SG/SM/9723
     18 February 2005

UN Welcomes Egypt’s Decision to Wave Surcharge for Ships Destined for UN Peacekeeping Operations

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

The United Nations welcomes Egypt’s recent decision to waive a new 25 per cent surcharge for all ships carrying military equipment through the Suez Canal destined for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Egypt currently has uniformed personnel serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Western Sahara, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Sierra Lone, Kosovo, Liberia and Georgia.

The United Nations welcomes Egypt’s continuing support of United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

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