DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Susan Markham, Spokeswoman for the President of the General Assembly.

Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Good afternoon.

**Secretary-General

I am going to start with the Secretary-General who, as you know, is now in India, approaching the end of his one-week visit of four countries in South Asia.  The Secretary-General and his wife Nane began their official visit to India this morning, laying a memorial wreath at Rajghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. 

He then went to Parliament House, where he met Dr. Naima Heptullah, Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House, and current President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.  The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of ratifying treaties and conventions, in the context of globalization and the rule of law.  They touched on the subject of Kashmir, and the Secretary-General repeated his message that what is important is that India and Pakistan renew a dialogue.

The Secretary-General then sat down with Speaker of the Lower House G.M.C. Balayogi, who was accompanied by about 20 other Members of Parliament.  He again urged the ratification of covenants and the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan in the dispute over Kashmir.  When he said, "You must support dialogue and a peaceful way out", the Secretary-General was applauded by the Members of Parliament.

He then had the opportunity to meet with Sonia Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress Part, and Manmohan Singh, opposition leader of the Upper House, and they had a discussion of a wide range of subjects.  On Kashmir, the Secretary-General reiterated his appeal for India and Pakistan to talk.

At midday, the Secretary-General met with the President of India,

K.R. Narayanan.  They discussed the Secretary-General's meetings of the night before with Indian industrialists and also touched on Iraq and Kashmir.

In the early afternoon, the Secretary-General met with Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, initially a tête-à -tête for about half an hour.  They then joined their delegations for a quick overview of a number of issues.  When their meeting was over, they held a press encounter.  In response to a question, the Secretary-General clarified his position on Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.  He said, "there are Security Council resolutions which are important, but they are not self-enforcing".  He continued, "The parties have to come together through dialogue to implement whatever agreements are taken, which the Security Council resolutions could bear up."

The Foreign Minister then hosted a luncheon for the Secretary-General and his delegation.

In the late afternoon, the Secretary-General had a private meeting with India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The programme was concluded at night with the Secretary-General attending an event of the United Nations.  He toured a number of exhibits illustrating the work of the United Nations in India, and he administered an oral polio vaccination to three children in front of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) exhibit.

While the Secretary-General was on his official programme, Mrs. Annan visited two United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported projects.  The first one was on skills training and preparation for adult life to young people with disabilities, with a special emphasis on girls.  As you may know, the city of Delhi alone has a population of 540,000 handicapped persons.  Mrs. Annan then visited another project in Gorgaon, a suburb of Delhi.  I'm afraid I might be mispronouncing Gorgaon, a suburb of Delhi.  It provides an environment for the school enrolment of all children under 14, many of whom have had little schooling because they have been child labourers.

**Kosovo/FYROM

Moving from South Asia to Europe:  against the backdrop of the extremist actions in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Balkans, Carl Bildt, is in Skopje today.

We have just spoken to him and he has just concluded discussions with President Boris Trajkovski and Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski.  Mr. Bildt said he conveyed the strong international support for the integrity and democracy of FYROM and underlined the importance of the efforts undertaken by the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to maintain stability amongst FYROM populations.

The President and the Prime Minister conveyed to Mr. Bildt their concerns about the security along the border with Kosovo.

Mr. Bildt will also meet with main Albanian leaders of FYROM during his two-day stay.

Meanwhile, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today warned that intensifying fighting between Albanian separatists and the government forces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia could lead to a major population displacement and threaten the stability of the entire region.

“We simply cannot afford another humanitarian tragedy in the Balkans, where millions of people were uprooted by a string of violent conflicts in the last decade”, said High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers.  He added, “My organization has been dealing with the humanitarian fallout from the Balkan wars for the past 10 years  -- from Croatia and Bosnia to Kosovo.  We are still working to undo the tragic outcome of those conflicts.”

The border crossings between Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia remain closed, making it difficult for life in Kosovo.

**Security Council

Here in New York, Kosovo, as you know, is also the topic of activities of the Council.  The Security Council this morning began with consultation on Kosovo. It then went into an open meeting to hear a briefing from Hans Haekkerup, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo.  He spoke on the situation there and we expect, once that meeting is over in the Council Chamber, that he will come here to room S-226 to talk to you guys.  As soon as we have some idea of the timing, we'll let you know through the p.a. system.

Mr. Haekkerup told the Council that the United Nations Mission is faced with security problems in the region outside Kosovo, and he said that it is important that the Mission and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) support FYROM in solving its immediate problems.  But he added that closing off the border crossings between FYROM and Kosovo, at Blace and Globocica, does not address the problem and is unacceptable.

Mr. Haekkerup said, "The level of violence in Kosovo continues to be unacceptably high."  The general security situation in Kosovo has not improved over the past two months, with high levels of ethnic violence.  He said that parallel security structures in Mitrovica must be abolished.

Mr. Haekkerup also asked for the Government in Belgrade to take positive steps in dealing with Kosovo, including the transfer of all Kosovo Albanian detainees in Serbia proper to the UN Mission.  Mr. Haekkerup's remarks are available in the Spokesman's Office.

This afternoon at 4 o’clock, the Council will hold a private formal meeting to hear from the Permanent Representative of Burundi, Marc Nteturuye, on the situation in Burundi.  The Council expects to hear a briefing from the Secretariat on Burundi next Tuesday.

Just prior to today's private meeting, Council members have been invited to an "Arria formula" meeting in Conference Room 7 with Mustapha Ka of Senegal.

Mr. Ka is a parliamentarian in Senegal.

Yesterday afternoon, the Security Council continued its open debate on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.  However, not all speakers were able to present their views by the end of the day, and the Council will continue the formal meeting next Monday.

The Council's formal meeting this morning began with a tribute by the Council President to Tunisian Ambassador Saïd Ben Mustapha, who is ending his service at the United Nations, and Council members applauded him for his work.

**East Timor

After signing today the Regulation on the Election of a Constituent Assembly, the Special representative of the Secretary-General in East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, announced that the first democratic election in East Timor will be held on 30 August.  As you may recall, the National Council had approved the Regulation on the Election of a Constituent Assembly on 13 March.  On that occasion, the Council rejected a proposed quota for women. 

Today, Mr. Vieira de Mello added a paragraph to the preamble of the Regulation “encouraging the equal participation of women and men at all stages of the electoral and constitutional process, and undertaking to promote the full enjoyment by women of their civil and political rights”.

Mr. Vieira de Mello also announced that among other measures to increase gender participation, he will encourage the political parties to have at least   30 per cent of their lists of candidates made up of women.  The Gender Affairs Unit of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) is also to identify 100 potential women candidates for election to the Constituent Assembly and to organize a special training for these candidates.

More details on this new regulation are available in the briefing note from Dili, which we have in our Office.

**Sierra Leone

The United Nations Force Commander in Sierra Leone, Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande, is in Kailahun today where he is meeting with the interim leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), Issa Sesay.

UN peacekeepers successfully conducted a long-range patrol to Kailahun on Wednesday, which was the first UN patrol to that area since last July, when the Mission conducted an operation to rescue Indian troops who were blocked there by the RUF.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR says that, over the past four weeks, more than 700 Sierra Leoneans have fled the violence in the "Parrot's Beak" region in southern Guinea to travel to the Kenema region in Sierra Leone.  Some walked 70 miles or more, travelling through RUF-held territory.

More details are in today's briefing notes from the UNHCR, which also notes that more than 150,000 Chechens remain displaced in neighbouring Ingushetia, with some 2,500 Chechens fleeing to Ingushetia last month alone.

**Georgia

Today in Yalta, Ukraine, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Georgia, Dieter Boden, chaired the third meeting on confidence-building measures between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides.

In a statement signed by the two sides, the representative of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Mr. Boden, the parties repeated their obligation not to use force against each other in the settlement of their disputes.  They also reached agreement on a programme of activities designed to build confidence between the sides.

We have a press release from the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) with more information.  I would also like to remind you that next Wednesday the Security Council has scheduled a private meeting on Georgia, and the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Dieter Boden, is expected to be here, as well.

**Iraq -- Compensation

Yesterday afternoon in Geneva, the UN Compensation Commission approved nearly $2.4 billion in claims to parties seeking compensation from Iraq following the Gulf War.  Yesterday's approvals bring the total compensation awarded by the Commission to more than $34 billion, out of a total of some $89 billion sought by claimants.

One issue that was not resolved, however, was whether Iraq may receive funds in order to allow it to hire experts to assist Baghdad in its responses to environmental claims made against it.  As a result, the current session has been adjourned until 2 April, when it will continue its discussion of that topic.  We put out a release yesterday with more information, which is still available in the Spokesman's Office.

**Narcotics Commission

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs will meet from 20 to 29 March in Vienna on its first progress review of world drug control issues.  Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, will present his first biennial report following up on the General Assembly's 1998 special session on the world drug problem.

The Commission will focus on two themes:  how to build partnerships in the areas of health education, law enforcement and justice; and how best to prevent drug abuse, particularly among children and young people.  A background press release is available upstairs.

**Press Releases

Still on press releases, I have two to bring to your attention.  The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched a new Web portal to facilitate the international exchange of halons.  The Web portal, called the On-line Halon Trader, provides a virtual marketplace where the demand for recycled halons can be matched to supply.  Halons are used in fire extinguishers and may do more to deplete the ozone layer than chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  More information is available in this press release, which is available in our Office.

Another press release available upstairs is from the World Health Organization (WHO), with a revised fact sheet on the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).  The Alliance is an international coalition of national governments, international organizations, philanthropic institutions and the public and private health sectors.

**Signings

This afternoon, Costa Rica will sign the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its two Protocols, one against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, and the other to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

**The Week Ahead

Finally, I want to bring to your attention the week ahead, which is available in our Office.  Just highlighting a couple of points here:

The Secretary-General is expected to return to New York this Sunday.  Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette will begin an official visit, also on Sunday, to Finland, where she will meet with government officials and also deliver a speech Monday on the United Nations role in crisis prevention and peace-building.

The Preparatory Committee dealing with the UN conference on small arms will begin a two-week meeting this Monday, and Shashi Tharoor, interim head of the Department of Public Information, will launch the "UN Works" Web site at the noon briefing.

The Secretary-General will honour jazz musician Wynton Marsalis as a UN Messenger of Peace, at 3:45 p.m. in a pinning ceremony at his Office.

Thursday, the Security Council has scheduled an open briefing on Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The same day, the Secretary-General is to attend another event with Wynton Marsalis as Messenger for Peace.  This will be at Lincoln Center.

Finally, just to bring to your attention that on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the Bloodmobile Unit of the New York Blood Center will once again visit here, Headquarters.  Anyone who wants to donate blood can go directly to the Secretariat Lobby, near the entrance to the Cafeteria on these days between 9 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.  A United Nations grounds pass is required for identification.

This was a bit of a long briefing.  Do you have any questions before we move on to Sue?  Yes, Bill?

**Questions and Answers

Question:  You didn't mention the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon to the United Nations, for around Wednesday.  Is that because it's not finalized yet?

Deputy Spokesman:  I think you're on the right target, but I'm not yet with all the facts to announce this.

Question:  Also, is the report from the Commission on Palestine due out Monday from Geneva?

Deputy Spokesman:  What's the question?

Question:  I believe that it's a report from the Commission on Palestine looking into ...

Deputy Spokesman:  I don't think there is such a commission.  There is a Commission on Human Rights, which will be meeting soon.

Question:  Maybe I'm mistaken then.  I had it written down that it was due out Monday.

Deputy Spokesman:  There's a Committee on Israeli Practices, but we can check for you to confirm if this report is coming out.

Question:  When will the Secretary-General hold a press conference related to another term for the Secretary-General?  Do you have anything for next week?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, regarding the decision of the Secretary-General to be considered for a second term, as he told all of us -– in fact, I think he said that in Japan -– he will do that in the course of the month of March.  Still today, in New Delhi, he was asked this question, and he said that by the end of March he would make his decision known.  Regarding a press conference, the Secretary-General usually has press conferences every two or three months, and the time is approaching for him to have another one.  And there is a good possibility that it will happen next week.  I think we'll be able to confirm that Monday or Tuesday –- to confirm when it will take place.

Any other questions.  No.  Sue?

Spokeswoman for the President of the General Assembly

Thank you.

The plenary of the General Assembly will meet this afternoon to take up two items.  One relates to a draft resolution taking note of the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and requesting the Secretary-General to transmit to the head of the Agency the discussion by the General Assembly about the Agency's activities.  It was held during the last session, at the end of last year.

The second item they're going to discuss relates to the Security Council decision last November to expand the Appeals Chamber of both the Rwanda and Yugoslavia Tribunals.  As you know, we had the election of the Yugoslavia Tribunal judges on Wednesday.  There will be a new agenda item to hold the election for two new judges for the International Tribunal for Rwanda.  The remaining judges for the Rwanda Tribunal don't come up for re-election until, I think, 2003.  So this will be just for two judges for the Tribunal.

I had previously mentioned that there would be two draft resolutions emanating from preparatory committees (prepcoms) being held for two conferences, but these are being held over for a later date, possibly next week.  If you can't find these resolutions, I can provide them from our Office.

This morning, the President is presiding over the final meetings of the Working Group on Security Council Reform -– the final for this session.  They will meet again in May; 7 to 11 May is the scheduled time for the Working Group to meet again.  Yesterday, they discussed the organizational issues, the so-called "cluster two" issues, and this morning, they're discussing issues relating to the veto.  A little different from the previous discussions on Monday and Tuesday, these relating to the veto in terms of any amendment that would be required to the Charter.  If anyone's interested, I can give you more information after the briefing.

The Fifth Committee is meeting today, as well, as you can see in the agenda, the Journal at least.  Most of the meetings are closed, but there was an open session this morning on procurement.

Looking ahead to next week, on Tuesday the President will preside over an organizational session of the Working Group on Africa.  We don't expect there to be much discussion, but you never know.  It's mostly just to organize their work programme.  We also expect next week a plenary session and perhaps a meeting of the General Committee to decide on the inclusion of another new agenda item.  This would relate to the decade to roll back malaria in Africa. 

That's all I have.  Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman:  Any questions for Sue?  Thank you very much.  Have a good afternoon and an even better weekend.  Thank you.

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