SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTENDS ‘DEEPEST CONDOLENCES’ TO THOSE
WHO LOST LOVED ONES IN MOSCOW HOSTAGE INCIDENT
The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 26 October:
The Secretary-General is deeply relieved to learn of the ending of the hostage situation in the Melnikov Street Theatre in Moscow.� As the Security Council affirmed on 24 October, the taking of hostages was a heinous act of terrorism, which cannot be justified by any circumstance.� Action taken in Moscow this morning has ended this unconscionable situation.
The Secretary-General mourns for those whose lives were lost in this incident.� He extends his deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones and his sympathy to those who were injured, and to their families.� He also extends his condolences to the Government and people of the Russian Federation, and of other nations whose citizens may have lost their lives.
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