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Tribute
from the Pugwash Secretary General | Pugwash
Council Statement | From
Polish Pugwash Group Warsaw, September 2, 2005 Professor Joseph Rotblat has passed away. We lost a great man of the world and of Pugwash, but we lost as well a friend with whom we could discuss global problems but also chat on small personal troubles with full confidence. Jo was born in Poland and was educated here reaching the distinction of Doctor of Physics at the University of Warsaw. Here he met his colleagues and with many of them like Marian Danysz the ties of friendship lasted for ever. He often talked and felt that his roots are coming from this country. He was happy that between signatories of Russell–Einstein Manifesto was the name of world known Polish physicist Leopold Infeld. He had many devoted friends in Poland including Leszek Kuznicki, Past President of the Polish Academy of Sciences. I met Jo for the first time on the Pugwash Conference in Oxford in 1972. In 1973 I was elected to be the Chairman of the Council (later on four times reelected till 1997). During 28 years of my service in the Council I was fortunate to know more and more about his professional knowledge in the field of peace – and disarmament, moral responsibility of scientists, his interest in biophysics mainly dealing with influence of radiation on human beings, but most important his respect to the views of the members of the Council. During this time most of our decisions were taken by consensus. Because of his sentiment to Poland, Polish Pugwash Group was happy to organize several Pugwash gatherings in this country. He became Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and received high Polish distinction Commander, Order of Merit. I am proud to be his friend. My wife Sophie and I enjoyed his visits to our home and meetings around the world. Jo, we shall never forget you. Maciej Nalecz Dear Pugwashites, Please find below additional information regarding obituaries which were published in the daily newspapers "Gazeta Wyborcza" (GW) and "Rzeczpospolita" (Rz). The following persons were kind to write obituaries: Aleksander Kwasniewski - President of the Polish Republic (GW 06.09.2005, Rz 07.09.2005) Adam Daniel Rotfeld - Minister of Foreign Affairs (GW 08.09.2005) Longin Pastusiak - Chairman of Polish Senate (Rz 06.09.2005) Andrzej Legocki - President of the Polish Academy of Sciences (GW 06.09.2005) and from the Polish Pugwash Group (GW 03.09.05)
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