SECRETARY-GENERAL REMEMBERS LOST, PLEDGES CONTINUED UNITED NATIONS SUPPORT,

ON 40^TH ANNIVERSARY OF SKOPJE EARTHQUAKE

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the fortieth anniversary of the Skopje earthquake, delivered by Frode Mauring, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative for The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 26 July in Skopje:

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES SECURITY COUNCIL ON GIVING MONUC STRONG MANDATE

TO FULFIL DIFFICULT MISSION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Following are the remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council this morning, after the adoption of the resolution on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC):

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CONVENE FIFTH HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON COOPERATION

BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

SECRETARY-GENERAL OUTRAGED BY CONTINUED HIGH RATE

OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA

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

The Secretary-General is outraged at the continued high incidence of civilian casualties in and around Monrovia, as the result of indiscriminate shelling.

SUBCOMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

OPENS FIFTY-FIFTH SESSION IN GENEVA

Elects Halima Embarek Warzazi as Chairperson, Adopts

Agenda, Hears Statement by Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights

(Reissued as received.)

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES DEALING WITH TERRORISM

(1267 COMMITTEE AND COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE)

RESOLVING NUCLEAR, SECURITY ISSUES A PRESSING PRIORITY IN KOREAN CONFLICT, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ON 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMISTICE AGREEMENT

The following message was issued by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, signed on 27 July 1953:

ECOSOC ADOPTS TEXTS ON ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, INDIGENOUS ISSUES,

SUSPENDS 2003 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 25 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning suspended its 2003 substantive session after adopting five resolutions and 13 decisions on economic, environmental and indigenous issues. 

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONSIDERS ISRAEL'S SECOND PERIODIC REPORT

ON COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL COVENANT

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 25 July (UN Information Service) -- The Human Rights Committee this afternoon concluded its consideration, carried out over three meetings, of the second periodic report of Israel on how that country implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Round-up

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL SUSPENDS 2003 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION

Session Focused on Rural Development, UN Development Activities,

Coordination Issues, Humanitarian Affairs, Implementation of Summit Outcomes

(Reissued as received.)