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SG/SM/6857

SECRETARY-GENERAL REQUESTS UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COORDINATOR TO DEPART FOR ANGOLA TO HELP FACILITATE MISSION TO UN PLANE CRASH SITE

4 January 1999


Press Release
SG/SM/6857
AFR/125


SECRETARY-GENERAL REQUESTS UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COORDINATOR TO DEPART FOR ANGOLA TO HELP FACILITATE MISSION TO UN PLANE CRASH SITE

19990104 The following statement was issued on Thursday, 31 December, by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

As part of his urgent efforts to assure the swiftest possible implementation of a search-and-rescue mission to the crash site of the United Nations plane in Angola, the Secretary-General has requested that Benon Sevan, Under-Secretary-General and United Nations Security Coordinator, depart for Angola as soon as possible.

In addition to helping facilitate a mission to the crash site, as well as an investigation into the causes of the crash, the United Nations Security Coordinator will assess the growing threat to United Nations personnel throughout Angola. The Secretary-General expects the responsible leaders in Angola to provide all possible assistance to the United Nations Security Coordinator in his mission.

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For information media. Not an official record.