The Globe and Mail reports that Stephen Harper will receive the Appeal of Conscience Foundation ‘World Statesman of the Year for 2012’ award, and that it will be presented to him by Henry Kissinger on September 27 in New York City. The article adds, “The timing of the award ceremony, during the week when world leaders descend on New York to address the annual opening of the UN General Assembly, underlines Mr. Harper’s distaste for the multilateral diplomatic forum. Prime ministers were offered UN speaking slots on Sept. 27 – the very day Mr. Harper will accept the award in New York – but Mr. Harper chose to skip the UN. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will speak for Canada, but, as a mere minister, is relegated to the following week.” Reportedly, Harper is receiving the award because of his “promise to open an Office of Religious Freedom” and due to his “staunch support of Israel and vocal criticism of Iran”. According to the ACF website, “This interfaith coalition of business and religious leaders promotes peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution. The Foundation believes that freedom, democracy and human rights are the fundamental values that give nations of the world their best hope for peace, security and shared prosperity.”
The full article is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-honoured-in-ny-as-statesman-of-the-year-aims-to-snub-un/article4536110/.
