainian State, cherished by many generations of our ancestors and based on the facets of justice, freedom and democracy, is the firm guarantee that those tragic days will never come back to our land. Freedom from the totalitarian Soviet system has opened up the boundless potential of our people, which has become the main source of today's undeniable success of our state, strengthening of its power and independence.

For many years ahead the Ukrainian people will yet feel irreversible consequences of Holodomor of 1932-1933. We also should not forget the tragic dates of holodomors of 1921 - 1923 and 1946-1947. Honoring our own history should become a cause not only of scholars and historians, but also of the whole Ukrainian nation. Otherwise its spiritual development is not possible.

The bells of past tragedies are still tolling in the heart of Ukraine. They have to be heard in all corners of the modern world - as a tribute to those who perished, as a remainder to those who live.

Let us keep everlasting memory of those who perished. Let holodomors never return, and never be forgotten. Let they remain in our hearts as a tribute to those perished, as a memory of pain, suffered by our people, and of its unbreakable strength.

With sincere respect, Leonid Kuchma

2. Joint statement by the delegations of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Egypt, Georgia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nauru, Pakistan, Qatar, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America on the seventieth anniversary of the Great Famine of 1932 1933 in Ukraine (Holodomor)

In the former Soviet Union millions of men, women and children fell victims to the cruel actions and policies of the totalitarian regime. The Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine (Holodomor), which took from 7 million to 10 million innocent lives and became a national tragedy for the Ukrainian people. In this regard we note activities in observance of the seventieth anniversary of this Famine, in particular organized by the Government of Ukraine.

Honouring the seventieth anniversary of the Ukrainian tragedy, we also commemorate the memory of millions of Russians, Kazakhs and representatives of other nationalities who died of starvation in the Volga River region, Northern Caucasus, Kazakhstan and in other parts of the former Soviet Union, as a result of civil war and forced collectivization, leaving deep scars in the consciousness of future generations. Expressing sympathy to the victims of the Great Famine, we call upon all Member States, the United Nations and its special agencies, international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations, foundations and associations to pay tribute to the memory of those who perished during that tragic period of history.

Recognizing the importance of raising public awareness on the tragic events in the history of mankind for their prevention in future, we deplore the acts and policies that brought about mass starvation and death of millions of people. We do not want to settle scores with the past, it could not be changed, but we are convinced that exposing violations of human rights, preserving historical records and restoring the dignity of victims through acknowledgement of their suffering, will guide future societies and help to avoid similar catastrophes in the future. We need that as many people as possible learn about this tragedy and consider that this knowledge will strengthen effectiveness of the rule of law and enhance respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.