Annan extends condolences to victims of Russian passenger plane crash

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today offered his deep sympathy to all those affected by the crash of a Russian passenger plane, according to his spokesman.

In a statement on behalf of the Secretary-General, the spokesman said Mr. Annan had learned with "profound sorrow the tragic news" of the crash of the aircraft, which was carrying mainly Israeli citizens when it went down en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk in Siberia.

"He extends his sincere condolences to the governments and peoples of Israel and the Russian Federation as well as to the families of the victims of this tragedy," the statement said.