SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KIDNAPPING OF COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The following statement was issued on 24 February by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General condemns the kidnapping by the FARC of presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.  Such violent actions undermine the forthcoming elections and intimidate the civilian population.

WINSTON A. TUBMAN APPOINTED HEAD OF SOMALIA POLITICAL OFFICE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has designated Winston A. Tubman as Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).  Mr. Tubman will assume his duties next month in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Office is currently located.

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S STATEMENT ON DEATH OF DANIEL PEARL

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

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened by reports of the death of journalist Daniel Pearl of The Wall Street Journal.  He extends personal condolences to Mr. Pearl’s wife, family, colleagues and all others touched by this loss.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE IN SUN CITY

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

UN SPOKESMAN REITERATES RESPECT FOR DEMARCATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for

Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, BRIEFING SECURITY COUNCIL, WARNS OF FULL-FLEDGED WAR

IN MIDDLE EAST, BUT SAYS PATH TO NEGOTIATING TABLE STILL EXISTS

Following is the briefing by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council on 21 February:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, EXPRESSING REGRET AT BREAKDOWN OF PEACE TALKS IN COLOMBIA,

SAYS HIS GOOD OFFICES REMAIN AT DISPOSAL OF PARTIES

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTENDS DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOLLOWING TRAIN FIRE IN EGYPT

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

            The Secretary-General is deeply saddened to learn of the fire that broke out on a moving train today, 40 miles south of Cairo, Egypt, and consumed the lives of upwards of 350 people, many of them children.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT NEW YORK AWARDS DINNER, PRAISES HONOUREES FOR USING ART

TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE FOR ‘VITAL JOB OF MAKING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE’

Following are the remarks of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the second annual African Century Challenge Award Dinner, organized by Shared Interest, in New York on 18 February:

SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL PEACE ACADEMY SEMINAR

ON ‘THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT’

Following is the text of the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the International Peace Academy seminar in New York City on “The Responsibility to Protect”: