SECRETARY-GENERAL AND PRESIDENT ZEROUAL DISCUSS SITUATION IN ALGERIA
Press Release
SG/SM/6314
SECRETARY-GENERAL AND PRESIDENT ZEROUAL DISCUSS SITUATION IN ALGERIA
19970903 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General this morning called President Liamine Zeroual of Algeria to discuss the situation in that country and to continue the dialogue they had initiated at the Harare Summit last May. The Secretary-General indicated his extreme concern for the level of violence and reiterated the long-standing United Nations condemnation of terrorism. It was important that an urgent solution to the problem be found.
President Zeroual indicated to the Secretary-General his own constant preoccupation with the situation in his country and stated that he was using all democratic means to reach a peaceful settlement. In this connection, he referred to the election in June and the local elections planned for October. He stressed that Algeria had strong institutions which were capable of leading the country out of the crisis. He said that all democratic forces were working with him and urged others to join in his efforts to bring about national reconciliation.
The President indicated that, given the pressing problems at home, he would not be able to attend the fifty-second session of the General Assembly; however, the President and the Secretary-General agreed to seek the earliest possible opportunity for a meeting. The Secretary-General will continue to support all efforts to bring peace to Algeria.
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