ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IN BAHRAIN 10 TO 11 NOVEMBER
The Secretary-General arrived in Manama, Bahrain from Geneva late on Friday, 10 November.
On Saturday morning, he was joined by the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, for a tête-à-tête discussion. Together, they went to the centre of Manama, where the Secretary-General formally inaugurated the new UN House, which will house all United Nations agencies operating in the country. The premises, a former embassy and residence (of the Republic of Korea), had been purchased and renovated by the Government of Bahrain, and then given as a gift to the United Nations.
In thanking the Government of Bahrain for their generosity in establishing the first UN House in the Gulf region, the Secretary-General said he hoped other governments would follow their example.
With this building he added, I hope the United Nations can do more and better to justify your faith in us -- and to provide you with new and imaginative ways to advance the cause of peace and prosperity " (see document SG/SM/7622).
He and the Foreign Minister jointly hoisted the United Nations Flag in front of the building.
The Secretary-General then met with the Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa. They discussed prospects for the lifting of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, the suffering of innocent Iraqi civilians and the need for Iraq to cooperate with the Security Council. The Secretary-General asked the Prime Ministers views on the current situation between Israel and the Palestinians and as regards the current case before the International Court of Justice concerning a territorial dispute with Qatar.
The Secretary-General then went to the royal Palace, where he was received by the Amir of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The Amir raised various issues, including the new United Nations Verification and Inspection Mission Commission (UNMOVIC) for Iraq, whose Director, Hans Blix of Sweden, had visited recently. They also discussed the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the Palestinian proposal for a United Nations protection force. Their discussions continued over lunch.
The Secretary-General left for Doha, Qatar, in the afternoon, where he was to attend the Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.