PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON AFGHANISTAN

Following is the text of today’s statement on Afghanistan by the President of the Security Council, Alfonso Valdivieso (Columbia):

Members of the Security Council considered the report of the Secretary-General and were briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Türk on the situation in Afghanistan.

SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETS H.E. RAUF DENKTASH IN ONGOING EFFORT

FOR RESUMPTION OF CYPRUS TALKS

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

The Secretary-General today met with His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash in Salzburg, Austria, as part of efforts for the resumption of talks.  They had a very good and very useful meeting.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN SALZBURG, STRESSES LINK BETWEEN DIALOGUE

AMONG CIVILIZATIONS, DURBAN CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

Following is the address by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the “Salzburg Dialogue Among Civilizations”, Salzburg, Austria:

It is a great pleasure to join you today for this event, which continues Austria's strong support for the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations.

Security Council

4359^th Meeting (AM)*

COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCERNED ABOUT LOW VOTER REGISTRATION

OF MINORITIES FOR KOSOVO-WIDE ELECTIONS

Support Also Expressed

For Lifting of Arms Embargo against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

SECRETARY-GENERAL OF RACISM CONFERENCE URGES NGO FORUM TO ‘ENGAGE EVERY SECTOR

OF SOCIETY’ IN STRUGGLE AGAINST INTOLERANCE

This is the text of the address by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, to the Non-Governmental Organization Forum in Durban, South Africa:

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES AGREEMENT TO START INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE

Following is the text of a statement issued today attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Background Release

WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM TO OPEN IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA ON 31 AUGUST

DURBAN, 27 August -- The World Conference against Racism will take place in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September, with progress having been made on some of the key issues before it, including questions related to slavery, identification of the victims of racism and the Middle East.

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ASKS YOUNG PEOPLE TO PLEDGE TO PROMOTE

EQUALITY,JUSTICE AND DIGNITY, AT CONCLUSION OF DURBAN YOUTH SUMMIT

Following is the text of the keynote address given in Durban today by the Secretary-General of the Racism Conference and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, to the Youth Summit entitled "United to Combat Racism: a Youth Vision":

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE

ON OUTCOME OF WORLD RACISM CONFERENCE

JOHANNESBURG, 27 August -- The Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, expressed confidence today that the Durban meeting will reach a breakthrough in dealing with past wrongs in order to build a better future.

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY TO VISIT MYANMAR

TO FACILITATE TALKS, 27-30 AUGUST

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

Mr. Razali Ismail, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar, will visit Yangon from 27 to 30 August 2001 to help facilitate the talks between the Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar.