SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT VIENNA BRIEFING, ANNOUNCES MISSION TO NIGERIA, PAYS TRIBUTE TO ANGOLA ENVOY KILLED IN WEEKEND PLANE CRASH
Press Release
SG/SM/6617
AFR/80
SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT VIENNA BRIEFING, ANNOUNCES MISSION TO NIGERIA, PAYS TRIBUTE TO ANGOLA ENVOY KILLED IN WEEKEND PLANE CRASH
19980629 Alioune Blondin Beye Described as `Dedicated and Dynamic Peacemaker'VIENNA, 29 June (UN Information Service) -- This is the text of a statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a press conference this morning at the United Nations Office at Vienna:
As you know, I announced in my remarks to the Vienna Public Assembly on Saturday afternoon the sad news of the crash of the aircraft carrying my Special Representative in Angola, Maître Alioune Blondin Beye. Yesterday, I received the tragic confirmation that Maître Beye and all those travelling with him had lost their lives. I wish to express my profound grief at the irreplaceable loss of this valued colleague, a dedicated and dynamic peacemaker, and a great son of Africa whom the Angolans dubbed the "Messiah of Peace".
I also wish to convey my deep sorrow to the families of the five colleagues accompanying him -- Koffi Adjoyi, Beadengar Dessande, Moctar Gueye, Ibikunle Williams and Captain Alvaro Costa, and the two pilots, Jason Hunter and Andrew McCurrach, who were killed with him. Their loss adds to the heavy toll of those in the United Nations who have given their lives in the cause of peace. The United Nations family is in mourning today.
I have spoken to the family of Maître Beye and the President of Mali to express my grief. I have also telephoned the Force Commander of the United Nations Operation in Angola to wish him and his staff strength as they continue the important work that Maître Beye had undertaken in the last five years. I renew my appeal to the parties in Angola to redouble their efforts to complete the work for peace that Maître Beye has sadly left unfinished. I am sure that all African leaders, as well as the international community, will join me in this appeal so that Maître Beye will not have perished in vain.
I have a second important announcement to make. Following this press conference, instead of returning directly to New York, I will leave Vienna for Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, on an urgent mission to meet with the authorities of that country. For more than a year now, I have been in close
- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6617 AFR/80 29 June 1998
contact with the military leadership in Nigeria, and in particular with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in an effort to promote the release of political prisoners, the commutation of the death sentences of General Diya and others convicted of charges of plotting to overthrow the Government and a return to democratic rule in Nigeria. These contacts have continued in recent weeks with the new Head of State, General Abubakar.
I have been much encouraged by the discussions I have had with General Abubakar and the initial steps he has taken in this direction. I have throughout made clear that I would like to do everything I can to encourage the acceleration of a credible process that would Nigeria to democratic civilian rule, starting with the release of the remaining political prisoners. Following intensified discussions in recent days, and a personal invitation from General Abubakar, I have decided that the time is ripe for me to undertake a visit to Nigeria.
I look forward to meeting with General Abubakar and his colleague, as well as with a wide range of Nigerian political opinion and civil society. I am hopeful that my visit will contribute to progress towards the objectives sought by all the Nigerian people with the full support of the international community.
* *** *