SG/SM/9695
31 January 2005

Secretary-General Shocked by Death of Shah Abu Mohammad Shamsul Kibria, Distinguished Bangladeshi Public Servant

NEW YORK, 28 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Shah Abu Mohammad Shamsul Kibria as a result of a bombing at a political rally yesterday in Bangladesh.  Mr. Kibria’s long and distinguished career in public service included important contributions to the United Nations.  He was his country’s representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and from 1981 to 1992 served as Executive-Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.  The Secretary-General extends condolences to Mr. Kibria’s wife, son, daughter and all others both in Bangladesh and abroad who have been affected by this loss. He also condemns the perpetrators of this abhorrent act and calls for them to be brought to justice.

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