SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT IN SRI LANKA

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement signed last Friday between the Government of Sri Lanka and the “Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” (LTTE).  He congratulates the parties and the Norwegian Facilitation for this important step.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ZIMBABWE ELECTIONS CRITICAL TEST FOR DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

The following statement was issued on Thursday, 21 February, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED AT REPORTS CONCERNING

MADAGASCAR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

The following statement was issued on 21 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following very closely the situation in Madagascar since the first round of presidential elections of 16 December 2001, the results of which called for a second round.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The following statement was issued on 24 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General condemns the kidnapping by the FARC of presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.  Such violent actions undermine the forthcoming elections and intimidate the civilian population.

WINSTON A. TUBMAN APPOINTED HEAD OF SOMALIA POLITICAL OFFICE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has designated Winston A. Tubman as Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).  Mr. Tubman will assume his duties next month in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Office is currently located.

Security Council

4476^th Meeting* (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, REITERATES CALL FOR WITHDRAWAL

OF ALL FOREIGN TROOPS FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Also Stresses Importance of Inter-Congolese Dialogue;

                                                                  Note No. 5709

Ad Hoc Committee for International Convention

against Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings

1^st and 2^nd Meetings (AM & PM)

AT FIRST-EVER MEETING, COMMITTEE ON CONVENTION TO BAN HUMAN CLONING

HEARS EXPERT VIEWS ON SCIENCE, ETHICS INVOLVED

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN URGES ‘COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE PROSPERITY’

LONDON, 25 February (DPI) -– The World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in South Africa later this year, “must mark a break with business as usual”, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared today.

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S STATEMENT ON DEATH OF DANIEL PEARL

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

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened by reports of the death of journalist Daniel Pearl of The Wall Street Journal.  He extends personal condolences to Mr. Pearl’s wife, family, colleagues and all others touched by this loss.