Press Release

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY DISTURBED AT LOSS OF LIFE IN COTED’IVOIRE DEMONSTRATIONS

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

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR URGES STATES TO SUPPLY IRAQ WITH TRAINING

AND EXPERTISE TO AID RECONSTRUCTION

Commission Continues General Debate

On Violation of Human Rights in any Part of World

(Reissued as received.)

JAPANESE YOUTH SUPPORT UN COUNTER-NARCOTICS EFFORTS

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 25 March (UN Information Service) -- The Tokyo-based Drug Abuse Prevention Centre’s (DAPC) “No! Absolutely No!” campaign against drug abuse in developing countries sets a unique example of what young people can do when they approach a worldwide problem.

MULTIFACETED REGIONAL APPROACH NEEDED TO COMBAT SUBREGIONAL, CROSS-BORDER PROBLEMS

IN WEST AFRICA, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON ISSUE

Following is the text of remarks today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the open debate of the Security Council on “Ways to combat subregional and cross-border problems in West Africa”:

Human Rights Committee                                     

STAFF SAFETY ‘IS MY FOREMOST CONCERN’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ON DAY

OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED, MISSING STAFF MEMBERS

Following is the text of remarks today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members:

OVERALL PROGRESS ON MILLENNIUM GOALS UNEVEN AT BEST, SECRETARY-GENERAL

SAYS IN MESSAGE TO HIGH-LEVEL BEIJING CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS STATEMENTS FROM ROMANIA,

ALGERIA AND UNITED STATES

In Farewell Remarks, Japanese Representative Says

‘Breath of Fresh Air’ Needed for Conference to Carry Out its Work

(Reissued as received.)

NGOS ALLEGE WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

Commission Continues Debate on Question of Violations Anywhere in World

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 25 March (UN Information Service) -- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) speaking before the Commission on Human Rights this afternoon charged that violations were occurring in numerous countries and regions.

Security Council