SECRETARY-GENERAL APPLAUDS INAUGURATION OF BUS SERVICE

 

ACROSS LINE OF CONTROL IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

 

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

The Secretary-General applauds the inauguration today of the bus service between Muzzafarabad and Srinagar across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.  Despite the security challenges it faces, the bus service is a powerful gesture of peace and an opportunity to reunite families divided for nearly sixty years.

The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that this important step will lead to further progress towards improving conditions for the divided population and the resolution of all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.

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