In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/7362

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOLLOWING EXPLOSIONS AT KINSHASA AIRPORT

17 April 2000


Press Release
SG/SM/7362


SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOLLOWING EXPLOSIONS AT KINSHASA AIRPORT

20000417

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

On 14 April, a series of large explosions occurred at Ndjili airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in a high number of casualties and major devastation of the airport facilities.

The Secretary-General wishes to convey his sympathies to the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Secretary-General hopes that this tragic incident will not affect the implementation of the disengagement plan adopted on 8 April by the Political Committee of the parties to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, which took effect on 14 April. The United Nations remains committed to the earliest implementation of this Agreement, as well as to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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For information media. Not an official record.