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CALD (The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats)
- CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
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by H.E. Dr. Kim Dae-jung
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Former
President of the
Republic
of
Korea
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December 10, 2003
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Bangkok,
Thailand
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Honorable Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, Dr. Otto
Graf Lambsdorff, Chairman of the Friedrich Naumann
Foundation, Honorable MR Paribatra, Chairman of CALD, and
democratic leaders of
Asia,
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would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the
10th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of
Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD). It was a pleasure for
me to be invited to such a meaningful conference
commemorating the 10th anniversary of CALD. Regretfully, I
am unable to attend this illustrious gathering due to my
health.
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Ten years ago, I participated as one of the founding
members of CALD. Leaders from all over Asia, who had deep
faith in the future of democracy gathered there. They all
had the common goal of establishing and expanding
democracy in the region.
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a result, CALD has been the venue for various discussions
related to democracy, and has developed as one of the
epicenters in promoting democracy in Asia. CALD has
greatly contributed to pursuing democracy as a common
value of Asia beyond the differences in language, religion
and culture. Compared to a decade ago, democracy has
flourished in Asia. I would like to commend CALD for
playing an important role in this outcome.
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would also like to extend my respect and gratitude to the
Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which has stood by the CALD
and provided continuous support.
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Distinguished democratic leaders of
Asia,
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During the latter half of the 20th century, with its
remarkable economic growth, Asia has seen a dynamic
development of democracy. Today, most Asian countries opt
for democracy and market economy, and are further
developing their democratic system through political
reform. Asian democracy will further expand and develop in
the future.
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Asia’s democratization is no coincidence. The respect for
human dignity and the respect for the people live in the
history and culture of
Asia,
from the doctrines of Buddhism, Confucianism to Islam.
These are the roots of democracy. The aspiration of
freedom and human rights is universal. The Western society
succeeded in systemizing this at an early stage. But the
idea that Western democracy cannot take root in
Asia
is unfounded.
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Distinguished guests,
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are now living in a world of unlimited competition of
information-based economies, and of globalization. The
core value of the knowledge-based economy is human
creativity. Creativity cannot thrive under a regime that
oppresses the human mentality. Creative ideas can only be
born in democracy that respects freedom and human rights.
Now, for the sake of economic survival and development, we
need to truly develop a mature democracy, because we are
living in an age of knowledge-based economy.
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The development of democracy, however, cannot be sustained
without peace. From this point of view, we oppose
terrorism, and we oppose war. Conflict and confrontation
must be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
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Terrorism that is raging in all parts of the world is the
biggest threat toward peace in the 21st century. Military
superpowers can easily win conventional warfares, but are
having a hard time fighting the war against terrorism.
International cooperation has become all the more
important for peace in the 21st century. Above all, we
must give hope to the poor. We must enable democracy to
take deeper root. Enjoying freedom and hope toward life
can rid the world of terrorism from the source. Only
democracy can bestow to the people freedom and hope toward
life.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
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have consistently pursued the Sunshine Policy for peace
and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, the last
remnant of the Cold War. I have constantly emphasized the
idea that we should achieve reconciliation by opening up
the closed doors of
North
Korea
through dialogue and cooperation, and not confrontation
and oppression.
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fact, since the historic summit meeting with Chairman Kim
Jong-Il of North Korea on June 15, 2000, the relations
between the two Koreas have significantly improved.
Military tension and confrontation eased, and exchange and
cooperation in various areas greatly increased.
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The world is concerned about the North Korean nuclear
issue. But if we pursue dialogue with patience and
principle, the nuclear issue will be solved peacefully. To
resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, North Korea must
completely abandon its nuclear program, and the
United
States
should firmly guarantee the national security demanded in
return by North Korea.
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must not forget that without peace on the Korean
peninsula, there could be no stable development in
Asia.
World peace would also be under great threat. I ask for
your continuous cooperation and support in achieving peace
on the Korean peninsula.
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Distinguished guests,
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Asia, which has suffered from the exploitation of the West
since the Opium War in the 1940s, is now being reborn and
under rapid development. The Asian economy will emerge as
one of the 3 main economic blocs in the world, with NAFTA
and EU. Asia will become a partner that competes and
cooperates with the other economic blocs.
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Against the backdrop, today’s event celebrating the 10th
birthday of CALD will be a meaningful occasion to discuss
the future of Asia in the 21st century. I want to
reiterate that CALD should continue to be a driving force
for the development of democracy and mutual prosperity in
Asia.
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would like to wish for greater success of CALD in the
future, and extend my best wishes to the health and good
fortune of all the leaders, who are gathered here today.
Thank you.
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December 10, 2003
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Kim Dae-jung
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