THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR 2002
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the
Nobel Peace Prize for 2002 to Jimmy Carter, for
his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful
solutions to international conflicts, to advance
democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and
social development.
During his presidency (1977-1981), Carter's mediation
was a vital contribution to the Camp David Accords
between Israel and Egypt, in itself a great enough
achievement to qualify for the Nobel Peace Prize. At a
time when the cold war between East and West was still
predominant, he placed renewed emphasis on the place of
human rights in international politics.
Through his Carter Center, which celebrates its 20th
anniversary in 2002, Carter has since his presidency
undertaken very extensive and persevering conflict
resolution on several continents. He has shown
outstanding commitment to human rights, and has served
as an observer at countless elections all over the world.
He has worked hard on many fronts to fight tropical
diseases and to bring about growth and progress in
developing countries. Carter has thus been active in
several of the problem areas that have figured
prominently in the over one hundred years of Peace Prize
history.
In a situation currently marked by threats of the use of
power, Carter has stood by the principles that conflicts
must as far as possible be resolved through mediation
and international co-operation based on international
law, respect for human rights, and economic development.
Oslo, 11 October 2002
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