SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY KILLING OF TEENAGE BOYS IN WEST BANK,

WELCOMES ISRAEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF FULL INVESTIGATION

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

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the killing of two teenage boys in the West Bankvillage of Beit Lakiya yesterday.  He took note of the suspension of the senior IDF officer involved, and welcomes the Government of Israel’s announcement of a full investigation of the incident.  The Secretary-General sends his condolences to the families of the victims.

The Secretary-General is concerned about the increase in violence witnessed in recent days.  He hopes such incidents will not be allowed to undermine the positive developments of the past months.  The Secretary-General emphasizes again that violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiations can peace be achieved.

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