United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-04-16

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

BY MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, April 16, 2004

ANNAN WELCOMES UGANDA'S READINESS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the announcement made on Thursday by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, in which he reiterated his readiness to talk with the leaders of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), either directly or through intermediaries, in order to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda.

The 18-year conflict has had devastating consequences for innocent civilians, particularly children, and all efforts must now be made to ensure a rapid and definitive end to the violence in the area. The Secretary-General calls on the LRA to refrain from any further acts of violence against civilians and to respond positively to President Musevenis call for dialogue. He urges all those with influence over the LRA to encourage it to enter into a dialogue with the Government, for the sake of peace.

The Secretary-General also calls upon the international community to continue to support efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to affected civilians.

ANNAN AGREES ON NEED FOR NEW U.N. RESOLUTION ON IRAQ

The Secretary-General met Thursday evening with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at the residence of Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, and they discussed, among other topics, Iraq, the Middle East and Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters afterward, the Secretary-General agreed with the Prime Minister that a new Security Council resolution on Iraq may be necessary as we move forward, and added that he hoped that all Member States would cooperate. He said that he believes all sides have a common objective of doing whatever can be done to ensure that there is peace and stability in Iraq.

Asked about the Israeli plan to withdraw from Gaza, he said that withdrawal should be seen as a first step, because we also have to deal with the issue of the West Bank, and he hoped that further action would be done in the context of the diplomatic Quartets Road Map.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON COALITION WORK IN IRAQ

The Security Council this morning heard a briefing from U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, who updated Council members on the work being done by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.

Council members then went into closed consultations, to continue discussions on Iraq.

U.N. ELECTORAL TEAM LEAVES IRAQ

The electoral team headed by Carina Perelli, Director of the Electoral Assistance Division, left Iraq today, and it is expected to return back to New York in the coming days to brief the Secretary-General on its work.

In comments she made to the press in Baghdad Thursday, Perelli said that the United Nations is concerned that the security situation in the country should stabilize for elections to be held. She also mentioned plans for an independent electoral commission, comprised of Iraqis.

Asked when Special Adviser Lakhdar Brahimi would return to New York, the Spokeswoman said that he left Iraq on Thursday and was expected in New York during the last week of April.

Asked about the minimal security conditions necessary for a full-fledged UN return to Iraq, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General had repeatedly stressed the importance of security and noted that the United Nations has a security liaison assessment team on the ground in Iraq.

THREE PEOPLE IDENTIFIED FOR OIL FOR FOOD INQUIRY PANEL

The Spokeswoman, in response to questions, confirmed that three persons have been identified to serve on the independent panel that will conduct an inquiry into the Oil for Food programme.

Those three, she said, are: Paul Volcker, the former head of U.S. Federal Reserve Bank; Mark Pieth, an expert in money-laundering in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and Richard Goldstone, former Prosecutor for the International Tribunals.

They have said they were prepared to serve on the panel, the Spokeswoman said.

They have indicated that a Security Council resolution would be extremely helpful for the work of the inquiry.

Security Council members are discussing the possibility of such a resolution. The panel would not be formally announced before the Security Council members reach a decision on this point.

CYPRUS: SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES RESULTS OF DONOR CONFERENCE

[In a press statement on Cyprus read by Security Council President, Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany, Council members welcomed the results of the preparatory International Donors Conference for Cyprus held in Brussels to organize financial support to cover costs linked to a possible political settlement to the Cyprus question. The commitments of the donors demonstrate their willingness to provide the necessary financial resources to implement the Secretary-Generals Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem should the Cypriot votes approve the plan, according to the statement.

The members of the Council also recalled that it is now for the Cypriots to take a historic decision concerning their future in the April 24 referenda. Should the plan be approved, the members of the Council stand ready to take further actions as provided for in the plan, including by establishing a new UN operation in support of its swift and full implementation by all parties. The members of the Council would also be committed to helping ensure that the parties fully meet their commitments under the settlement.]

UN HUMAN RIGHTS TEAM BEGINS WORK IN COTE DIVOIRE

A UN human rights team arrived in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, on Thursday and has begun its work. It will submit a report to the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights by the end of this month.

The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the request of the Secretary-General, had established an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations allegedly committed during demonstrations in Côte dIvoire on March 25 and 26.

Also, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno arrived in Cote dIvoire on Thursday as part of an initiative by the international community to support the peace and reconciliation process.

FUNDS NEEDED TO ASSIST LIBERIANS, SUDANESE REFUGEES

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is appealing for funds for its cash-strapped programs for Liberian and Sudanese refugees.

The agency says the situation is particularly dramatic in Liberia, where returnees find themselves marooned in camps for internally displaced people, because their resettlement areas remained unsafe.

UNHCR has appealed for $8.8 million for activities involving the repatriation and reintegration of Sudanese refugees. So far, it has received about $3 million. It has also appealed for some $39.2 million for its program in Liberia this year, and until now, only $3 million has been received.

DONORS REMINDED OF AID NEEDS OF HAITIAN PEOPLE

The head of the World Food Programme, James T. Morris, who is in Port au Prince, has urged donors not to forget about the dire needs of the Haitian people and to increase their support for a country he described as "in danger of slipping into oblivion."

"Just as quickly as it rose, Haiti has fallen from the radar of the world media. But the troubles continue, once more in silence", said Morris. He asked donors to urgently come forward with $8 million to support the provision of emergency food rations for the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

LORD BONOMY APPOINTED AS JUDGE IN THE HAGUE: In an exchange of letters, the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council noted the appointment of Lord Iain Bonomy of the United Kingdom, to replace Judge Richard May on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. May, who is also British, resigned for health reasons, effective on May 31.

UN REPORT SAYS ASIAN ECONOMIES GREW BY 6 PERCENT: The economies of the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region grew 6 percent last year, up from the previous year, while inflation was kept in check at low levels throughout most of the region. This economic growth was faster than that of developing countries in other regions, and even faster than that of the global economy itself. This information appears in the latest annual survey from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

UNEP OPENS OFFICE IN BRAZIL: The UN Environment Programme has opened a new office in Brasilia today, which will promote cleaner and greener energy, early warning and emergency response to natural disasters. According to the head of UNEP, Klaus Toepfer, the new office will boost the Programmes ability to promote sustainable development throughout Latin America. He noted that Brazil is a world leader in renewable energy and also a rich source of genetic diversity.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS Monday, April 19

At 11:15 a.m., Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs José Antonio Ocampo and Minister Børge Brende, current Chair of the Commission on Sustainable Development, will brief the press on the Secretary-General's reports to the Commission and on the Commission's current review session.

Tuesday, April 20

At 11:15 a.m., Sulafa Al-Bassam, Chief of the UN Regional Commissions Liaison Unit, and others will brief the press on the agreement to complete a 140,000-kilometer highway network linking 32 Asian nations, which will open for signature on April 26 in Shanghai, China.

Guest at noon will be Martin Barber, Director of the UN Mine Action Service and UN focal point for the Nairobi Summit for a Mine Free World.

Wednesday, April 21

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on missing persons and property in Iraq.

At 11:15 a.m., South African Ambassador Dumisani Khumalo will brief the press on the forthcoming meeting commemorating the UNs role in bringing about freedom in South Africa.

Thursday, April 22 Friday, April 23

The Security Council has scheduled an open briefing, followed by consultations, on the Middle East.