From UNMISET
Dili, June 17, 2003
Daily Media Review
Gusmão Awarded Human Rights Prize
On Monday
the European Council in Lisbon awarded President Gusmão the
North-South Prize, an award to distinguish contributors for development,
human rights and democracy.
The ceremony
was presided over by Portugal's
President, Jorge Sampaio. The award was jointly bestowed to Gusmão
and
French-Swiss health rights activist Albina du Boisrouvray of the
François-Xavier Bagnoud Association.
Sampaio
said that the award was a
"stimulus" for the international community to continue its support
to the
new Asian nation. "I am sure that his prize-timely recognition of
the
exceptional qualities of President Gusmão-is extra impetus to us
all to
continue supporting Timor on the road to a secure freedom," he added.
In his speech
Gusmão called on rich nations to boost international aid and
reduce their trade barriers in order to help lift developing countries
out
of poverty.
He said
that rich nations should raise their international aid
contributions to at least 0.7 per cent of their gross domestic product
and
implement more debt forgiveness programs for the most heavily indebted
nations.
Greater
access to the markets of rich nations should be given by
lowering customs duties and simplifying trade procedures, he added. (Lusa,
ABC)