INFORMED OF COMMUNICATION OF REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA,

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONSIDERS IT TO BE POSITIVE

The following statement was issued on 19 July by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:

The Secretary-General has been informed of the communication of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) and considers it to be positive.  He has always made clear that his good offices are available to the parties.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE REVIEWS THIRD PERIODIC REPORT FROM PORTUGAL

ON THE COUNTRY'S CIVIL AND POLITICAL SITUATION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 21 July (UN Information Service) -- The Human Rights Committee this afternoon concluded its one-day dialogue with a government delegation from Portugal on how that country was giving effect to the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

ECOSOC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AD HOC ADVISORY GROUP ON BURUNDI

Considers Issues Ranging from Sustainable Development, Human

Settlements, Forests to Statistics, Public Administration, Sanctions

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ADOPTS SIX RESOLUTIONS AND THREE DECISIONS ON SOCIAL

DEVELOPMENT, POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

Begins Consideration of Issues Related to Gender Mainstreaming,

Women and Development, Population and Development and Social Development

(Reissued as received.)

SITUATION IN MONROVIA BECOMING DESPERATE, ACCORDING TO UN OFFICE

Committee on Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

628^th Meeting (PM)

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE CONCLUDES SESSION, HAVING EXAMINED WOMEN’S SITUATION

IN BRAZIL, COSTA RICA, ECUADOR, FRANCE, JAPAN, MOROCCO, SLOVENIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Biographical Note

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL KHAIRUDDIN MAT YUSOF APPOINTED FORCE COMMANDER

OF UNITED NATIONS MISSION OF SUPPORT IN EAST TIMOR

Biographical Note

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANCISZEK GĄGOR APPOINTED FORCE COMMANDER

OF UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today the appointment of Major-General Franciszek Gągor of Poland as Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), with effect from 13 August 2003.  He will succeed Major-General Bo Wranker.

Security Council

4790^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS WAY FORWARD IN DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC OF CONGO, HEARING 28 SPEAKERS

European Union’s Response to Appeal for Emergency Force Is Welcomed

Security Council

4789^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVES ‘MODIFIED STATUS QUO’ OPTION FOR DRAWDOWN OF SIERRA LEONE FORCE, CULMINATING IN COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL BY END OF 2004