Secretary-General's press encounter (unofficial transcript)

SG: …it's a very positive development, and that, taken together with the decision by ECOWAS to send their own vanguard force is a very positive development and I hope it will bring some relief to the people of Liberia. I think what is important is to get the troops down as quickly as we can to deal with the humanitarian situation and pacify Monrovia and its environs.

Q: What specific assurances or contributions did you get from Washington today?

SG: I don't have the details of the announcement but I have been discussing this issue with Washington for a long time and I am very encouraged by today's announcement.

Q: Can you say something about Mr. [Harri] Holkeri?

SG: Oh yes, Mr. Holkeri will be taking up the appointment as my Special Representative to Kosovo. I am very pleased that he has decided to take on this challenging assignment. The operations and activities there have reached a critical stage, and to have a man of his experience, his calibre and his judgment in Kosovo is going to be a great asset to this organization and to the international community. He would expect to take up his appointment within the next month or so.

Q: Sir, the importance of your meeting with Envoy Maurice Strong in a couple of minutes, which you will probably be late to because of us?

SG: Well, we will be reviewing the North Korean dossier. Of course, the Chinese authorities have kept me very much informed of their own activities and their discussions with the two parties and I have had the chance to applaud the Chinese role, and I hope in the not-too-distant future we will see the two parties at the table discussing the issue. I am still confident that a peaceful and diplomatic solution could be found.