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I have spent a wonderful couple of days here in Angola. I have had very constructive and useful discussions with the President along with the rest of the cabinet, and as you know, we had the opportunity of also witnessing the signing of the Agreement between UNITA and the Government, and I am leaving very encouraged by what I have seen. I think that we can all say that the war is over and we have to do all that we can to consolidate peace and get on with the essential task of rebuilding. And by that I mean, ensuring that the humanitarian needs are adequate to ensure that we are able to de-mine, that apart from the fiscal infrastructure reconstruction, we focus also on education and health and giving support to people to re-build their lives. I think Angola has the means and the resources but that also needs help from the international community. There is lots of good will and I think that support will be forthcoming. We have lots of work to do, and I think we can do it. When I leave here this morning, I will be visiting other countries in the southern African region. My first stop will be Botswana, then Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa, where I will attend the Summit on Sustainable Development, where I expect the delegates to focus on essential issues of sustainable development, with issues such as water and sanitation, health, agriculture productivity, education and bio-diversity. The other issue on my mind as I visit this region is the critical food situation.

And as you know, I am personally worried about the deteriorating food situation in southern Africa. Â鶹´«Ã½ system is already fully engaged in a comprehensive humanitarian effort to ensure adequate food supplies in Zimbabwe. This effort, which is led by the World Food Programme and supported by the international community, is also intended to help Zimbabwe's neighbours withstand the impact of the recent drought.

Let me take this opportunity to thank those Governments that have already contributed to this effort and to reiterate my appeal to the international community to send urgent food and other assistance to the region as a matter of urgency. I also urge Governments in the region and donors to avoid politicization of food aid.

As the risk of famine looms, I believe that a successful, sustainable land reform programme that will benefit all the people of Zimbabwe, especially the landless poor, is more important than ever.

There can be no lasting solution to the current problems unless the Government of Zimbabwe implements a phased and fully funded land reform programme. It should be one that is run according to the rule of law, that allows for proper training and adequate support to new small farmers and compensation to displaced farm workers and commercial farmers. Such a land reform programme is urgently needed in order to minimize the negative effects of the current situation on food production and the overall economy in Zimbabwe. It would also ensure the engagement and futures support of the international community.

Q: Is it possible to name the next Special Representative?

SG: The next Special Representative will be named, but it is not going to be this morning.

Q: How long will it take?

SG: You will find out soon enough. I will assure you we will not linger too long. We will not drag it out.

Q: Secretary-General, 45 days of consolidated peace, is that sufficient? And

what will be your mission after the 45 days?

SG: I think it is always good to have a target to aim for, sometime you meet that target but it is not unusual in life that targets are missed. And one has to continue their efforts beyond the date that has been set. I think in my presentation this morning, I said the whole range of task and activities that the Government and its partners will be engaged in, from humanitarian to economic and social institutions, and so forth and so forth. So we should not assume that the only thing to be done in Angola is limited to the political assignment within the 45 days. I know the President understands that and the leaders understand that, that it is important that we all see it that way because we have major tasks and hurdles ahead which is going to demand action from every Angolan, every person, and all the press of Angola. So please don't be obsessed with the 45 day programme. Otherwise, we are all going to be terribly disappointment.

Q: Well, in practical terms, how do you think you can ask the international to help our Government resolve these problems which you just listed?

SG: I think if you look around you, we are already very actively on the ground where the Government and other NGO's on the humanitarian issue. It is not just a question of raising money from the donor community but we are on the ground actively engaged. We intend to work with the Government at the donor conference to raise money - working with the World Bank - to raise money for the infrastructure, and our development agency here in UNDP and others, are active on the ground and we are going to become more engaged.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, you explained the partnerships between Government and the international community and the reconstruction of Angola, talking to members of the humanitarian and development community in Angola over the last few days and weeks, I've sensed an extreme frustration on the part of donor organizations, that the Government of Angola has not been fulfilling its share - particularly with regarding to the reconstruction of the infrastructure. Do you sense that is about to change?

SG: I've raised these issues with the President and I think we're going to see an honest attempt by the Government. The Government realizes that it must do its part and be seen to be doing its part, for us to be able to encourage other donors to do to come in and do what they have to do.

Q: You are personally involved in the HIV/AIDS combat in Africa. UNICEF and WHO are also involved in the same matter. I just want to know how the international community can help Angola to meet in economic field and also how it can help to provide the country for the necessary campaigns in this regard?

SG: I had the opportunity of discussing the AIDS issue with the President, who is also concerned about the problem - and the scourge of AIDS is a major problem for the entire continent - but it is not an African problem, it is a global problem. And what is important is that we all become engaged, we mobilize an entire society's to fight this scourge. By that I mean, from the Head of State down to individual citizens, we all have to become engaged. If we do not take the necessary and urgent steps to fight AIDS, our efforts to develop could become deaf. So I urge all Angolans, to take this issue seriously, and I indicated to the President that the World Health Organization/UNAIDS and the UN would work with the Government. But I appeal to all of you, particularly the grass root organizations, women organizations, NGO's; I met with religious leaders yesterday, and I also asked for their help on this particular issue.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, two questions. First, can you give us a clarification on the 45 days that have been determined for the fulfillment of the Lusaka Protocol? Does the UN agree with this timetable? And also let me pose another question: What is so specific about Africa? I would like to understand what are the needs of African countries in relation to development and humanitarian assistance. If there is a situation of distress in other countries, like Afghanistan, help can be found without hesitation. But when it comes to Africa, everything seems difficult. What justifies this kind of discrimination?

SG: Let me start with your first question on the 45 days which was set by the Government. I think you are asking me questions that I think you should address to the Government, as to why 45 days. But as far as the UN is concerned, we will work with the Government to implement this programme. We will all try and work hard to meet the target, if the target is not met we will have to be realistic and press on - and then stop there. On your question of discrimination: When it comes to demands of humanitarian or economic assistance, I think in some ways you overstate your case. You mention Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, they are complaining about the same lack of resources that we are complaining about here. Yes, there are a lot of pledges and promises made to Afghanistan, but the Government of Afghanistan will tell you that the money is not flowing, and that it does not have enough money to pay salaries of teachers and essential civil servants. It doesn't have resources for urgent recovery works; it doesn't have resources to reform its security forces urgently to assure security around them. There are limited resources around the world and they are competing demands. It is not always that easy to get the money because you want it or really need it [inaudible]. And in conclusion in all of this, we as societies, should begin to tackle the basic issues. Take Angola, which is now on the verge of peace and what I am saying here applies to all developing countries. How can we organize ourselves and our societies in such a way, that we build a sustainable future? How can we organize societies based on Rule of Law or democratic institutions that respects the rights of all citizens? In societies where the abuse of minorities are listened to and respected? How do we create an amenable environment that will release the energies and creativities of our own people? How do we create the environment that will attract domestic and international investors, so that we can grow our economies and develop our own societies? This will require investments in the youth's education, particularly girls, investments in health, educated and healthy work force; this what is required to build nations. I am sorry I answered your question in a rather long way, but I think it is important that we focus on the real issues rather than worrying about who is going to give us what and when.

Thank you very much.