POOR RAINS DELAY PLANTING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, SAYS UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICE

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF JAIME DE PINIES, VETERAN SPANISH

DIPLOMAT, FORMER UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

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

Biographical Note

MAJOR-GENERAL HERBERT JOAQUIN FIGOLI ALMANDOS OF URUGUAY APPOINTED

FORCE COMMANDER OF CYPRUS PEACEKEEPING FORCE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today the appointment of Major-General Herbert Joaquin Figoli Almandos of Uruguay as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to succeed Lieutenant General Jin Ha Hwang, who relinquished his post on 25 December 2003.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED BY BRUTAL MURDER OF APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN BURUNDI

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

The Secretary-General was deeply shocked and saddened to learn the news of the tragic death of Monsignor Michael Courtney, the Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, who was brutally murdered during a road ambush today in Minago, about 50 kilometres south of Bujumbura in Bururi province. 

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY NEWS OF BENIN AIR CRASH,

WHICH KILLED 130, INCLUDING 15 UN PEACEKEEPERS

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

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn the news of the tragic deaths of over 130 passengers, including 15 United Nations peacekeepers from Bangladesh, in the air crash near Cotonou, Benin, on 25 December.

                                                            SC/7969

Press Statement on Karbala Bombing BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement delivered today by Security Council President Stefan Tafrov (Bulgaria):

UNITED NATIONS ASSESSES QUAKE DAMAGE IN IRAN

NEW YORK, 29 December (OCHA) -- Yesterday, the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team in Bam undertook a joint aerial assessment with a team from the United Kingdom.

UNITED NATIONS TEAM RESPONDS TO IRAN EARTHQUAKE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY GREENLIGHTS PROGRAMME FOR THE INTERNATIONAL

YEAR OF MICROCREDIT 2005

Observance Will Promote Access to Financial

Services and Empowerment of Poor, Especially Women