Statement by Foreign Minister Fischer on the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre

"It has been 10 years since the barbaric massacre of Srebrenica occurred, one of the most horrifying crimes in Europe since the end of World War II. In July 1995, Bosnian Serb troops rounded up and murdered approx. 8,000 boys and men from the surrounding area of the North Bosnian town of Srebrenica. The mass murder in Srebrenica was the barbarous climax of Slobodan Milosevic's inhuman policy of 'ethnic cleansing.'

The primary mastermind is now facing trial on charges of serious war crimes at the Hague, but others are still at large. The former Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic and former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic must be tracked down and handed over to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at the Hague. The same applies to all the other accused wanted by the Tribunal.

Germany worked hard in Bosnia and Herzegovina to bring about and secure a peaceful solution, the Dayton agreement. With soldiers serving in the EU military mission EUFOR and police officers serving in the EU police mission, we are also continuing to contribute to the stabilization of the country. In addition, we are assisting our Bosnian neighbors in their efforts to return to normality through mine clearing, refugee aid, and economic reconstruction.

The massacre of Srebrenica also has become a symbol of the failure and helplessness of the international community, which, however, has since drawn the consequences: In Macedonia and in Kosovo, it succeeded in preventing similar possible excesses of a nationalistic policy of violence in Europe through early active intervention. Here, too, we remain engaged as part of the Balkan Contact Group and through our participation in the NATO and EU peace missions.

Since the end of the Balkan wars, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other countries of the former Yugoslavia have moved substantially closer to their aim of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness. But they will continue to need our help in the future in order to be able to find their place again in a peaceful and united Europe. They need the prospect of Europe.

The German Government remains committed to providing political and material support in the Balkan region. Srebrenica must never happen again!"

July 9, 2005

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