United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-09-02

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON

BRIEFING

BY MARIE OKABE

DEPUTY

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, September 2, 2005

[There will be no noon briefing on Monday, as UN headquarters will be closed to mark Labor Day.]

ANNAN OFFERS U.N. HELP FOR U.S.A. HURRICANE EFFORTS

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement, said: "It's now clear that Hurricane Katrina has caused a huge disaster. The damage is far worse than any of us imagined at first.

The American people who have always been the most generous in responding to disasters in other parts of the world have now themselves suffered a grievous blow.

I know that I speak for the whole world in offering them my heartfelt sympathy, and any assistance that the United Nations can give.

Of course the United States is also the country in the world best prepared to cope with such a disaster.

But the sheer size of this emergency makes it possible that we can supplement the American response with supplies from other countries, or with experience we have gained in other relief operations. I know we will not be alone.

We will be happy to work with other parts of the international community to support the efforts of President Bush and his administration, the American Red Cross, and other U.S. relief organizations who have been our partners in the past."

UNITED NATIONS READIES TO AID IN KATRINA; ANNAN AND BUSH CONFER

This morning, the Secretary-General spoke with President Bush and expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and reiterated his offer of UN assistance.

In terms of what the United Nations is currently doing in response to Hurricane Katrina, an inter-agency task force, chaired by the

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is meeting this morning to determine what UN resources are available at the moment to aid the relief effort, in anticipation of a possible request for assistance from the U.S. Government.

The task force is composed of representatives from OCHA and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, as well as the

UN Childrens Fund, the

World Health Organization, the

World Food Programme, the

Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the

UN Human Settlements Programme, and the

Food and Agriculture Organization.

Thus far, it has been determined that the agencies are ready to provide water storage tanks, water purification tablets, high-energy biscuits, generators, planes, tents, and other emergency supplies, as well as experienced staff members.

OCHA has also sent out a general alert to the UN Disaster, Assessment and Coordination teams, which are trained to evaluate needs and coordinate aid during natural disasters.

Asked whether the United States has asked for help, the Spokeswoman said that the task force had been set up in anticipation of a request coming. She said that Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland

made an offer initially to U.S. Ambassador John Bolton. The Secretary-General reiterated that offer of assistance to President George W. Bush.

In response to further questions, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations would try to make precise offers about what it could provide, such as its expertise in mobilizing aid and in prioritizing needs. The United Nations, she said, has a wealth of expertise and technicians that can help.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals reference to U.S. disaster relief, Okabe said that the United States has been instrumental in assisting in disaster relief in the past.

ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS TEAM FORMED

The Secretary-General is pleased to announce the composition of the High-level Group for the

Alliance of Civilizations. The members have been identified through extensive consultations with specialists in the field of inter-civilizational and inter-cultural relations. A few more members may be included later.

The Group is expected to hold its first meeting in late November 2005. It will be serviced by the Alliance secretariat, which is currently in the process of being established.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INDONESIAN-ACEH MOVES

The Secretary-General welcomes the positive initial steps taken by both the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in implementing the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding which they signed on 15 August 2005.

He also welcomes the arrival in the province of some of the members of the Aceh Monitoring Mission appointed by the EU and ASEAN.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the Government of Indonesias withdrawal of approximately 1,300 soldiers from the province, and its release of several hundred GAM members and sympathizers from jail. He also commends the GAM for encouraging at least 60 of its members to emerge from their jungle hideouts in Southern Aceh.

The Secretary-General urges both parties to remain resolute in implementing the MOU, to ensure the new and bright future which it promises for the people of Aceh.

ANNAN TO CHAIR LONDON CONFERENCE ON AIDS, TB, MALARIA

The Secretary-General will be in London next Monday and Tuesday to chair the First Replenishment Conference of the

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2006-2007.

On Monday, he will meet with the Funds Executive Director, Richard Feachem, as well as with UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot and other officials attending the conference.

Then, on Tuesday, the Secretary-General will speak at the opening session of the Conference and will attend the pledging session that follows. He will hold bilateral meetings on the margins of those sessions.

He is expected to return to New York later that day. He is currently in Europe.

UNITED NATIONS UNCOVERS FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT IN ITS LEBANON UNIT

A report of a UN Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation, requested by the

UN Interim Force in Lebanon, has shown significant financial misconduct by Ukrainian military personnel, including the commanding officer, who served with the mission.

The findings have been shared with the Ukrainian Government, which has confirmed its readiness to take prompt action to investigate these allegations.

Both the United Nations and the Government of Ukraine are taking this matter very seriously.

The United Nations has initiated action to replace the Ukrainian unit in UNIFIL and is taking necessary measures to prevent recurrence.

Asked about the investigation, the Spokeswoman said that Ukraine was currently carrying out a national investigation into the matter.

UNITED NATIONS WAIVES IMMUNITY FOR ARRESTED OFFICIAL

Asked about the arrest on Thursday evening of Vladimir Kuznetsov, the Chairman of the

Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations waived Kuznetsovs immunity as a UN official on Thursday night, in response to a U.S. request.

She said that there has been continued cooperation between the UN and the US Attorney's Office on this matter, adding that the Attorneys Office is in the lead. His indictment is expected to be unsealed today.

Asked about his status in the United Nations, Okabe said that, as chair of the ACABQ, Kuznetsov was proposed by his Government and elected by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Kuznetsov is not a UN staff member appointed by the Secretary-General, and Okabe said he should not be confused with a Secretariat official who shared a similar surname.

Asked about Kuznetsovs immunities, she said that, under a General Assembly resolution, the General Assembly had approved the granting of privileges and immunities under Articles 5 and 7 of the Convention on Privileges and Immunities to the Chair of the ACABQ. The Secretary-General on Thursday waived Kuznetsov's immunity under Article 5.

Asked about the dealings of former procurement officer Alexander Yakovlev, the Spokeswoman said that the Office of Internal Oversight Services was still looking into Yakovlevs case. That Office, she said, was cooperating closely with the U.S. authorities when his case went to the U.S. Attorneys office. The U.S. Attorneys office was now in the lead, while the OIOS investigation into Yakovlev is ongoing.

SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS PLANNING MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER

The

Security Council held consultations this morning on its program of work for September, in its first session for this month.

[After the noon briefing, Council President, Ambassador Lauro Baja of the Philippines, at a press briefing on the Councils work during September read announced that members of the Security Council have agreed that they should take advantage of the presence of heads of State and government in New York to hold a meeting of the Security Council at that level on 14 September 2005. The subject of this meeting will be Threats to International Peace and Security. In this regard, the Security Council is now considering a draft resolution on prevention of incitement to terrorism and a draft resolution on prevention of conflict, particularly in Africa, he said.}

U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER OPTIMISTIC ON CHINA

At the end of her visit to China today, the

High Commissioner for Human Rights

Louise Arbour saluted progress in the realization of economic and social rights in China, her spokesman said.

Arbour was guardedly optimistic about prospects for progress in human rights in China in view of the government's declarations of its commitment and the rapid changes place.

She said she had also raised a number of concerns with Chinese officials, citing the need for judicial review of all decisions regarding deprivation of liberty. She also called for an immediate overhaul of the system of administrative detention known as re-education through labour.

ANNAN AND MUGABE TO MEET DURING U.N. SUMMIT

A visit by Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari was proposed for the week of August 29, largely to further discussions about a visit of the Secretary-General.

There has been no formal response. However the Foreign Minister did convey that, given President Mugabes plans to attend the Summit in just two weeks time in New York, it would make more sense for him and the Secretary-General to meet directly on the margins of the Summit.

We see this as basically an issue of timing and practicality. Given the circumstances, the government felt the visit was not timely. Consultations continue about a possible visit at a later date, with the same objectives of discussing the situation in Zimbabwe as well as the timing and agenda of a visit by the Secretary-General.

ANNAN MOURNS LOSS OF NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Rotblat, the scientist, veteran disarmament campaigner and Nobel Peace Laureate.

In a long life, Mr. Rotblat went from working on the nuclear bomb to founding the Pugwash conference, and continued for the rest of his days to champion the principle of scientists taking responsibility for their inventions. He leaves a legacy of inspiration and courage to his many friends and colleagues around the world.

POACHERS, MINERS MOVED FROM LIBERIAN PARK

The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

reports that it helped in the peaceful removal of poachers and gold miners from Sapo National Park in southeastern Liberia.

The mission said the Ethiopian Blue Helmets assisted the Liberian National Forestry Development Authority and several environmental groups in escorting out of the park some 500 illegal settlers. The operation took seven days.

UNMIL said the settlers had been illegally hunting wild animals and using environmentally unsound methods to mine for gold.

The 250,000 acre animal reserve is Liberias only national park.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT WEEK: The

UN Development Programme today said that it will launch its 2005 Human Development Report on Wednesday, September 7th, at 10 a.m. in this room. UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis, Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the books lead author, Kevin Watkins, will present the report and answer questions.

ANTI-CORRUPTION OFFICIALS TO MEET IN NIGERIA: The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

reports that justice officials from 40 African countries will meet in Abuja, Nigeria, next week to discuss corruption problems in Africa. The symposium, entitled Are Anti-Corruption Campaigns in Africa Working? is designed to come up with a plan to confront crime and corruption across the continent.

U.N. LABOR OFFICE PUBLISHES DEVELOPMENT GOAL GUIDELINES: The

International Labour Organization has

published an information folder on the Millennium Development Goals from a labor perspective. The agency says the its longtime goal of Decent Work for All goes hand in hand with the MDGs.

UNITED NATIONS IS CONCERNED WITH SITUATION IN COTE DIVOIRE: Asked about the UN response to the situation in Cote dIvoire, the Spokeswoman noted the sharp

comments the Secretary-General had recently made on the peace process, and the concerns

expressed this week by his Special Representative, Pierre Schori.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, September 5

Today is a holiday for UN staff in New York.

The two-day symposium organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime entitled Are Anti-Corruption Campaigns in Africa Working? begins in Abuja, Nigeria, today.

Nuclear, health and development experts from several global organizations will

brief journalists in Vienna on their latest findings of the consequences of the 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine.

Tuesday, September 6

The Security Council holds a formal meeting on the Democratic Republic of Congo, and consultations on

UNMOVIC,

UNMEE and

UNMIL

The Secretary-General is to address the First Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which takes place in London.

Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, will be the guest at the noon briefing to unveil the New York City advertising campaign on the 2005 World Summit.

A two-day

meeting of The Chernobyl Forum starts today in Vienna, entitled Chernobyl: Looking to Go Forwards. It will gather hundreds of experts and government representatives from Ukraine, Russian Federation and Belarus.

Wednesday, September 7

At 11:00 a.m., the UK Mission will sponsor a press conference by Plan International to launch a publication written by children on the Millennium Development Goals.

The 58th annual three-day DPI-NGO conference, entitled, Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnerships and Renewal, begins today. The panel discussion on the first day looks into the challenges of effective partnerships for development. Panelists will hold a press conference at 12:45 on the exchange of views and resulting recommendations.

Thursday, September 8

At 10:00 a.m., the Bangladesh Mission is sponsoring a press conference by ActionAid International to launch the Peoples Report on MDGs.

At 10:45 a.m., the Mayors of Paris and Quito will hold a press conference on the United Cities and Local Governments Summit.

The guest at the noon briefing will be Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

At 12:45 p.m., panelists participating in the second day of the DPI-NGO conference will hold a press conference on development, peace and security.

The Global Compact will launch its report, Responsible Lobbying.

At 2:30 p.m., a background press briefing will be held on terrorism conventions and current negotiations, to highlight the occasion of the opening for signature of the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism during the Treaty Event coinciding with the 2005 World Summit.

Friday, September 9

The Security Council has a private meeting on UNMEE troop contributing countries, and consultations on Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Jean Ping, President of the 59th session of the General Assembly, will hold a press conference at 10:00 a.m.

At 11:00 a.m., Hania Zlotnik, Director of the Population Division, will brief on the report, Population Challenges and Development Goals.

The guest at the noon briefing will be Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

At 12:45 p.m., the Inter-Parliamentary Union will hold a press conference to present the conclusions of the 2nd World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments and its panel discussions.

At 1:30 p.m., speakers at the four roundtables of the annual DPI-NGO conference will hold a press conference on the security, poverty eradication and strengthening of the Organization.

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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