SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY KASHMIR AVALANCHE DEATHS, PROPERTY DAMAGE

Following is a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage to property in Jammu and Kashmir due to avalanches and heavy snows over the past two weeks.  He extends his deepest condolences to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially to the families of the hundreds who have been killed and injured because of the heavy snowfall.

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