SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TODAY"S VIOLENCE OUTSIDE UNAMET HEADQUARTERS IN DILI

Press Release
SG/SM/7116

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TODAY’S VIOLENCE OUTSIDE UNAMET HEADQUARTERS IN DILI

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the violence that took place outside the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) headquarters in Dili on Wednesday in which it has been reported that at least two people have been killed. As a result of the violence, several hundred local people have taken shelter in the UNAMET compound.

The Secretary-General calls on the Indonesian police to arrest those responsible for the violence and to take immediate steps to ensure it does not happen again. He urges the Indonesian authorities to take firm action to control armed groups and reminds them of their responsibility to protect all UNAMET staff, both international and local.

The United Nations will not allow this violence to deter it from completing arrangements for the popular consultation so that the will of the East Timorese people can be determined.

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