GENERAL WESLEY K. CLARK TO RECEIVE ICSU PINNACLE AWARD
Toronto, Canada - The International Council in Support of Ukraine (ICSU) is pleased to announce that Four-Star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Wesley K. Clark (ret), will receive the ICSU's inaugural Pinnacle Award at a Gala Dinner in Toronto on December 7, 2015 at the historic Old Mill Toronto.
The International Council in Support of Ukraine established the Pinnacle Award in 2015 to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed to a positive image of the Ukrainian identity on the world stage and have promoted a democratic and secure Ukrainian state.
“The ICSU is indeed honored to bestow this award upon General Wesley Clark— a distinguished figure of international prominence with a strategic vision for these challenging times,” according to ICSU President and former Canadian parliamentarian, Yuri Shymko.
Since Russia's military incursion against Ukraine, the former NATO Chief and Presidential Candidate has warned that "Putin wants to rebuild the Soviet space and send a warning to the rest of the world. This is a threat to the stability of the international order, and the system that we’ve taken for granted since the collapse of the Soviet Union.”
General Wesley Clark, the author of four books on foreign policy and the military, has forewarned western leaders that Putin’s objectives are much broader than Ukraine: "It would be to shatter the sense of well-being and confidence among the nations of Eastern Europe in NATO’S protection and ideally to drive a permanent wedge between the United States and its European allies." Having travelled to Ukraine seven times in the past year, General Clark has called for an emergency assistance package for Ukraine, including the provision of lethal weapons.
According to General Clark, now a Senior Fellow at the Burkle Center for International Relations in UCLA, "We're making a serious mistake if we think Putin’s interests are only limited to the geography of Ukraine.” General Clark's assessment is all the more relevant, given Russia's recent military incursion in Syria.
Among his many prestigious awards, General Clark is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), silver star, bronze star, purple heart, honorary knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments, and numerous other awards from other governments, including award of Commander of the Legion of Honor (France).
The ICSU's Pinnacle Award is bestowed upon individuals who have excelled in a wide array of professions and endeavors, including public service, statesmanship, journalism, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, science and technology, philanthropy, and humanitarian service.
Pinnacle Award Gala tickets go on sale starting October 20, 2015.
The mission of the International Council in Support of Ukraine is to promote government policies and NGO projects that strengthen and protect Ukraine’s democracy, security, and independence. The ICSU believes that Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic political, economic, and military integration are essential to preserve international peace and security.
For more information, visit our website: www.icsu.info
