SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS, ‘IN STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS’, ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

AGAINST AFGHAN PRESIDENT AND KABUL CAR BOMB EXPLOSION

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

The Secretary-General is profoundly shocked by the assassination attempt against President Karzai and Governor Gul Agha Sherzai in Kandahar, as well as by a terrorist car bomb explosion in the centre of Kabul that reportedly killed more than 15 ordinary Afghan citizens and injured many more.  The Secretary-General is relieved that President Karzai is apparently unhurt.  He conveys his heartfelt condolences to the affected families in Kabul and to the Transitional Administration of Aghanistan.  He condemns these acts in the strongest possible terms and urges the Afghan authorities to fully investigate these terrorist attacks and bring their perpetrators to justice.

The Secretary-General notes that today’s terrorist attacks took place in a climate of continuing insecurity in Afghanistan.  At the same time, he is confident that these senseless attacks will only strengthen the resolve of the international community and the legitimate Afghan authorities to bring security and stability to Afghanistan.

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