SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT, SWIFT DEPLOYMENT

OF LIBERIA MULTINATIONAL FORCE

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

PRESS STATEMENT ON GUINEA-BISSAU BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement on Guinea-Bissau delivered today by Security Council President Mikhail Wehbe (Syria):

Security Council

4804^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES WEST AFRICAN, FRENCH FORCES

IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE FOR SIX MORE MONTHS

COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION OPENS

SIXTY-THIRD SESSION AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS

Hears Address by Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights

(Reissued as received.)

ACTING HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF CONDEMNS SUICIDE BOMBING

OF RUSSIAN MILITARY HOSPITAL

The following statement was issued today by the spokesman for the Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGED BY PROSPECT OF EARLY

SIX-WAY TALKS ON KOREAN ISSUES

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

SEABED COMMISSION AGREES TO LOOK AT HIGH SEAS BIODIVERSITY

(Reissued as received.)

KINGSTON, 31 July (International Seabed Authority) -- The Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) agreed in Kingston this afternoon on steps to involve itself more closely in biodiversity issues relating to deep-sea mineral exploration and exploitation.

Security Council

4803^rd Meeting (Evening)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES MULTINATIONAL FORCE TO SUPPORT CEASEFIRE IN LIBERIA

Resolution 1497 (2003) Adopted by 12-0-3 (France, Germany, Mexico);

Also Declares Readiness to Deploy UN Peacekeeping Force by 1 October

Group of Governmental Experts on UN Register of Conventional Arms

CONCLUDES HEADQUARTERS SESSION, ADOPTS CONSENSUS REPORT

SECRETARY-GENERAL GRATIFIED WITH SECURITY COUNCIL’S SUPPORT FOR WESTERN SAHARA

PEACE PLAN, INVITES PARTIES TO ‘ACT CONSTRUCTIVELY’

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

The Secretary-General is gratified that the Security Council has adopted a resolution expressing its clear and strong support for his efforts and those of his Personal Envoy, James A. Baker III, and for the peace plan.