I hope you will understand why I feel the need to comment on the fact that early this morning bombs exploded outside two of our American embassies in Africa. An explosion in Nairobi, Kenya killed and wounded scores of people. We have reports that several Americans are among the dead. Another explosion in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania also caused many casualties. At this time there are no reports that any Americans were killed in that attack, although our embassy appears to have been the target.

The IMF team currently in Moscow has reached agreement with the Government of Russia on a major strengthening of Russia's economic program which I intend to recommend to the IMF's Executive Board as the basis for an immediate and significant increase in the IMF's financial support for Russia. This support will help Russia face its difficult problems which have been exacerbated by the sharp decline in commodity prices, in particular oil.

Japan has announced new and potentially significant steps toward addressing its banking problems. We welcome this further recognition by Japan of the importance of strengthening its financial system.

Great people, Brave men of our valiant armed forces, Arab freedom fighters and strugglers, Friends, Peace be upon you, On this day, every year, we recall with you the two days of the revolution on 17 and 30 July 1968. But today, on the thirtieth anniversary of the revolution we will not engross you, like on traditional occasions, in figures and achievements that acquaint you with what rests you assured of its genuine course and with sincere pledge and promise made to the brave and genuine revolutionists.

I have the honor to declare open this United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court.

I wish to acknowledge the generosity of the Italian Government, which is hosting this Conference, as it has done for other landmark United Nations conferences in the past, and to express my appreciation of the strong support given by Italy to the United Nations and its activities in general. We are particularly honored by the presence of President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro with us today.

The Secretary-General had announced at a press conference in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, in the morning, that there was “total unanimity” on the need to release all political prisoners and detainees. Following a series of meetings with officials, traditional leaders and representatives of civil society, as well as political prisoners, including Chief Moshood K. Abiola, the Secretary-General had concluded that there was broad agreement on a number of key issues. All Nigerians insisted on a return to democracy, the Secretary-General said, adding that all wanted a peaceful, democratic and, above all, credible process leading to free and fair elections. All Nigerians also wanted to live under the rule of law, with full respect for human rights.

I am pleased that the Senate has passed legislation today that is consistent with my view that U.S. food exports should not become an unintended victim of an important non-proliferation law. Food should not be used as a weapon, and I will resist any action that would lead to a de facto grain embargo.

The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March 1998. It covers the period since my last report of 4 June 1998 (S/1998/470).

With both Cambodia and Indonesia making at least some political progress against what are clearly great odds, I find it especially sad that we must still address the lack of movement toward reconciliation in Burma. Burma is a country in great and growing distress today. The situation there has gotten worse in the last year; the threat it poses to the stability of this region has grown.

Less than two weeks before the elections, the Secretary-General welcomes the progress achieved in the electoral process in Cambodia. He notes with satisfaction the freedom of movement and access accorded to international observers, as well as the guarantee of the security of all observers, both foreign and domestic, given by the Royal Government of Cambodia. At the same time, he remains concerned by discrepancies in access enjoyed by opposition parties to the media and by persistent reports of intimidation and impunity.