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SG: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, as said, the two previous speakers have given you a clear idea of what we discussed, I will be very brief in my comments.

I think what is important is that, in the discussions, it became clear that the Government is determined to focus on the real priorities. We agreed that there was a need to quicken the pace of reforms, to strengthen the rule of law and improve the economy, generate employment and educational reform. But the Government will need help from the international community. Now I was happy to know that the economy is also the priority of Lord Ashdown.

I am also gratified to see that the Government is also very pleased with the contribution the UN has made in terms of police training. I think we will be leaving behind a police force that is competent, that is well trained and is trained to do democratic policing, protecting the individual and their properties, and also a police force that meets European standards. We are leaving behind a border force that is functioning very effectively and we have managed a smooth and seamless transition from the UN to the EU.

And yes, our withdrawal does not mean the disengagement of the international community. There will be continuity with the EU, with the other UN agencies. I myself will stay engaged from New York and with other donor countries. And I am very proud of the work my special representative, Jacques Klein, and his team have done here and I would also want to congratulate them.

Even though my visit here has been very brief I've been able to notice the changes which have taken place –last night I was able to walk through the old city and visit some of the sites and places that I knew before –to see, how you have rebuilt and how you are picking up the pieces and, hopefully, building a stronger and better country. But, of course, rebuilding is more than bricks and mortar. We need to reconcile, we need to seek justice, we need to ensure that the returnees are reintegrated peacefully. We need to ensure that we build an effective educational system and health systems.

Let me finally say that the UN in Bosnia-Herzegovina has had a long history. Our relationship has evolved over the years. We have gone through some painful and difficult moments together. For us as an organization we lived through some failures here and are leaving with one of our big successes. We couldn't have done it without the cooperation of the Government and without the support of you –the people of Bosnia –and we thank you for that. I believe that the experience we've lived through has changed you as a country and as individuals, and it has changed us as an institution and as individuals who work in it. And I hope it's a change for the better, and the lessons will serve us well in the future.

I will now take your questions.

Q: Secretary-General, Federal Television of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sir, thank you for your visit and my question is: If you are asked to sum up the last ten years, as you said, what would be the biggest success and, on the other hand, how would you define the biggest failure of the UN in Bosnia? Thank you.

SG: I think the most important is that, at a critical time, the international community came here. When one is living through the kind of crisis we saw here, the role of a third party is very important, a third party who comes in and says 'this is unacceptable, this cannot go on, this must stop'. The fact that the third party comes in sometimes encourages the victims to resist, to fight, and eventually even the third parties can bear witness. This does not imply that the third party can solve all the problems and end the conflict or the crisis, but their presence and engagement is essential.

I think the big failure was the way we protected or did not protect the safe havens. And the success is to be leaving in December with a well-trained and well-established police force and to have worked with other international partners and the people of this country to stabilize the situation, as the Chairman said, and having helped create an environment which we can build on and develop a normal state, a normal state with a viable economy, a normal state that can now look to a future in a common European home. Thank you very much.

Q (translated from Bosnian): Almir Sarenkapa, Nezavisne Novine. Are you satisfied with what the local authorities have done in relation to the Eagle (Orao) affair and will you recommend sanctions against Bosnia-Herzegovina or do you think the sanctions are not necessary. Thank you.

SG: Good to see you again. You are the one who tried to ask the question yesterday. I see you are persistent; anyway, it's good to see you. Now, I think it is an issue where one should investigate and deal with individuals who are concerned very strictly and that measures should be taken to ensure that it is not repeated and whatever gaps and weaknesses there are should be blocked, but I think those responsible should be prosecuted. My view is that we should not have broad sanctions against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which would be a problem. But, of course, the decision is up to the Council and not to me.

Q: Nick Hawton, BBC, and on behalf of the other news agencies here. Weapons inspectors are due to arrive in Baghdad shortly. How confident are you that they will be able to carry out their mandate? And secondly, are you prepared to issue a new deadline for the Cyprus peace plan, bearing in mind developments today.

SG: I think that Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei have gone to Iraq determined to carry out effective and prompt inspections. Their hands have been strengthened by Resolution 1441. I think that resolution states clearly what Iraq must do. The Security Council, speaking with one voice, demands that Iraq should give the inspectors prompt and unfettered access and comply with all Security Council Resolutions. I urge President Saddam Hussein to comply fully for the sake of his people, for the sake of the region and for the sake of world order.

With regard to Cyprus, I had asked the two leaders to give me their reactions to my proposals today. And I am waiting to get their reactions through my special envoy and then I will analyze the situation at the end of the day and decide what to do next. Thank you very much.