WJC says Santos deserves the Nobel Peace Prize
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has welcomed the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to give this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos.
President Santos and Ronald S. Lauder
“President Santos thoroughly deserves this award. He really is a peace-maker,” Lauder said.
Ronald S. Lauder declared: “President Santos has worked incredibly hard for peace, and he has proved that even the most entrenched conflicts can be resolved if all parties are willing to sit down, negotiate, and commit to peaceful solutions. He has set an example for other parts of the world.
“Reaching peace after more than five decades and a conflict that cost the lives of so many Colombians is a major achievement. President Santos can be proud of that. Trying to make peace requires a lot of courage and tenacity, and he has shown that many, many times.
“I sincerely hope that it will be possible for him to secure a permanent end to this conflict, despite the outcome of last Sunday’s referendum, and I am sure he will succeed eventually.
“As the Nobel Committee rightly remarked, this award is also a tribute to the strength and sense for justice of the people of Colombian who have not given up hope of reaching a just and lasting peace.
“The Colombian peace process is not completed yet, but hopefully Colombians will feel encouraged by this important award for their president,” the WJC president stated.
Lauder has met with Santos numerous times. In March 2016, Lauder was honored in Washington, DC by Colombia’s ambassador to the United States, Juan Carlos Pinzon.
