Background Release

COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN TO MEET FROM 4 TO 15 MARCH; MAIN THEMES

CONCERN POVERTY, ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL DISASTERS

Preparatory Committee for

Second World Assembly on Ageing

2^nd and 3^rd Meetings (AM & PM)

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING

CONCLUDES HEADQUARTERS SESSION

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED BY KOSOVO AGREEMENT ON FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT

The following statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan was issued 28 February in Berlin:

I learned of the agreement reached on a government in Kosovo this morning from my representative in Kosovo, Michael Steiner.

After more than three months of political stalemate, this is good news for Kosovo.

PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of today’s press statement on Kosovo by the President of the Security Council, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser (Mexico):

Members of the Security Council were briefed by Hédi Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on the situation in Kosovo.

Commission for Social Development

Fortieth Session

(11^th Meeting resumed) (PM)

and Forty-first Session

1^st Meeting (PM)

COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT REACHES AGREEMENT

ON INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC POLICIES

Members Adopt Text Inviting Economic and Social Council

To Examine Importance of Such Integration at High-Level Segment

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES OUTCOME OF SUMMIT AMONG PRESIDENTS

OF GUINEA, LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the outcome of the Summit among the Presidents of the three Mano River Union countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, held in Rabat under the auspices of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

OPIUM-POPPY CULTIVATION IN AFGHANISTAN AT ‘RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL’, SURVEY CONFIRMS

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE

TO WITHDRAW FROM PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMPS

Implores Both Sides to Refrain from Actions Endangering Civilians

Following is a statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Berlin today:

PRESS STATEMENT ON MANO RIVER UNION SUMMIT BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of today’s press statement by the President of the Security Council, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser (Mexico), on yesterday’s summit meeting of the leaders of the Mano River Union:

Members of the Security Council welcomed the summit meeting held yesterday by the leaders of the Mano River Union (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone).

‘NOBLE MISSION’ OF PEACE-BUILDING COMPLEX, LONG TERM AND DELICATE,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN ADDRESS TO GERMANY’S BUNDESTAG

Following is the address of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, entitled “Building Sustainable Peace”, to Germany’s Bundestag in Berlin, on 28 February: