SG/SM/8943

16 October 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS SPACE FLIGHT
A STEP FORWARD FOR HUMANKIND

NEW YORK, 15 October (UN Headquarters) -- Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General extends his warm congratulations to the People’s Republic of China on its first mission into space, and hopes for the safe and successful completion of this maiden voyage.  He notes that as the exploration of space knows no national borders, the mission of the Shenzhou V is a step forward for all humankind.

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