UNAMA - Statements Attributable to Spokesman

The United Nations family in Afghanistan is deeply shocked and outraged by yesterday’s attack on a vehicle of the NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres-Holland in the district of Qadis, in Badghis Province. Two MSF staff from Afghanistan and three from Holland, Norway and Belgium were killed in what appears to have been a brutal and premeditated ambush.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan Mr. Jean Arnault condemns in the strongest terms yet another tragic and unacceptable act directed at the aid community. He expresses his solidarity with MSF and extends his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the slain MSF colleagues.

During a briefing on developments in Afghanistan to the Security Council in New York on 27 May, the SRSG stressed that security in the country remains insufficient. He noted that in recent months the situation had in fact evolved negatively. Sadly and worryingly, yesterday’s attack confirms this assessment. The Special Representative reiterates that security is ultimately an Afghan responsibility, but to shoulder it Afghans need international assistance – “widespread, robust international military presence in support of domestic security forces remains critical,” he told the Council members.

The SRSG calls on the Afghan authorities to investigate and bring the killers to justice. He also directed all required UN assets in Afghanistan to be made available to support MSF in this most difficult hour. A UNAMA helicopter has left Kandahar this morning and will be providing transportation facilities to MSF between Herat and Badghis and will transport the bodies of the three international staff back to Kabul for eventual repatriation by MSF.

The aid community, with international and national personnel, is in Afghanistan to help the needy and vulnerable, to help strengthen Afghan institutions, and to help Afghans rebuild their country. To do this, the security of personnel from civilian aid organizations and the United Nations must be assured.

The Special Representative calls on the Afghan people and leaders to reject those groups who commit acts of violence and to support the efforts to build a more peaceful, just and prosperous Afghanistan.

Kabul, 3 June 2004

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		Statement Attributable to the Spokesman of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan
		The United Nations family in Afghanistan is deeply shocked and outraged by yesterday’s attack on a vehicle of the NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres-Holland in the district of Qadis, in Badghis Province. Two MSF staff from Afghanistan and three from Holland, Norway and Belgium were killed in what appears to have been a brutal and premeditated ambush. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan Mr. Jean Arnault condemns in the strongest terms yet another tragic and unacceptable act directed at the aid community. He expresses his solidarity with MSF and extends his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the slain MSF colleagues. During a briefing on developments in Afghanistan to the Security Council in New York on 27 May, the SRSG stressed that security in the country remains insufficient. He noted that in recent months the situation had in fact evolved negatively. Sadly and worryingly, yesterday’s attack confirms this assessment. The Special Representative reiterates that security is ultimately an Afghan responsibility, but to shoulder it Afghans need international assistance – “widespread, robust international military presence in support of domestic security forces remains critical,” he told the Council members. The SRSG calls on the Afghan authorities to investigate and bring the killers to justice. He also directed all required UN assets in Afghanistan to be made available to support MSF in this most difficult hour. A UNAMA helicopter has left Kandahar this morning and will be providing transportation facilities to MSF between Herat and Badghis and will transport the bodies of the three international staff back to Kabul for eventual repatriation by MSF. The aid community, with international and national personnel, is in Afghanistan to help the needy and vulnerable, to help strengthen Afghan institutions, and to help Afghans rebuild their country. To do this, the security of personnel from civilian aid organizations and the United Nations must be assured. The Special Representative calls on the Afghan people and leaders to reject those groups who commit acts of violence and to support the efforts to build a more peaceful, just and prosperous Afghanistan. Kabul, 3 June 2004 _______________


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