SECRETARY-GENERAL DISMAYED AT APPARENT TERRORIST EXPLOSION

IN RUSSIAN COMMUTER TRAIN

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

The Secretary-General was dismayed to learn of this morning’s explosion in a commuter train near the Yessentuki station in the Russian Federation.  This appears to be yet another act of terrorism.  Terrorism can never be justified.

ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED TO MONITOR IRAQ DEVELOPMENT FUND TO MEET 5 DECEMBER

The following was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, 3 December:

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF STOCKTAKING IN MESSAGE

TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MEETING IN GENEVA

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the twenty-second General Assembly of the conference of non-governmental organizations in consultative relationship with the United Nations, delivered today in Geneva by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva:

NEWLY APPOINTED HIGH-LEVEL PANEL ON THREATS, CHALLENGES,

CHANGE TO MEET 5 - 7 DECEMBER

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

FAMILIES PLAY VITAL ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT, PEACE EFFORTS, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

AT LAUNCH OF TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL YEAR

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the launch of the observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family (2004) today:

SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES CELEBRITY ADVOCATES AS ‘NEW KIND OF STAR’, SHINING LIGHT

ON HARDSHIP, INJUSTICE, IN REMARKS AT UNICEF GALA

Following are Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s remarks at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Gala in Beverly Hills on 3 December:

Thank you very much, Carol [Bellamy].

DAUGHTER OF WALT DISNEY, FOUNDER OF ‘ROOTS OF PEACE’ PRAISED BY SECRETARY-GENERAL

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY, COMMITMENT TO ANTI-LANDMINE CAUSE

Following are Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s remarks at a luncheon hosted by Diane Disney Miller and Heidi Kuhn, founder of the Roots of Peace, in Los Angeles, 3 December:

CITIES CAN BE VEHICLES FOR PEACE, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL

Following are the remarks delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a meeting with the City Council and Mayor of Los Angeles today:

I am delighted and honoured to be among you today.  Above all, I am heartened that you have adopted this resolution in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, OBSERVING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, STRESSES

THAT DEFENDING RIGHTS IS RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on Human Rights Day, 10 December:

SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE FOR UN DELEGATIONS

Following is the text of the video message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations: