SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED AT RELEASE OF TWO NEPALESE PEACEKEEPERS

IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was pleased to learn of the release today of two Nepalese peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), who have been held by Peter Karim’s FNI militia in the Ituri district since 28 May.  MONUC continues to maintain contact with those responsible, in order to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining five Nepalese peacekeepers.

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For information media • not an official record