Secretary-General Deeply Dismayed at Abduction of three UN staff in Afghanistan

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

The Secretary-General today learned with deep regret and dismay that three international staff contracted by the UN Development Programme were abducted from a UN vehicle at approximately 1:00 in the afternoon, local time, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Very few details are known at present.  The United Nations is in close contact with the authorities and is hoping for the staff members’ immediate and unconditional release.

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