SECRETARY-GENERAL APPALLED BY WAVE OF BOMBINGS, ATTACKS IN IRAQ, HOPES IRAQIS WILL NOT BE DETERRED FROM REBUILDING

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPALLED BY WAVE OF BOMBINGS, ATTACKS IN IRAQ,

HOPES IRAQIS WILL NOT BE DETERRED FROM REBUILDING

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

The Secretary-General is appalled by the wave of bombings and other attacks that have reportedly killed more than 100 Iraqis and wounded twice that many since Friday, in an apparent effort to undermine the newly established Government.  He expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, who reportedly included young children and mourners killed when a car bomb exploded at a funeral.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns this cruel and heartless practice, for which there can be no justification.  He is particularly disturbed by reports that the perpetrators of these latest crimes have also prevented ambulances from reaching the victims.

The Secretary-General hopes these attacks will not deter Iraqi leaders and citizens from continuing to take part in rebuilding their country as it emerges from war and tyranny.

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