Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Algiers (Agenzia Fides)- “We are under the impression that the target was the United Nations and what it represents: working for peace and assistance for victims of violence” said Laura Boldrini, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR commenting the attacks in Algiers yesterday, 11 December. The attacks were launched at the buildings of Algeria's constitutional court and a building where there are UN offices.
“If a car bomb explodes in front of a UN offices it would seem clear that the target is peace” Ms Boldrini told Fides adding that two Algerian drivers members of UNO personnel were among the victims. “At the moment I can only give information with regard to personnel of our office, two persons killed and several wounded”. There were also victims among the personnel of the UNDP UN Development Programme. It is estimated that about ten members UN personnel were killed but the total number is not yet known. The Algerian authorities speak of 30 dead, whereas hospital sources speak of 67. The Algerian daily El Watan puts the figure at 72
“We have 14 people working in our office in Algiers, including the two drivers. We also operate in Tindouf, where there are 150,000 Saharawi refugees. We supply assistance to 90,000 people in need. One of our tasks is to keep united dispersed families in camps at Tindouf and west Sahara”.
The Saharawi people live in west Sahara, former Spanish colony invaded by Morocco in 1976 and which since then has demanded independence.
“In Algiers we also assist a few thousand people from Democratic Congo, Cmeroon and Ivory Coast” said the UNHCR spokesperson. “This is not the first time our offices are targeted. For example a few years ago there was an attack on our office in East Timor which was working to help displaced persons repatriate to their homes” concluded Boldrini.
“This is a tragedy and I wish to express my sympathy with the personnel of the United Nations, their families and the Algerian people, all victims of this absolutely intolerable attack", said HUN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by Al Qaida for Maghreb Islamic. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2007 righe 30 parole 419)
