United Nations

SG/SM/9341
                                                                                                                        AFR/954
                                                                                                                        3 June 2004

Secretary-General Deeply Concerned by Outbreak of Fighting in Bukavu

NEW YORK, 2 June (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the outbreak of fighting in the Bukavu area leading to an outflow of refugees and internally displaced persons.  He calls on all parties concerned to put an immediate end to the hostilities and strictly abide by the ceasefire.  The Secretary-General encourages the Transitional Government to address the issue in a consensual manner and reaffirms MONUC’s availability to assist in this regard.

The Secretary-General also calls on all concerned to ensure the safety and security of all United Nations and international personnel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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