SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR 'MAXIMUM RESTRAINT' IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

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

The Secretary-General is very concerned at the high level of casualties due to persistent firing along the Line of Control and the working boundary in Jammu and Kashmir.

He calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avert a further escalation of tensions.

Permanent Forum should have secretariat, regular funding, SAYS UN official

(Reissued as received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 15 May -– The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues should be endowed with a secretariat and with regular funding, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Forum today, as it continued its review of activities of the United Nations system relating to indigenous people.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, in the morning of Friday, 17 May, and met later in the day with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Committee on NGOs

11^th and 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS TWO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS

WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

56^th Meeting (AM)

SEVERAL SPEAKERS IN FIFTH COMMITTEE QUESTION INCREASE

IN PROPOSED SUPPORT ACCOUNT BUDGET FOR 2002-2003

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

First Session

11^th and 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)

PERMANENT FORUM REVIEWS IMPACT OF UN SYSTEM ACTIVITIES ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues continued its first historic session in morning and afternoon meetings today with a review of the activities of the United Nations system regarding to education, culture and human rights as they impact indigenous peoples.

                                                            SC/7405**

OFFICIAL OPENING OF WORLD ECOTOURISM SUMMIT

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

Health needs of indigenous people stressed at Permanent Forum

(Reissued as received from a UN Information Officer.)

NEW YORK, 16 May -- The “acute health needs” of indigenous peoples cut across socio-economic boundaries, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was told today, as it continued its discussion on the theme of health.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Dili early in the afternoon of Sunday, 19 May.