SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONDEMNING ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST INNOCENT CIVILIANS,

EXPRESSES HOPE FOR QUICK RELEASE OF ROMANIAN HOSTAGES IN IRAQ

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

The Secretary-General is following with concern the situation of the three Romanian journalists and their guide taken hostage in Iraq last March.  He expresses the hope that they will be released quickly and safely and reiterates his condemnation of all hostage-takings and killings of innocent civilians, which no cause can ever justify.

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