"I am profoundly saddened at the passing of my predecessor, Javier Perez de Cuellar. He was an accomplished statesman, a committed diplomat and a personal inspiration who left a profound impact on the United Nations and our world," he expressed in a statement.
According to
Mr. Guterres,
Mr. Perez de Cuellar's life spanned not only a century but also the entire history of the United Nations, dating back to his participation in the first meeting of the General Assembly in 1946.
He added that the Peruvian diplomat's tenure as Secretary-General coincided with two distinct eras in international affairs: first, some of the iciest years of the Cold War, and then, with the ideological confrontation at an end, a time when the United Nations began to play more fully the role envisaged by the founders.
"Mr. Perez de Cuellar played a crucial role in a number of diplomatic successes —including the independence of Namibia, an end to the Iran-Iraq War, the release of American hostages held in Lebanon, the peace accord in Cambodia— and —in his very last days in office— a historic peace agreement in El Salvador," he highlighted.
Lastly, Mr. Guterres extended his "deepest condolences to Mr. Perez de Cuellar's family, the Peruvian people and so many others around the world whose lives were touched by a remarkable and compassionate global leader who left our world a far better place."
(END) NDP/MVB