UNHCR MISSION TO CROATIA SADDENED BY SIMUNDZA DEATH

ZAGREB, Sept 7 (Hina) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mission to Croatia said in a statement on Thursday it was saddened by the death of Pero Simundza, UNHCR's Croatian member killed in the Indonesia province of West Timor yesterday. The statement said the entire UNHCR staff was surprised and deeply saddened by the loss of dear friend and beloved collaborator Pero Simundza, brutally killed with friend and colleagues Samson Aregahegna and Carlos Caceres-Collaz in Wednesday's attack the pro-Indonesian militia made on UNHCR's office in Atambua, West Timor. The statement adds the UNHCR has extended deep condolences to the families of the killed humanitarian workers. The 29-year-old Simundza had been an UNHCR staff member since May 1993. In February this year, he departed for the mission to West Timor, where he operated telecommunications systems. At the time of the brutal attack in Atambua, Simundza was on duty with colleagues Aregahegna and Cacares-Collaz. He was killed while attempting to notify and warn other colleagues and organise help, the UNHCR statement said. The UNHCR has evaluated the Atambua attack has been the most violent individual attack made against UNHCR staff to date. Croatia's President Stipe Mesic, attending the UN Millennium Summit in New York, contacted the UNHCR about the tragic event. Simundza's friends and colleagues have launched a page on the Internet at www.qsl.net/9a4sp where visitors may sign a book of condolences. (hina) ha