SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES BEGINNINGS OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES BEGINNINGS OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE

IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

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

The Secretary-General continues to follow closely developments in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the work of his Special Envoy there, General Amadou Toumani Touré.  He welcomes all efforts to promote national reconciliation and stability in the CAR, and considers the resolution adopted by the National Assembly at an extraordinary session last week to be a step in the right direction.

The Secretary-General also welcomes the political dialogue initiated by President Patassé during his recent meetings with the opposition parties and the diplomatic community.  He encourages the President to pursue his efforts and to take the necessary measures to restore calm and the respect for the rule of law and human rights for all citizens.

The Secretary-General urges the international partners to assist the CAR in managing the serious humanitarian and socio-economic problems facing the country, which have been exacerbated by the recent troubling events.

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