SG/SM/9654
IK/467
21 December 2004
Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Latest Series of Attacks in Iraq, Says UN Will Do Everything Possible to Assist Elections, Transition
NEW YORK, 20 December (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest series of attacks in the two holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, as well as in Baghdad, in which more than 60 people, including three election workers, were reportedly killed and more than 120 wounded. No cause can justify the killings of innocent civilians and the cold-blooded murder of election workers whose only purpose is to help the Iraqi people exercise their democratic right to vote.
The Secretary-General once again calls on all Iraqis not to be deterred by these attacks and to come together in a spirit of national reconciliation. The United Nations will continue to do everything possible to assist the Iraqi people in holding elections and in completing their political transition in an orderly way.
The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of all the victims of these callous attacks.
* *** *
