THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICE AND FUNERAL OF TRAGICALLY DEPARTED PRIME MINISTER OF SERBIA DR. ZORAN DJINDJIC

Belgrade, 15 March 2003 - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended today the memorial service and funeral of the tragically departed Prime Minister of Serbia Dr. Zoran Djindjic.

In the presence of His Holiness the Patriarch of Serbia Pavle, the service was administered by His Eminent Grace the Metropolitan of Montenegro Amfilohije, His Grace the Bishop of Backa Irinej, His Grace the Bishop of Hvost Atanasije, and many archpriests of Serbian Orthodox Church, priests and deacons.

Together with the members of the Prime Minister Djindjic's family - his mother Mila, his wife Ruzica and his children Jovana and Luka, the memorial service and funeral were also attended by high delegations from abroad, heads of states and governments, high representatives of international organizations and institutions, foreign officials, top officials of Serbia, Montenegro and Republika Srpska, members of Democratic party, DOS coalition and other parties, delegations of religious communities and many citizens who carried flowers, candles, and photographs of the assassinated Prime Minister with quoted Djindjic's words that removing him will not stop the rule of law and reforms in Serbia.

Citizens from Novi Sad, Kraljevo, Kragujevac, Uzice, Cacak, Jagodina, Pozarevac and other towns throughout Serbia came to Belgrade to pay the last respect to their Prime Minister.

After the service, the cortege of over one hundred thousand people walked along Svetosavska street to Slavija square, then along Belgrade street to the School of Law, along Boulevard of King Alexander to Vuk's Monument, and along Ruzveltova street to the New Cemetery, where the Prime Minister of Serbia Dr. Zoran Djindjic was buried in the Alley of Great Men.

Small memorial service was administered by the Vicar Bishop of His Holiness the Patriarch of Serbia, Atanasije Rakita.

On behalf of foreign statesmen, farewell words to Dr. Zoran Djindjic were spoken by the head of Greek diplomacy and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of European Union Mr. Iorgos Papandreu who pointed out that the European Union will support the efforts of Serbian people and the democratic Government of Serbia to continue the way Djindjic led the country. Papandreu also extended condolences of the Greek people, the Prime Minister and all political parties to Djindjic's family and Serbian people, and emphasized his personal friendship with the assassinated Serbian Prime Minister.

Farewell to Dr. Zoran Djindjic was spoken by the Minister of Justice Mr. Vladan Batic, the Minister of Finance Mr. Bozidar Djelic, and the Federal Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Zoran Zivkovic.

Their Royal Highnesses laid a wreath on the grave of Dr. Zoran Djindjic and very emotionally said the last good bye to their long time friend.