Biographical Note

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS ANTONIO MARIA COSTA DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UN OFFICE

ISRAELI BOMB LANDS WITHIN 200 METRES OF 3,100 SCHOOLCHILDREN  

(Reissued as received.)

GAZA, 7 March (UNRWA) -- At 9 a.m. today an Israeli F16 dropped a large bomb on the Palestinian Police headquarters compound in Gaza City. The bomb exploded within 200 metres of 3,100 refugee children, aged between six and 15 years old, who were attending three schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

45^th Meeting (AM)

Commission on Status of Women

Forty-sixth Session

6^th Meeting (PM)

IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT STRESSED,

Commission on Status of Women

Forty-sixth Session

5^th Meeting (AM)

EXPERT PANEL EXAMINES LINKS BETWEEN EMPOWERING WOMEN, ERADICATING POVERTY

IN COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN

The Commission on the Status of Women examined policy, financing and implementation challenges this morning, as it held a panel discussion on one of its two thematic issues for the session, the eradication of poverty through women’s empowerment.

INSPIRATION FOR PEACE IN MIDEAST MUST COME FROM LEADERS, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS JEAN ARNAULT DEPUTY

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR AFGHANISTAN

The Secretary-General today appointed Jean Arnault as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.  Mr. Arnault, whose appointment at the level of Assistant Secretary-General comes into effect immediately, succeeds Francesc Vendrell who retired from the United Nations at the end of January.

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON SANCTIONS AGAINST UNITA

REMOVES TWO NAMES FROM LIST OF UNITA OFFICIALS

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993) concerning the situation in Angola has removed the names of Mr. Joao Baptista “Zaboba” and Mr. Valentim Motoso Satumbo Sapalalo from the list of “Senior UNITA Officials and Immediate Adult Family Members” (Press Release SC/7162 of 4 October 2001).

Security Council

4485^th Meeting (AM)

ERITREA, ETHIOPIA SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY UNILATERAL ACTION

THAT COULD DESTABILIZE SITUATION, SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD

Council Also Hears Calls for Release of Prisoners,