Press Release

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN NEW YORK REMARKS, URGES WORLD LEADERS

TO REBUILD MOMENTUM ON ANTI-POVERTY GOALS

Following are Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s remarks to the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York, 18 February:

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONVEYS CONDOLENCES TO IRAN, OFFERS UN ASSISTANCE

FOLLOWING CHEMICAL TRAIN DERAILMENT IN NEYSHABUR

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

PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN HAITI BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the statement to the press on the situation in Haiti delivered by Security Council President Wang Guangya (China):

Members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing violence and political crisis in Haiti leading to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, including the loss of many lives.

Security Council                                           

WILD BIRDS SHOULD NOT BE KILLED TO FIGHT BIRD FLU SAYS UN AGENCY

(Reissued as received.)

ROME, 18 February (FAO) -- Eliminating wild birds is not an appropriate measure to control the spread of the avian influenza virus, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.  Killing wild birds will not help to prevent future bird flu outbreaks.

UNITED NATIONS RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ARRIVES IN DARFUR, SUDAN

TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

UN SURVEY FEARS HIGHER OPIUM PRODUCTION IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2004

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 18 February (UN Information Service) -- Last year Afghanistan produced its highest amount of opium since 1999, estimated at 3,600 metric tons.  The harvest accounted for more than three quarters of the world’s illicit opium production.

GOVERNING BODY OF CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY TO HOLD

FIRST MEETING IN KUALA LUMPUR, 23 - 27 FEBRUARY

(Reissued as received.)

UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF TOOL TO MAP

MYSTERIOUS LIVES OF MARINE TURTLES

(Reissued as received.)

CHAIRMAN OF AL-QAIDA AND TALIBANSANCTIONS COMMITTEE

WILL BRIEF MEMBER STATES, 18 FEBRUARY