SG/SM/8178
 28 March 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS SUICIDE BOMB
ATTACK ON ISRAEL AS "MORALLY REPUGNANT",
HARMFUL TO PALESTINIAN CAUSE

NEW YORK, 27 March (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s suicide bomb attack in the city of Netanya in Israel in which at least 15 Israeli citizens were killed and many others wounded. He reiterates his conviction that such terrorist attacks are morally repugnant and immensely harmful to the Palestinian cause. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government of Israel and to the families of the victims of this attack.

The Secretary-General urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and not to allow the enemies of peace to derail the current efforts to secure a durable ceasefire and to implement the Tenet and Mitchell plans.

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