SECRETARY-GENERAL WILL STUDY REPORT ON ZIMBABWE DEMOLITIONS

TO DETERMINE NEXT STEPS FOR UN

 

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

The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned by the human rights and humanitarian impact of the recent demolitions of what the Government of Zimbabwe has called illegal settlements.  He appointed on 20th of June Anna Tibaijuka, the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, as his Special Envoy and asked her to visit the country and investigate the situation.

Mrs. Tibaijuka visited the country and, with the cooperation of the Government of Zimbabwe, conducted an exhaustive examination.  The Secretary-General will receive her report in the coming days and will study its contents to determine the next steps for the United Nations.  The report will be made public after the Government of Zimbabwe has received an advance copy.

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