`DEMOCRACY MEANS, ABOVE ALL, TOLERANCE ACROSS LINES THAT DIVIDE', SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS DEMOCRACY AWARD CEREMONY
Press Release
SG/SM/6193
`DEMOCRACY MEANS, ABOVE ALL, TOLERANCE ACROSS LINES THAT DIVIDE', SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS DEMOCRACY AWARD CEREMONY
19970327 Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the presentation of the 1996 International Democracy Award to President Alija Izetbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was delivered on his behalf by S. Iqbal Riza, Chef de Cabinet and former Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Headquarters on 25 March:I am pleased to convey to this distinguished gathering a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who as you know is on a visit to Africa. The Secretary-General very much regrets not being able to join us today. He has asked me to convey the following message on this significant occasion.
The Centre for Democracy has chosen wisely this year in focusing its attention on Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the country continues its difficult transition from violent conflict to stability, reconstruction and reconciliation, only a democratic approach can provide a sound foundation for progress towards durable peace.
Democracy is vital especially for the protection of human rights and a civil society in which civil rights, particularly of minorities, are secure. In the Bosnian context, democracy is needed at all levels -- among the various successor States of the former Yugoslavia; among the different communities in Bosnia itself; and among individual Bosnians as they resume their normal lives following their national trauma.
Democracy means, above all, tolerance across the lines that divide. One essential component of democracy is the holding of free elections. While imperfect in some respects, Bosnia's elections of last September were an important step towards the consolidation of peace. As preparations continue for municipal elections later this year, I urge all leaders to show the strongest possible commitment to the democratic process.
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The Centre for Democracy has also shown the utmost discernment in bestowing its International Democracy Award on President Alija Izetbegovic. For many years, President Izetbegovic has been a strong advocate for democracy within and among nations. His example has inspired not only his fellow Bosnians but other peoples around the world in their own struggle for freedom and the rule of law. On the occasion of this well-deserved recognition, I offer him my most sincere congratulations.
Thus ends the Secretary-General's message. I would like to add a few words of my own, for during my service in Bosnia and Herzegovina I had the privilege of working with President Izetbegovic.
We all are painfully aware of the hideous suffering of Bosnians in recent years, but our pain is vicarious, and from a distance. Those Bosnian civilians who were the targets, not incidental victims, of military operations and who survived, still suffer from their ordeal. Many of their dear ones lost their lives, often from unspeakable atrocities. Those who survived are alive because of the strength, determination and leadership of President Izetbegovic.
We are now in a new phase. The Dayton Peace Agreement involved compromise and other difficult choices for all the parties. President Izetbegovic displayed consummate statesmanship -- first in understanding that the accords represented the only way forward, and then in working hard to secure their implementation. Not only was it gratifying to work with him but, personally, I learned much from a man of faith, principle and courage.
In closing allow me to thank the Centre for Democracy for the award bestowed on the President. I am pleased to join the Secretary-General in extending to President Izetbegovic my heartfelt congratulations.
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