United Nations

SG/SM/9103
                                                                                                                  AFG/239
6 January 2004

Secretary-General Pleased at Agreement on Afghanistan’s New Constitution

NEW YORK, 5 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued on 4 January by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was very pleased to learn today of the Constitutional Loya Jirga’s agreement on Afghanistan’s new Constitution. He congratulates the delegates to the Constitutional Loya Jirga on the completion of this difficult and complex process.

This historic achievement represents the determination of the Afghan people to see their country transition to a stable and democratic State. This is another important step in the peace process that justifies the commitment of the Afghan people and the international community to date and which must be sustained, if not increased.

The Secretary-General is gratified that the United Nations has been able to contribute to this achievement and wishes to commend his Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, for the vital role he has played.

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