ICRC News 17 / 03-May-01


In memory of

   Aduwe Boboli         Jean Molokabonge	
   Julio Delgado        Veronique Saro
   Rita Fox-Stucki      Unen Ufoirworth		
					
Out of respect for our colleagues who lost their lives so tragically last
week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the ICRC News will not
appear in its usual form this week.

Instead, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to their lives and work
with a selection of words expressed by friends and colleagues during the
special memorial ceremony held in Geneva on Wednesday, 2 May 2001,
declared a day of mourning by the ICRC.

"It is personalities such as theirs that do honour to the ICRC, which will
persist in its endeavour to preserve life and human dignity with the
tenacity shown by its staff. ...The price paid by our six colleagues on 26
April, however, is a price I cannot and will never accept. This rejection,
you understand, is total." (Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC)

"We never felt solidarity so profoundly as in these circumstances. When
they brought us the mortal remains of Rita and Julio, we received them in
the African tradition, just as we did for Papa Jean, Boboli, Unen and Da
Véro. They were all close to us in our hearts. ...The night spent by the
entire staff, even those who were on vacation, around the mortal remains
of Rita and Julio was a true expression of the pain felt by all. It was
proof that beyond professional relationships there exist emotional ties
that are difficult to describe." (Alexis Kabanga, on behalf of the
Congolese staff of the ICRC in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo)

"You wore your convictions not on your sleeve, like arrogant finery, but
like an old sheet of folded, yellowed paper forgotten in the deepest
recess of a well-worn wallet - like a love letter from one's youth which,
when unexpectedly discovered, reminds us that love is stronger than death.
. . . When a man like you leaves us, all of humanity is the poorer. Adios,
Julio." (Juan Martinez of ICRC headquarters, for his former colleague
Julio)

"In your work you were exemplary: professional and compassionate. You
willingly shared the wisdom of your experience with all of us who had the
privilege of working with you. You had the courage to give of yourself.
Now you have given it all. Rita, we are proud to have known you, and we
miss you." (Hanna Mollan of ICRC Goma, for Rita)

More information on the special memorial ceremony can be found on the ICRC
Website: http://www.icrc.org


During the weekend of 5 - 6 May 2001, for all information please call the
press officer on duty Vincent Lusser, on (mobile) 41 79 217 32 24