ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., 4-5 MAY

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan flew to Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon, 4 May.

He met there with the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza.  They discussed common issues of cooperation between their organizations, including Haiti.

On Thursday night, the Secretary-General addressed the centennial dinner of the American Jewish Committee, telling them that the United Nations is “fully engaged in the struggle against anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination”. (See Press Release SG/SM/10443.)

He mentioned, in particular, last year’s General Assembly special session marking the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps, and the observance this year, of what will now be an annual International Day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust.  In addition, he said, the United Nations is an organization in which the State of Israel increasingly enjoys the same rights and responsibilities as every other member.

Also speaking as guests of honour at the dinner were United States President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Secretary-General, on Friday, spoke at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, D.C., delivering the first of a series of annual lectures on the United States-United Nations relationship.

In his speech, entitled “The United States and the United Nations: Working Together in the 21st Century”, he said he saw no hope of a peaceful and stable future for humanity in this century “unless the United States provides strong and enlightened global leadership”, but does not believe the United States can do this on its own.  He stressed the need for countries to work together to protect human rights.  (See Press Release SG/SM/10444.)

He also used his speech to underscore how urgent it is that we all do more to help the people of Darfur, whose human rights have been violated in the most appalling way.

The Secretary-General said that he still hoped that, within the next day or two, an agreement might be reached, embracing all the parties in Darfur.  He appealed to all of them to seize this opportunity and come to a peace agreement for the sake of their people, who have suffered so much.

Even if an agreement is reached, he said, we should not imagine that the problem is solved.  The humanitarian agencies urgently need financial support, and humanitarian workers need a more secure environment.

Mr. Annan also received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University.

The Secretary-General returned to New York on Friday afternoon.