SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED BY CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST,

URGES ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS TO LIVE UP TO EARLIER COMMITMENTS

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED AT AGREEMENT TO START

DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BY PARTIES IN CYPRUS

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

The Secretary-General is very pleased at the agreement reached today by Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash to start direct negotiations in mid-January 2002, at his invitation.

PARLIAMENTARIANS ‘CAN HELP NATIONS RISE ABOVE DIFFERENCES

AND WORK TOGETHER’ SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan today to parliamentarians attending the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly:

I am delighted to welcome you to United Nations Headquarters.

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Second Committee

36^th Meeting (PM)

SECOND COMMITTEE APPROVES 13 DEVELOPMENT-RELATED DRAFT TEXTS

Drafts on Natural Resources of Palestinian People,

Economic Measures as Means of Coercion Approved by Recorded Vote

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

32^nd Meeting (AM)

FIFTH COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF 2002-2003 BUDGET,

STAFF PENSIONS, HONORARIA, ECOSOC AND DISARMAMENT-RELATED MATTERS

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

74^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDES TO CONSIDER FURTHER MEASURES

FOR IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING OF INITIATIVES ON AFRICA

Concluding Consideration of Conflict, Durable Peace, Sustainable Development

In Africa, Speakers Stress Importance of New, Positive Structures in Continent

                                                            AFG/172

‘UNITED NATIONS IS URGENTLY ENGAGED IN HELPING AFGHANISTAN EMBARK ON A NEW

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY ENCOURAGES DEVELOPMENT OF DIALOGUE IN MYANMAR

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

GREEK, TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS TO MEET ON 4 DECEMBER

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

His Excellency Mr. Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, are to hold a face to face meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m., Cyprus time, at the residence of the United Nations Chief of Mission, in the United Nations Protected Area.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HONOURS LUCIANO PAVAROTTI AS ‘PROTECTOR OF

SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS AND AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL’

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Kennedy Center Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti in Washington D.C. on 2 December:

Tonight, you are rightly honouring Luciano Pavarotti for his lifetime contribution to music and the arts.