HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNED OVER POSSIBLE

LOSS OF EVIDENCE OF PAST ABUSES IN IRAQ

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 16 May (UN Information Service) -- Following is a statement issued today by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello:

                                                            HR/4666

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Second Session

9^th & 10^th Meetings (AM & PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS ‘GROWING CHASM’ OF DIGITAL DIVIDE,

IN MESSAGE ON WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION DAY

Following is the message of Jan Kavan (Czech Republic), General Assembly President, on World Telecommunication Day, observed 17 May:

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR FIRM, SUSTAINED POLITICAL COMMITMENT

BY GOVERNMENTS TO MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Following is the address by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette, as delivered to the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States-European Union (ACP-EU) Council of Ministers in Brussels today:

UNODC SURVEY SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF MAJOR SHIFT

IN COCA CULTIVATION FROM COLOMBIA TO PERU

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 15 May (UN Information Service) -- A new United Nations survey reveals that coca cultivation has remained stable in Peru, dispelling fears of a possible shift in coca growing from neighbouring Colombia, where a considerable decline in cultivation was recently registered.

ON DAY OF VESAK, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON WORLD TO HEED

BUDDHA’S MESSAGE OF MINDFULNESS FOR HUMANKIND

Following is Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan’s message on the occasion of the Day of Vesak, which is being observed on 15 May:

Committee on NGOS

15^th Meeting (AM)

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Second Session

7^th & 8^th Meetings (AM & PM)         

INDIGENOUS LANDS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY DEVELOPMENT, MINING, TOURISM,

PERMANENT FORUM TOLD, AS DEBATE BEGINS ON ENVIRONMENT

Speakers Urge Halt to Lumber, Oil Concessions,

‘THE FAMILY IS A NATION IN MINIATURE’, SAYS ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT,

AND CALLS ON GOVERNMENTS, MEDIA TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY UNIT

Following is the message by Jan Kavan, (Czech Republic), President of the General Assembly, on the International Day of Families (15 May):