United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-06-09

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON IRAQ TRANSITION

On Tuesday afternoon, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1546 on Iraq, which welcomes a new phase in Iraqs transition to a democratically elected government.

In the text, Council members look forward to the end of the occupation which paves the way for Iraqis to assume full responsibility and authority for their country, including decisions on security matters, at the end of the month.

The resolution also spells out a leading role for the UN to help convene a national conference in July to select a Consultative Council; to advise and support the new authorities on the process for holding elections, scheduled for January 2005; and to promote national dialogue and consensus on the drafting of a new constitution.

ANNAN WELCOMES RESOLUTION, URGES SUPPORT FOR IRAQI GOVERNMENT

In comments made to the press following the Tuesday Security Council vote, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he welcomed the resolution and saw it as a genuine expression of the international communitys willingness to come together to help the Iraqi people take charge of their own political destiny.

He added that the new Interim Iraqi Government has to been given a fair chance and that it will be judged on it performance. He went on to say that a great deal is riding on its success, and we should all give it whatever help we can.

Asked on what basis he would make the decision to send UN international staff back to Iraq, the Secretary-General said that there needs to be an environment that allows for reasonable mobility and flexibility for the UN to do its work. He added that the UN operates in the real world, where there is no such thing as one hundred percent security. Wherever the UN is, there are risks he said, but there are certain limits that we have to impose on ourselves.

Asked about a response to the situation involving Iraqs Kurdish leaders, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General had addressed that question in his Tuesday press comments.

Asked about the future role of Lakhdar Brahimi, the Spokesman said he will continue his work as the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, and will remain available to advise the Secretary-General on a range of issues.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES UNMOVIC REPORT, DR CONGO

This morning, the Security Council met in closed consultations to receive a briefing by Demetrius Pericos, the Acting Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission for Iraq, who submitted his latest quarterly report to the Council earlier this week.

They also received a briefing on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno.

This afternoon, the Council will reconvene in closed consultations on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

UN MISSION REPORTS WITHDRAWAL OF REBEL FORCES FROM BUKAVU

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reports that the rebel troops of Colonel Laurent Nkunda and General Jules Mutebutsi have withdrawn from Bukavu and that government forces, predominantly Mayi Mayi troops, are now in the city. No firing has been heard in the city, but there are reports of looting, allegedly both by the troops who have taken over as well as by Congolese civilians.

General Nkundas troops are reported to be back in Goma while Colonel Mutebutsi and most of his troops (excluding 32 defectors, who are under UN guard) crossed the border into Rwanda early this morning.

While the border with Rwanda remains closed, the UN Mission notes that those civilians who are accompanied to the border are allowed to cross over into Rwanda, where they are met by the UN refugee agency.

In a press release, the UN Mission in the DRC stresses that it will continue to provide assistance to the civilian population in Bukavu, in cooperation with the regional authorities and Transitional Government.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian agencies expect that both government and rebel forces will facilitate access to civilians in the area, so that they can resume their assistance to some 3.3 million people, which has largely been suspended due to the recent violence.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO DELIVER HARVARD COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

The Secretary-General will discuss the importance of multilateralism, and the challenges of collective security, global solidarity and cultural division, on Thursday when he delivers the commencement address at Harvard University.

He will emphasize that American leaders have understood that true leadership is ultimately based on common values and a shared view of the future, which has proved to be a winning formula over the past sixty years.

He will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and return later on Thursday.

GROWING WATER SHORTAGES STRIKING ERITREA, UN AGENCIES SAY

UN agencies in Eritrea are reporting that growing water shortages are compounding the humanitarian situation there.

There has been a lack of rain across Eritrea in recent weeks, and, with water scarce, people have started to migrate in search of alternative water sources and grazing lands for their animals.

DPI, CHINA TO HOLD SEMINAR ON CIVIL SOCIETY AND MIDDLE EAST

The role of civil society in promoting a just and lasting peace in the Middle East will be the subject of an international media seminar organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI), in cooperation with the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China, on June 16 and 17.

The two-day meeting will bring together present and former policy-makers from Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, including Members of the Knesset and a former Palestinian Minister of Information, as well as civil society representatives, senior UN officials, international experts and representatives of the world media.

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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