SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
The following statement was issued on 24 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General condemns the kidnapping by the FARC of presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.� Such violent actions undermine the forthcoming elections and intimidate the civilian population.
The Secretary-General urgently appeals to the FARC to release all those kidnapped, including Ms. Betancourt and her campaign manager.� He further reiterates his call on all armed actors to respect international humanitarian law and the lives of civilians by ending all forms of violence against them.
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