2
O
viedo
| C
ampoamor
T
heatre
| 27
th
N
ovember
1993
The men and women of unprofor are deeply grateful to the Prince of Asturias Foundation for
honouring them in this way. As Secretary-General of theUnitedNations, I can say that it is an honour
theyhavewelldeserved.Ialsoknowthatunpeacekeeperseverywherewillbedelightedthatrecognition
has been given to their colleagues in this way. All of the United Nations can be proud of the honour
you confer on unprofor.
On this day, we should especially remember the 62 members of unprofor and of other
humanitarian missions that have lost their lives since the establishment of this mission in February
1992. Our thoughts also go out to the 782 people who have been injured while performing their
duty in the former Yugoslavia.
By recognizing the difficulties under which unprofor operates and the extreme complexity
of the political situation in the former Yugoslavia, the Prince of Asturias Foundation has sent
a clear message of encouragement to everyone involved in the 18 United Nations peacekeeping
operations worldwide. Now, when the uno is beginning a second phase in its peacekeeping work,
and when the Organization enters new and unfamiliar territory, it is a pleasure for the men and
women who risk their lives for others to be recognized in this way.
The upkeep of international peace and security is one of the main objectives of the United
Nations. Thirty-five countries are pursuing this goal through their contributions to unprofor.
I pay tribute to them all, but the distinguished contribution that the Armed Forces of Spain are
making to unprofor is worthy of special mention today. Their role has been highlighted in a
special way —and rightly so— by the Jury.
The people of the former Yugoslavia want peace. So I take this opportunity to ask their
military and political leaders to exercise their responsibilities to their people and to the international
community. Their duty is to act decisively to chart a path that leads to mitigating the horrors of war
and which allows the restoration of peace.
Joseph Verner Reed,
on behalf of Boutros
Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-
General of the United
Nations
—
United Nations Blue
Berets stationed in
the former Yugoslavia
—
Prince of Asturias
Award for International
Cooperation
1993
Excerpt from the speech given on
the occasion of receiving the Prince
of Asturias Award for International
Cooperation on 27/11/1993.
