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2000 - Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura |
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| Director-General of UNESCO | |
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Mr President Henri Konan Bédié,
Sponsor of the
Prize, Sadly, this ceremony for the presentation of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize takes place under a darkening sky, in the aftermath of the three new deadly attacks perpetrated against Israeli civilians. I am deeply affected and shocked by these terrible acts, which further undermine the fragile prospects for reconciliation and peace in the region. I wish to reiterate here in the strongest possible terms my unreserved condemnation of such acts, which nothing and no one could ever justify. The list of dead and injured Palestinians and Israelis, which is already too long, is steadily lengthening in the continuing violence that we are witnessing, which sustains a climate of insecurity and daily trauma jeopardizing the resumption of dialogue. I remain convinced that only a political settlement can succeed in re-establishing peace in the region – the peace that we all seek and which brings us together today. Excellencies, Mr Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal, had intended to be with us today. But, as the chief mediator in the Malagasy conflict, he was obliged, to his great regret, to take the plane this morning for Addis Ababa where a Summit of Heads of State is being held on the crisis in Madagascar. During the working meeting that we had yesterday evening, I told him how much I appreciated his initiatives on behalf of the development of Africa and peace throughout the world. If I may, I should like to send a word of greeting to the President of the French Republic, Mr Jacques Chirac, who is represented here by Mr Pierre-André Wiltzer, Minister for Cooperation and Francophonie reporting to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Chirac, who is also unable to be with us since he is attending at this very moment the Seville Summit, has always shown a special interest in the Prize which bears the name of someone he considered as his friend, President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. I should also like to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Laurent Gbagbo, for the interest that he takes in the Prize and to greet the representatives of Côte d’Ivoire at this ceremony. My thanks also go to the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya, whose representatives I welcome here, for his support to the Prize which bears the name of the Sage of Africa. I am likewise happy to welcome in our midst President Abdou Diouf, Patron of the Prize, and President Henri Konan Bédié, Sponsor of the Prize, to whom President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, when he was alive, entrusted the task of ensuring thereafter the prosperity and the prestige of the Prize that bears his name. Both have carried out this mission of trust with praiseworthy dedication, and I wish to express to them here my deep gratitude. Lastly, I should like to address my sincerest congratulations and thanks to the President of the Jury, Dr Henry Kissinger who, for ten years, has placed his wisdom and his great foresight at the service of the Prize by presiding over its Jury. I also congratulate the distinguished members of the Jury for the exemplary prestige that they have succeeded in conferring on the Prize. It is to the lofty conception that the Jury has of its mission and to the relevance of its choices that the Prize owes its place in the world today. Excellencies, During the ceremony which brings us together today, we shall be paying tribute to a woman of exceptional courage and outstanding devotion to the cause of the oppressed: Ms Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since her appointment in 1997 as Head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mary Robinson has been striving without respite to expand and elaborate the area of application of fundamental human rights and to condemn all violations of these rights. This challenging mission is particularly difficult – I can attest to that – in the context of intergovernmental organizations, which are in the service of States but where States are also, at times, on the receiving end of criticism. Madam High Commissioner, You have devoted all your energy and all your dedication to creating the conditions for the universal respect of human rights. This inestimable personal contribution is bound up with defending the cause of peace which the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize endeavours to promote in people’s hearts and minds. In this troubled world, to speak out and take action in the name of the inalienable rights of the poor, of war victims, oppressed women, exploited children and persecuted political opponents is to embark on a gigantic undertaking and to devote one’s attention to the distressing situations experienced by individuals and communities. It is to claim justice for each and every one, agreeing to bear more than one’s own share of the burden of human misery. Lastly, it is to will the advent of a universal society where fellowship would have its rightful place. The exhilarating path that you have chosen is strewn with pitfalls. In this noble enterprise, one can never consider that the goal is definitively attained and that the work is done. But you have decided, in the name of your conception of human dignity, that no obstacle should impede your effort, and that the highest reward is that of having helped to combat injustice in the world. It is these ideals which you embody so well that the Jury wished to recognize and honour by awarding you the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize. It is a pleasure for me to greet someone who, at your side, has undoubtedly provided his precious support to your noble mission. I am talking about your husband, Mr Nicholas Robinson, who has today kindly honoured UNESCO by his presence. Madam High Commissioner, Let me assure you that UNESCO is delighted by your success. May I add my personal tribute to that which the international community is paying to you today and which is so well deserved. Thank you. |
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