SG/SM/9310
IK/438
18 May 2004
Secretary-General “Strongly Condemns” Assassination of President of Iraqi Governing Council
NEW YORK, 17 May (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General has learned with shock and dismay of the assassination this morning in Baghdad of the President of the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr. Ezz- El-Din Salim. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this tragic and criminal act. It is a bad day for the people of Iraq and all those striving to help them.
In the critical days leading up to the restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty on June 30th, it is all the more important for the Iraqi people to resolve peacefully their differences and rally together in a spirit of unity and dialogue to build the foundations of a new Iraq.
Despite this tragic incident, which has robbed Iraq of an illustrious citizen, the United Nations remains committed to assist the Iraqi people in the transitional political process.
On this sad and painful occasion, the Secretary-General extends his condolences to Mr. Salim’s family as well as to the Iraqi people.
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