Press encounter following meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, (unofficial transcript)

Might I ask another quick question, on Angola= You must have seen Jonas Savimbi's comments making an offer of dialogue. Do you think they can really get back to peace talks now?

SG: Yes, we did discuss the situation in the Balkans, and particularly in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the fact that one has to take steps to bring the rebellion and violence to an end, but we must do it in a manner that doesn't create bigger problems. I think one would want to see the territorial integrity and unity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia respected, but at the same time, we have to handle this crisis in a manner that doesn't lead to a new outflow of refugees and exacerbate the situation. So, we are going to be working with the Government and the leaders in the region to ensure that we can contain the situation.

On Angola, I also have read the statement but will need to get in touch with the Government of Angola to see if indeed there are any prospects for bringing them together. Obviously, at the end of the day, the parties have to talk. It's the only way to resolve their differences, and if Savimbi wants to talk on the basis of the Lusaka Accords, then we will see where we go from here.

Q: What about Iraq? Mr. Secretary-General, apparently you discussed that situation with Secretary of State Powell? Did you come up with any [inaudible] towards a new sanctions regime?

SG: Not yet. We did discuss Iraq but we didn't come up with any new proposals for a sanctions regime. Obviously, capitals are reviewing their own policies and I had discussions with the Iraqis last month, on the 26th and 27th of February, and I hope to meet with them again, perhaps in May, to pursue our discussions in an attempt to break the current impasse and to get them to cooperate with the UN in implementing the resolutions.

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