PRESS STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on the Middle East by Security Council President Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom):

Security Council members met this afternoon at the request of the Non-Aligned Movement caucus and Arab Group to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, and in particular the Israeli decision in principle to expel Chairman Arafat.

Security Council

4823^rd Meeting (AM)

SPEAKERS IN SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMN RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO,

REITERATE SUPPORT FOR MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY

Security Council

4822^nd Meeting* (AM)

EXTENDING MANDATE OF UN MISSION, SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON ETHIOPIA, ERITREA

TO COOPERATE WITH BOUNDARY COMMISSION

Resolution Reaffirms Crucial Importance of Political Dialogue between Parties

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which was to expire on 15 September, until 15 March 2004.

Security Council

4820^th Meeting (Part II) (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL LIFTS SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA

AFTER TERRORIST BOMBINGS OF PAN AM 103, UTA 772

Resolution 1506 Adopted by Vote of 13

In Favour, with 2 Abstentions (France, United States)

UNIDO LAUNCHES FIRST POST-CRISIS PROJECT IN SOUTHERN SUDAN

(Reissued as received.)

THIRD PREPARATORY SESSION FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY

MEETS IN GENEVA, 15-26 SEPTEMBER

Draft Declaration, Action Plan to Be Focus of Negotiations

International Criminal Court

Assembly of States Parties

Second Session

5^th Meeting (AM)

STATES PARTIES TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT END SESSION

BY APPROVING 2004 BUDGET, FUND FOR POOREST COUNTRIES

Assembly Elects Directors to Fund for Victims of Crime

FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION GOVERNING

COUNCIL TO BE HELD FROM 16 TO 18 SEPTEMBER

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 12 September (UN Information Service) -- The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission will hold its forty-ninth session from 16 to 18 September 2003 under the Presidency of Ambassador Michael Steiner (Germany).

WTO, UNIDO TO WORK TOGETHER ON TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

(Reissued as received; delayed in transmission.)

WE APPROACH OPENING OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY ‘WITH HEAVY HEARTS’,

IN AFTERMATH OF TERRORIST ATTACKS, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the annual interfaith service of commitment to the work of the United Nations at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York, delivered today by Gillian M. Sorensen, Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations: