SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED OVER LOSS OF LIFE CAUSED BY CONFLICT IN COLOMBIA, URGES DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATION, ENCOURAGES PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN POPULATION
Press Release
SG/SM/7086
SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED OVER LOSS OF LIFE CAUSED BY CONFLICT IN COLOMBIA, URGES DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATION, ENCOURAGES PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN POPULATION
19990802 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General wishes to express his concern for the loss of life caused by the conflict in Colombia. The past weeks have brought a worrisome escalation of violence, at a time when peace negotiations were set to take place. Since Friday, bomb attacks have led to numerous deaths, including civilians and, among them, several children. The people of Colombia, and with them the international community and the United Nations, had harboured hope and expectation at the prospect that negotiations might finally ensue. The Secretary-General urges parties to the conflict to pursue dialogue and negotiation and wishes to encourage the respect of international humanitarian law, as well as the protection of the civilian population.
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