SECRETARY-GENERAL, GRAVELY CONCERNED OVER RECENT EVENTS IN CAMBODIA, CALLS FOR NEGOTIATED END TO CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS
Press Release
SG/SM/6281
SECRETARY-GENERAL, GRAVELY CONCERNED OVER RECENT EVENTS IN CAMBODIA, CALLS FOR NEGOTIATED END TO CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS
19970708 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the recent events in Cambodia, where fighting broke out over the weekend. He deeply regrets the loss of life that has ensued, including that of the daughter of the United Nations Security Unit Radio Operator. He was dismayed to learn today of the death in custody of Hor Sok, co-Secretary of State for the Interior Ministry. Security of members of the Legislative Assembly must be guaranteed so that democratic processes can resume. He calls on both First Prime Minister Ranariddh and Second Prime Minister Hun Sen to resolve the current political crisis through negotiations, in accordance with the Paris Agreements and the Cambodian Constitution. These documents, which are in force, state that "the Kingdom of Cambodia adopts a policy of liberal democracy and pluralism".
The Secretary-General was gratified to note the earlier commitment of the coalition Government to hold national elections in May next year. The United Nations stands ready to coordinate international observers for those elections, as the Secretary-General was requested to do by the two Prime Ministers. The Secretary-General wishes to express in the strongest manner the vital importance of making every effort to ensure that these elections, the first to be held by the Cambodians themselves since the departure of the United Nations peace-keeping force in 1993, are free and fair.
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