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We are gathered here today in order to honour twelve members of the International Community who, two years ago, gave their lives in the service of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They recognised the need for an international effort to bring peace and stability to this country. And they made the ultimate sacrifice as their contribution - they gave their lives. Five of the victims of this tragic accident were members of OHR, former colleagues. In OHR today we all mourn this terrible loss. Seven victims were representatives of the United Nations: we honour their memory too, and pay tribute to the work which the United Nations has done in this country. We welcome to this simple and dignified occasion the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives, and we extend to them our deepest sympathy in their bereavement. We can never make up for their personal loss. But we can assure them, and the whole world, that the victims of this appalling human catastrophe did not die in vain. OHR and other International Organisations remain as determined as ever to work to bring this troubled nation to its rightful place in a modern Europe. We are deeply honoured to have had these twelve fine people as our colleagues and collaborators, and to have this opportunity to attend this occasion to express our profound respect for them.
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