BUDIMIR SENDS CONDOLENCES TO EUFOR, SRPSKA POLICE READY TO HELP AFTER CRASH

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 30 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Interior Minister Željko Budimir has expressed his condolences to EUFOR Commander in BiH Maurizio Fronda over the death of Italian soldiers in the helicopter crash near Brčko, stressing that the Srpska Interior Ministry stands in full solidarity with the mission and is ready to offer support and help.

"We are aware that a military career, in its essence, means being ready to face many risks and challenges, but no professional duty can lessen the weight of the loss of human life," Budimir said.

He stressed that the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry is ready to offer support and help, in the belief that solidarity, mutual understanding and people's readiness to stand by one another matter most at moments like these.

"It is with deep sorrow and sincere regret that we received the news of the accident in which members of EUFOR forces in BiH were killed and injured. I extend my deepest condolences to the EUFOR Mission in BiH, to the home armed forces of the fallen members, and to their families, who are facing an irreparable loss," Budimir wrote in a telegram.

He wished the injured EUFOR members a successful and speedy recovery.

EUFOR said last night that two members of the Italian Armed Forces and two members of the Italian Military Red Cross were killed in the crash of the Italian helicopter near Brčko, while 11 people were injured.