This round of talks has produced a noticeable step forward toward a nuclear weapons-free Korean peninsula,

The two sides are expected to start more substantive discussions shortly, … reiterates his call for the two sides to seize the momentum and work to achieve national reconciliation in Myanmar at an early date.

an opportunity which the secretary-general hopes will be seized.

I think it will give the chance to the secretary-general to again appeal for what he needs in the way of people and money to advance the mission there.

was profoundly saddened to learn of the massive loss of life and destruction caused by a series of earthquakes and tidal waves across Southeast Asia today.

UNIKOM [the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission] has reported numerous violations of the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait since the 4th of March by personnel in civilian clothes in 4-by-4 vehicles, at least some...

The information on the diamond trading, we have nothing further on but what we have seen in the press, … the problems within the leadership of the mission have been well known to the secretary-general...

It’s the whole humanitarian community of the U.N. system that sits down and says what would we need as a minimum for the first phase of the fallout from a military action in Iraq,

should be a milestone in the development of an inclusive, prosperous and democratic Kosovo.

remains optimistic, as he has told you a number of times. At the same time, he knows he’s got a hard job. He doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room.

We’re taking every step we can with the support of the coalition forces to secure our headquarters compound.

Apparently they are nowhere near Freetown, … We can no longer confirm it out of New York. The information is just not good.

The bus, operated by the Danish Refugee Council as part of eight so-called freedom-of-movement lines, carried passengers on a routine Wednesday run.

minimal estimates of what might be required.

Under international humanitarian law,

He … urged the leaders to do everything they can to reduce tensions, restore security and continue to work towards a peaceful settlement of the remaining issues that divide them.

We … have experienced some law-and-order problems, and some other growing pains of the mission can be aired at this meeting.

We know that the violations can be controlled.

Security around our location was not as secure as you might find at the U.S. compound, and that was a decision we made so that our offices could be more accessible to people. We did...

We would then expect to move to a second phase once the environment was safe enough for civilians to go in and help with humanitarian relief for U.N. agencies, their NGO [non-governmental organization] partners and...

he has approved, as revised, the distribution plan submitted by Iraq.

We have set up an appointment for Mugabe to meet the secretary-general in Rome therefore we do expect him to be in Rome.

feels that there is a growing momentum for the resumption of six-party talks, thus advancing the Beijing process intended to resolve the nuclear and related issues in the Korean Peninsula.

We are pleased to confirm … that indeed some progress was tentatively made on various important issues.

It’s going to be the week from hell.

This is not so. In any case, the issue is not the executive chairman. It is how to get on with the work of disarming Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction.

verge of a breakthrough

United Nations security had a general concern about the secretary general’s visit to this region. But in the end, the chief of staff advised the secretary general to make the trip anyway.

This letter didn’t say no, it just said consult us, consistent with our contractual requirements.

has been reminded of its obligation to ensure only the voluntary movements of displaced persons.

The secretary-general deplores this serious incident and urges the armed group to release all detainees immediately and without any conditions.

Substantial progress was made today. We feel that a deal is within reach.

that direct national elections are the best way to establish a parliament and government in Iraq that are fully representative and legitimate.

It has opened a pathway to full-fledged and continuing negotiations aimed at a comprehensive approach to durable peace in the region.

I think he’s been consulting with a number of member states at the highest level, and he’s expected to make some decision soon.

It is only by upholding the democratic process that the long-term stability and prosperity of … Fiji (and its) international standing can be secured.

A U.N. disaster assessment and coordination team is being dispatched to Sri Lanka today to work with the government to provide rescue and relief.

He (Annan) expects that what emerges from these talks, he will be able to sell to the (U.N.) Security Council.

Twenty-five candidates already considered and rejected doesn’t suggest that there are many names left to consider.

Frankly we found it a sensational & selective account of peacekeeping.

The council acknowledged the call, and said it would consider all options, including that of an international force, and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

And the High Commissioner for Refugees would say, ‘Well, at the very minimum at the outset we should be prepared for a certain number of displaced persons or refugees. Let’s have X blankets, X food.’...

[The United Nations on Sunday said the world had lost an important ambassador with Diana’s death.] It is a tragic loss. Her commitment and dedication to a ban on anti-personnel mines brought the issue home...

He is doing what he can from his bully pulpit but he is not in a position to actively engage as a mediator without the cooperation of both sides,

We are deeply concerned about the implications this announcement will have for Rwandan refugees who have begun crossing the border again in recent days to avoid renewed fighting in western Rwanda.

Everyone is scrambling to find out what has happened.

Those who speak to the secretary-general are entitled to assume that their exchanges are confidential. The secretary-general therefore would want this practice stopped, if indeed it exists.

I think any well run organization does contingency planning on a routine basis. The humanitarian side has for some time now been doing contingency planning in the event that there’s military action in Iraq.

It’s not our intent to pull out. We’ve stuck it out since ’78, and we intend to stick it out to the end.

We’ll do what we have to do to defend ourselves and the (Sierra Leone) government. We hope that it’s not going to come to a pitched battle, but in effect we’re preparing for one.