ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT URGES PARTIES IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS TO RESPECT STATUS OF UN STAFF
Press Release
GA/SM/52
ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT URGES PARTIES IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS TO RESPECT STATUS OF UN STAFF
19980728 The following statement was issued today by the spokesman for the President of the General Assembly:It was with a renewed feeling of sadness, concern and outrage that the President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), read this morning press reports describing the growing toll among the United Nations civilian workers on relief missions in trouble spots around the world. The recent spate of killings of United Nations staff in Burundi, Tajikistan and Afghanistan served as a tragic reminder of the dangers facing the staff as they try to provide much needed help to people caught in the flames of war and conflict. Indeed, reports of attacks against international aid workers have become almost routine, but there should be nothing routine in the response of the international community to these heinous crimes. The President appeals to all parties concerned in all conflict situations to respect the status of United Nations staff and to make every effort to ensure their safety.
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