PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC'S BELIEF IN PEACE BASED ON JUSTICE STRESSED BY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT IN INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY AWARD CEREMONY
Press Release
GA/9229
PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC'S BELIEF IN PEACE BASED ON JUSTICE STRESSED BY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT IN INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY AWARD CEREMONY
19970325 Says Award Is Recognition of President Izetbegovic's Contribution and Commitment to Peace and Democracy in Bosnia and HerzegovinaFollowing are remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Razali Ismail (Malaysia), at the presentation of the 1996 International Democracy Award to President Alija Izetbegovic, Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the Centre for Democracy, at United Nations Headquarters today:
It is my honour and great pleasure to welcome President Alija Izetbegovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the United Nations to receive the 1996 International Democracy Award by the Centre for Democracy.
The decision by the Centre to award this prestigious honour is in recognition of President Alija Izetbegovic's outstanding contribution and continuing commitment to peace and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It befits a man of high principle, who has stood for individual liberties, human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy for all in the former Socialist Yugoslav Federation, for which he was twice jailed by the former communist regime in Belgrade from 1946 to 1949 and 1983 to 1988.
Ten years of imprisonment did little to change President Izetbegovic's commitment to the principles of democracy and pluralism. After his release from prison, President Izetbegovic led his country in its first democratic, multi-party elections in 1990. He has struggled against the forces of unilateralism and tyranny to maintain the democratic and multi-ethnic character of a free and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. He continued to lead his country during the four years of aggression by the Serbs which saw genocide, a devastating humanitarian situation, and the longest siege in the history of modern warfare in Sarajevo.
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During this tumultuous period, President Izetbegovic never abandoned his beleaguered country and suffering people. On the contrary, he stayed in Sarajevo to lead his people in the face of repeated bombardments by the Serbs, and at great danger to his personal safety. He went around his beloved country organizing his army in defence of Bosnia's sovereignty and independence.
President Izetbegovic is a man of peace. He led his country in the United States-brokered peace talks that resulted in the signing of the Dayton Agreement in November 1995 -- a decision requiring great courage and moral strength.
Despite its shortcomings, President Izetbegovic is fully committed to building peace through the implementation of the Dayton peace accords. He believes in a peace based on justice which can only be achieved through the right of refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes, bringing war criminals to justice and for establishing respect for human rights, fundamental freedom, a free media and democracy in a united, democratic and multi-ethnic country. A commitment which deserves admiration and the full support of the international community.
Mr. President, we wish to congratulate you and the Bosnian people for this "1996 International Democracy Award".
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