Against the backdrop of this week's 15th International AIDS Conference in the Thai capital, the Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed the outcome of that event as well as the response to the pandemic.

They also touched on Thailand's support for Timor-Leste, the UN role in Iraq, Myanmar and the Thai-UN relationship, according to a UN spokesman.

The Prime Minister then presented Mr. Annan with a report on his country's efforts to meet and even exceed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set at a 2000 UN summit to reduce hunger and poverty, bring educational parity to boys and girls, fight diseases such as AIDS and improve the plight of slum dwellers, all by 2015.

The Secretary-General hailed the report as "elegant testimony to Thailand's remarkable success in reaching most, if not all, the MDG targets, well ahead of schedule."

During a press encounter that followed, the Secretary-General was asked about the appointment of Pakistani diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi as his new Special Representative for Iraq.

Mr. Annan said the UN had considered three excellent candidates - one each from India, Pakistan and Thailand. "It was a difficult choice, but I think we have selected the right man, who has experience with the region."

Asked about security in Iraq, he said, "We don't live in a risk-free environment, but the risk has to be managed."

Earlier Tuesday, the Secretary-General discussed AIDS during two television interviews. Speaking to Phoenix China TV, he said of those with the disease, "Whether they are drug users, whether they are prostitutes, whether they are homosexuals, they are human beings and their problems should be a concern to you and me."

Later Mr. Annan was asked by the BBC about whether policies should focus on abstinence or condom use. "I think it's a false debate. Frankly, you need both," he replied.