Kinshasa, 8 June 2009 - Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, condemns the attack today against MONUC military observers in Buta. "This criminal attack against peacekeepers cannot be justified, and we want the authorities to open an investigation quickly so that the authors are apprehended and subjected to the rigour of the law". Students of the Teaching Institute of Buta are alleged to be behind the incident.

The Special Representative expressed his relief to know that all four military observers arrived healthy and safe in Kisangani. He was pleased with the efforts of the Congolese National Police (PNC) and the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC), who protected the military observers and their equipment.

Noting that the attack and the destruction of the goods are against the law of the country, the Special Representative added: "To prevent the work of MONUC does nothing but deprive the Congolese of the assistance of MONUC."

MONUC deploys considerable means to support the FARDC, in which the first responsibility is to ensure the protection of the population against the exactions of the LRA rebels. MONUC built and maintains the landing strip of Dungu which allows the deployment of logistics support for the FARDC, for the operation in the vast zone of Haut Uele.

MONUC supports FARDC operations by ensuring its transport, food, fuel supplies and if necessary the medical evacuation of casualties.

At the same time MONUC supports the humanitarian agencies which give an important support for the disaster victims within the population. It is still thanks to its presence and its escorts which ensures that humanitarians can today assist a greater number of people and especially reach isolated and remote areas.