21 December 2000

Today the President summed up the main part of the 55th Session of the General Assembly in his end-of-the-year press conference. He expressed his satisfaction with the work done so far and reminded that after the main session the General Assembly will have a full calendar of conferences and special sessions on year 2001. Transcript of his press conference is available on the "Statements and Messages" page.

The President met with the Chief of the Security and Safety Service to discuss the safety in the United Nations Headquarters. The issue of safety came up after the incident during the General Assembly meeting on 20th December 2000.

The President also met with the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Public Information, Mr. Kensaku Hogen, to thank him for his assistance during the main session of the General Assembly and to wish him well in his new position.

The President met with the Permanent Representative of Suriname, H.E. Subhas Chandra Mungra and the Permanent Representative of Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Om Pradhan, to discuss their duties while acting as General Assembly Presidents in January 2001, while Mr. Holkeri will be travelling in East-Timor, Indonesia and Singapore.

During his meeting with the President, Rabbi Arthur Schneier informed the President about the initiative on calling to stop desecration of holy sites and how the General Assembly could discuss it. The President stressed that bringing issues to the General Assembly is in the hands of the Members States. He added that discussing any new issues should preferably take place within the existing agenda items when possible.

Later in the day the President attended United Nations Correspondents Association's traditional "End of the year party".