SG/SM/8708
20 May 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS BOMB
ATTACKS IN CASABLANCA

NEW YORK, 19 May (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued on 17 May by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General utterly condemns yesterday's bomb attacks in Casablanca in which it appears that at least 40 people were killed and more than 60 were injured. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Morocco and to the families of all the dead and injured.

The Secretary-General especially condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians. The callous fanaticism and intolerance of these acts is repugnant to all religions and to the great majority of humanity.

The Secretary-General considers that the recent wave of terrorist outrages, coupled with fresh warnings of further attacks being planned, underlines the need for the international community to give its full attention to the need for a broad-based and sustained campaign against international terrorism.

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