Note to Correspondents

‘GREAT MASTERS OF MEXICAN FOLK ART’ EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT UN HEADQUARTERS ON 10 APRIL

Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Luis Ernesto Derbez will open “Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art” Thursday, 10 April, at 6 p.m. in the United Nations Visitors’ Lobby.

IRAQ FIGHTING FURTHER IMPERILS EXPECTANT MOTHERS, UNFPA WARNS

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS DISCUSSION OF WOMEN'S ISSUES

GENEVA, 9 April (UN Information Service) -- The Commission on Human Rights opened debate this afternoon under its agenda item on "integration of the human rights of women and a gender perspective", hearing a series of countries describe national efforts to eradicate violence against women and improve the situation of women overall.

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES WITH CONSIDERATION

OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

Hears Statement by Chairperson of Committee on Rights of Child

(Reissued as received.)

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED OVER SENTENCING

OF RECENT DETAINEES IN CUBA

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 9 April (UN Information Service) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello has expressed concern over the arrests and ongoing trials of approximately 80 persons charged with working for a foreign Power to undermine the Cuban Government.

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEEPLY DISTURBED BY KILLING

OF CIVILIANS AND JOURNALISTS IN IRAQ CONFLICT

(Reissued as received.)

LIBERIA’S HUMANITARIAN NEEDS INCREASE, AS SECURITY SITUATION DETERIORATES

UN COMMISSION PRESENTED WITH ‘SIGNS OF PROGRESS’

IN GLOBAL COUNTER-NARCOTIC EFFORTS

(Reissued as received.)

PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER NENE HILARIO FEATURED

IN VIDEO SPOT TO RAISE AWARENESS

UN Office on Drugs and Crime PSA

To be Broadcast Worldwide through NBA Programming

(Reissued as received.)

DR. CARLO URBANI ‘A HERO -- IN THE BEST AND TRUEST SENSE OF WORD’

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE TO MEMORIAL SERVICE

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the memorial service for Dr. Carlo Urbani, delivered on his behalf by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator, Jordan Ryan, in Hanoi, 8 April: