AMBASSADOR MATTHIAS SONN SENIOR DEPUTY HIGH REPRESENTATIVE

21 September, 2001

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

I have been asked by the Swedish NGO "Ship to Bosnia" to write a recommendation letter that can be used in their endeavor to attract funding so that it can continue and enhance its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Based on the reports and assessments that I have received on its activities, I can say that the "Ship to Bosnia" has successfully planned and completed several projects in BIH, aimed at supporting civil society, sustainable peace and democracy in the country.

The particular project I would like to highly recommend is called the Solidarity House Project, which aims at establishing a meeting place for all people with the intention of promoting reconciliation, pluralism, democracy and peace in the Tuzla region, eastern BIH.

I would also like to emphazize that the NGO has already completed several projects in the region, having established excellent working relations with the local authorities, and an insight into the true needs of the local population. Therefore, I have full confidence that this project will also be completed successfully if funding is secured. This project is very well suited for promoting reconciliation and tolerance in BIH. It is a model project, which has already borne many positive results in the suburban area of Tuzla town. It has accelerated the willingness for co-operation between ethnic groups in the area and visitors from across the Balkans.

This is why I would like to strongly encourage you to seriously consider supporting this invaluable project.

Matthias Sonn

OHR office of High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emerika Bluma 1, 71000 Sarajevo - 387 33 283 500 - fax: 387 33 283 501, Brussels: 50 rue Wiertz, 1050 Brussels - 32 2 234 74 00