SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK AGAINST REFUGEE WORKER IN AFGHANISTAN, CALLS FOR GREATER SECURITY MEASURES

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK AGAINST REFUGEE WORKER

IN AFGHANISTAN, CALLS FOR GREATER SECURITY MEASURES

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 16 November:

The Secretary-General was distressed and angered to learn of the cold-blooded killing today of Ms. Bettina Goislard, an international staff member, and the wounding of a national staff member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the city of Ghazni in southern Afghanistan.   He condemns this outrageous and contemptible act against unarmed UNHCR staff members who were assisting the people of Afghanistan. 

The United Nations remains determined in its support for the people of Afghanistan.  This heinous act comes less than a week after the bombing in front of the United Nations offices in Kandahar, and follows a series of other incidents directed against the United Nations family and aid agencies.  The Secretary-General believes this latest incident underscores the urgent need for the international community to provide stronger security in areas outside the capital, Kabul.  He also calls on the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of United Nations and other agencies and humanitarian staff who are engaged in providing assistance for the reconstruction of a peaceful Afghanistan.

The Secretary-General expresses his profound condolences to the bereaved family of Ms. Goislard. 

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