In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/8840-AFR/693

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RELEASE OF WAR PRISONERS BY FRENTE POLISARIO

02/09/2003
Press Release
SG/SM/8840
AFR/693


SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RELEASE OF WAR PRISONERS BY FRENTE POLISARIO


The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 1 September:


The Secretary-General welcomes the release by the Frente Polisario of 243 prisoners of war who were repatriated today to the Kingdom of Morocco by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).


The Secretary-General expresses the hope that the Frente Polisario will release all remaining prisoners, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and in compliance with international humanitarian law.  He also urges the parties to continue to cooperate with the ICRC to resolve the fate of all those unaccounted for since the beginning of the conflict.


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For information media. Not an official record.