SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON DIPLOMATS IN IRAq

 

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

The Secretary-General is deeply dismayed by the rash of attacks in recent days against representatives of the international diplomatic community in Iraq.  He vehemently condemns these incidents, including the kidnapping of the chargé d’affaires of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan.

There can be no justification for the targeting of diplomats.  As with earlier attacks against the United Nations and other international actors in Iraq, the Secretary-General hopes these latest attacks will not weaken the resolve of the international community to stand with the Iraqi people at this critical juncture in their history.

The Secretary-General expects that the perpetrators of these acts will be quickly apprehended and brought to justice.

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