Annan sends envoy to Central African Republic for urgent talks to end fighting

In response to the continuing violence in the Central African Republic, Secretary-General Kofi Annan decided today to dispatch his envoy to Bangui for urgent talks with President Ange-Felix Patassé and other authorities and actors.

The decision to send the Special Envoy, General Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali, to the troubled country is an additional step to Mr. Annan's continued involvement from UN Headquarters in seeking a solution to the current situation, which follows the attempted coup d'etat at the end of May, a UN spokesman said today in New York. The Secretary-General condemned the coup attempt in a statement on 29 May.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard said that Gen. Toure, who is expected to begin his mission this week, will hold discussions aimed at ending continuing fighting reported in parts of Bangui between forces loyal to the Government and the rebels, and "restoring peaceful political dialogue within the framework of respect for the country's democratic institutions."