*EPF503 08/29/2003
Text: UN Secretary-General Condemns August 29 Terrorist Attack in Najaf, Iraq
(Urges all political, religious groups in Iraq to refrain from further acts of violence) (260)

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has condemned "in the strongest possible terms," the August 29 terrorist attack in Najaf, Iraq, that reportedly killed more than 80 people, including a prominent Shi'ite spiritual leader, and wounded many others.

The Secretary General "is appalled that this incident took place just after Friday prayers in one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites," said a statement released August 29 by the spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Following is a text of the spokesman's statement:

(begin text)

United Nations Secretary-General
Office of the Spokesman
29 August 2003
New York

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the bombing in Najaf, Iraq

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms today's terrorist attack in Najaf, in which the spiritual leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution (SCIRI), Ayatollah Mohammad Baker Al-Hakim, and many others were killed. He is appalled that this incident took place just after Friday prayers in one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites. The Secretary-General has repeatedly stated that all terrorist acts, whatever their justification, are morally reprehensible and wholly indefensible.

In the difficult days ahead, the Secretary-General urges all political and religious groups in Iraq to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from further acts of violence and revenge. The Secretary-General reaffirms his belief that only a credible, inclusive and transparent political process can lead to peace and stability in Iraq.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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