SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY SUPPORTS APPEAL FOR RELEASE OF VINCENT COCHETEL
Press Release
SG/SM/6804
REF/1163
SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY SUPPORTS APPEAL FOR RELEASE OF VINCENT COCHETEL
19981124 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General strongly supports the appeal today of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, for the release of UNHCR staff member Vincent Cochetel. He feels sorrow and a deep sense of frustration as we mark the 300th day of his captivity.
In two letters -- one to Cochetel's wife and another to his parents -- the Secretary-General urged them to continue having courage and hope.
"I am writing to you again to assure you that your husband is not forgotten. Mrs. Ogata and I are doing our best for Vincent to be able to return home as soon as possible and join his family", the Secretary-General said in the letter to Cochetel's wife.
In the past, the Secretary-General has spoken with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and written to the highest authorities of the Russian Government as part of his efforts to secure Cochetel's release.
The Secretary-General renewed his appeal to governments to help the United Nations in its efforts to keep United Nations staff safe. Specifically, he urged governments to sign and ratify the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. He also appealed to governments to contribute to the Trust Fund which has been established to set up security training programmes for United Nations staff in the field.
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