Igman: Honoring fallen American diplomats and a French soldier

On Igman on August 19, 2017, a commemorative ceremony was held on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the tragic deaths of American diplomats Joseph Kruzel, Robert Frasure, Samuel Nelson Drew, and French soldier Stephan Reault.

The ceremony was held at the site of their demise, with military honors and the presence of the highest representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH, the US Embassy and the Embassy of the Republic of France in BiH, representatives of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, EUFOR, the military-diplomatic corps in BiH, representatives of government institutions in BiH and international organizations in BiH, as well as members of the Armed Forces of BiH led by the Deputy Commander of the Operational Command for Operations, Brigadier General Mirsad Ahmić.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Presidency of BiH by envoys Igor Planinčić and Dževad Mahmutović, Minister of Defense of BiH Marina Pendeš, US Ambassador to BiH H.E. Maureen Cormack, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of France in BiH Catherine Veber, and Commander of NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brig. Gen. Robert A. Huston.

After laying wreaths, Minister of Defense of BiH Marina Pendeš, US Ambassador to BiH H.E. Maureen Cormack, and Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of France in BiH Catherine Veber addressed the attendees with appropriate speeches.

In her address, Minister of Defense of BiH Marina Pendeš emphasized that the tragic death of the American diplomats and the French soldier "shows that building peace in the world is an honorable but dangerous calling, in which diplomats and soldiers, courageous and brave people, show a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the good of other people, nations, and states."

- We all have a great obligation to draw inspiration from the great sacrifice of peacekeepers, as well as thousands of victims during the war, for the establishment of internal relations and value systems that will guarantee lasting peace and security, which is a prerequisite for all development - emphasized Minister Pendeš.

Finally, Minister Pendeš, expressing condolences to the families of the victims, expressed gratitude to the governments and peoples of the USA and France "for all the efforts these countries' governments are making to build lasting peace in BiH and for their support on BiH's path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration."

US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack, while recalling the tragic deaths of the American diplomats and the French soldier, emphasized the commitment and dedication of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina in creating a "prosperous and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is proof that their sacrifice was not in vain." Ambassador Cormack also, on behalf of the American people, thanked the Ministry of Defense of BiH and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for preserving the memory of the fallen diplomats, which is commemorated every year with this appropriate ceremony.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of France in BiH Catherine Veber emphasized the support of the Republic of France for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and, among other things, expressed the conviction that the commitment of the tragically fallen peacekeepers "will not be forgotten."

We remind that on August 19, 1995, Messrs. Joseph Kruzel, Robert Frasure, and Nelson Drew, American diplomats from the cabinet of Richard Holbrooke, special envoy of then-US President Bill Clinton, and French soldier Stephan Raul tragically lost their lives on the Igman road, returning to Sarajevo after completing a peace mission.

The street where the US Embassy in BiH is located today has been renamed in honor of Ambassador Robert Frasure.