Ban's mealy-mouthed statement on Liu's Nobel

Posted By Colum Lynch Friday, October 8, 2010 - 5:20 PM Share

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon waded cautiously into the Nobel Peace Prize controversy, offering only indirect praise of China's jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo's achievement while crediting the Chinese govenrment with steadily improving its human rights record.

Ban's public statement contrasted sharply from Western leaders like President Barack Obama, who praised Liu "as an eloquent and courageous spokesman for the advance of universal values through peaceful and non-violent means" and called for his release. Ban's more diplomatic approach to Beijing reflected the risks that confront the U.N. chief, who will need China's support if he hopes to win a second term as secretary general in 2011.

In a statement made on his behalf by his spokesman, Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, said "the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo of China is a recognition of the growing international consensus for improving human rights practices and culture around the world."

Ban noted the importance of human rights in the U.N.'s mission and then went on to highlight China's recent achievements, including advances in human rights. "Over the past years, China has achieved remarkable economic advances, lifted millions out of poverty, broadened political participation and steadily joined the international mainstream in its adherence to recognized human rights instruments and practices," according to his statement.

Ban concluded by expressing his "sincere hope that any differences on this decision will not detract from advancement of the human rights agenda globally or the high prestige and inspirational power of the Award." But there was no appeal to China to order Liu's release.

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EXPLORE:CHINA, HUMAN RIGHTS, UNITED NATIONS
 

NIKRAY

1:48 AM ET

October 9, 2010

A tale of 2 Ban Ki-moon Nobel prize statements

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
On the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo of China is a recognition of the growing international consensus for improving human rights practices and culture around the world.

The Secretary-General has consistently emphasised the importance of human rights along with development and peace and security as the three main pillars of the work of the United Nations.

Over the past years, China has achieved remarkable economic advances, lifted millions out of poverty, broadened political participation and steadily joined the international mainstream in its adherence to recognized human rights instruments and practices.

The Secretary-General expresses his sincere hope that any differences on this decision will not detract from advancement of the human rights agenda globally or the high prestige and inspirational power of the Award.

New York, 8 October 2010

Secretary-General Congratulates United States President Barack Obama
On Winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was issued today, 9 October:

I would like to wholeheartedly welcome and congratulate United States President Barack Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

This is great news for President Obama, for the people of the United States, and for the United Nations.

We are entering an era of renewed multilateralism, a new era where the challenges facing humankind demand global common cause and uncommon global effort. President Obama embodies the new spirit of dialogue and engagement on the world's biggest problems: climate change, nuclear disarmament and a wide range of peace and security challenges. President Obama’s commitment to work through the United Nations gives the world's people fresh hope and fresh prospects.

We at the United Nations highly applaud him, and the Nobel Committee for its choice.

I look forward to further deepening the United States-United Nations partnership as a key building block to a better and safer world for all.

Again, I send my deepest and wholehearted congratulations to President Obama. I wish him continued success.

 

EXTERNAL

9:22 PM ET

October 9, 2010

2009 v/s 2010

Brown nosing versus C.Y.A. , otherwise Ban won't see a second term !!!!

 

Longtime Washington Post correspondent Colum Lynch reports on all things United Nations for Turtle Bay.

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