SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION

FOLLOWING EXPLOSION IN GROZNY

The following statement was issued Friday, 27 December, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has today written to the President of the Russian Federation extending his condolences to the people and Government of the Russian Federation and, in particular, to the families of those killed or injured in the blast which occurred today at a Russian Government building in Grozny and said that "such acts cannot advance any cause and only add to the suffering of a region that has endured so much already".

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