SG/SM/9942
     AFR/1196
     21 June 2005

Secretary-General Welcomes Peaceful Presidential Election in Guinea-Bissau

NEW YORK, 20 June (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the peaceful conduct of presidential election in Guinea-Bissau on 19 June 2005.  He commends the people of Guinea-Bissau for turning out in large numbers to choose their new leader.  He reiterates his call on all segments of society to refrain from any statement or action that could provoke any tensions and urges all candidates to accept the election results.

* *** *