SG/SM/10296
11 January 2006
Secretary-General Shocked, Saddened by Death of UN Force Commander in Haiti
NEW YORK, 9 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued on 7 January by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Lieutenant General Urano Teixeira da Matta Bacellar, the Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), who was found dead this morning in his accommodations. A full investigation is under way.
General Bacellar assumed command of MINUSTAH's military component in September 2005 and he had served his country with honour and distinction for almost 40 years.
The Deputy Force Commander has assumed command of all MINUSTAH force elements.
The Secretary-General expresses his heartfelt condolences to General Bacellar's family and to the Government of Brazil for this tragic loss.
* *** *
