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The President of the Republic attended the opening of the UN General Assembly 59th Session22.09.2004
President Arnold Rüütel in New York today attended the opening of the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, speaking at the opening of the 59th Session of the General Assembly called for respecting and following rules of international law, which have taken shape in the course of millennia. The Secretary-General referring to the violent acts recently perpetrated in the world emphasized that there could be no justification for deeds violating international law. After the Secretary-General, also Brazilian President Lula and US President Bush delivered speeches.
 Thereafter, the President of the Republic signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This protocol has been done in order to foster the implementation of the goals established by this international Convention, which in Estonia came into force in 1991 and, for now, has been joined by 136 countries. Since 2001, Estonia has submitted to the committee set up under the Convention periodical reports on the fulfilment of its commitments.
The President of the Republic today attended also a luncheon for heads of state hosted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. During a conversation, that took place at the luncheon, he talked with the Secretary-General about how quickly Estonia had evolved from a recipient into a donor country, and also discussed the global problems being debated in the current session of the general Assembly. President Rüütel talked about the last issues also with several heads of state at a reception given by US President George W. Bush at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel this evening.
Tomorrow afternoon, President Rüütel will attend a luncheon for the heads of delegations at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel organized jointly by the USA holding the G8 presidency and the UNDP. Thereafter, the Estonian Head of State will deliver a speech at the general debate of UN General Assembly.
Public Relations Unit of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 22, 2004
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