Strongly Condemning Burning of United Nations Vehicles in Côte d’Ivoire,

 

Secretary-General Reiterates Warning to Pro-Gbagbo Attackers

 

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that regular and irregular forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo have begun to attack and burn United Nations vehicles.  Beginning this morning, there have been a total of six incidents involving such attacks in Abidjan, where a United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) military vehicle was burned.  A doctor and the driver of an ambulance targeted in one of the attacks were injured.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns these attacks, as well as the armed attack by regular FDS [Forces de défense et de sécurité] forces on a UNOCI convoy in Abobo yesterday.  He condemns the continuing use of the State broadcasting corporation RTI to instigate violence against the United Nations peacekeeping mission, including false information alleging that United Nations peacekeepers are extending active support to Forces Nouvelles soldiers.

The Secretary-General once again warns those responsible for organizing and carrying out such attacks that they will be held accountable.  He stresses that both attacks on peacekeepers and destruction of assets deployed for purposes of protecting civilians constitute crimes under international law.

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For information media • not an official record