SG/SM/7638

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED OVER MOUNTING TENSIONS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

The following statement was issued yesterday, 23 November, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following with concern the mounting tension in the Central African Republic between the Government and the workers� unions over unpaid salary arrears.

In view of the very difficult economic situation in the country, the Secretary-General calls on all concerned to favour dialogue and refrain from any action that might exacerbate these tensions and thus endanger peace and security in that country.

The Secretary-General urges the international partners of the Central African Republic to do their utmost to speed up the financial assistance they had pledged during last May�s special donor meeting to help the country manage this difficult transition peacefully.

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United Nations