SECRETARY-GENERAL GREATLY CONCERNED OVER SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Press Release
SG/SM/6663
AFR/88

SECRETARY-GENERAL GREATLY CONCERNED OVER SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following closely, and with great concern, the serious developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which threaten the stability of the region and further compromise its reconstruction and development.

He reaffirms the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and calls on the regional leaders to do their utmost to prevent the crisis from widening and to promote a peaceful settlement. He appeals to all concerned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to refrain from acts of persecution, harassment or discrimination against any segment of the population, and to respect the human rights of all.

The Secretary-General remains available to contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the region in any way it is deemed useful.

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