SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED BY YESTERDAY'S ATTACK OUTSIDE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IN PHNOM PENH
Press Release
SG/SM/6677
SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED BY YESTERDAY'S ATTACK OUTSIDE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IN PHNOM PENH
19980821 Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by yesterday's grenade and firearms attack outside the Ministry of Interior compound in Phnom Penh, where supporters of Sam Rainsy were holding an all-night vigil outside the office of the National Election Committee. Mr. Rainsy and a group of his supporters were detained by police shortly after the attack and subsequently released after intervention by United Nations personnel and others.
The Secretary-General noted that Mr. Ung Huot and Second Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia had pledged to him, in a letter dated 22 October 1997, to guarantee political leaders' freedom from arrest and detention in respect of acts and words spoken in connection with their electoral activities, and that the Government would further ensure that all political leaders enjoy freedom from intimidation and threat in respect to any and all political activities relating to the election.
The Secretary-General is in contact with his Personal Representative in Cambodia and continues to monitor the situation very closely. He wishes to reiterate his hope that all political parties in Cambodia will resolve outstanding problems through dialogue and due process.
* *** *