Chirac presented Kuala Lumpur World Peace Award
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2003
PUTRAJAYA: French President Jacques Chirac was presented with the inaugural Kuala Lumpur World Peace Award by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad at his office here Tuesday.Chirac, who was on a six-hour visit to Malaysia, received the award, initiated by the Malaysian World Peace Foundation, in a brief ceremony after an hour-long meeting with Dr Mahathir at Bangunan Perdana Putra here.The award was in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the peaceful resolution of international conflict, courage in defence of principle and commitment to cooperation among the nations of the world.
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Delivering the citation, United Nations special envoy to Myanmar Tan Sri Razali Ismail said that in a world torn by conflicts and confrontation, Chirac mirrored “the best of his country by holding to the principles of multilateralism and consultation in resolving the disputes that assail humanity.”“At a time when the world has been shocked and saddened by the horrific consequences of terrorism and war, he focuses renewed emphasis on humanistic values and concerns in international politics,” he said.He said Chirac had remained steadfast to the ideals he upheld throughout his life and career, where, as the French Prime Minister and President, he steered a difficult and delicate course through his nation’s modern history.“Through recent times, during which the world was driven by the global war against terrorism, he sought common ground to advance and sustain peace in our world.
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“He defended courageously the principle that conflicts must be resolved through mediation and international cooperation based on international law, respect for human rights and economic development,” he said.Razali also said that Chirac had shown outstanding commitment to equitable distribution of development among the global community of nations.
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He said the French president and France’s untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development had won the admiration of many.“Despite the inevitable outcome of the battle between the strong and the weak, the principles they espouse so luminously in the darkness of war shall stand as a guiding beacon in the changed world we share,” Rozali said.The Kuala Lumpur World Peace Award comes in the form of an inscribed trophy of Malaysian pewter and a testimonial scroll. The award, which bears no monetary endowment, will be presented annually to an individual deemed most deserving of recognition for service to the cause of peace.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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