New World Bank President Visits Bosnia And Herzegovina To Attend Srebrenica Commemoration

Media Contacts: In Sarajevo  Srecko Latal ++387-33-440-293

Mobile 387-61-157-277e-mail  Slatal@worldbank.org

In Washington   Nick van Praag  1-202-458-9262

e-mail nvanpraag@worldbank.org

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 11, 2005 – New World Bank Group President Paul Wolfowitz visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 10 and 11, to join senior national and international officials at a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.

“We’re here today for many reasons, but most of all we are here to remember and honor the victims of the worst act of genocide in Europe since World War II. Equally we are here to console the survivors and to commit ourselves to do everything we can to help them to rebuild shattered lives,” said President Wolfowitz in his address at the commemoration ceremony in Srebrenica.

During this visit, President Wolfowitz met with Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, whom he first met on May 21 in Washington, DC.  While in Sarajevo, Paul Wolfowitz also met local youth representatives to discuss current and future challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We are also here to express our hopes that all citizens of this country will use this opportunity not only to reflect on the past but to commit to building a brighter future,” said President Wolfowitz in his address.“I am proud that the World Bank has been able to participate in building a better future for this country and I appeal to everyone here today to stand together to make the dreams of this young generation a reality.”

President Wolfowitz’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of his second official trip since he took over the World Bank presidency on June 1, 2005. His first trip was a tour of several African countries. Mr. Wolfowitz has visited Bosnia and Herzegovina and specifically Srebrenica several times in previous capacities over the past few years.  

From Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paul Wolfowitz goes on to Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, where he will meet with the Serb authorities as well as representatives of civil society.