Tony Blair tells Bill Clinton, thanks for your help

Published on Monday 13 September 2010 23:52

Tony Blair yesterday honoured former United States President Bill Clinton, saying his help had been essential when dealing with the Kosovo conflict and the Northern Ireland peace process.

The two men appeared on stage for a discussion at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, where the former prime minister was presented with the Liberty Medal in honour of his work for global human rights.

Mr Blair said he had never had the chance to thank Mr Clinton for his support.

"He played an absolutely critical role," he told him. "Without your intervention, we would never have achieved that peace in Northern Ireland"

Mr Clinton said Mr Blair "continues to demonstrate the same leadership, dedication and creativity in promoting economic opportunity in the Middle East and the resolution of conflicts rooted in religion around the world."

In a statement, Mr Blair said: "Freedom, liberty and justice are the values by which this medal is struck.

"Freedom, liberty and justice are the values which I try to apply to my work on governance in Africa and on preparing the Palestinians for statehood."

The medal includes a $100,000 (65,000) cash award. Mr Blair will donate the money to the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and African Governance Initiative.

Previous winners have included rock singer and human rights activist Bono, former South African President Nelson Mandela and former US President Jimmy Carter.

However, the award comes at a time when Tony Blair's standing and his legacy are increasingly in question.

He cancelled a planned book signing in London last week after eggs and shoes were thrown at him at an earlier book-signing in Dublin. Protesters were angered over his role in launching the Iraq War.

And an internet campaign is urging protesters to go into bookshops and move copies of his new autobiography to the crime section.