The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, has extended his congratulations to Danis Tanovic, whose film No Man’s Land was named "Best Foreign Language Film" at the 74^th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.

In a message faxed to Mr Tanovic the High Representative observed that "No Man’s Land powerfully reflects the agony of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina" The Oscar award, he wrote, "testifies to the universal relevance of this authoritative piece of film-making."

The High Representative also noted that "No Man’s Land shows what can be done when BiH artists compete internationally with self-confidence."

While it is a tragedy of BiH’s recent past that this fine work is concerned with violence and destruction, the High Representative noted that No Man’s Land as a film displays abundant qualities of creativity and excellence. He expressed the hope that "more and more this country will become renowned for exactly these qualities rather than being associated with violence."