INSPIRATION FOR PEACE IN MIDEAST MUST COME FROM LEADERS, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS JEAN ARNAULT DEPUTY

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR AFGHANISTAN

The Secretary-General today appointed Jean Arnault as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.  Mr. Arnault, whose appointment at the level of Assistant Secretary-General comes into effect immediately, succeeds Francesc Vendrell who retired from the United Nations at the end of January.

‘OFTEN THE ONLY CHOICE WE CAN MAKE IS THE CHOICE OF WHOM WE DISAPPOINT MOST’

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF DPA FIELD PRESENCES

Following is the text of talking points suggested by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the first annual meeting of the Department of Political Affairs field presences, at its session on “Reconciling Justice with Forgiveness”:

AT OPENING OF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION, SECRETARY-GENERAL REFLECTS

ON ‘HOW HUMANKIND’S UNDERSTANDING OF PEACE HAS GROWN’

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the opening of the Nobel Peace Prize 1901-2001 Centennial Exhibition, New York 4 March:

Let me express my warmest thanks to the Government of Norway and the sponsors for bringing this wonderful exhibition to New York.

SUSTAINABILITY NOT ‘A PIOUS INVOCATION’ BUT A ‘CALL TO CONCRETE ACTION’

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS EUROPEAN FORUM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, delivered on his behalf by Hassen M. Fodha, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Paris, to the European Forum for Sustainable Development and Responsible Company Management, meeting from 5-6 March:

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA MISSION ON TRACK TO COMPLETING CORE MANDATE IN 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the statement of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council in New York on 5 March:

This meeting signals an important moment of transition and consolidation in Bosnia.  I would like to begin by paying tribute to the High Representative,

The Secretary-General arrived in Berlin on Wednesday afternoon, 27 February, and began his official programme at a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new United Nations house in Bonn.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT LOSS OF LIFE FROM AFGHAN EARTHQUAKE

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

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of a strong earthquake and severe landslides, which struck Afghanistan on Sunday,

VIOLENCE BETWEEN ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS MUST BE HALTED, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL DELIGHTED AT SWISS VOTE IN FAVOUR

OF UNITED NATIONS MEMBERSHIP

The following statement was issued on 3 March by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the “Yes” outcome of the Swiss referendum on United Nations membership: