SECRETARY-GENERAL LEARNS WITH DEEP SORROW OF ASSASSINATIONS IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT CHAMBER

Press Release
SG/SM/7199

SECRETARY-GENERAL LEARNS WITH DEEP SORROW OF ASSASSINATIONS IN ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT CHAMBER

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

The Secretary-General has learned with deep sorrow of the assassination of the Chairman of the Armenian Parliament, Karen Dermichian, the Armenian Prime Minister, Vazgen Sarkissian, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, Yuri Bakhshian, and the Minister of Operative Issues, Leonard Petrossian. He expresses his condolences to the people of the Republic of Armenia and to the families of all those killed inside the Chamber.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns this shocking act of violence. He reiterates his total condemnation of terrorism from whatever quarter. At the same time, he demands that all hostages be released immediately and unconditionally.

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