ALGIERS TERRORIST ATTACK ABJECT, COWARDLY STRIKE AGAINST PEOPLE

 

SERVING HUMANITY’S HIGHEST IDEALS, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

 

Following is the statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as delivered by him in Bali (12 December):

Words cannot express my sense of shock, outrage and anger at the terrorist attack on the United Nations in Algiers yesterday.  This was an abject and cowardly strike against civilian officials serving humanity’s highest ideals under the United Nations banner.  It was base, indecent and unjustifiable by any standards.

We do not yet have an accurate count of the many casualties, both among United Nations staff and the local population.  But our hearts go out to the victims.  Their sacrifice cannot and shall not be forgotten.  The perpetrators of these crimes will not escape the strongest possible condemnation and ultimate punishment by the international community.

I have instructed the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Administrator and senior officials from the Department of Safety and Security to proceed to Algiers immediately.  We will take every possible measure to aid those injured in the attack and their families.  The security of United Nations staff is paramount.  We will take every measure to ensure their safety, in Algeria and elsewhere, beginning with an immediate review of our security precautions and policies.

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For information media • not an official record