SG/SM/9901
     AFG/275
     2 June 2005

Secretary-General Outraged by ‘Senseless Attack’ on Mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan

NEW YORK, 1 June (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was shocked and angered to learn of the attack today on the Abdul Rab Akhundzada mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  While the number of casualties is not yet known, it is clear that this was one of the most deadly assaults against civilians in Afghanistan in several years.  He is outraged by this senseless attack, all the more so as it was directed against a place of worship during a memorial service for a member of the clergy, who was himself assassinated two days ago.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns this heinous act of terrorism, and expresses his profound condolences to the Government of Afghanistan and the bereaved families of the victims.

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