Q: Can you comment on the change in the Iraqi constitution plan by the National Assembly there?

SG: I think is it is very important that the Iraqi Parliament reversed itself, because that decision was patently inappropriate and we made that clear to them.

Q: What are your hopes for Iraq? There was an internal UN analysis where someone raised the possibility of a break-up of the country if things continue the way they are under the constitution.

SG: We continue to hope that the Iraqis will find a process of reconciling and maintaining a united and peaceful Iraq. We support an all-inclusive process and we had hoped that this electoral process and the transition arrangements would pull the Iraqis together. It has not worked as we had hoped, but we still urge the parties to work together and I believe the reversal by the Parliament of the decision last night would help the process.

Q: What plans, if any, are you making to give the United Nations a higher profile in Iraq, possibly, and to maybe help Iraq in this transition?

SG: I think we are very active in Iraq, we are as active as we can be and I think we played a very effective role in the elections, in the constitutional process. We are working with them on the referendum and eventually, for the elections in December. And I think those are important contributions by the UN. I don't think we can do any more at this stage, because of the security environment.

Q: Can you update us on the situation with the peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea – has the situation been resolved, or what is the latest on there?

SG: The Council took a firm decision yesterday and I hope the Eritrean Government will reverse its decision to ground all the UN helicopters, placing the UN peacekeepers at risk. The Government has a responsibility to support and ensure the protection of these peacekeepers and I hope that the message has got through and they will not move forward with the decision they have taken..

Q: Is there anything today?

SG: I am waiting for a detailed report.

Q: Sir, on Kosovo, you received a report of Mr. Kai Eide. What are the obstacles when you have read it, that are going to prevent you to be soon..…

SG: Obviously, his report looked at the progress we've made on implementing standards and also when we resume the status talks. I am studying the report and I will make a recommendation to the Security Council very shortly. And I am likely to indicate that we proceed with status talks.

Q: Belgium has issued an international arrest warrant for Hissene Habré, the former Chad leader. Are.you calling on Senegal to turn him over – what is your opinion on that?

SG: I think the indictment of the Court ought to be respected and countries around the world should cooperate.

Q: On Eritrea, what was the reason for the overflight then? What reason did the Asmara/Eritrean Government give for that?

SG: They gave us no reason.

Q: And do you have any concern about the possibility that fighting might resume along the border?

SG: Obviously, when you have a situation that is unresolved - you have an unresolved situation on the border when tensions begin to rise in one or the other of the countr[ies], you get worried. And of course, we are keeping a keen eye on the whole Horn of Africa.

Q: Did you take any effective measure in order to prevent the youth from joining terrorist activities?

SG: I think the message we are sending out is that we should have an environment that allows people to settle their differences through dialogue, through discussions and not through the use of the gun. And particularly the young people should really stay away from using force as a way of resolving their differences. Obviously, we also have to make sure that they have facilities for education - not only do they have facilities for education, but there are employment prospects when they come out of school.

Q: Mr. Secretary, the world is getting fatter. The WHO has issued many reports on obesity, and believe it or not, we are doing another programme on it. What is your view on developing countries getting products and fast food and developing a culture that would increase obesity?

SG: Well, we are not in the diet business, but let me say that we are concerned for health reasons and for other reasons. I think one has to eat right – one should eat right, not just in the developed countries, but also in the developing countries. And in fact, most of the developing countries have not had this obesity problem and they should not import it by eating and bringing in the wrong types of food or cuisine. I think they should stick to their own local diets which, in some ways, has kept them pretty slim and trim.

Q: What are the main obstacles, Mr. Secretary-General, in the report that you received from Mr. Eide?

SG: What do you mean obstacles?

Q: On Kosovo, that you have read in that report – you indicated to go sooner rather than later….

SG: I have not indicated that I'm going later. I said I'll be making a recommendation to the Council on the status issue and I didn't say I'm doing it later. It may be sooner than you think.

Q: How about bird flu? If fat doesn't get you…..

SG: In the end we are all dead [laughter].