05 December 2001
Text: U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan Welcomes Afghan Agreement
(Pact shows necessary spirit of compromise, Dec. 5) (410)
Secretary General Kofi Annan warmly welcomed the signing of the
provisional arrangements for Afghanistan saying that the agreement,
which provides for an interim governing authority beginning in late
December, "is an important step towards the achievement of lasting
peace" in the country.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, the secretary general assured
the Afghan people "that the United Nations stands ready to help them
reach peace, stability and prosperity."
Speaking with journalists as he arrived at U.N. headquarters in New
York December 5, the secretary general also said that he was "pleased
that the Afghan parties realized that they had an opportunity to come
together and begin to rebuild their country."
"Now that they have agreed on the interim administration, I would
expect them to go back to Kabul and work very, very closely together,"
he said. "Because it is only by pooling their efforts and cooperating
with each other that they can begin to rebuild their country and
encourage the international community to come in and help them."
"What is at stake is the future of their people, their country, and
their nation. And if there is a reliable government and a serious
partner, I'm sure the international community will work with them on
reconstruction," Annan said.
Following is the text of the Secretary General's official statement:
(begin text)
New York, 5 December 2001 -- Following the signing of the "Provisional
Arrangements in Afghanistan"
The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the signing in Bonn today of the
"Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan", which provide for the
establishment of an Interim Authority. He congratulates all concerned
-- and particularly the Afghan delegations -- on showing the necessary
spirit of compromise to reach this accord, which is an important step
towards the achievement of lasting peace and a return to legitimate
authority in Afghanistan.
The Secretary-General notes that the "Provisional Arrangements" call
for the United Nations system to play a multi-faceted role in their
implementation. He wishes to assure the Afghan people, who have
endured terrible suffering during the last two decades, that the
United Nations stands ready to help them reach peace, stability and
prosperity -- and he trusts that Member States will provide the
necessary resources and support.
The Secretary-General also wishes to thank Chancellor Schroeder and
the German Government for the support they provided to the Afghan
delegations and to Mr. Brahimi's team during the last nine days.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
