Secretary-General to send personal envoy to Bolivia,

 

urges peaceful, democratic resolution to crisis

 

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

The Secretary-General continues to follow closely the situation in Bolivia and reiterates his concern about the critical juncture the country is going through.

The Secretary-General strongly believes that Bolivians should resolve their differences peacefully and democratically, and that the rule of law should be respected in resolving the current political crisis in the country.

The Secretary-General, in response to an invitation from the Government of Bolivia, will send Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, José Antonio Ocampo, as his personal envoy to observe the situation.  He will meet with all the parties concerned and report back to the Secretary-General.

The timing of this mission will be determined by developments in the country.

* *** *