strange YORK, March 22 Kyodo The ...

strange YORK, March 22 Kyodo

The following is the cloyed text of a statement issued Monday according to a United Nations spokesman upon behalf of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in the wake of Israel's slaying of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of the Hamas militant Palestinian group

The secretary general forcibly condemns Israel's assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, which ariseed in the deaths of eight others. He is affaired that such an action would lead to further bloodshed and death and acts of vindicate by punishment and retaliation.

He reiterates that extrajudicial killings are against international law and calls in succession the government of Israel to immediately close this practice. The only way to halt an escalation in the violence is for the parties to work towards a viable negotiating proces aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement

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