Igman Tragedy

“The Mount Igman Route to Sarajevo was often described as the most dangerous road in Europe. Parts of the road, a narrow, winding red-dirt track originally used only by farmers and shepherds, were controlled by Serb machine gunners, who regularly shot at U.N. vehicles trying to reach the Bosnian capital. The roadbed had little foundation and no reinforcement along its sides, and in several of its narrower sections, it was difficult for two cars to pass each other. The wreckage of vehicles that had slid off the road or been hit by Serb gunners littered the steep slopes and ravines. In the summer of 1995, however, with the airport closed by Serb artillery, the two-hour drive over Mount Igman was the only way to reach Sarajevo without going through Bosnian Serb lines.

RICHARD HOLBROOKE: ”Mr. President, we have the sad duty to report that three members of your negotiating team died this morning in a vehicle accident on mount Igman…”

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: ”Come home as soon as you can, but make clear publicly that our commitment to the peace effort will continue and that you will lead it. “

(Excerpts from Richard Holbrooke’s book “To End a War”)

U.S. Negotiation Team Members tragically killed on Mount Igman, BH: