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Annan deplores actions of mutinous soldiers in Guinea-Bissau

Annan deplores actions of mutinous soldiers in Guinea-Bissau

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United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today deplored the action by a group of mutinous soldiers in Guinea-Bissau that led to the death Wednesday of the country's armed forces Chief of Staff.

The Secretary-General has asked his Representative in Guinea-Bissau, João Bernardo Honwana, to continue to lend the necessary support to help all parties resolve the crisis peacefully and quickly, Mr. Annan's spokesman said.

The Security Council also condemned the killing. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom, which holds the Council's rotating presidency for October, said the 15-member body was concerned "over the tragic turn of events at a time when Guinea-Bissau is making steady progress towards the full restoration of constitutional order."

"Members of the Council condemned the use of force to settle differences or to address grievances regarding long-standing problems in the military sector," he said in a statement to the press after the Council heard a briefing on the situation by a senior UN official.

They deplored the loss of life, including the killing of Gen. Verissimo Correia Seabra, and called on all concerned to come to a speedy agreement consistent with respect for constitutional authority and the rule of law, Mr. Jones Parry added.

Council members also called on the international community to maintain its confidence in the process of democratic consolidation in Guinea-Bissau and to uphold their commitment to development in that country.

They welcomed the readiness of the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide support for the peaceful conclusion of dialogue among the parties, the Council President said. The members also encouraged Mr. Honwana to maintain his assistance in that dialogue.