“Those who committed this crime are as guilty as are those who approved of it for decades. We are all guilty. It is impossible to lie to ourselves by justifying senseless cruelty on political grounds. The shooting of the Romanov family is a result of an uncompromising split in Russia society into ‘us’ and “them.’ The results of this split can be seen even now.” Boris Yeltsin
Burial ceremony of Romanov remains. Boris Yeltsin speech:
Dear fellow citizens: It’s a historic day for Russia.
Eighty years have passed since the slaying of the last Russian emperor and his family. We have long been silent about this monstrous crime We must say the truth: The Yekaterinburg massacre has become one of the most shameful episodes in our history. By burying the remains of innocent victims, we want to atone for the sins of our ancestors.
Those who committed this crime are as guilty as are those who approved of it for decades. We are all guilty. It is impossible to lie to ourselves by justifying senseless cruelty on political grounds. The shooting of the Romanov family is a result of an uncompromising split in Russia society into “us” and “them.” The results of this split can be seen even now.
The burial of the remains of Yekaterinburg is, first of all, an act of human justice. It’s a symbol of unity of the nation, an atonement of common guilt. We all bear responsibility for the historical memory of the nation. And that’s why I could not fail to come here. I must be here as both an individual and the president. I bow my head before the victims of the merciless slaying. While building a new Russia, we must rely on its historical experience.
Many glorious pages of Russian history were connected with the Romanovs. But with this name is connected one of the most bitter lessons: Any attempts to change life by violence is condemned to failure. We must end the century, which has been an age of blood and violence in Russia, with repentance and peace, regardless of political views, ethnic or religious belonging. This is our historic chance. On the eve of the third millennium, we must do it for the sake of our generation and those to come. Let’s remember those innocent victims who have fallen to hatred and violence. May they rest in peace.
