SECRETARY-GENERAL GREATLY DISTRESSED AT MURDERS OF SIX HUMANITARIAN

WORKERS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was greatly distressed to learn of the brutal murders yesterday of six humanitarian workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the road between Djugu and Fataki in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, some 40 miles north of Bunia.  The four national and two international ICRC staff were on their way to deliver medicines to a health centre in the area.

This tragic incident underscores the dangers facing relief organizations, whose operating principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality are once again being so wilfully flouted.  The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the ICRC and to the families of the victims.

The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal to all parties to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full and secure access to vulnerable populations. 

The Secretary-General also call upon the responsible authorities to investigate this vicious attack and bring those responsible to justice.

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