SG: (inaudible). First and foremost, the United Nations is mobilizing all humanitarian assistance. These people should have hope for a better future.

The situation, as I have seen for myself, is very, very difficult. It is a real challenge. While the [Sri Lankan) Government has done all that it can, which I appreciate and commend, there are clearly limitations. The United Nations should try to fill this gap.

They [Internally Displaced Persons] need to be resettled as soon as possible. In that regard, I welcome the Government's statement that they will be able to return to their homes, at least 80 percent of them, by the end of this year.

We will try to work hard to keep that promise realized. I have asked them [Sri Lankan Government] to provide unimpeded access to the humanitarian workers –ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross], United Nations and other many international organizations to have freedom of movement. I was assured by the Foreign Minister and Rehabilitation Minister [of Sri Lanka], and I am going to raise [this] with the President again.

Now I have urged them to expedite this screening process as soon as possible and the separation of combatants. There are huge challenges and these challenges can be overcome only with strong support from the international community. The Sri Lankan [Government] has done and will do [to help] but there are clearly limitations.

Q: Does it concern you Secretary-General that the Sri Lankan Government are holding people here and will not let them go because they are concerned that there are Tamil Tigers here?

SG: I do not think they are holding people here for any particular purposes. They are trying their best efforts to resettle them, reintegrate them into society.

That is their commitment and we will try to help them but, as you have seen, there seems to be clearly limitations in their capacity. That gab I am going to fill by mobilizing all necessary humanitarian assistance.

Adequate aid should be given –water food, (inaudible), sanitation and other essential humanitarian assistance (inaudible).

I thank all humanitarian workers –doctors and nurses are doing a very noble job –and there are so many people to whom I am very grateful. ICRC, humanitarian NGOs –they all deserve high commendation and praise. They are really heroic.