SG/SM/7550
AFR/270

KOFI ANNAN URGES ALL PARTIES IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TO CEASE HOSTILITIES TODAY SO POLIO VACCINATIONS CAN BE CARRIED OUT

The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

In the spirit of his call on all belligerents to observe and respect a worldwide ceasefire to coincide with the Olympic Games, which begin today in Australia, the Secretary-General is urging all parties concerned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cease hostilities throughout the country today, 15 September, in order that the third and final polio vaccination round can be carried out. He trusts that a peaceful and secure environment will be provided to allow the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children�s Fund (UNICEF) to give all Congolese children under the age of 5 protection from the crippling disease of polio.

* *** *
United Nations