Former United Nations Secretary-General, Javier Perez, dies at 100
Former United Nations Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar has died on Wednesday at the age of 100 years, as disclosed by his son, Francisco Perez de Cuellar according to the United Nations(UN) website
Penpushing reports that, the deceased served as the world body scribe from 1981 to 1991 when he was often described as a “pacifist by vocation and nature”, and he was known for his peace-making efforts, which included brokering a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war.
The bereaved son, Francisco Perez de Cuellar said, “my dad died after a complicated week. He died at 8:09 pm tonight (0109 GMT Thursday) and is resting in peace,”
Penpushing further reports that, the United Nations(UN) stated that the late former scribe played a crucial role in ending the Iran-Iraq war, securing the release of American hostages held in Lebanon and in peace agreements in Cambodia and El Salvador,” .
The incumbent Secretary General of the United Nations( UN )Antonio Guterres in his remarks said he was “profoundly saddened” at the passing of his predecessor, adding, ’I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Perez de Cuellar’s family, the Peruvian people and so many others around the world whose lives were touched by a remarkable and compassionate global leader who left our world a far better place’.
Penpushing also reports that, the late Perez de Cuellar was praised by his countrymen as one of the most illustrious Peruvians of his era, noting that he was a veteran diplomat, lawyer and professor, and was the first and only Latin American to hold the top United Nations(UN job so far.
Penpushing recalled that, Perez de Cuellar,in 1995, lost a Presidential election to the country’s former leader, Albert Fujimori, and during the election, he won only 21.8 percent of the vote, while Fujimori who got 64.4 percent became the President.
However, in 1997, informants disclosed that the late diplomat had been subjected to systematic surveillance and phone tapping during the campaign, ordered by the head of Fujimori’s intelligence services, Vladimiro Montesinos.
Penpushing further reports that,after the failed regime of Fujimori in November 2000, Perez de Cuellar became head of a government of “unity and national reconciliation.”