UN APPEALS FOR $530 MILLION FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

(Received from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.)

GENEVA/JOHANNESBURG, 29 July -- The United Nations today launched a 2003/04 Regional Consolidated Appeal (CAP) for southern Africa to provide life-saving assistance for 6.5 million people severely weakened by consecutive failed harvests, extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES SECURITY COUNCIL ON GIVING MONUC STRONG MANDATE

TO FULFIL DIFFICULT MISSION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Following are the remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council this morning, after the adoption of the resolution on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC):

SECRETARY-GENERAL OUTRAGED BY CONTINUED HIGH RATE

OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is outraged at the continued high incidence of civilian casualties in and around Monrovia, as the result of indiscriminate shelling.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘VERY PLEASED’ WITH UNITED STATES DECISION TO POSITION ‘APPROPRIATE MILITARY CAPABILITIES’ OFF LIBERIAN COAST

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

OVER 1 MILLION ANGOLANS STILL NEED FOOD AID, DESPITE PEACE

AND IMPROVED CROP PRODUCTION

Many Refugees and Soldiers Returning Home

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESTORATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER,

COMMENDS MEDIATION EFFORTS, IN SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the restoration of constitutional order in Sao Tome and Principe and commends regional and international mediation efforts for the success of the negotiations.

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON SITUATION IN LIBERIA

Following is today’s statement to the press by Security CouncilPresident Inocencio F. Arias (Spain) on the situation in Liberia:

Members of the Security Council expressed their concern for the continuing deterioration of the security situation and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Liberia.

MAIN THEME OF 2003 ECONOMIC REPORT ON AFRICA IS ‘ACCELERATING PACE OF DEVELOPMENT’

(Reissued as received.)

UN COORDINATOR EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN ABOUT DESPERATE

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN LIBERIA

(Received from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.)

SITUATION IN MONROVIA BECOMING DESPERATE, ACCORDING TO UN OFFICE