Remarks upon arrival to UNHQ, (unofficial transcript)

SG: Yes, you can say that. I had a very good discussion with members of both parties. Obviously I had gone to Washington to see the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader; by the time I got there, roles had changed, but both gentlemen received me very well and were very supportive.

Q: Sir, on the Afghanistan report -- the Expert Report we have just got -- it recommends a new sanctions-monitoring mechanism. Is that a new thing, and also, what are your comments or reaction on the comment on Pakistan's cooperation or lack of monitoring of sanctions, and also the drug stockpiling by the Taleban.

SG: Well, let me say that on the question of the new monitoring mechanism that you have indicated, I am going to be discussing it with my staff, not only those here but those in the field, to see how we can do that, if we can, and what changes we will have to make in our own operations. On the question of the stockpiling of drugs, this is an issue that has been around because it was linked with the fact that the Taleban had eradicated the cultivation of the poppy and statements had been made that they already had a stockpile. I have heard the statement, but I have no concrete proof of it. What we do know, from all accounts, is that poppy production has more or less been eliminated for this year which is quite an incredible achievement in the (period) of one year. But we will continue to monitor that. *****