It is with sadness that the members of the Board of Governors, Management Team and staff of the Clingendael Institute learned of the passing of their former Board Chairman, Mr. Ruud Lubbers.

Former Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers chaired the Clingendael Board of Governors from 1995 until 2001. He fulfilled this chairmanship with his characteristic enthusiasm, no-nonsense style, and profound interest in the Institute's activities, always thoroughly prepared and armed with his usual vast knowledge.

Ruud Lubbers showed great involvement in the future of the Institute. During the years of his chairmanship he proved himself to be an active governor, committed and engaged in all that Clingendael concerned. After he stepped down in 2001, he remained actively involved in discussions on international energy and nuclear proliferation at the Clingendael Institute and later also CIEP.

We are deeply grateful for his involvement in shaping the Institute for the new Millennium and for his crucially insightful contributions to our discussions.

The Clingendael Institute honours the memory and legacy of Ruud Lubbers and will remember him as a committed, intelligent and interested governor. Our sincere condolences for his wife Ria, his children and grandchildren wish them strength to come to terms with this sad loss.