11 July 2005

NATO Chief Says Srebrenica Massacre Must Not Be Forgotten
Jaap De Hoop Scheffer commemorates massacre's 10th anniversary

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the international community must never forget the massacre of almost 8,000 men and boys in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“It is something we must never allow to happen again,” he said, adding that the perpetrators will face justice. De Hoop Scheffer also said NATO will help Bosnia and Herzegovina build a peaceful and tolerant country.

Following is his statement:

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NATO Press Release
July 9, 2005

STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF SREBRENICA

The anniversary of the terrible events which took place in Srebrenica is an appropriate moment to reflect on the tragedy that took place there ten years ago. The massacre of almost eight thousand men and boys, in the heart of Europe, is something which we must never forget. It is also something we must never allow to happen again.

Many of those responsible for that crime against humanity are where they belong: facing justice before the International Tribunal in The Hague. Two other indicted individuals in particular, Radovan Karadjic and Ratko Mladic, are still on the run, but they cannot hide forever and they too will face justice.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has made great progress since the end of the war, with ever-growing stability and prosperity – but there is more work to be done. The best response to the massacre in Srebrenica is to continue building a country that is inclusive, tolerant, firmly at peace, and integrating with Euro-Atlantic structures. NATO will continue to play its part to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach that goal.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov

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