LITERACY IS KEY TO A FUTURE OF FREEDOM AND HOPE FOR MANKIND

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS AT LAUNCH OF UN LITERACY DECADE

      Following is the text of the remarks delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a ceremony held on Thursday evening, 13 February, at the New York Public Library, to mark the launch of the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012):

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

PRESIDENT ARAFAT TO APPOINT PRIME MINISTER

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONS

ON UN RELATIONS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

Following is today’s statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the establishment of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations Relations with Civil Society:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, CONCERNED BY VIOLENCE IN BOLIVIA,

APPEALS FOR DIALOGUE, RESPECT FOR DEMOCRACY

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

The Secretary-General is concerned about the violent incidents that took place in Bolivia yesterday and deplores the loss of life.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ADMINISTERING POWERS, SPECIAL COMMITTEE

TO REINVIGORATE DECOLONIZATION PROCESS

Following is the text of remarks today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the opening meeting of the Special Committee on decolonization:

I am pleased to be with you as you open your 2003 session.  An important agenda remains before this Committee.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY ARREST OF OPPOSITION PARTY MEMBERS IN MYANMAR;

URGES AUTHORITIES TO RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS AND ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS UNITED NATIONS HAS DUTY TO EXHAUST ALL POSSIBILITIES

OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT BEFORE RESORTING TO USE OF FORCE

Following is the text of the address delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 8 February at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia:

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK IN COLOMBIA

The following statement was issued on 8 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Biographical Note

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Albert Tevoedjre of Benin as his Special Envoy for Côte d’Ivoire today.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WARNS OF ‘DISTURBING’ EROSION IN INTERNATIONAL NORMS

ON WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, IN REMARKS TO DISARMAMENT BOARD

Following are the remarks of Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the meeting with the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters in New York on 6 February: