IN WAKE OF YESTERDAY’S COUP ATTEMPT, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON PEOPLE

OF CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO RESPECT DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

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

The Secretary General has learned with dismay of the attacks led early Monday by armed elements in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, against the residence of President Ange-Félix Patassé and the National Radio.

The Secretary-General condemns any attempt to overthrow an elected government by force.   He calls on all Central Africans, especially political and other leaders, to respect the democratic institutions of the country and to favour dialogue.

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