SG/SM/8717
28 May 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL MOURNS INTERNATIONAL STAFF KILLED IN PLANE CRASH FOLLOWING SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN

NEW YORK, 27 May (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued 26 May by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

It is with deep regret that the Secretary-General learnt today of the tragic death of 62 Spanish troops returning from service with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and 12 Ukrainian crewmembers, in a plane crash in north-west Turkey. The troops were returning from having served with ISAF in the selfless contribution to the Afghan peace process.

The Secretary-General expresses his heartfelt condolences to the Governments of Spain and Ukraine and the bereaved families.

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