SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED OVER FIGHTING ON SRI LANKA"S JAFFNA PENINSULA, WELCOMES PEACE EFFORTS BY NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION

Press Release
SG/SM/7416

SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED OVER FIGHTING ON SRI LANKA’S JAFFNA PENINSULA, WELCOMES PEACE EFFORTS BY NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION

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

The Secretary-General is concerned that the fighting on the Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka continues unabated. As a result, tens of thousands of civilians have already been displaced. The Secretary-General again appeals to all concerned to ensure that civilians will not be the victims of this conflict and that humanitarian workers will have safe and unimpeded access to all in need. He also wishes to reiterate his unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terrorism, including those that have frequently occurred in Sri Lanka.

The Secretary-General notes that a delegation from the Government of Norway is currently visiting Sri Lanka and the region. A political solution is needed to bring this conflict to an end, and the Secretary-General welcomes the Norwegian peace efforts.

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