OPENING SESSION

Tuesday, 16 June 1998, at 0930 hours

Main Auditorium

Artistic performance by the Sympaatti Choir

Official opening of the Conference

Inaugural statement by:

Mr. Matti Aura, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland.

Opening statements by:

Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator speaking on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General;

Dr. Pekka Tarjanne, Secretary-General of the ITU; and

Mr. Jarmo Rantanen, Mayor of the City of Tampere.