SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH

BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

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

The Secretary-General has been following closely developments on the ground in Afghanistan.  He welcomes the fact that in the last few days the people of Kabul and other cities in Afghanistan have been freed from the oppressive and intolerant Taliban regime.  At the same time, the Secretary-General takes this opportunity to remind the United Front and other Afghan forces of the need to adhere strictly to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

The Secretary-General reiterates the urgent need to establish a broad-based and fully representative Government in Afghanistan.  To this end, he has instructed his Special Representative, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, to redouble his ongoing efforts.

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