SG/SM/7935
3 September 2001

TALIBAN ACTIONS AGAINST AID COMMUNITY THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE,
SECRETARY-GENERAL WARNS

NEW YORK, 31 August (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is concerned at the reported detention of international staff of International Assistance Mission (IAM) by the Taliban in Herat and in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He is also concerned about the order of expulsion given to all international staff of both IAM and SERVE, which may bring to an end their assistance activities in Afghanistan. This action by the Taliban against the aid community could have serious consequences on the provision of international humanitarian assistance. This aid is desperately needed to address extreme suffering caused by war, poverty, massive displacement, and severe drought.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Taliban to assure the security, and freedom to operate, of all international aid workers in accordance with international law.

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