SECRETARY-GENERAL GRATIFIED WITH SECURITY COUNCIL’S SUPPORT FOR WESTERN SAHARA

PEACE PLAN, INVITES PARTIES TO ‘ACT CONSTRUCTIVELY’

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

The Secretary-General is gratified that the Security Council has adopted a resolution expressing its clear and strong support for his efforts and those of his Personal Envoy, James A. Baker III, and for the peace plan.

TOP AFRICAN PERFORMERS NAMED IN LATEST ECONOMIC REPORT

ADDIS ABABA, 30 July (Economic Commission for Africa)-- African countries that have made the most progress in putting in place the right policies to reduce poverty top the rankings in the latest Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2003), the annual Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) flagship publication launched today.

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 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.

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.)

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.)