SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLING OF 11 CHINESE WORKERS, AFGHAN GUARD IN ‘CONTEMPTIBLE’ ATTACK ON UNARMED CIVILIANS IN AFGHANISTAN

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLING OF 11 CHINESE WORKERS, AFGHAN GUARD

IN ‘CONTEMPTIBLE’ ATTACK ON UNARMED CIVILIANS IN AFGHANISTAN

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

The Secretary-General was shocked to learn of the killing, last night, of 11 Chinese construction workers and their Afghan guard on the outskirts of Kunduz city in northern Afghanistan.  He condemns this outrageous and contemptible act against unarmed civilians, which also left five Chinese workers wounded.

This appalling attack follows a series of other incidents directed against those working in support of the Bonn peace process.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan (ISAF), and Coalition forces to take the necessary measures to address the security situation.

The Secretary-General expresses his profound condolences to the Chinese Government and to the bereaved families.

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