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| Press
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UNICEF hails pledge by Peruvian
President to shift military spending
to basic services for children
Bellamy Calls Announcement 'Real Leadership
for Children - A Courageous Step'
NEW YORK, 10 May 2002 - UNICEF today hailed
the President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo, who pledged
in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on
Thursday that his government would reduce military spending
in order to redirect public funds to basic social services
for children.
"I pledge that my government will significantly
reduce military expenditures with a view to reorienting
them to social investment, particularly in children,"
Toledo told the General Assembly. The hall broke into
applause.
The 56-year-old leader, elected last summer and Peru's
first president of Native origin, said he was born into
"extreme poverty" as one of 16 children. Seven
of his siblings died, and the President referred to
himself as a "statistical aberration" for
having survived. "When first born I confronted
the face of extreme poverty," Toledo said. "I
cannot forget that face."
UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said the Peruvian
President's commitment was "an extraordinary example
of real leadership for children. This courageous step
should be supported and emulated. This is just what
we've been talking about. It's just what children need."
Bellamy noted that many of the government leaders who
have addressed the Special Session on Children have
made pledges and commitments to children that are worthy
of praise. "Now what we need is follow-up and action,"
she said.
President Toledo has his work cut out for him. More
than half of his country's 26 million people live in
poverty.
"At this solemn assembly I reaffirm my commitment
to struggle against poverty, particularly that of children,"
the President told the General Assembly. "My commitment
is to re-prioritize public expenditure, to redirect
it toward health, education, nutrition, poverty reduction.
I am entirely convinced that no better investment exists
than investing in the minds of our children."
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For further information, please contact:
UNICEF Media, New York: (212) 326-7261 or (212) 326-7593
Daily satellite feeds are also available from the Special
Session.
For more information visit:
http://www.unicef.org/broadcast/feed
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