In progress at UNHQ

SG/T/2130

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, 19 - 22 APRIL

17 April 1998


Press Release
SG/T/2130


SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, 19 - 22 APRIL

19980417 Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

On Sunday, 19 April, the Secretary-General leaves New York for a four- day visit to California and Texas. In San Francisco, the Secretary-General will be the keynote speaker at a luncheon jointly sponsored by the Commonwealth Club, the World Affairs Council and the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA/USA). At the University of California, Berkeley, the Secretary-General will be awarded the Berkeley Medal and will deliver a speech before that University's School of International and Area Studies. The Berkeley Medal is the highest honour conferred by the University upon individuals. In Los Angeles, the Secretary-General will deliver a speech on the subject of "the humanitarian challenge today" at an event co-sponsored by two civic organizations: the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Town Hall Los Angeles. After a meeting with sports figures, including basketball Olympic star Magic Johnson, the Secretary-General will be the guest of honour at a reception hosted by Jack Valenti, President of the Motion Picture Association of America. Before leaving Los Angeles, the Secretary-General will deliver a keynote address on the subject of conflict prevention and receive the UCLA Medal during a ceremony organized by the Center of International Relations. Like the Berkeley Medal, the UCLA Medal is the highest honour bestowed upon individuals by the University of California at Los Angeles. In Houston, the Secretary-General will address the James Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University on the subject of conflict prevention. Before returning to New York, the Secretary-General will meet with former United States President George Bush. In the course of this trip, the Secretary-General will be the guest of three former United States Secretaries of State: George Schultz, in San Francisco; Warren Christopher, in Los Angeles; and James Baker III, in Houston. He will also meet with three important American city Mayors -- Willie Brown of San Francisco, Richard Riordan of Los Angeles, Lee Brown of Houston -- as well as with other American political and civil leaders. The Secretary-General will be back in New York on Thursday, 23 April.

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For information media. Not an official record.