Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

2^nd Meeting (PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE ELECTS VICE-CHAIRMEN, RAPPORTEUR;

HEARS STATEMENT BY OUTGOING CHAIRMAN

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

11^th Meeting (AM)

ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES DEBATE ON REPORT OF SECRETARY-GENERAL

WITH REITERATED CALLS FOR ACTION TO COMBAT TERRORISM

Taking note of the Secretary-General’s report on the work of the Organization, the General Assembly this morning concluded its debate on that agenda item, which had lasted since Monday morning following an introduction by the Secretary-General.

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED BY UNITED STATES CONGRESS DECISION

TO AUTHORIZE DUES PAYMENT OF $582 MILLION

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

PLIGHT OF CIVILIAN AFGHAN POPULATION DESPERATE, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

Those Deliberately Withholding Food

And Attacking Relief Workers Will Be Held Responsible

Following is the text of a statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the humanitarian crisis in and around Afghanistan:

DONOR COUNTRIES TO TAKE UP UNRWA’S ACCESS PROBLEMS WITH ISRAEL

(Reissued as received.)

AMMAN, 25 September (UNRWA) -- The European Union will continue to urge the Israeli authorities to ease the restrictions on the movement of staff and humanitarian supplies by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a meeting of 25 countries was told today in Amman.

UNRWA FACES $31 MILLION BUDGET CRISIS

(Reissued as received.)

AMMAN, Jordan, 24 September (UNRWA) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing a financial crisis at a time when it is needed more than ever as a force for stability in the Middle East.  That was the stark message of Peter Hansen, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, to a meeting of donor and host nations in Amman, Jordan, today.

Preparatory Commission for

International Criminal Court

31^st Meeting (AM)

PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT BRIEFED

ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR SWIFT START-UP

Court Could Begin Operations in Summer of 2002, Says Netherlands Foreign Minister

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

10^th Meeting (PM)

POVERTY REDUCTION, TERRORISM, DISARMAMENT, HUMANITARIAN RELIEF DISCUSSED

AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES REVIEW OF SECRETARY-GENERAL REPORT

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

9^th Meeting (AM)

UNITED NATIONS ROLE ESSENTIAL IN ‘MORAL IMPERATIVE’ OF PREVENTING CONFLICT

GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOLD, AS DEBATE CONTINUES ON SECRETARY-GENERAL’S REPORT

SECRETARY-GENERAL, MARKING WORLD HABITAT DAY, URGES IMPLEMENTATION

OF MILLENNIUM GOALS FOR SLUM-DWELLERS

Following is the text of the message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of World Habitat Day, 1 October: