Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on recent unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan

The Secretary-General is following with concern events in Jalalabad, Kyrgyzstan, where at least two persons were reportedly killed in ethnic clashes yesterday and the Governor of Jalalabad attacked today. The Secretary-General urges calm and restraint. He underlines the need to respect the rule of law and to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Central Asia, Miroslav Jenca, has regularly visited Kyrgyzstan and is keeping the Secretary-General informed of developments.

The Secretary-General welcomes the decision by the Kazakh authorities to lift the restrictions on their border with Kyrgyzstan.