Murder of Ana Lindh, Foreign Minister of Sweden
Statement by Jan Kavan, President of the 57th session of the UN General Assembly

11 September 2003

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of Ana Lindh, Foreign Minister of Sweden. Anna was a good friend and colleague with whom I had worked closely as Czech foreign minister and as President of the UN General Assembly.

I remember her as a warm and lovely human being, an excellent diplomat, a great European, a passionate social democrat and a wonderful woman with whom I shared her vision of a socially just and peaceful world based on solidarity and tolerance. I am appalled by this senseless and brutal death and hope that the perpetrator be speedily brought to justice.

My thoughts are with her family, friends and the people of Sweden who so much cherished their open society.