SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED AT APPARENT TERRORIST EXPLOSION

IN RUSSIAN COMMUTER TRAIN

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

The Secretary-General was dismayed to learn of this morning’s explosion in a commuter train near the Yessentuki station in the Russian Federation.  This appears to be yet another act of terrorism.  Terrorism can never be justified.

ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED TO MONITOR IRAQ DEVELOPMENT FUND TO MEET 5 DECEMBER

The following was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, 3 December:

FAO GOVERNING CONFERENCE CUTS BUDGET BY $51 MILLION

(Reissued as received.)

ROME, 5 December (FAO) -- The governing Conference of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) passed a budget appropriation of $749 million for the organization to carry out is work in 2004-2005.  The budget was adopted unanimously.

HEAD OF UN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CALLS CLOSING SESSION

OF TENTH GENERAL CONFERENCE AN HISTORIC EVENT

(Reissued as received.)

POPE ENDORSES INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER

(Reissued as received.)

      VATICAN CITY, 5 December (FAO) -- Pope John Paul II today gave his backing to the International Alliance Against Hunger promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

FIRST SESSION OF UNESCWA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN KICKS OFF

(Reissued as received.)

BENEFITS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

TO BE HIGHLIGHTED AT UPCOMING COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT

Note to Correspondents

UNITED NATIONS TO OBSERVE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY AT HEADQUARTERS ON 10 DECEMBER

      A number of special events to observe Human Rights Day will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, 10 December 2003.  Members of the media are invited to attend. 

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE APPEALS FOR $54.8 MILLION FOR 2004

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 5 December (UN Information Service) -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is seeking $54.8 million in contributions to fund activities in the coming year and to continue efforts to strengthen the institution.

UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS REMAINS FORMAL RATHER THAN REAL,

HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS IN COMMEMORATION MESSAGE

Ramcharan Cites Poverty, Conflicts, Terrorism,

Violence, Prejudice, Bad Governance as Gross Violations

(Reissued as received.)

Following is the message of acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan on Human Rights Day, which is commemorated on 10 December 2003: