SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS MOMBASA TERRORIST ATTACKS

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

The Secretary-General is appalled by the suicide bomb attack yesterday on a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, in which at least 13 people were killed and many injured, and by the apparent attempt, also yesterday in Mombasa, to shoot down an Israeli civilian aircraft.  The Secretary-General is relieved that a greater catastrophe was avoided.  He condemns these terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms and extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Kenya and Israel.

The Secretary-General is utterly opposed to all acts of terrorism, from whatever quarter.  He is strongly convinced that yesterday’s attacks in Kenya once again underscore the need for a broad and sustained strategy to fight the scourge of terrorism.

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