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29 March 2024

Obama hails Havel's 'moral leadership' and 'dignity'

Published
By AFP

US President Barack Obama praised late former Czech president Vaclav Havel on Sunday as a leader of great vision and moral courage who "shook the foundations of an empire" with his peaceful resistance to communist rule.

Obama was joined by former president George W. Bush and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in mourning the passing of the hero of the non-violent 1989 Velvet Revolution that ushered in the collapse of communism in the former Czechoslovakia.

"His peaceful resistance shook the foundations of an empire, exposed the emptiness of a repressive ideology, and proved that moral leadership is more powerful than any weapon," a "deeply saddened" Obama said in a statement as tributes for Havel poured in to the Czech Republic from around the world.

Havel, a playwright and political prisoner who led the revolt against communist rule and became his country's first post-Soviet bloc president, died Sunday aged 75.

"He played a seminal role in the Velvet Revolution that won his people their freedom and inspired generations to reach for self-determination and dignity in all parts of the world," Obama added in his eulogy.

"He also embodied the aspirations of half a continent that had been cut off by the Iron Curtain, and helped unleash tides of history that led to a united and democratic Europe.

Bush, who awarded Havel the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest US civilian award -- in 2003, also extended condolences.

"His strong voice for human liberty changed the course of his country and crossed continents," Bush said in a statement from his office in Dallas, Texas.

"The most subversive act of the playwright from Prague was telling the truth about tyranny. And when that truth finally triumphed, the people elected this dignified, charming, humble, determined man to lead their country."

He hailed Havel as one of the "greatest heroes" in the cause of freedom.

Clinton mourned the loss of her "friend" Havel, saying he had been an inspiration for her in his fight against oppression and for democracy, freedom and the downtrodden.

"When communism threatened the peace and prosperity of our world and covered Eastern Europe in a cloud of hopelessness, he wrote plays so powerful they changed the course of history and created new democratic opportunities for millions," she said.

"And when the people of the Czech Republic were finally allowed to express themselves freely, they overwhelmingly chose a man who never wanted to be in politics."

Nancy Reagan, the widow of former president Ronald Reagan, praised the Czech leader admired by her late husband for his belief in freedom and "courage to speak out about the evils of communism."

"He will be remembered as a hero to the people of the Czech Republic and to lovers of freedom around the world," she added.