SG/SM/9348
AFR/962
8 June 2004
Secretary-General Relieved at News of Release of 16 Aid Workers in Darfur, Sudan
NEW YORK, 7 June (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is relieved at the news that the 16 Sudanese and international aid workers were released unharmed by the Sudan Liberation Movement in Darfur on Sunday. He condemns these detentions, which are unacceptable violations of humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law. He underscores the crucial importance of safe and unhindered humanitarian access and urges all parties to facilitate it in this crisis where every moment counts.
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