SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES CALL FOR RESTRAINT, DIALOGUE IN ECUADOR,

AS VICE-PRESIDENT ASSUMES PRESIDENCY

 

The following statement was issued on 20 April by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has learned that the Vice-President of Ecuador, Alfredo Palacio, has assumed the functions of the presidency.

The Secretary-General remains concerned about the violence in the country, which has already claimed victims.  He reiterates his call on all parties to show restraint and to initiate an urgent dialogue towards the full restoration of the rule of law, as the basis for the achievement of political, social and economic stability in the country.

The Secretary-General emphasizes that the United Nations will continue to support all Ecuadorians in their efforts to achieve that end.

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