SYNTHETIC DRUG ABUSE EXCEEDS THAT OF HEROIN AND COCAINE COMBINED,

SAYS NEW UN STUDY

Global Survey on Ecstasy, Amphetamines

Reveals Alarming Abuse and Trafficking Patterns

(Reissued as received.)

ADOPTION OF POLICY OF PRE-EMPTION COULD RESULT IN PROLIFERATION OF UNILATERAL,

LAWLESS USE OF FORCE, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Following is the address, as delivered today, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the General Assembly:

The last 12 months have been very painful for those of us who believe in collective answers to our common problems and challenges.

MILLIONS REMAIN FOOD INSECURE IN IRAQ DESPITE BETTER HARVEST, SAY UN AGENCIES

(Reissued as received.)

ROME,23 September (FAO) -- Despite a better cereal harvest and the lifting of economic sanctions, according to a report published today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), nearly half of the 26.3 million Iraqis are estimated to be poor and in need of assistance.

WORKSHOP ON STRENGTHENING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ CAPACITIES

IN USING SPACE TECHNOLOGY 25-27 SEPTEMBER

(Reissued as received.)

RECENT, ‘OFTEN TRAGIC’ WORLDWIDE DEVELOPMENTS POSE SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR UN,

SAYS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT OPENING FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION

Following is the statement by the President of the General Assembly, Julian Hunte (Saint Lucia), at its opening today:

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

8^th Meeting (PM)

UNITED NATIONS MUST REFORM TO MEET OBJECTIVES IN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD,

GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOLD, AS ANNUAL DEBATE CONTINUES

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

7^th Meeting (AM)

OPENING ANNUAL GENERAL DEBATE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEARS CALL FOR RADICAL CHANGE

TO ADDRESS THREATS OF TERRORISM, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR LIBERIA CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE END

TO USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS, KEY ELEMENT FOR LONG-TERM PEACE

MONROVIA, 22 September (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The United Nations Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, Ross Mountain, today backed a call from the Security Council for all parties to the conflict to immediately cease their use of child soldiers.

HIV/AIDS: ‘GREATEST LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE OF OUR TIME’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS FOLLOWING HIGH-LEVEL INTERACTIVE PANEL

Following is Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan’s summary of the proceedings of the high-level interactive panel on HIV/AIDS, as delivered to the General Assembly this evening:

In accordance with General Assembly resolution S-26/2 of 2001, a high-level interactive panel on HIV/AIDS was held this afternoon.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION BID ON IRAQ COUNCIL MEMBER

The Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued the following statement on Saturday, 20 September 2003:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s assassination attempt on