REMARKS BY U.S. AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA THOMAS MILLER AT A CEREMONY
MARKING THE 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF U.S. DIPLOMATS
BOB FRASURE, JOE KRUZEL, AND NELSON DREW ON MT. IGMAN WHILE ENGAGED IN
A MISSION TO BRING PEACE TO BIH
August 19, 2000.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic accident at this site
that claimed the lives of our three colleagues Bob Frasure, Joe
Kruzel, and Nelson Drew. It also claimed the life of Stefan Raoult, a
French soldier.
Because of their efforts, we are here today, the war is over, the
rebuilding has progressed quite far, the healing has started, people
are returning to their homes, and the ethnic hatreds -- while not over
-- are subsiding.
It's ironic that Bob, Joe, and Nelson, who did so much to create the
conditions for Dayton, were not there to celebrate the fruits of
Dayton. Indeed, I would urge many of you to go back to Dick
Holbrooke's book and recall that on the inside cover are pictures of
our three colleagues with the inscription: "This book is dedicated to
our three cherished colleagues who did not reach Dayton."
They represented the best and the brightest of their generation.
Indulge me one more second to quote a little bit more from Holbrooke's
book because I think he said it best in describing our three
colleagues: "The public sector contains countless men and women who,
whether liberal or conservative, still believe in hard work, high
ethical standards, and patriotism. This book is dedicated to three of
them. As the story demonstrates, public service can make a
difference."
While I never had the opportunity to meet Nelson, I knew Joe somewhat
and I knew Bob quite well. I remember in particular Bob's tremendous
tenacity, quick intelligence, unbelievable calm under pressure, and
dry, but extremely humorous wit.
Shortly after I got here, I wrote to Bob's widow, Katharina, inviting
her to come out here. I don't think she would mind if I shared part of
her letter she wrote back to me:
"Thank you for you kind invitation to visit Sarajevo. The girls and I
would very much like to visit Mt. Igman some day. We have postponed
our plans to do so again and again -- it is so hard to be brave." She
goes on to say: "We miss Bob so much, and that will never go away. Our
plan at this time is to travel to Sarajevo next June, after Sarah has
graduated from Wellesley."
I hope at this time next year we can have Katharina and her daughters
with us to commemorate the bravery of her husband and his colleagues.
Indeed I hope the families of his two colleagues will also be able to
join us next year.
This event is not only about remembering, but it's also about
dedicating ourselves to the memory of our colleagues who worked for a
better future in this country. I think if they were with us today,
they'd be pleased that so much progress has been made:
The country is being rebuilt and essential services have been
restored; Stability has returned; Because people feel more secure,
record numbers of refugees and displaced persons are returning to
their homes, particularly in minority areas; The difficult
transformation from a statist to a market-based economy in underway;
Hard-liners can no longer act with impunity, and when they step over
the line, they are being dismissed; The pace of apprehensions of war
criminals has picked up significantly over the past year.
But if our colleagues were here today looking over my shoulder, they
would offer a "but" to each of the above benchmarks of progress:
The country will never be fully rebuilt and the psychological scars
continue to be deep; The fighting has ended, but the war in the minds
of many people continues; Yes, refugees are returning in record
numbers, but mostly to rural areas. Also, many of those living abroad
will never come home; The effort to transform the economy continues,
but not without difficulties, as those with both political and
economic power are resisting this effort;
Yes, war criminals are being apprehended at an increasing pace, but
the big ones remain free. In addition, there are thousands of people
in this country who have not been formally indicted but nonetheless
have done terrible things and are walking around free today.
The best tribute we can pay to our fallen colleagues is not only to
remember their brave deeds and heroic efforts, but to pledge to
redouble our efforts to continue the fight they started and which so
tragically ended five year ago today on a misty morning on this
mountain.
Thank you.
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