Bernard Kouchner Photo: World Economic Forum
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has been decorated with the Medal of Gratitude for his services in helping the Solidarity movement in Poland in the 1980s.
Mr Kouchner is a co-founder of charity organisations Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and Physicians of the World, which helped Solidarity after the imposition of Martial Law in December 1981 by sending medicine, medical equipment and clothing. The ceremony was held at the Polish Embassy in Paris.
Mr Kouchner said he was proud to receive the medal, stressing France’s close bonds with Poland and its confidence in the lasting character of Polish democracy.
The director of the European Solidarity Centre, Dominican Father Maciej Zięba thanked the French politician for introducing the notion of the right to humanitarian interference into international debate.
The Medal of Gratitude was founded by the Gdańsk-based European Solidarity Centre to honour foreign nationals who assisted Poles in their struggle to regain freedom. Over 300 medals are to be awarded this year, the 30th anniversary of the birth of Solidarity. (mk)
Thenews.pl |
