SG/SM/8300
AFG/198
9 July 2002
Secretary-General Condemns "In the Strongest Possible Terms" Assassination of Afghan Vice-President
Urges Afghan Authorities 'To Do Everything in Their Power' to Bring Perpetrators to Justice
NEW YORK, 8 July (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed and saddened by the murder of Haji Abdul Qadir, Vice-President and Minister of Public Works of the Afghan Transitional Administration. He condemns this assassination in the strongest possible terms and has sent his heartfelt condolences to the family of Haji Qadir and to the Government of Afghanistan. The Secretary-General urges the Afghan authorities to do everything in their power to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. He recalls in this regard that the killing of then Aviation Minister Abdul Rahman remains unresolved.
The assassination of Haji Qadir is a graphic reminder of the fragile situation in Afghanistan -- less than a month after the successful conclusion of the emergency loya jirga. The Secretary-General appeals to the Afghan authorities in Kabul as well as in the provinces to strengthen ongoing efforts towards the achievement of security and stability in the country. Most importantly, the international community must remain fully engaged in the peace process to ensure that the Afghan people will not again be the victim of a senseless civil war. To this end, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, and the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) will continue to assist the Transitional Administration in the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and to support the Afghan people towards peace and reconstruction.
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