PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo was among Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) leaders at their summit here Friday paying tribute to the late President of Argentina and UNSAUR Secretary-General Nestor Kirchner.
“As President of Guyana and pro tempore of UNASUR, I would like to renew to Her Excellency Cristina Kirchner, President of the Republic of Argentina and the wife of the late President, reassurances of the profound sympathy not only of Guyana and its people but throughout the entire UNASUR family. While we continue to mourn his untimely departure from our midst I would like on this occasion to remember his life’s work and to celebrate his many accomplishments,” President Jagdeo stated.
He said to those who watched his state funeral on television and saw the hundreds of thousands who came out to pay their tribute to their fallen leader, it was clear that the late President was deeply loved and respected by the Argentine nation. “None among us could help to be touched by the outpouring of such public grief. In the end, there can be no greater epitaph for any statesman than the admiration and respect of those whom he once led”, he said.
The Head of State noted that he cannot pretend to have known the late President very well since their personal contact and conversations were limited to the times they met each other briefly while attending conferences.
“I sincerely believe that social interaction between leaders can generate greater friendship and procreation, not only between their countries but also in the wider international communities to which they belong. One of my indelible memories of Mr. Kirchner is of his outstanding chairmanship of the 4th Summit of the Americas which was held in 2005.”
“From what I have read of his life, Mr. Kirchner may have been born with a gift of political dexterity which allowed him to overcome the many obstacles that came his way. Following the downfall of the military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in 1983, Kirchner entered public office. He soon became a celebrity and was fully launched on his political career”, President Jagdeo stated.
(GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY)