3 November 2009 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to beef up security for UN staff in Afghanistan following the fateful 28 October attack on a private guesthouse that killed five UN employees.

The UN chief made the request in his Monday meeting with Karzai in Kabul before the latter was declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as the winner in the country’s presidential elections.

The security request was revealed by Mr. Ban in his press conference in the rose garden of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul.

“In my meeting with President Karzai, I have asked him to provide all necessary support and assistance under his power to strengthen the security for United Nations staff in Afghanistan and he assured me again and again that he will do all to strengthen the security support for the UNAMA mission in Kabul,” enthused the UN chief.

Mr. Ban told UN staff and media that he came to Afghanistan first and foremost to ensure security for all UN staff. “My main goal this time was to insist on the security of all staff, Afghan and internationals.”

“We have suffered a grievous attack but our work continues,” assured Mr. Ban, noting that “many Afghans are still worried about whether international support will hold firm” as “there has been media speculation that the United Nations is evacuating Afghanistan, or pulling out of Pakistan.”

“We will not be deterred, we cannot be deterred, and we must not be deterred and the work of the United Nations will continue,” reiterated the UN chief.

“I repeat again – the United Nations will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan in their quest for stability and peace. We will not allow our actions to be determined by anger or fear. We will uphold our principles and we will champion peace and in doing so, we will honour the memories of our staff…” he added.

“I wanted to see the security situation at first hand, and I wanted to talk directly with my own dear colleagues…” said the UN chief who came to “express my solidarity with the UN staff and Afghan people at this difficult time.”

“I express my admiration for all the dedication of the women and men of the United Nations, voluntary humanitarian workers, NGOs and other members of the international community, including ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces) for their dedication and commitment...” Mr. Ban added.

By Aurora V. Alambra, UNAMA