The following is a translated transcript of Sheikh Mohammed's statement to Dira'a Al Watan, as it appeared in Al Bayan.
My brother officers and members of our valiant armed forces, this is a memorable day in the lives and history of our people - a day to celebrate and to renew our allegiance to this wonderful land and its faithful leader, who has devoted himself to unity and federation and who translates words into deeds with great achievements that speak for themselves in every sector.
Our armed forces are united under one flag and one leadership as represented by President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who supported the preparation, training and armament that the forces needed in order to protect national achievements and to defend the independence, sovereignty and borders of this country, which has extended hands of giving, tolerance and communication to the world's nations.
Based on our belief in the principle of coexistence, in openness, in respecting others and in maintaining balanced relations with other countries without interfering in their affairs, we focus on providing our people with security, stability, freedom and the means to lead a comfortable life without compromising any of their rights, assets or achievements, for we believe that man is the real resource and mainstay of development.
For these reasons, our country's wise leadership uses its resources to keep raising the standard of living and the people of the UAE devote their time and efforts to development, creativity and production, because without these three activities they would be lost.
December 2nd, 1971, is still a shining point in our people's history because it made it possible for our people to realise their goals and aspirations and to enjoy respectable positions in politics, economics, technology, culture, science and sports. Without the wisdom of the leadership, achievements this great, whether at the national, regional or international level, would not have been possible.
The past thirty-two years of federation and unification of our land, people, abilities, thoughts and efforts have resulted in great achievements that the whole world has recognised despite the size of our land and population. Our achievements have made the biggest countries in the world respect the UAE, its people and its leadership and establish relations and fruitful and constructive cooperation with our country so that our mutual goals can be achieved. Therefore, we should continue to work hard so that we can take pride in the development, abilities and strength of our country and in its progress, prosperity, unity, cooperation and protection.
We are confident that our beloved country will remain strong with its people, leadership, achievements and good relations with the nations of the world, respecting the rights of others, fulfilling its national, regional, Islamic, pan-Arab and international obligations, cooperating with all bodies and international organizations to build a free and stable world in which love, peace and coexistence among peoples prevail, and building human societies free of hunger, ignorance, poverty, hatred, religious fanaticism and racial discrimination.
On this occasion, I have the pleasure, for myself and on behalf of the officers and members of the Armed Forces, to extend my congratulations and best wishes to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and to all the UAE's citizens.
