„Dokumentowanie i rozpowszechnianie wiedzy na temat komunizmu i przestępstw komunistycznych jest kwestią najwyższego znaczenia. W końcu – zgodnie z maksymą przypisywaną różnym autorom – ci, którzy nie znają historii, są skazani na jego przeżycie” napisał prezydent Republiki Polski Karol Nawrocki w liście przeczytanym na konferencji Europejska sieć archiwów tajnych instytucji policyjnychskierowane do swoich organizatorów i uczestników.
List został odczytany podczas imprezy przez rzecznika prezydenta, Rafałka Leśkiewicza, a jego treść koncentrowała się na konieczności zwalczania postkomunizmu.
Poniżej przedstawiamy pełny list od prezydenta Karol Nawrocki:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Delegates,
The fall of communism in Europe, initiated in Poland, led to the liberation of millions of people from the yoke of the most criminal ideology in history. Fleeing from the earthly hell of social injustice and chasing the mirage of a terrestrial paradise, communists sought to impose everywhere a social system that largely ignored feelings, desires, and moral instincts inherent in human nature. Fanatical ideologues of Marxism-Leninism believed that the end justified the means. They stopped at no wrongdoing and refused to acknowledge the dramatic consequences of their actions. The legacy of communism is bloody revolutions and wars, hundreds of millions of victims, and all-powerful, fear-inspiring police states. The so-called dictatorship of the proletariat destroyed the fabric of nations, families, local communities, and workplaces. Communist daily life was shaped by deep self-deception and the ostentatious falsehood of official propaganda, the absurdities of a planned economy, hunger, poverty, and overwork.
The overwhelming amount and substance of historical evidence has unfortunately still not led to the universal condemnation of communism - which ought to be at least as unequivocal as in the case of German Nazism. Nations that suffered under red regimes observe with astonishment and outrage how, in some countries of the free world, communist criminals are publicly commemorated, while communist parties operate legally and are represented in local and central organs of power. There is no space here for a detailed analysis of the causes of this state of affairs - though it is one of the most important tasks currently facing the intellectual and political elites of states concerned about their sovereign and prosperous future. I will limit myself, therefore, to stating that documenting and spreading knowledge about communism and communist crimes is a matter of the highest importance. After all - according to a maxim attributed to various authors - those who do not know history are doomed to relive it.
In this context, special responsibility lies with institutions established to protect historical sources and to conduct research based on them - research that is objective, untainted by political struggle, and aimed at passing on to future generations knowledge about that criminal system. I observe with satisfaction and hope the development of cooperation between such public institutions and their counterparts in other countries that have overthrown the red tyranny. Particular recognition is due to cooperation concerning the study of the sensitive field of communist secret services and the manifold, often delayed consequences of their actions. I trust that today’s conference of the European Network of Archives of Secret Police Files Institutions will be an opportunity to exchange valuable experiences and to strengthen working contacts within the framework of mutual assistance and joint research projects.
You have gathered at the Warsaw Central Stop History of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), named after President Lech Kaczyński - my distinguished predecessor, who rendered enormous service in combating post-communism and denouncing the illegitimate influences of the imperial successor of the Soviet Union, namely the Russian Federation. This institution contributes to spreading knowledge of Poland’s modern history - marked by struggle and martyrdom in the era of the expansion of Nazism and communism. I am glad that the organizers chose this venue - and I warmly commend to your attention the activities of the nationwide network of Stops of History. This is a proven formula for raising historical awareness in society and awakening historical interest among the younger generation. I trust it will arouse your interest - for as researchers, archivists, and officials dealing with the past, you are in fact working for the prosperous future of your homelands and our entire continent.
May your stay in Warsaw be remembered for many pleasant experiences. Wishing you engaging and fruitful deliberations, I extend to you my warmest greetings."
