SECRETARY-GENERAL'S VISIT TO CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, 19-21 APRIL

Press Release
SG/T/2131

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S VISIT TO CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, 19-21 APRIL

The Secretary-General arrived in San Francisco in the afternoon of Sunday, 19 April, to begin a short visit to California. In the evening, he attended a dinner hosted by former United States Secretary of State and Mrs. George Shultz.

On Monday, 20 April, the Secretary-General began his day by attending a working breakfast hosted by David Coulter, President of the Bank of America. (See Press Release SG/SM/6529 for the text of his remarks.) At midday, at a luncheon organized by the Commonwealth Club, the World Affairs Council and the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), the Secretary-General delivered a speech entitled "The United Nations in Our Daily Lives". (See Press Release SG/SM/6530.)

In the afternoon, the Secretary-General attended a reception at the University of California, Berkeley, from which he later received the Berkeley medal, the highest honour bestowed upon individuals by this University. After the award ceremony, and after being introduced by Dean Richard Buxbaum, the Secretary-General gave an address entitled "War, Peace and the United Nations". (See Press Release SG/SM/6531.)

Later that afternoon, the Secretary-General visited the Herbst Theatre, where the United Nations Charter was signed more than 50 years ago. The purpose of his visit was to be present during the presentation of the 1998 Goldman Environmental Awards. Later on, he stopped at a reception at the Presidio hosted by the Resource Centre for the United Nations in his honour. In the evening, the Secretary-General and Mrs. Annan were the guests of honour at a dinner at the Pacific Union Club, hosted by William Draper, former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

On the morning of Tuesday, 21 April, the Secretary-General and his party arrived in the city of Los Angeles, where he attended a reception at noon jointly hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Town Hall Los Angeles. This was immediately followed by a luncheon where the Secretary- General, after being introduced by former United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher, made an address entitled "The Humanitarian Challenge Today". (See Press Release SG/SM/6532.)

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In the afternoon, the Secretary-General met with basketball star Magic Johnson; the meeting was followed by a joint press conference, at which time the Secretary-General formally appointed Mr. Johnson as a United Nations Messenger for Peace.

In the evening the Secretary-General and Mrs. Annan attended a reception hosted by Jack Valenti, President of the Motion Picture Association of America, where he delivered remarks before a group of personalities from the world of entertainment. (See Press Release SG/SM/6533.) Later in the evening, the Secretary-General attended a dinner given in his honour at Greenacres, the residence of Ron and Jan Burkle of the Yucaipa Group.

On the following day, 22 April, the Secretary-General received the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) medal from the University of California - Los Angeles School of International Relations, also the highest honour that this University presents to individuals. He made opening remarks at the Faculty Club of UCLA entitled "Coalitions in World Peace Conference". (See Press Release SG/SM/6934.) Later in the morning, he met with the Editorial Board of The Los Angeles Times and attended a luncheon hosted by former United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher. In the evening, the Secretary-General and his party flew to Houston, Texas, where they were met by Ambassador Edward Djerejian, Director of the Baker Institute.

On Thursday, 23 April, early in the morning, the Secretary-General received the Mayor of Houston, Lee Brown, at his hotel. Later in the morning, the Secretary-General participated in a Baker Institute Round Table at the Baker Hall Commons. Following that, he gave a press conference and addressed a crowd of about 3,500 students, faculty and guests at Autry Court. The subject of his speech was "The Challenge of Conflict Prevention". (See Press Release SG/SM/6535.) He was introduced by James Baker III, former United States Secretary of State and Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara.

In the afternoon, he had lunch at the residence of Malcolm Gillis, President of Rice University, visited the De Menil Museum and met with former United States President George Bush and Mrs. Bush at their residence.

The Secretary-General and his party returned to New York that evening .

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