Latvia Award for Tom Dine, RFE/RL

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Latvia Award for Tom Dine, RFE/RL

RFE/RL President Tom Dine has been awarded Latvia's highest civilian honor -- the Three Star Order. Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga visited RFE/RL's broadcast center in Prague on May 2 to present the award and express support for the Radio. Her statement follows:

"We are honoring a distinguished American who has devoted most of his life to serving the cause of democracy and freedom; to strengthening the rule of law and to building inclusive societies both in his homeland and throughout the world; a public servant who has tirelessly worked to promote the values of mutual understanding and respect for one's fellow beings.
Mr Dine, I praise your dedicated service, and express my gratitude to RFE/RL for helping to create the conditions that led to the restoration of my country's independence. Over the period of several decades, the Latvian Service of Radio Free Europe helped to keep the dream of freedom alive in Latvia. It encouraged those who were struggling for democracy, liberty, and the respect for human rights.
We can be thankful that today Latvians have the opportunity to rebuild a modern, national state with a genuine and participatory democracy. As part of this reconstruction, our government is currently implementing a Social Integration Program. We hope that this program will help to consolidate the high level of mutual understanding and tolerance that has already been achieved between the country's various ethnic communities at the grass-roots level.
We appreciate the fact that RFE/RL has joined us in our efforts by starting a special social integration program in Russian. I believe that this latest undertaking by RFE/RL is consistent with its long-range mission to promote democracy, tolerance and stability in its broadcast region.
Mr. Dine, I thank you again for contributing to the efforts that are helping Latvia to become a free, democratic and prosperous nation, as well as a true ally of the United States. I would like to wish you and RFE/RL continued success in reaching out to people throughout in the world, and in providing encouragement to those who are still struggling for the implementation of democracy and freedom in their countries."

RFE/RL President Tom Dine holding the Latvian Three Star Order presented to him by President Vaira Vike- Freiberga May 2, 2002.

RFE/RL President Tom Dine shows the Latvian Three Star Order after the May 2, 2002 award ceremony to RFE/RL's three "Latvians" - from left: Deputy Director of the Latvian Service Pavils Bruvers, Director of Marketing, Affiliates Development Uldis Grava and Latvian Service Director Peter Zvagulis.

Tom Dine chairing a May 2, 2002 conference with the three Baltic presidents - from left Estonia's Arnold Ruutel, Latvia's Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Lithuania's Valdas Adamkus.

Tom Dine, visibly moved, in his response stressed the importance of Latvia's efforts to promote tolerance and mutual understanding among the various parts of Latvia's society. And he wished Latvia success in the NATO accession process that will culminate in the Prague summit in November.
The Latvian president and accompanying officials then listened to an audio tape of jingles and highlights of RFE/RL broadcasting in Latvian and Russian to Latvia, watched a presentation by the Internet Team on the Latvian Service's new, redesigned website and viewed at RFE/RL part of an exhibition of childrens drawings from Latvia depicting a unified Europe.
The award ceremony came at the end of a busy Baltic day for RFE/RL which also co-sponsored, with the Czech Institute of International Relations, a tri-presidential conference held at the Czech Foreign Ministry. Lithuania's Valdas Adamkus, Latvia's Vaira-Vike Freiberga, and Estonia's Arnold Ruutel made speeches about a common future in the Atlantic Community, followed by a discussion co-chaired by Tom Dine and the Institute's Jiri Sedivy.
During the conference, the Latvian president said there are no real obstacles blocking the three Baltic nations from joining NATO. The only difficulty is to overcome our own fear, she said.
President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania, noted that his country's relations with Russia are good given the range of complex bilateral issues and said he is confident the present arrangement with Russia is viable. Adamkus' tight schedule did not permit a visit to RFE/RL but at a dinner hosted by the Lithuanian embassy May 1, he spoke with Tom Dine and expressed warm support for RFE/RL.

(Peter Zvagulis, Latvian Service)