Europe

Minorities in Kosovo still face acute discrimination, UN reports

31 January 2003
The security of minorities in Kosovo continues to be a major cause for concern despite the general improvement of the situation in that province over the past year, according to a new report by the United Nations refugee agency.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Annan welcomes border agreement between Russian Federation, Ukraine

30 January 2003
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has welcomed an agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on the two countries’ border.

Tests reveal white powder on mail received by UN in Cyprus harmless

30 January 2003
In-depth tests of the unknown substance found on a piece of mail received at the United Nations office in Cyprus show that it is harmless and poses no danger, the UN mission in the country was informed today.

UN office in Cyprus receives contaminated mail

29 January 2003
The office of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, received a piece of mail from overseas today containing a suspicious white powder.

Cyprus: UN envoy in Ankara for talks with Turkish officials

28 January 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, is scheduled to meet today in Ankara with senior officials of the Turkish Government.
Mr. Alvaro de Soto

Cyprus: UN envoy in Greece for talks with Prime Minister

24 January 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, met today in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

UN authorized to seek submissions on flag and anthem for Cyprus

23 January 2003
The United Nations has been authorized by Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, to seek submissions on a flag and anthem for Cyprus through open public competition as foreseen in the proposal for a comprehensive settlement put to them by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Former Serb President Milutinovic set to appear before UN war crimes tribunal

20 January 2003
Former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic was transferred today to the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague, where he is awaiting his initial appearance before the court on charges of crimes against humanity and other inhumane acts, including persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds.

Kosovo: UN envoy ready to hand over more responsibilities to local institutions

20 January 2003
The top United Nations envoy for Kosovo, Michael Steiner, said today he is ready to hand over all competencies that he legally can to Kosovo's provisional institutions on one condition - that they work more seriously.

Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot leaders meet in UN presence in Nicosia

17 January 2003
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Glafcos Clerides, met today in the presence of the Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, in the United Nations Protected Area in Nicosia.