His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulates UN
15 October, 2001:
His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary-General
UNITED NATIONS
New York, NY
U.S.A
October 13, 2001
Your Excellency,
I am extremely happy to learn that Your Excellency and the United Nations have been jointly awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Please accept my warmest congratulations.
I have the highest personal admiration for your determined efforts to make the United Nations more effective. I believe this will contribute more significantly to peace in many parts of the world both politically and in providing humanitarian help. I have always felt that since the United Nations is the only world body where weaker nations can appeal to for justice and help it has a very important role to play. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize jointly to Your Excellency and the United Nations therefore is very fitting and I sincerely welcome this. I am also greatly encouraged as I feel that the awarding of the Prize will further enhance yours as well as that of the United Nations’ efforts to bring about peace and stability in the world.
With my prayers and good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
The Dalai Lama