SG/SM/10047
AFG/276
17 August 2005

Secretary-General Saddened by Deaths of 17 Spanish Military in Afghanistan

NEW YORK, 16 August (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn today that 17 Spanish military personnel, serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, had been killed in a helicopter crash in Herat province.  He extends his profound condolences to the Spanish Government and to the bereaved families.

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