Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC January 23, 2006
UN Peacekeepers Killed in Democratic Republic of the CongoThe United States offers its condolences to the families of eight courageous and dedicated Guatemalan peacekeepers who were killed during operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The peacekeepers were part of a mission against the Ugandan rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in northeastern D.R.C. We also express our concern for the welfare of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) peacekeepers and Congolese armed forces soldiers injured during the operation.
We join with the United Nations and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in condemning the threat posed by foreign and domestic armed groups operating in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We underscore our support for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1649, which calls for the elimination of these armed groups, and we commend the UN and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its robust action to end the threat posed by the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army and other militia.
2006/77
Released on January 23, 2006
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