SECRETARY-GENERAL WISHES SPEEDY RECOVERY TO WANGARI MAATHAI

11 January 1999

Press Release
SG/SM/6860

SECRETARY-GENERAL WISHES SPEEDY RECOVERY TO WANGARI MAATHAI

19990111 Leading Figure in Disarmament and Environmental Fields Subject of Violence Today Close to United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi

The following statement was issued on Saturday, 9 January, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has learned with concern that Professor Wangari Maathai, a member of his Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, and Coordinator of the Green Belt Movement, was hospitalized after being the subject of violence today at Karura Forest, close to United Nations headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Secretary-General wishes Professor Maathai a speedy recovery, and has no doubt that the Kenyan authorities will take appropriate action against the perpetrators of this attack on a leading national and international figure in the disarmament and environmental fields.

* *** *