The Security Council this afternoon endorsed the Secretary-Generals decision to extend the mandate of the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA) for a further six months until 15 October.
It was not possible to be optimistic about an early ceasefire between the warring factions in Afghanistan, John Renninger, Officer-in-Charge of the Asia and Pacific Division of the Department of Political Affairs, told the Security Council this morning, as it held an open briefing on the situation in that country.
In accordance with the principle of alphabetical rotation, the following are the new Chairmen of the United Nations security bodies for April:
Security Council
Robert R. Fowler (Canada) succeeds Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh) as President of the Security Council.
Military Staff Committee
The Security Council this morning, resuming its consideration of the humanitarian situation in Iraq, increased the amount of money that Iraq may use to purchase oil spare parts and equipment to $600 million under the programme of humanitarian assistance known as oil-for-food.
Following is the text of a statement to the press made today by Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh), President of the Security Council, on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea:
The Security Council this morning expressed its support for the newly elected Government of Guinea-Bissau and encouraged the new authorities to develop and implement programmes devised to consolidate peace and national reconciliation.
Presidential Statement Follows Day-Long Debate On Maintenance of Peace and Security and Post-Conflict Peace-Building
