SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY RISING TENSION BETWEEN INDIA, PAKISTAN

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

The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned by the alarming rise in tension between India and Pakistan.  He is in close contact with the leaders of both sides, to encourage them to resolve their differences, including over Kashmir, by peaceful means.

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS HEIDI TAGLIAVINI OF SWITZERLAND

AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GEORGIA, HEAD OF UNOMIG

PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of today’s press statement on Kosovo by the President of the Security Council, Kishore Mahbubani (Singapore):

The Members of the Council rejected the resolution adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 23 May 2002, in which the Assembly rejected the Border Agreement signed last year between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Security Council

4542^nd Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDS EAST TIMOR’S ADMISSION TO UNITED NATIONS

The Security Council this afternoon recommended to the General Assembly that the Democratic Republic of East Timor be admitted to membership in the United Nations.

The Council unanimously adopted resolution 1414 (2002), following its consideration of the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members (document S/2002/566).

Security Council

4541^st Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS AFGHANISTAN SECURITY FORCE FOR SIX MONTHS,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1413 (2002)

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

Committee on NGOs

17^th & 18^th Meetings (AM & PM)

COMMITTEE, FOLLOWING ROLL-CALL VOTE, DECIDES NOT TO ACT

ON REPORT BY FREEDOM HOUSE

Committee Recommends Special Status for One Organization,

MILITARIZATION OF INDIGENOUS AREAS A GROWING THREAT, PERMANENT FORUM TOLD

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 22 May -- An “alarming increase of militarization in many parts of Asia” was affecting indigenous communities, an indigenous representative today told the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as it continued to review human rights issues.

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

59^th Meeting (AM)

SPEAKERS IN FIFTH COMMITTEE CONCERNED THAT REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

COULD IMPLY STEEP INCREASES IN 2002-2003 BUDGET

STATE OF ENVIRONMENT:  PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE?

Hard Facts:  Tough Choices as UNEP Launches Global Environment Outlook-3

LONDON, 22 May (UNEP) -- Over 70 per cent of the Earth's land surface could be affected by the impacts of roads, mining, cities and other infrastructure developments in the next 30 years unless urgent action is taken.

Security Council

4540^th Meeting (Night)

SECURITY COUNCIL REFERS EAST TIMOR’S APPLICATION FOR UN MEMBERSHIP

TO ADMISSION COMMITTEE

The Security Council this evening decided to refer the application of the Democratic Republic of East Timor to the Committee on the Admission of New Members, for the examination and report of that body.