At a briefing this morning, Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, pointed out that preparations are under way for a United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in South Africa from 31 August to 7 September next year.
The President of Uruguay, Jorge Batlle, speaking at a Headquarters press conference today, stressed the importance of regional financial cooperation in the Americas.
The Kashmir question must be resolved for there to be peace in South Asia, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf said at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon. He said the issue -- a conflict between India and Pakistan -- had been "denied resolution since 1948".
Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of Poland and Chairman of the second roundtable of the Millennium Summit, told correspondents that the roundtable discussion which took place this morning was one of the most interesting debates he could recall. A total of 34 leaders took part and their discussions lasted for over three and-a-half hours.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference that time was running out for the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. This pressure of time, he said, should nudge all parties to be more flexible in order to reach an agreement that would help the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, the Middle East and the world as a whole.
The people of Afghanistan were suffering from "an imposed war" and an invading force backed by Pakistan and a coalition of terrorists and fanatics, that countrys President, Burhanuddin Rabbani, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference this morning.
The United Nations Millennium Summit had been billed as the largest gathering of world leaders ever, and, with over 149 heads of State and government so far in attendance, it was living up to its name, Therese Gastaut, Spokeswoman for the Co-Chairs of the Millennium Summit told correspondents at a press briefing today.
