SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR 'MAXIMUM RESTRAINT' IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

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

The Secretary-General is very concerned at the high level of casualties due to persistent firing along the Line of Control and the working boundary in Jammu and Kashmir.

He calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avert a further escalation of tensions.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS 'TERRORIST ATTACKS FROM WHATEVER QUARTER'

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

Regarding the suicide bombings in Israel of yesterday and today, the Secretary-General reiterates his unequivocal and long-standing condemnation of all terrorist acts from whatever quarter; attacks on innocent civilians are morally repugnant and contrary to international law.

‘THE UNITED NATIONS WILL STAY ... YOUR FRIENDS WILL CONTINUE TO HELP’,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN SALUTE TO INDEPENDENT EAST TIMOR

Following is the speech by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, delivered in Dili, East Timor, on the occasion of East Timor's accession to independence, 19 May 2002:

                                                            SC/7405**

Security Council

4537^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, WELCOMES ATTAINMENT

OF INDEPENDENCE BY EAST TIMOR

Hearing 34 Speakers, Council Expresses Strong Support for East Timorese

Leaders; Welcomes Commitment to Close, Strong Relations with Indonesia

Committee on NGOs

11^th and 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS TWO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS

WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

First Session

11^th and 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)

PERMANENT FORUM REVIEWS IMPACT OF UN SYSTEM ACTIVITIES ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues continued its first historic session in morning and afternoon meetings today with a review of the activities of the United Nations system regarding to education, culture and human rights as they impact indigenous peoples.

Health needs of indigenous people stressed at Permanent Forum

(Reissued as received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 16 May -- The “acute health needs” of indigenous peoples cut across socio-economic boundaries, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was told today, as it continued its discussion on the theme of health.

Permanent Forum should have secretariat, regular funding, SAYS UN official

(Reissued as received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 15 May -– The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues should be endowed with a secretariat and with regular funding, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Forum today, as it continued its review of activities of the United Nations system relating to indigenous people.

Permanent Forum ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES HEARS UN AGENCY PRESENTATIONS

(Reissued as received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 14 May -- The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues today continued to review the activities of the United Nations system for the economic and social development of indigenous peoples, hearing presentations by various United Nations agencies.