SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The following statement was issued on 24 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General condemns the kidnapping by the FARC of presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.  Such violent actions undermine the forthcoming elections and intimidate the civilian population.

The Secretary-General urgently appeals to the FARC to release all those kidnapped, including Ms. Betancourt and her campaign manager.  He further reiterates his call on all armed actors to respect international humanitarian law and the lives of civilians by ending all forms of violence against them.

* *** *