Press Release

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES ISRAEL TO RECONSIDER EXPULSION DECISION

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

The Secretary-General strongly urges the Israeli Government to reconsider the Security Cabinet’s decision in principle to expel President Yasser Arafat.  The forcible transfer of President Arafat is dangerous and counter-productive in a situation of tension and instability in the region.

WTO, UNIDO TO WORK TOGETHER ON TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

(Reissued as received; delayed in transmission.)

UNIDO LAUNCHES FIRST POST-CRISIS PROJECT IN SOUTHERN SUDAN

(Reissued as received.)

Security Council

4822^nd Meeting* (AM)

EXTENDING MANDATE OF UN MISSION, SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON ETHIOPIA, ERITREA

TO COOPERATE WITH BOUNDARY COMMISSION

Resolution Reaffirms Crucial Importance of Political Dialogue between Parties

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which was to expire on 15 September, until 15 March 2004.

PRESS STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on the Middle East by Security Council President Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom):

Security Council members met this afternoon at the request of the Non-Aligned Movement caucus and Arab Group to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, and in particular the Israeli decision in principle to expel Chairman Arafat.

AIM MUST BE FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of the video message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the fifth meeting of the UN Information and Communications Technology Task Force in Geneva, 12 September:

CHALLENGE FOR ALL IS TO MANAGE INTERDEPENDENCE IN WAYS THAT ‘BRING PEOPLE IN,

RATHER THAN SHUTTING THEM OUT’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the first annual Interdependence Day, Philadelphia, delivered today by Edward Mortimer, Director of Communications:

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SECURITY COUNCIL’S LIFTING OF SANCTIONS ON LIBYA

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the adoption today by the Security Council of a resolution lifting sanctions against Libya.

Security Council

4823^rd Meeting (AM)

SPEAKERS IN SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMN RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO,

REITERATE SUPPORT FOR MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY

CAMBODIA, NEPAL ARE FIRST LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

TO JOIN WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

(Reissued as received.)