ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., 18-20 OCTOBER
Press Release
SG/T/2206
ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., 18-20 OCTOBER
19991021The Secretary-General flew to Washington, D.C. on Monday afternoon, 18 October, for a two-day visit. On arrival, he taped an interview for the public television programme NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. That evening, he attended a dinner hosted by World Bank President, James Wolfensohn.
On Tuesday morning, he had breakfast with nine members of the Washington Press corps. He then had a private meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Michel Camdessus. Among other things, they discussed the forthcoming World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle on 30 October and the need for opening markets for both goods and capital in the industrialized countries to the developing world.
In the afternoon, he went to the World Bank, where he met briefly with Mr. Wolfensohn, and then with members of the Banks Board of Executive Directors (see SG/SM/7186.) He later attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Wolfensohn.
After lunch, he gave the inaugural lecture of the new United Nations Lecture Series for the World Bank staff. In his address, the Secretary- General discussed the causes of conflict and its impact on development. "Human security, good governance, equitable development and respect for human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. If war is the worst enemy of development, healthy and balanced development is the best form of conflict prevention," he said (see SG/SM/7187.)
After the lecture, the Secretary-General met Mr. Wolfensohn again to discuss the World Banks role in the United Nations operations in Kosovo and East Timor.
That evening, he received the 1999 Woodrow Wilson Statesmanship Award at a dinner hosted by the Belgian Ambassador to the United States, Alex Reyn. The award is presented by Washingtons only presidential museum, Woodrow Wilson House, in recognition of the Secretary-Generals leadership and management of the United Nations (see SG/SM/7185.)
The Secretary-General returned to New York early on Wednesday morning, 20 October.
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