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E-230-01
November
26, 2001
OAS
CHIEF CALLS DEATH OF ENRIQUE SANTOS Expressing
condolences to the family of prominent Colombian journalist Enrique
Santos, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General César
Gaviria said the journalist's death, in Bogotá today, dealt "an
irreparable blow to Colombian democracy and to journalism in the
Americas." In
his letter to El Tiempo newspaper editors Enrique Santos Calderón and Rafael
Santos, the Secretary General said few in the Colombian society embodied
like Enrique Santos the commitment to peace, justice and
freedom—ideals which Colombia must embrace in its quest for
peace."
A
former president of Colombia, Gaviria went on to observe that "Don
Enrique applied integrity in tackling the greatest challenges our nation
faced in nearly a century, and did so without wavering, without fear and
with matchless vigor. That
was never open to interpretation. He
disliked pedantic language as much as he disliked unclear or ambiguous
ideas. Everyone,
inside and outside El Tiempo
knew what he stood for, and how staunchly." Gaviria
added: "He never lost his bearing, was never intimidated and
never entertained any doubt as to what was best for Colombia.
He was not one for ideological fads.
He never subscribed to violence nor made excuses for resorting to
it. As we tackle the
reality of terrorism, we cannot afford to forget what he preached and
taught. "He
was a tireless worker who bequeathed to his family a name that has left
an indelible mark on journalism in service to the Nation and to the
highest ideals of the Americas. I
have been first-hand witness to the enormous respect he commended among
journalists throughout the Hemisphere," the OAS Secretary General
declared. **********
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