United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-10-27

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

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY

MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, October 27, 2003

ANNAN: ATTACK ON ICRC IN BAGHDAD "IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY"

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, according to a statement issued through his Spokesman, was deeply dismayed at the latest series of terrorist attacks that took place in Baghdad today, resulting in numerous deaths and casualties. He unequivocally condemned these attacks in the strongest possible terms.

The Secretary-General deplored the targeting of the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Baghdad. The ICRC is a universally respected humanitarian organization. Its neutrality and impartiality are the mainstays of its operations. Todays attack on it is a crime against humanity.

The Secretary-General, who spoke with ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger this morning, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have been killed or injured in these attacks. He shared their sorrow and grief.

The Secretary-General reiterated that all terrorist acts, from whatever quarter and whatever their justification, are morally repugnant and indefensible. He called on the authorities in Iraq to take every possible measure to bring those responsible to justice.

ANNAN REMINDS ISRAELI AUTHORITIES THAT HOUSING DEMOLITIONS

AMOUNT TO COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT

The Secretary-General continues to follow with great concern the ongoing cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. He deplores all acts that fuel and intensify the conflict.

The Secretary-General, in a statement, reminded the Israeli authorities that house demolitions amount to collective punishment, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. During the past month, some 200 buildings in the Gaza Strip were destroyed, rendering more than 2,000 people homeless. In this connection, he deplores the destruction by the Israeli military of three 13-story buildings in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night.

The Secretary-General remains convinced that the only outcome that will bring real security to both sides is a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in which two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders. He strongly urges Israel to cease and desist immediately from all actions, such as continued settlement activity and the so-called security fence, that make that outcome more difficult by creating unilateral facts on the ground.

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed Larsen, also issued a statement on Sunday in Jerusalem deploring the housing demolitions.

U.N. MISSION REPORTS EXCHANGE OF FIRE NEAR LEBANON BORDER

According to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, a Hezbollah unit fired mortars and missiles towards Israeli positions in the Shaba farms area.

The Israeli army subsequently responded with artillery and aerial bombs.

At this stage, the United Nations has no report of casualties.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES WESTERN SAHARA,

VOTES ON RWANDA TRIBUNAL

The Security Council this morning held consultations on Western Sahara, on which it received a briefing from Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Marie Guéhenno on the Secretary-Generals latest report. That report recommended a three-month extension in the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, until January 31, 2004.

Council members also received a draft resolution, submitted by the United States, concerning the extension of the UN Missions mandate.

The Council then held a formal meeting, in which its members voted unanimously to change the Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, to allow for an increase in the number of short-term (or ad litem) judges. The trial chambers for the Tribunal can now include a maximum of nine ad litem judges, who will now also have the power to adjudicate in pre-trial proceedings.

U.N. PEACEKEEPING HEAD WARNS OF RISKS IN AFGHANISTAN

In a regular briefing on Afghanistan in the Security Council last Friday, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, noted that many of the fundamental causes of insecurity in the country "remain unresolved," adding the insecurity comes from terrorist attacks, factionalized Government ministries and weakening of the political compact that supports the provisional Government.

He said that, with one exception, every border district in the country has been labelled "high risk" by the UN Security Coordinator. As a result, the UN has temporarily suspended operations in four provinces.

Guéhenno pointed to "worrying signs" that the political compact that helps support the Government of President Hamid Karzai "may be weakening." He added that further reforms are needed in national security ministries and all other Government ministries, which remain influenced by factional and ethnic interests.

ANNAN CONGRATULATES CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DIALOGUE

In a message to the participants of the Dialogue of National Reconciliation in the Central African Republic capital of Bangui, the Secretary-General congratulated the participants for the spirit of openness, forgiveness and understanding that characterized their discussions.

The dialogue brought together political parties, civil society and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the international community.

In the message, which was delivered by his Personal Representative in the Central African Republic, General Lamine Cissé, the Secretary-General noted that those present during the discussions had understood the need for a permanent dialogue to sustain national unity and guarantee the well being of future generations. National reconciliation, he added, is not just an event; it is a process that requires determination well beyond the transition period.

ANNAN SAYS KEY UN BODIES BEAR RE-EXAMINATION

The Secretary-General this morning addressed the annual meeting at the United Nations of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, telling the delegates that the last year has been a difficult one, with many people around the world wondering what the United Nations can do to protect them and ensure their security.

He said that one reason that question is so widely asked is that the inter-governmental structures of the United Nations reflect an earlier age, most clearly in the case of the Security Council. The other UN institutions, including the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council, also bear re-examination, he added.

Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette today addressed the General Assembly on UN reform today, noting the agenda for further change that the Secretary-General introduced last year, and adding that there remains one unfinished piece of business: reform of the planning and budgetary system. The Secretary-General has emphasized that the process needs to be more strategic and results-oriented and less time-consuming.

Reform is not a single, specific destination, she said. Ultimately, she added, it reflects an openness to new ideas and partners and a continuous search for better ways of working.

SECRETARY-GENERAL NOTES RALPH BUNCHES ACHIEVEMENTS

On Friday evening, the Secretary-General opened an exhibit on life and UN career of Ralph Bunche as part of the celebration the centenary of the birth of the long-time UN official.

Bunche, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, played a leading role in the conception and implementation of UN peacekeeping efforts during his quarter-century with the organization.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that the exhibit clearly shows Bunches record of achievement as a leading scholar of race relations; a key player in shaping the process of decolonization, particularly in Africa; a driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and a fighter for civil rights in his own country, the United States.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNAN NOTES COURAGE OF HIV-INFECTED PEOPLE: The Secretary-General on Sunday spoke, in a video message, to the 11th International Conference for People Living with HIV/AIDS, which took place in Kampala, Uganda, and he said he admired the courage of HIV-infected people as they have stood up publicly in the struggle against stigma, silence and discrimination. He added it is necessary for Governments to provide leadership by introducing laws and policies against discrimination and providing access for treatment to all who need it.

DONATION MADE TO HABITAT WATER TRUST FUND: UN Habitat today noted a new donation to the agencys Water and Sanitation Trust Fund. The fund is designed to assist African cities to promote investment in the water and sanitation sector, provide sanitation and hygiene education in schools, and demonstrate innovative approaches to providing affordable services for the urban poor.

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