The Afghanistan Foreign Press Association strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on the Kabul Serena Hotel on Monday, 14 January 2008, and deeply laments the tragic loss of our colleague, Carsten Thomassen of Dagbladet.

This crime should be viewed as a development of the utmost gravity, a clear signifier of the deterioration of the security situation throughout Afghanistan, which now has even reached this well-guarded symbol of the country’s reconstruction. The presence among the victims, and those who were threatened, of journalists simply trying to foster an understanding of the country and aid workers striving to save its endangered children is emblematic of the utter criminality of this act under any possible conception of the conduct of war.

AFPA extends its condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, and offers its best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of those wounded and traumatized. Allow us please to extend our especial sympathy to the family of Mr.
Thomassen and to his understandably shaken colleagues at Dagbladet. May they be consoled by the knowledge that Carsten died in the faithful performance of his duty.

Vanni Cappelli

President