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VACLAV HAVEL - a tribute from F. W. de Klerk - Honorary Chair, The Prague Society for International Cooperation

The F W de Klerk Foundation would like to pay tribute to the late Václav Havel, the first President of the Czech Republic , who died yesterday. Václav Havel was one of the foremost founders of the new Europe, based on freedom and democratic values and retained a keen interest in the promotion of human and political rights after he left office. He played a courageous and indispensible role in the liberation of the Czech people from decades of communist totalitarianism and, in so-doing, contributed to the collapse of communism throughout East and Central Europe. He was also a leading European intellectual, playwright and literary figure.

F W de Klerk deeply admired President Havel and regularly participated in the Forum 2000 discussions that he initiated.

The Foundation would like to take this opportunity to express its condolences to President Havel’s family and friends - and to the entire Czech people.



ISSUED BY THE F W DE KLERK FOUNDATION

CAPE TOWN, 19 DECEMBER 2011

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