Palestinian journalists train at UN headquarters and in US media offices.

As part of its Special Information Programme on the Question of Palestine, the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in 1997 again offered its training programme for ten Palestinian journalists to develop hands-on media skills. The Programme includes two weeks at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, a week in Washington, D.C., a week at CNN headquarters, and briefings coupled with individual assignments at UN Headquarters.

At the request of the UN Chronicle, the Palestinian journalists during the Programme interviewed Ambassador Deguene Ka of Senegal, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Following are excerpts from Ambassador Ka's responses to their questions:

On the Committee's work:

As Chairman of the Committee, I attend many international meetings in different parts of the world, including important events that are held by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). We have an input on Palestinian issues in the resolutions. We speak to the Security Council and various committees when the question of Palestine is on the agenda. Annually, in December, the question of Palestine is addressed in the General Assembly - the largest organ of the United Nations. Also, we organize seminars in different parts of the world to inform the international community and the public, highlighting the Palestinian question.

The Israeli Government does not allow us to go to the Palestinian liberated areas. We tried to organize a seminar there last year, but it did not materialize. I think that if the seminar had been held, it would have probably helped to initiate a dialogue; it would have been helpful even for the Israelis themselves. But, unfortunately, we could not go. Although the Committee has no bureau in the Palestinian occupied territories, we manage to get information in many ways: through the different human rights organizations and NGOs working on the ground, and...