Press Release

ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, SEVEN UN BODIES EXPRESS CALL FOR IMPROVED HEALTH,

LIVING CONDITIONS FOR PALESTINIAN WOMEN

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES DEADLY WEEKEND VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the Israeli military raids that took place yesterday in a densely populated area of the Gaza Strip in which at least 14 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded.  The dead include several children.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED FOLLOWING VIOLENCE IN VENEZUELA

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is following with concern the latest developments in Venezuela.  He is dismayed at the violence that has occurred since last week.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, ADDRESSING CONFERENCE ON WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, URGES

GREATER RESOLVE TO ENFORCE ARMS TREATIES

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s remarks at the International Peace Academy Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction and the United Nations, held today in New York:

I am very glad to be able to join you, albeit briefly, for this conference on a topic of great importance for all of us.

GOVERNMENT EXPERTS OF STATES PARTIES TO WEAPONS CONVENTION

TO MEET IN GENEVA, 8 – 12 MARCH

(Reissued as received.)

Ad Hoc Committee on Jurisdictional                         

Immunities of States and Their Property                    

8^th Meeting (AM)

AD HOC COMMITTEE ADOPTS DRAFT CONVENTION ON JURISDICTIONAL IMMUNITIES

FOLLOWING MEETINGS IN MYANMAR, SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY

STRESSES NEED FOR ALL PARTIES TO TURN OVER NEW PAGE

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

BLAIR AFRICA COMMISSION ‘A CHANCE TO MOVE FROM RHETORIC TO ACTION’

(Reissued as received.)

ADDIS ABABA, 4 March (ECA) -- The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) Executive Secretary, K.Y. Amoako, has said he believes the new Commission for Africa launched by British Prime Minister Tony Blair offers an opportunity to move from rhetoric to action.

Commission on the Status of Women                          

Forty-eighth Session                                       

FIFTY-FIRST SESSION OF UNCC GOVERNING COUNCIL TO BE HELD FROM 9 TO 11 MARCH

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 5 March (UN Information Service) -- The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission will hold its fifty-first session from 9 to 11 March 2004 under the Presidency of Ambassador Michael Steiner (Germany).