United Nations Daily Highlights, 02-12-27

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

UN

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Instead of Noon Briefings, highlights of daily developments in the UN system will be provided on this page; Briefings resume on Thursday, January 2, 2003.

Friday, December 27, 2002

NORTH KOREA REQUESTS IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF IAEA INSPECTORS

Director General Mohamed ElBaradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) received a letter from Ri Je Son, Director General of the General Department of Atomic Energy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), requesting the immediate removal of IAEA inspectors from DPRK in light their decision to lift the "freeze" on their nuclear facilities.

Responding in a letter, ElBaradei stressed that notwithstanding the lifting of the freeze under the Agreed Framework, the presence of inspectors is needed for the immediate installation of containment and surveillance measures. The continuing presence of inspectors is also needed during the loading of the 5-megawatt reactor in Nyongbyon and during operation of the reprocessing plant.

"Together with the loss of cameras and seals, the departure of inspectors would practically bring to an end our ability to monitor DPRK's nuclear programme or assess its nature," ElBaradei said. "This is one further step away from diffusing the crisis.

IRAQ: UN BIOLOGICAL TEAM INSPECTS INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL SITE

A biological team from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) inspected the Modern Chemical Industries in Hay Babil, Baghdad. This is a private company that produces industrial alcohol, medicinal-grade alcohol, as well as arak, whiskey and gin from dates. The company is a declared and previously monitored site due to the presence of dual-use equipment. The site was closed for Christmas holiday but access was granted.

An UNMOVIC chemical team inspected the Al Nasser Al Athim (Al Adheem) State Company, a facility for heavy engineering, located at Dawra district of Baghdad. Although it was a Friday inspection, access to the facility as well as all the buildings designated for inspection was granted.

An UNMOVIC team of missile inspectors also went to the same facility. The company also undertakes a wide range of metal working for both civilian and military purposes.

The IAEA continued its programme of interviewing key Iraqi scientists. Todays subject was a metallurgist from a high visibility state company. He provided technical details of a military programme, which has attracted considerable attention as a possible prelude to a clandestine nuclear programme. The interview is expected to be of great use in completing the IAEA assessment.

DRC: ANNAN URGES REBELS TO HALT OFFENSIVE IN NORTHEAST

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement issued today, says he is deeply concerned over reports that the Congolese Rally for Democracy-National/Congolese Liberation Movement (RCD-N/MLC) forces, possibly joined by the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) forces, have continued military offensives in Northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the 16 December Accord in which they committed themselves to a ceasefire and agreed on transitional arrangements leading to the holding of free and fair elections.

It is equally disturbing that the parties have failed to heed calls by the Security Council on 24 December to cease all hostilities and settle their differences peacefully.

Reports indicate that tens of thousands of innocent civilians have fled their homes as military forces continue to fight over territory in the east. It is reported that the RCD-N/MLC forces are poised to take over the town of Beni, the centre of the Congolese Rally for Democracy-Kisangani (Liberation Movement), which could result in further displacement of civilians and seriously call into doubt the parties readiness to implement the 16 December Accord.

The Secretary-General calls on MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba and RCD-N leader Roger Lumbala to restrain their forces from further advances. He reminds those responsible for violating humanitarian law that the international community will hold them accountable for their actions.

ANNAN APPOINTS HUMANITARIAN ENVOY FOR COTE D'IVOIRE

The Secretary-General has designated Carolyn McAskie, Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, as his Humanitarian Envoy for the crisis in Côte dIvoire, in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and its negative impact on the subregion. "

This designation should be seen in the context of recent high-level missions to the region, including the mission of Kamal Morjane, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, and the fact-finding Human Rights mission led by Bertrand Ramcharan, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

McAskies mission will further enhance the profile of the humanitarian effort in Côte dIvoire and ensure that the work of the UN County Team is part of a more coherent UN approach to the crisis.

McAskie is expected to be deployed to the region for approximately one month, beginning January 10, 2003.

PEACE BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA PROGRESSING STEADILY

The Secretary-General, in a new report on Ethiopia and Eritrea,

says that despite occasional difficulties and delays, the peace process between the two countries has progressed steadily.

The period ahead will also require that the two parties, as well as the Boundary Commission and UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) continue to enjoy the full political and financial support of the international community, the Secretary-General says. He appeals for more contributions to the Trust Fund for the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Border in order to help the conclusion of the demarcation process in accordance with the Commissions schedule.

While the overall situation in the Temporary Security Zone and the adjacent areas has remained generally calm, he notes that the recent cross-border incidents have revealed a new dimension of the conflict, namely, the local competition for scare resources in the drought-affected border areas.

The Secretary-General points out that the looming drought in the Horn of Africa, and particularly in Eritrea and Ethiopia, is a source of deep concern and urges Member States to provide prompt and generous support for humanitarian operations in the two countries in order to avert further suffering and loss of life.

CYPRUS: FIRST TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING PLANNED ON JANUARY 7

The United Nations has today received from each side to the negotiations on Cyprus the names of their members of the technical committees that the two leaders (Greek Cypriot leader H.E. Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader H.E. Rauf Denktash) agreed to create on 4 October 2002, in the presence of the Secretary-General.

The first committee meetings are scheduled to take place on January 7, 2003 under the chairmanship of the UN.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; There are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council scheduled for t mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; oday.

In response to questions about the reported first cloning of a human being, the Spokesman said, "We've heard about this claim, but in the absence of scientific data we can't take it to be fact. In any case, no one should expect the Secretary-General to send flowers."

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General United Nations, S-378 New York, NY 10017 Tel. 212-963-7162 - press/media only Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212) 963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org

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