Departing U.S. president George W. Bush will award Colombian President Álvaro
Uribe with the Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian
award, White House spokesman James Brady said Monday.
Uribe, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Australian Prime Minister John Howard will receive the award for “their work to improve the lives of their citizens and for
their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad,” Brady said during a press conference.
“All three leaders have been staunch allies of the United States,
particularly in combating terrorism. And their efforts to bring hope and
freedom to people around the globe have made their nations, America and the
world community a safer and more secure world,” Brady added.
The medal of freedom is traditionally given in the last few days of the President in function.