SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ARMED ATTACK AGAINST UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL IN ANGOLA
Press Release
SG/SM/6568
AFR/62
SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ARMED ATTACK AGAINST UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL IN ANGOLA
19980520 Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General strongly condemns yesterday's armed attack against United Nations personnel in Angola, in which one local interpreter was killed and several people were wounded.
On 19 May, at approximately 12:30 p.m. (local time), a vehicle patrol composed of a military observer of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), a MONUA police officer, an Angolan National Police (ANP) liaison officer, a local ANP Commander, as well as a local interpreter, was ambushed about five kilometres north of Calandula (Malange province). The injured ANP Commander escaped from the site of the incident.
The MONUA immediately launched a rescue operation. The MONUA military observer was found today, very seriously injured, and evacuated to Luanda. After a long search, the MONUA police officer was also found and evacuated to Luanda, where his physical condition is being ascertained. However, the body of the local interpreter was discovered near the burnt vehicle.
The Secretary-General would like to reiterate in strong terms that the safety and security of all United Nations personnel in Angola should be unequivocally respected.
The Secretary-General is extremely worried about the recent deterioration of the military and security situation in Angola. He strongly appeals to the parties, and in particular to the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), to complete without delay the various pending tasks under the Lusaka Protocol, in accordance with the plan submitted to the parties by his Special Representative for Angola on 15 May 1998.
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