Sens. McCain and Clinton nominate presidents of Georgia and Ukraine for Nobel Peace Prize (02/06/05)

Sens. McCain and Clinton nominate presidents of Georgia and Ukraine for Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON - Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on January 24 nominated Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko for the Nobel Peace Prize. In their letter to the Norwegian Nobel Institute, they praised the two presidents for their historic roles in the freedom movements in Georgia and Ukraine.

Sens. McCain and Clinton wrote: "In leading freedom movements in their respective countries, [these two presidents] have won popular support for the universal values of democracy, individual liberty and civil rights. ... "We believe that the actions of Presidents Saakashvili and Yushchenko testify to the power of peace and human rights in their battle against oppression. Recognizing these men with the Peace Prize would honor not only their historic roles in Georgia and Ukraine, but would also offer hope and inspiration to those seeking freedom in lands still denied it."

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Following is the text of the letter sent to the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Dear Nominating Committee:

We are writing to nominate for the Nobel Peace Prize two men who have exhibited an extraordinary commitment to peace: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. In leading freedom movements in their respective countries, they have won popular support for the universal values of democracy, individual liberty and civil rights. Because of their efforts, the people of Georgia and Ukraine are now constructing new societies based on the rule of law. At the same time, Ukrainians and Georgians are resolving peacefully the complex ethnic and social issues that have in the past threatened to divide their nations.

As a key leader in the "Rose Revolution," President Saakashvili guided Georgia to a peaceful change of power that ended a decade of endemic, government-supported corruption. His rejection of violence was critical to the success of Georgia's movement. In early 2004, President Saakashvili negotiated a peaceful resolution to the ethnic conflict in Ajaria, and his push for wider political freedoms has positioned Georgia as a stabilizing force in the Caucasus region.

During the presidential campaign in Ukraine, Mr. Yushchenko's calls for full democracy and an end to corruption met obstacles from the government, including the denial of media access, official discrimination and an alleged poisoning attempt. When Ukraine's Central Electoral Commission declared Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich [sic] the winner in the November run-off election - after massive and coordinated vote fraud - Mr. Yushchenko urged peaceful resistance. By channeling the people's aspirations for freedom and democracy into non-violent protest, Viktor Yushhenko sparked the Orange Revolution, and now stands as his country's president.

Both presidents have displayed a commitment to peace and the rule of law in removing authoritarian governments. Their leadership has allowed millions in Georgia and Ukraine to reclaim their democratic system and to build a society based on law and individual rights.

We believe that the actions of Presidents Saakashvili and Yushchenko testify to the power of peace and human rights in their battle against oppression. Recognizing these men with the Peace Prize would honor not only their historic roles in Georgia and Ukraine, but would also offer hope and inspiration to those seeking freedom in lands still denied it.

Sincerely,
John McCain
Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Senate

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