PRESS CONFERENCE BY INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

The events of 11 September called attention to the fact that nuclear terrorism was both possible and a serious threat, Gustavo Zlauvinen, the representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the United Nations told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Manoel De Almeida e Silva, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Briefing by the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General

PRESS BRIEFING ON YEAR OF DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS

While terrorists saw diversity as a threat, those who favoured dialogue viewed it as a benefit for society, Giandomenico Picco, the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative for the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, told correspondents at a Headquarters press briefing today.

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Jan Fischer, Spokesman for the President of the General Assembly.

Briefing by the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General

HEADQUARTERS PRESS BRIEFING ON TERRORISM BY UN LEGAL COUNSEL

The Sixth Committee (Legal) will discuss a new report on work relating to conventions against international terrorism, Hans Corell, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, said at a Headquarters press briefing this afternoon.

HEADQUARTERS PRESS CONFERENCE ON LIBERIA SANCTIONS

Sanctions on Liberia were working to a limited extent, according to Ambassador Kishore Mahbubani of Singapore, Chairman of the Sanctions Committee on Liberia, who briefed correspondents at Headquarters this morning on the report of the Panel of Experts studying those sanctions.  The press conference took place immediately prior to an open debate on the subject in the Security Council.

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Jan Fischer, Spokesman for the President of the General Assembly.

**Afghanistan

PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RIGHT TO FOOD

In an era of both increased riches and increased misery, feeding the world’s people could not be left to market forces alone, according to Jean Ziegler, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

President Jacques Chirac of France this evening stressed the importance of the United Nations in helping to bring about a political solution in Afghanistan.

Responding to journalists' questions at a Headquarters press conference, he said he had discussed with Secretary-General Kofi Annan the actions taken by Lakhdar Brahimi, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, as well as ways in which they could proceed.

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Jan Fischer, Spokesman for the President of the General Assembly.

Briefing by Spokesman for Secretary-General

**Afghanistan Area