SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISMAYED AT RESUMPTION OF FIGHTING IN GUINEA-BISSAU, REMINDS PARTIES TO ABUJA AGREEMENT OF PLEDGE NOT TO RESORT TO ARMS

Press Release
SG/SM/6985

SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISMAYED AT RESUMPTION OF FIGHTING IN GUINEA-BISSAU, REMINDS PARTIES TO ABUJA AGREEMENT OF PLEDGE NOT TO RESORT TO ARMS

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

The Secretary-General is deeply dismayed about the resumption of fighting in Guinea-Bissau at a time when the United Nations has just concluded a series of meetings during which the international community had pledged financial support to assist Guinea-Bissau with its peaceful transition and with its reconciliation, reconstruction and recovery programmes. He welcomes early reports that calm may be returning to Bissau.

He wishes to remind the parties to the Abuja Agreement that they had solemnly pledged never again to resort to arms to settle their differences. He calls upon them to create the propitious environment for the peaceful management of the transition and for the organization of free and transparent elections.

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