Â鶹´«Ã½

SG: Thank you very much, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. I am also very pleased with the discussions I had with the President and I am extremely happy to be here visiting Kyrgyzstan for the first time and in the tenth year of your independence, and ten years after you've joined the United Nations.

As the President has indicated we did discuss a wide range of topics, from the economic and social development, from the fight against terrorism, drug-trafficking, good governance, UN-Kyrgyz relationship, which is excellent and what we could do further together in assisting your country and in tackling all the issues around the world. And, of course, we also discussed the Year of the Mountains and the importance of that Programme to Kyrgyzstan and countries with mountainous regions. And mountainous regions do have sensitive ecosystems and way of life and assets which [if] properly handled can benefit entire societies.

Tomorrow I'll be opening the UN House together with the President. It's just an event of more than significant importance which underscores the wonderful relationship between the UN family and the Government. And I look forward to seeing most of you there tomorrow. Thank you very much.

Q: Dear Mr. Secretary-General, your visit to Kyrgyzstan became a prelude to an opening of a Global Mountains Summit to be opened in Bishkek in a few days, and also as a final event in commemoration of the International Year of Mountains that the United Nations has supported. Our question is: What is your personal assessment of the proposal put forward by the President of Kyrgyzstan recently on giving the international status to commemoration the 2200th anniversary of the Kyrgyz statehood.

SG: First of all, let me say that on the Summit on the Year of the Mountains, I hope and I pray -- I am certain that you're going to have a successful Summit. It is an issue of great importance to many countries and to individuals like myself who love mountains, who like to trek in mountains, who appreciate the special ecosystems in mountains and often goes up there to seek tranquility and peace. Not only do you seek tranquility and peace, it also puts things in proportion. You realize sometimes how small you are in relationship to your environment. And so I wish I could've stayed or joined you for the Summit, but it's not going to be possible. As for the proposal for the 2200 years, I think this is something that the UN Agencies would have to discuss and the Member States would, but I think it is something that they will give a very serious consideration.

Q: Dear Mr. Secretary-General, Kyrgyzstan has been undertaking a lot of effort focused at the poverty alleviation issues, and in this regard we have developed a ten years' programme, which is called a Comprehensive Development Framework. During the recent meeting of Donors in Bishkek we have approved the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, and our questions is: What is your assessment of efforts of Kyrgyzstan in this field and can we have any political and otherwise support from the United Nations system in this regard?

SG: I think it is very important that you have drawn up at that plan, and it is something that we do support and the UN Resident Coordinator here and the UN Agencies will work very closely with you on its implementation. I think what is important is implementation. It's good to have a plan, but implementation is going to be the test. And at the Millennium Summit two years ago, all the Heads of State did agree to that document, the declaration, and one of the top issues was alleviation of poverty, so to come up with the strategy that you have, I am sure you will get the international support and we at the UN will work with you and the donors, and I think you are going to have the donors concurrence also in trying to mobilize support for your efforts here. I would personally support it and I think that it's something that will be in the interest of your people. But if I may add one word. Economic development and social development is not an issue that we should leave to the Government alone. It is the responsibility of everyone. And we should try and work in partnership with the Government, NGOs, private sector, individuals, universities, let's all pull together to improve the lot of those who are less fortunate.

Q: Dear Mr. Secretary-General, what is your assessment of the situation in Iraq in light of the recent development and changes in the position of the United States? Do you have any concerns with regards to the North Korea and with the recent statements of the US administration that this country has nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction?

SG: Let me start with Iraq. I think on the question of Iraq, I expect the Security Counsel in the not too distant future to pass a resolution strengthening the hands of the inspectors and sending them in to continue their disarmamental programme and with the demand that Iraq should comply with all Security Counsel resolutions. And I urge Iraq to heed that call, and comply. It's not just a Security Counsel resolution. Almost every world leader who has spoken on this topic is asking Iraq to comply. If the chief inspector were to report back to the Counsel that Iraq continues to defy the Counsel, then, of course, the Counsel will have to determine what next to do. So I do expect that the resolution will be passed. I expect it to be unanimous. I expect the Counsel to speak with one voice -- that is when they are the most effective.

On your second question obviously, it does not help with non-proliferation and it is a worrisome development, and consultations are going on around capitals as to what measures should be taken to deal with this new development in North Korea.