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The President of the Council
of Ministers, Mr. Rafic Hariri, received the UN-HABITAT’s Scroll of
Honor Special Citation for Post Conflict Reconstruction during the
Second Session of the World Urban Forum in Barcelona before noon today.
The event was
attended by a capacity crowd of world leaders,
including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev,
former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, Brazilian
Cities Minister Olivio Dutra, executive director of
UN-HABITAT Anna Tibaijuka, executive secretary of
the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA) Mervat Tallawy, executive director of the UN
Environmental Program Klaus Topfer, president of the
Forum 2004 and Barcelona mayor Joan Clos, Prime
Minister Hariri’s wife Nazek and members of their
family, Ministers Bahij Tabbara and Fouad Siniora,
Lebanese Ambassador to Madrid Samir Mubarak,
president of the Council for Development and
Reconstruction Jamal Itani, director-general of the
Tourism Ministry Nada Sardouk, Prime Minister
Hariri’s advisor for European affairs Basil Yared
and around 3,000 guests.
Speakers at the event were Gorbachev, Ahtisaari,
Dutra, Clos, former Minister for Housing of South
Africa Sankie D. Mthembi-Mahanyele, Dutch State
Secretary for Spatial Planning, Housing and the
Environment Pieter van Geel, Indian State Deputy of
Urban Development and Poverty Relief Kumari Selja,
special deputy for the General Secretary of the
United Nations Jeffry D. Sachs, Topfer, Tallawy and
Tibaijuka.
Tallawy delivered Annan’s address to the conference.
The secretary-general said, “Globalization continues
to bring countries and people ever closer together.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world’s
cities, where we now cross paths and rub elbows with
people from many other cultural backgrounds.
“Cities have long been recognized as engines of
economic growth. They are also places where cultures
meet, fuse and interact, in the best of cases
enriching each other and educating all about the
world’s wondrous diversity. Standing astride
virtually every global intersection – of trade,
migration, communication and ideas – the world’s
cities must become genuine examples of inclusiveness
and equity, as called for in the Millennium
Declaration. Otherwise, they will remain reservoirs
of poverty and potential flashpoints of conflict –
and ultimately, barriers to advancing the human
condition.
“Cities also have a long history of sharing
experiences across borders, and of using
city-to-city collaboration and exchanges to promote
global harmony and international cooperation for
development. Today, that kind of diplomacy is just
as important internally as it has been externally.
“A globalizing world of movement and migration
brings with it fears and tensions, which governments
and local authorities can overcome only with
sensitivity and skill. Only by bringing all
communities and all citizens, new and old, into the
development process and into the halls of urban
governance as full partners, will we stand a chance
of achieving sustainable development and the
Millennium Development Goals. That message is at the
heart of the Habitat Agenda.
“I urge you to intensify your diplomatic efforts by
working with your fellow citizens and local
authorities across the world, and within your
borders, too, by fostering cooperation among your
often disparate communities.”
Tallawy said she felt proud that Lebanon got the
prize, saying it amounted to “recognition of its
reconstruction and renovation efforts.” She added,
“This is a story of investing in peace, political
resolution and development, led by a man who turned
devastation into a modern city, a destination for
all. This is Prime Minister Rafic Hariri whom we
salute and wish all success in his ongoing efforts.”
In her speech, Tibaijuka, representing UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said, “In looking for
exemplary practitioners of this mission – making the
United Nations a vibrant family, a place to work for
peace and prosperity – I need to look no further
than His Excellency, Prime Minister Rafic Hariri of
Lebanon and the people of Lebanon, the recipients of
the UN-HABITAT’s Scroll of Honor Special Citation
for Post Conflict Reconstruction. I congratulate the
Prime Minister for his outstanding and visionary
leadership in the post-conflict reconstruction of
his country. I also congratulate the Lebanese people
without whom success could not have been made.
“Lebanon’s 15-year-civil war, which claimed a huge
human economic toll, was one of the longest
conflicts in the second half of the 20th century.
After years of physical and human devastation,
rebuilding and rehabilitating that country needed
and outstanding leader with exceptional vision. Yes,
a leader with love and commitment to the wellbeing
of all his people and willing to make the sacrifice
required to bring a torn society together again and
promote a culture of peace and prosperity – the
mission of the UN.
“Lebanon is an example to be emulated. In presenting
this award, it is my sincere hope that other
societies currently in conflict will learn from this
best practice. On our part at UN-HABITAT, we promise
to continue our work in post-conflict reconstruction
and in the promotion of a culture of peace, be it in
our villages, towns or cities.”
Tibaijuka then handed over to Prime Minister Hariri
the UN-HABITAT’s Scroll of Honor Special Citation
for Post Conflict Reconstruction to a cheering
audience. Premier Hariri delivered the following
speech:
“Excellencies,
“I feel very proud and honored today to stand before
this respectable audience that represents the United
Nations, this organization that symbolizes the
world’s aspirations for peace, security and
cooperation.
“I am happy to be here and to receive this award for
several reasons:
“First, because this award belongs to the People of
Lebanon and to all its officials, but most
importantly, the UN is honoring with this prize, the
sacrifices and determination of the Lebanese people,
who dared to dream of rebuilding their country and
realizing their dream against all odds.
“Second, I am proud that Barcelona was chosen as a
venue to present the award. This city is a symbol of
partnership among the Mediterranean countries,
especially between those in the Middle East and
Europe, through the Barcelona Process.
“Third, allow me to thank all my family especially
my wife Nazek for sharing with me this happy
occasion after living the difficulties, the
challenges and the sacrifice during these long years
of official and public life. My family’s support and
encouragement, and, most importantly, their constant
love contributed greatly to my perseverance in my
work, even when I felt frustrated in the face of
what some people considered impossible.
“This award belongs to Lebanon’s Arab brothers and
its friends who believed in Lebanon during the
darkest hours. In particular we are grateful to
Syria, without its help we would not have had
achieved what we have of stability, and to Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, and all our Arab brothers. Also our
thanks go to France and other European countries who
understood that Lebanon’s importance is in its
message of tolerance and coexistence not only to the
region but to the whole world.
“Lebanon’s message is also about protecting the
oldest democracy in the Arab world. Lebanon believes
that democracy is our only hope in building modern
states, preserving human dignity through protecting
man’s right to free expression, free opinion and
freedom in determining his own future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
“When we started the reconstruction process,
challenges were big, but our determination and will
were bigger. We had many choices regarding the
method to follow in reconstruction; we chose to
rebuild everything at the same time and pace. We did
not give priority to any sector. Everything was a
priority, including water, electricity, hospitals,
schools, roads and living standards.
“Lebanon’s reconstruction can be divided into two
stages:
“The first stage witnessed the beginning of the
reconciliation process and ended with the Taif
Agreement; the political results of this agreement
are still being enjoyed by Lebanon, today.
“The second stage started 1993 when we formed our
first government. The reconstruction of Beirut’s
Central District was at the launching stage. Yet,
the challenge at the time was to carry out
comprehensive reconstruction processes all over the
country in the middle of other and bigger problems.
“The National Accord, signed in Taif, called for
balanced development.
“We had to bear the burden of rebuilding the basic
facilities and prepare them for future challenges,
rebuilding the private sector to take part in
reconstruction and revival, and winning the
confidence of regional and international
institutions in the country’s future. At the same
time and in parallel to that, we had to gain the
Lebanese people’s will and hope in support of their
regime, state and future.
“In fact, we succeeded in realizing the primary
goals of the plan, but saying that we succeeded does
not mean that our mission is complete. We still have
to do a lot to make development as balanced as it
should be. In spite of all our efforts, certain
regions in Lebanon still suffer from lack of equal
opportunities in education, healthcare and many
other services: roads, water, etc…
“The current situation in the Middle East causes
despair and concern, not just about growth and
prosperity but also concern about stability. All
future projects and visions proposed by influential
international parties focus on reconstruction and
democracy. These are great and beautiful goals, but
how can they be achieved without freedom, stability
and suitable political and security conditions.
“However, how can there be security and development
while the Arab man does not have hope in the future
or in peace? The despair felt today by the Arabs
because of their suffering from occupation of their
land and lack of their freedom and dignity, leads to
more violence and widens the gap between the Arabs
and the world. Our duty today is to uproot despair
and make peace a reality in Palestine and in Iraq,
so that confidence, not suspicion, once again
characterizes our relations and ties.
“We want peace and an independent state for the
Palestinians. We want peace and free Lebanese and
Syrian occupied territories.
“Moreover, we want Iraq to regain its freedom,
independence and unity and its state to work again
for its people who suffered irrespective of their
religious or ethnic background.
“Of course, we want peace to all people of the
Middle East, not only for the Arabs but also for
Israel, for the Arabs, for everyone who lives in the
Middle East. We are a people who believes deeply in
peace, tolerance and justice, and we would love to
live in peace for our children and grandchildren,
and for Israel’s children and grandchildren. We look
for things equally. We think that if Israel wants
really to live in peace with its neighbors, the
chance is always there and all what it needs is to
respect the UN resolutions, withdraw from the
Palestinian territories, the Lebanese territories
and the Syrian territories, and let the Palestinians
live in an independent Palestinian state as any
other country in the region.
“We want pressures on our peoples and states to
cease so we can work normally for growth and
progress and for active participation in the present
and future of the world.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Construction is civilization. Our nation has a rich
and important cultural experience, which was a basis
among the foundation of the world’s modern progress
in Asia, Africa and Europe.
“UN-HABITAT,
“You chose to celebrate Lebanon’s reconstruction
experience as an exemplary solution for countries
that suffered, learned the lesson, sought to build
their future depending on their citizens and
succeeded in doing so.
“In front of this distinguished world leaders and
intellectuals, in this prosperous country that is
friendly to Arabs and Muslims, I want to thank you
for this appreciation, on behalf of the Lebanese
state and myself. I would like to call on your
behalf for saving the civilizations of Jerusalem,
Bethlehem, Ramallah, Gaza, Baghdad, Mosul and Najaf.
“Finally, I would like to salute the United Nations.
This organization represented for more than half a
century the ambitions of the world’s peoples for
liberation, equality, development, security and
peace.
“The United Nations by granting this award to
Lebanon means that the door of this organization
will always be open to countries that seek to
improve its life and the lives of its people.
“Lebanon will always be a gate, wide open to
democracy and freedom, knowledge and all the noble
things on this Earth, mainly the mission of peace
tolerance that is being championed by this
organization and those who believe in it.
‘The UN will always be a basis in our life. It is
through dialogue, openness and understanding that we
will succeed in making the world and the UN
understand our causes more, consider and adopt our
views.
“Peace is our fate. Let us work together on
achieving this fate. Let us always work for peace.”
After the speeches, a band of children presented
songs on the occasion. Then Premier and Mrs. Hariri
and Tallawy moved to the exhibition hall where
Premier Hariri inaugurated an exhibition of photos
by Lebanese photographer Ayman Trawi on the theme
“Beirut’s Memory.” After the exhibition, Premier
Hariri visited other exhibitions, including one on
Dubai, where organizers presented him with a
memorial gift.
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