In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/7487

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED TO LEARN OF LATEST RESURGENCE OF FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN

10 July 2000


Press Release
SG/SM/7487
AFG/116


SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED TO LEARN OF LATEST RESURGENCE OF FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN

20000710

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

The Secretary-General was dismayed to learn of the latest resurgence of fighting in Afghanistan, at a time when the living conditions in the country have deteriorated even further as a result of the worst drought in thirty years. He regrets that his appeals, as well as the warning issued by the Security Council as recently as last week, have been ignored. He once again reiterates his conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. He strongly urges the parties to fulfil their responsibilities toward the Afghan people by laying down their arms and joining the search for a negotiated solution. He also calls upon Member States not to prolong the conflict through support to either side in its war efforts.

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For information media. Not an official record.