SG/SM/7274
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General was pleased to learn of the release form prison on 31 December 1999 of Branko Jelen, the remaining CARE aid worker under custody by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on charges of passing on secret information. His release is a welcome start to the new year and a sign of encouragement to the humanitarian community, whose aim is to assist all in need around the world.