Secretary-General Urges Calm, Restraint as Two Die in Kyrgyzstan Ethnic Clashes

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is following with concern events in Jalalabad, Kyrgyzstan, where at least two persons were reportedly killed in ethnic clashes yesterday and the Governor of Jalalabad attacked today.  The Secretary-General urges calm and restraint.  He underlines the need to respect the rule of law and to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Central Asia, Miroslav Jenča, has regularly visited Kyrgyzstan and is keeping the Secretary-General informed of developments.

The Secretary-General welcomes the decision by the Kazakh authorities to lift the restrictions on their border with Kyrgyzstan.

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For information media • not an official record