Press encounter following meeting with Ukrainian President, Leonid Kuchma, (unofficial transcript)

SG: Let me say that I hope that the meeting in Almaty will offer an opportunity for all the leaders to talk to the heads of state and government of India and Pakistan. I don't think anyone would want to see a war in that region. The countries have wise leaders and I'm sure they themselves would not want to see a nuclear flare up. And I hope that the opportunity that the meeting in Almaty has offered would be used wisely and that the discussions that will take place there will pull us away from the brink.

I would not want to contemplate nuclear war between the two countries. And, as I've said, I count on the wisdom and the leadership of President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee to ensure that we do not move in that direction. And I can ensure you lots of efforts are being made by leaders around the world who are in touch with them constantly to try and see what we can do to resolve the current situation. And I do hope that if we are able to resolve the current situation, we will find a way of getting the parties to get into a dialogue so that they can resolve their differences once and for all, and we do not come back to such a confrontation in three to six months time.

On your second question as to whether a conference on the Middle East will be held in Yalta - Yalta, of course, is a historic site. It had hosted, as we all know, other historic meetings, but I don't think any decision has been taken as to the date or venu of the conference. Thank you. *****