SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN AT RISKS POSED TO CIVILIANS AND HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS BY HEAVY SHELLING IN FREETOWN
Press Release
SG/SM/6462
AFR/38
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN AT RISKS POSED TO CIVILIANS AND HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS BY HEAVY SHELLING IN FREETOWN
19980211 The following statement was issued today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:I have taken note of the statement issued yesterday morning by the President of the Security Council on behalf of its members on the situation in Sierra Leone, and I share the concerns expressed therein.
The United Nations supports the goals of the Conakry Agreement of 23 October 1997, that is, the surrender of power by the junta in order to ensure a peaceful re-establishment of the constitutional order in Sierra Leone and the improvement of the humanitarian condition of the Sierra Leonean people. My Special Envoy stands ready to assist in the attainment of those objectives.
I am concerned at reports that heavy shelling in Freetown is posing serious risks for the safety of civilians, and that some staff of humanitarian organizations have been prevented from evacuating. I call on both sides urgently to spare civilians and to ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel.
I have also received reports of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, with growing numbers of displaced persons fleeing the fighting. United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations are ready to expand the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It is therefore of paramount importance that all parties facilitate the free access of humanitarian organizations and goods as a matter of life-saving urgency.
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