Add in the inevitable squabbles over who speaks longest, who sits next to whom and who gets the last word, and U.N. staff are facing a huge challenge. At least it's one they've been expecting. The critical Middle East peace process will be the focus of meetings among Barak, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. African leaders hope for a meeting on the Congo's many-sided civil war, although Congo President Laurent Kabila will not attend. Meanwhile, in Sierra Leone, rebels are fighting the government as well as U.N. peacekeepers.
Mini summits are planned Within the summit, a series of minisummits is planned.
Leaders of the five countries that are permanent council members are likely to meet separately. With every issue on the table, many are asking whether anything but vague statements can result despite specific targets Annan has proposed. CNN Correspondent Frank Buckley and Reuters contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.