Press Release

Security Council

2003 Round-up

IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN, AFRICA KEY ISSUES BEFORE SECURITY COUNCIL IN 2003

In a year dominated by the war in Iraq, the Security Council also addressed a broad range of other threats to peace and security around the globe, including in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and others.

Security Council

4895^th Meeting (AM)

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS ‘REMAINS STALEMATED’ SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD,

IN BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL KIERAN PRENDERGAST

Note to Correspondents

MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS FOR COVERAGE OF 19 JANUARY MEETINGS OF SECRETARY-GENERAL

WITH COALITION AUTHORITY, GOVERNING COUNCIL ON IRAQ

The following is a planning schedule for correspondents who wish to cover Monday’s meetings regarding Iraq:

Background Release

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT TO OPEN 2004 SESSION ON 19 JANUARY

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 16 January (UN Information Service) -- The Conference on Disarmament, the world's sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations, will open its 2004 session on Monday, 19 January, at the Palais des Nations.  The first public plenary will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 January.

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF KUWAIT PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Nabeela Abdulla Al-Mulla, the new Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations, presented her credentials today to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENTREPRESENTATIVE OF THAILANDPRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and LiaisonService.)

LaxanachantornLaohaphan, the new Permanent Representative of Thailand,presented her credentials today to Secretary-General KofiAnnan.

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ARGENTINA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

César Mayoral, the new Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, presented his credentials today to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Committee on Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

634^th & 635^th Meetings (AM & PM)

WOMEN’S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE EXAMINES REPORT OF KUWAIT

Committee on Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

632^nd & 633^rd Meetings (AM & PM)

FOUNDATIONS FOR GENDER EQUALITY FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN KYRGYZSTAN,

ACCORDING TO WOMEN’S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE

Experts Call for Full Implementation of Country’s ‘Significant’ Body of Legislation

SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMES LAKHDAR BRAHIMI SPECIAL ADVISER

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

The Secretary-General met on Tuesday afternoon with his former Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, who has just completed an arduous assignment and needs some rest.