Press Release

COUNCIL OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENTS MEET IN VALLETTA, MALTA, DISCUSSES

CONTRIBUTIONS TO UN REFORM, ASSEMBLY REVITALIZATION

STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

TO ENTER INTO FORCE 17 MAY 2004

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA/NAIROBI, 18 February (UNEP) -- The 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) will become legally binding on 17 May 2004, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.

WILD BIRDS SHOULD NOT BE KILLED TO FIGHT BIRD FLU SAYS UN AGENCY

(Reissued as received.)

ROME, 18 February (FAO) -- Eliminating wild birds is not an appropriate measure to control the spread of the avian influenza virus, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.  Killing wild birds will not help to prevent future bird flu outbreaks.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONVEYS CONDOLENCES TO IRAN, OFFERS UN ASSISTANCE

FOLLOWING CHEMICAL TRAIN DERAILMENT IN NEYSHABUR

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

UN SURVEY FEARS HIGHER OPIUM PRODUCTION IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2004

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 18 February (UN Information Service) -- Last year Afghanistan produced its highest amount of opium since 1999, estimated at 3,600 metric tons.  The harvest accounted for more than three quarters of the world’s illicit opium production.

UNITED NATIONS RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ARRIVES IN DARFUR, SUDAN

TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN NEW YORK REMARKS, URGES WORLD LEADERS

TO REBUILD MOMENTUM ON ANTI-POVERTY GOALS

Following are Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s remarks to the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York, 18 February:

Security Council                                           

PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN HAITI BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the statement to the press on the situation in Haiti delivered by Security Council President Wang Guangya (China):

Members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing violence and political crisis in Haiti leading to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, including the loss of many lives.

CHAIRMAN OF AL-QAIDA AND TALIBANSANCTIONS COMMITTEE

WILL BRIEF MEMBER STATES, 18 FEBRUARY