Europe

UN human rights chief deplores assassination of Serbian prime minister

12 March 2003
Expressing “shock and outrage,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello has added his voice to the condemnation throughout the UN system of the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

Annan says 'end of the road' reached as Cyprus talks produce no deal

11 March 2003
Following marathon talks in The Hague, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that the "end of the road" has been reached after Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders failed to agree on a plan that would enable a united Cyprus to join the European Union later this year.

Despite progress in Kosovo, minorities still face discrimination, UN reports

11 March 2003
Ethnic minorities in Kosovo continue to face security problems and lack access to basic services despite the general improvement of the situation in that province, a joint assessment by the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has revealed.
Kofi Annan in talks on Cyprus at The Hague

In The Hague, Annan holds talks on finalizing Cyprus deal

10 March 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today met with the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulous, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, in The Hague in a last-minute bid to gain approval of a plan that would enable a united Cyprus to join the European Union next month.
Kofi Annan

Annan arrives at The Hague for meetings on Cyprus

9 March 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has arrived at The Hague, Netherlands, for meetings on Monday regarding Cyprus, a UN spokesman announced today.
Michael Steiner (r) with PM Bajram Rexhepi

Kosovo: UN to begin phased transfer of responsibilities to local government

7 March 2003
The United Nations has moved a step closer to handing over substantial responsibilities for autonomy in Kosovo to the local government with the establishment of a transfer council.

Annan heading to The Hague for Cyprus meeting, launch of new war crimes tribunal

7 March 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is set to travel to The Hague this weekend for meetings with senior officials of the Netherlands, as well as the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on a plan that would enable a united Cyprus to join the European Union later this year.

Senior UN human rights official concludes visit to Tajikistan

5 March 2003
A senior United Nations human rights official today concluded a three-day visit to Tajikistan, part of a trip to Central Asia to enhance dialogue and technical cooperation between the governments of the region and the UN High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR).

UN seeks to encourage Serb refugees to return to Kosovo

5 March 2003
The senior United Nations envoy in Kosovo sought to encourage Serb refugees to return home today with a visit to a Serbian village that had once been in an area of multi-ethnic coexistence but was left battered and empty after the conflict with Kosovo Albanians in 1999.

Annan invites Greece, Turkey and UK to meeting on Cyprus deal next week

5 March 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has written to Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom inviting their leaders to be represented at The Hague next week when he meets with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties on a plan that would enable a united Cyprus to join the European Union.