SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘PROFOUNDLY SADDENED’ AT DEATHS OF MILITARY OBSERVERS; CALLS ON ALL CONGOLESE PARTIES TO RENOUNCE VIOLENCE

SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘PROFOUNDLY SADDENED’ AT DEATHS OF MILITARY OBSERVERS;

CALLS ON ALL CONGOLESE PARTIES TO RENOUNCE VIOLENCE

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

The Secretary-General is profoundly saddened by the tragic deaths of two military observers, nationals of Jordan and Malawi, whose remains were recovered yesterday from Mongwalu, a town 70 kilometres north-west of Bunia in Ituri.  The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families and Governments of the military observers.  He also regrets the murder of two local Red Cross workers in Bunia last week.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns these appalling and shocking acts.  He appeals to all concerned to cooperate with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in carrying out the investigations into the exact circumstances of their brutal murder.  Those responsible will be held fully accountable for their actions.

The Secretary-General also wishes to convey his appreciation to the courageous men and women of MONUC, who are selflessly serving the cause of peace in volatile areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The Secretary-General calls on all Congolese parties to renounce violence and consolidate the hard-won agreements, both at the national level and in Ituri.

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