Press Release

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

CONTRIBUTIONS TO UN REFORM, ASSEMBLY REVITALIZATION

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGED BY PROGRESS IN INDIA, PAKISTAN DIALOGUE

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

CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS STATEMENTS FROM

FRANCE, MYANMAR, VENEZUELA, MALAYSIA

Malaysia Denies US Claim that Malaysian Company is Involved with

International Network which Supports Illegal Production of Centrifuges

(Reissued as received.)

UN MISSION TRAVELS TO NORTHERN HAITI TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

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.

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.