UN-HABITAT LAUNCHES WATER AND SANITATION IN THE WORLD’S

CITIES:  LOCAL ACTION FOR GLOBAL GOALS

Waking Up to Realities of Water and Sanitation Problems of Urban Poor

(Reissued as received.)

UNLESS ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED, PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS, MERCENARIES WILL

CONTINUE TO POSE SEVERE THREAT TO WEST AFRICA, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of remarks, as delivered, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to today’s Security Council meeting on “Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Phenomenon of Mercenaries:  Threats to Peace and Security in West Africa” in New York: 

RENEWED FIGHTING IN LIBERIA DISPLACES MORE CIVILIANS

NEW YORK, 18 March (OCHA) -- Fighting between Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy Rebels and Liberian Government forces in Liberia’s Bong County has caused an estimated 15,000 persons to flee the town of Gbarnga toward Totota, where there are already an estimated 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).  There are unconfirmed reports that another

Security Council

4720^th Meeting (AM & PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED COOPERATION IN WEST AFRICA

TO COUNTER SMALL ARMS TRAFFICKING

COLOMBIAN COCA CULTIVATION FALLS BY 30 PER CENT

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 17 March (UN Information Service) -- The national survey conducted by the Government of Colombia and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported 102,000 hectares of coca under cultivation as of 31 December 2002.  This represents a significant 30 per cent reduction compared to 2001, when the surface was 144,807 hectares.

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY DEPLORES ISRAEL’S CONTINUING GAZA STRIP RAIDS

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL AUTHORIZES WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL FROM IRAQ

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

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE OPENS SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION

Elects Officers, Adopts Programme of Work

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS COUP D’ETAT IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

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

IAEA DIRECTOR-GENERAL ADVISED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT TO PULL OUT INSPECTORS

FROM BAGHDAD; SEEKS GUIDANCE FROM SECURITY COUNCIL

(Reissued as received.)