SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS COURAGE OF UN CORRECTIONS OFFICERS KILLED IN KOSOVO, IN MESSAGE TO PRISTINA MEMORIAL SERVICE

Secretary-general hails courage of un corrections officers killed in kosovo,

in message to Pristina memorial service

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Memorial Service for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Police Officers, in Pristina, 22 April:

Today, we mourn the loss of dedicated United Nations corrections officers who lost their lives while working to create a Kosovo in which all of its peoples can live in safety and security.

Ms. Kim Bigley and Ms. Lynn Williams, both of the United States of America, were killed in a tragic, brutal and almost incomprehensible manner.  Our thoughts, condolences and prayers are with their families and friends at this painful time, as well as with the people and Government of the United States of America.  These brave officers will not be forgotten.

Many other corrections officers were wounded, several of them seriously.  We pray for their swift and full recovery.  We wish their loved ones courage and strength.  And we pledge to do everything possible to find out how and why this terrible tragedy occurred.

These deaths remind us of the dangers faced by staff of the United Nations in the work for peace, justice and development around the world.  We must do everything to protect and preserve the integrity, solidarity and trust that United Nations staff normally extend to one another.  That bond must remain inviolate.  Making it so is the best tribute we could pay to these courageous individuals, and to their fallen comrades around the world.

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