UNMIK/PR/1172
PRISTINA – Today SRSG Harri Holkeri together with senior officials from UNMIK commemorated the American corrections officers killed at the Mitrovica detention center. Kim Bigley and Lynn Williams died of gunshot wounds received in the incident on 17 April, while officer Gary Weston has been pronounced brain dead as a result of his injuries.
SRSG Harri Holkeri said: “These deaths remind us of the dangers faced by the staff of the United Nations in the work for peace, justice and development around the world. We must do everything to protect and preserve the integrity, solidarity and trust that United Nations staff normally extend to one another. That bond must remain inviolate. Making it so is the best tribute we could pay to these courageous individuals, and to their fallen comrades around the world.”
Police Commissioner Stefan Feller extended his condolences and sorrow to the families of the victims as well as to the survivors. He said that no efforts are being spared to determine why this incident happened. Feller said that the police will not cease to fight against violence “We stand here with increased dedication to humanity and with intensified strength and belief.”
Jill Muncy, UNMIK Deputy Police Commissioner for Operations, said: “Let me assure you that the inexplicable actions of any one person, regardless of the tragic consequences, will never be allowed to deter the American police contingent from our mission in Kosovo.” She concluded: “We rise to this occasion to show the world that we will continue to work peacefully at the sides of our international colleagues.”
The ceremony in UNMIK’s Annex Hall was also attended by Kosovo’s President Ibrahim Rugova, Kosovo Assembly President Nexhat Daci, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, as well as the Deputy COMKFOR Guiseppe Gay.