United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-12-07

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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

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, December 7, 2006

HUMANITARIAN FUND HAS HELPED THOSE MOST IN NEED

The Secretary-General today addressed the High-Level Conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund, which

took place this morning at UN Headquarters.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General noted that, in just eight short months, the upgraded Fund has delivered on its promise to help those most in need, committing $230 million to over 320 projects in 30 countries. The Fund has also allowed the UN to do more, and to do it sooner, he added.

ANNAN ALARMED AT HUMANITARIAN TOLL OF DARFUR VIOLENCE

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in Darfur and its consequences for the wider region, including Chad and the Central African Republic. He is alarmed by the devastating impact the violence is having on the civilian population in the region, and strongly condemns the recent attacks and destruction of dozens of villages in North Darfur. More than 80,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the last six weeks alone, 50,000 of them in Darfur and 30,000 in Chad. Several hundred civilians, including women, children and elderly, have been killed and there are very disturbing reports of mass rapes and other gross violations of human rights.

The Secretary-General also deplores the fact that the escalating violence is cutting off almost one million people across Darfur from desperately needed humanitarian relief. Recent clashes between armed militia and SLA (Minnawi) elements in El Fasher have forced the relocation of UN and NGO staff and are threatening relief operations for more than 1.3 million people across North Darfur. The fighting has also interrupted UN support to AMIS. Violence in Chad is disrupting relief operations to more than 300,000 people. In both Darfur and Chad, relief workers are being attacked on a daily basis, and dozens of their vehicles have been hijacked in the last few weeks, threatening the humanitarian lifeline for a total of 4.3 million people in the region.

The Secretary-General appeals to all parties in the strongest terms to immediately cease hostilities and stop all attacks against civilians. Those violating international humanitarian law by attacking civilians and relief workers must be held accountable. He further calls upon the Government of Sudan to reestablish law and order in the areas under its control, especially El Fasher and El Geneina, and calls on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need.

Moreover, the Secretary-General calls on the Government to engage all groups and provide opportunities for grievances and aspirations to be addressed through political discussion. The United Nations and the African Union stand ready to provide co-mediation and to extend all necessary support to the urgently needed Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation.

SUDAN: PROTEST AGAINST ARAB MILITIA TURNS VIOLENT

From the field, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) today reports that the situation is tense in Al Fasher where yesterday a demonstration, involving students protesting against the presence of Arab militia in the area, turned violent when they threw stones at the Government police in the main market, and the Government used teargas to disperse the crowd.

Also reported yesterday was a protest by people displaced by the violence at the Zam Zam camp outside Al Fasher, who were also protesting the presence of Arab militia and the lack of protection from them.

Asked about the state of activity on a hybrid force for Darfur, the Spokesman said that intensive diplomatic activity is continuing on a variety of levels, trying to move forward on the discussions last week in Abuja. He said that the situation on the ground makes the need to move forward that much more important.

TERRORISM, CORRUPTION & DRUGS THREATEN NATION-BUILDING IN AFGHANISTAN

The Security Council this morning held an open meeting to discuss the work of the Security Council mission, led by Ambassador Kenzo Oshima of Japan, which traveled to Afghanistan last month. Ambassador Oshima briefed other Council members on that mission and on the recent report about its findings.

Among other things, the Council mission found that the spread of the insurgency, along with terrorist activity, corruption and the drug trade, collectively pose a grave threat to reconstruction and nation-building in Afghanistan. But the Council mission is convinced that the Afghan Government and the international community have established a sound strategy to overcome these challenges.

Immediately following the adjournment of this mornings meeting on Afghanistan, there were consultations on Lebanon.

Council members afterward held their last monthly luncheon with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

This afternoon at 3:45, the Security Council has scheduled consultations on Sierra Leone, to receive a briefing by the head of the UN office in that country, Victor de Angelo.

Under other matters, Council members also expect to hear from Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Angela Kane about the recent coup in Fiji.

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES EAST AFRICAN GROUP TO ESTABLISH MISSION IN SOMALIA

Yesterday afternoon, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that authorized the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and member states of the African Union to establish a protection and training mission in Somalia. It also endorsed the idea that states bordering Somalia would not deploy troops to the country.

The Council also adopted a Presidential Statement, congratulating Joseph Kabila on his election as President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and welcoming the commitment by his challenger, Jean-Pierre Bemba, to continue to participate actively in Congolese politics within the framework of the DRCs institutions.

Asked whether the United Nations would help IGAD to form a force in Somalia, the Spokesman said that the resolution does not give the UN a mandate with regard to the establishment or deployment of the force. It only gives the UN a role in reporting on the implementation of the forces mandate, in consultation with the African Union and IGAD.

He said that the Secretary-General hopes that the resolution will succeed in stabilizing the situation in Somalia and contribute to the restoration of peace in the country.

In this regard, Dujarric added, the Secretary-General urges the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Union of Islamic Courts to resume their dialogue in Khartoum without any preconditions, with a view to reaching a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

Asked about press reports that Somalis who do not pray five times a day were being threatened with beheading, the Spokesman said he had no information about that. The Secretary-General, he said, is greatly concerned by the situation in Somalia and is trying to bring the parties together with the help of his Special Representative, Francois Lonseny Fall.

U.N. LOOKS FORWARD TO DISCUSSIONS WITH ALL PARTIES ON FUTURE U.N. ROLE IN IRAQ

Asked about the Secretary-Generals reaction to the report issued on Wednesday by the Iraq Study Group, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General is pleased that the United Nations was consulted in the drafting of this report. He noted that the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Special Representative Ashraf Qazi were interviewed by the Commission that wrote the report.

While this report is primarily for the consideration of the United States Government and representatives of the American people, the Spokesman said, a number of its recommendations are consistent with the latest report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council -- in particular, the Secretary-Generals call for convergence at the national, regional and international levels to stabilize the situation in Iraq.

Asked whether the United Nations will do more in Iraq in response to the report, the Spokesman said that the United Nations looks forward to discussions with Iraq, the United States, and other key regional and international actors on the future role of the United Nations. He noted that the UN mandate in Iraq is based on Security Council resolutions.

Asked whether the Secretary-General agrees that dialogue with Iran and Syria would help to resolve the situation, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General in general favours dialogue, and has pursued it with Iran and Syria a number of times, including by asking them to help resolve the situation in Lebanon.

Asked whether dialogue with Iran should be pursued even without the end of its nuclear programme, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-Generals position on dialogue with Iran is unchanged.

U.N. MISSION TO HEAD TO NEPAL THIS WEEKEND

In keeping with the Secretary Generals commitment to respond promptly to Nepals request for assistance in the peace process, a UN technical assessment mission will be on the ground in Nepal from 10-16 December; that team will plan for a full-fledged UN mission to support the peace process.

The technical assessment mission will be led by Ian Martin, the Secretary-Generals Personal Representative in Nepal, and will include members of his staff based in Kathmandu as well as officials arriving from New York, with expertise in areas including political and military affairs, logistics and public information.

Meanwhile, recruitment continues for a team of up to 35 advance monitors to be deployed, ahead of a full-fledged mission, to monitor provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We also are proceeding with our efforts to recruit 25 electoral experts to assist in carrying out Constituent Assembly elections.

ANNAN STILL CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL STALEMATE IN LEBANON

Asked about a report that 50 al-Qaeda militants had come to Lebanon from Iraq to kill Lebanese politicians, the Spokesman said he could not confirm information that may or may not have come out of a confidential document. He noted that the United Nations regularly receives reporting from the field, some of which is confidential.

Dujarric said that the Secretary-General has been reporting regularly to the Security Council on the implementation of resolutions 1559 and 1701, both concerning Lebanon. The Secretary-General continues to be concerned about the political stalemate in Lebanon, and renews his call for the government and the opposition to resume their dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully.

Asked whether UNIFILs mandate deals with determining the existence of foreign fighters in Lebanon, the Spokesman recalled that the Forces mandate applies to its area of responsibility south of the Litani River. In addition, he said, UNIFIL has been working with the Government of Lebanon to ensure that it is the only force operating with arms in Lebanon.

Dujarric noted that the Secretary-General, in his recent report, also noted bilateral agreements with the Lebanese Government to strengthen its border security.

Asked about the next report in the Rafik Hariri investigation by Commissioner Serge Brammertz, the Spokesman said it was expected towards the middle of December.

U.N. URGES ALL PARTIES TO IMPLEMENT COTE DIVOIRE RESOLUTION

Asked about people being killed in protests in Cote dIvoire, the Spokesman said that the UN Mission in that country has been talking to all the countrys parties.

The United Nations, he said, is very concerned about the stalemate, and urges all the parties to implement Security Council resolution 1721, passed last month. The United Nations, he added, was working with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to facilitate a resumption of the peace process.

HUMANITARIAN APPEAL LAUNCHED FOR OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Twelve UN agencies, together with 14 non-governmental organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, today

launched an emergency appeal for more then $450 million to help meet increasing Palestinian humanitarian needs in 2007.

It is the largest appeal for emergency humanitarian assistance ever launched in the occupied Palestinian territory and the third biggest in the world.

Karen AbuZayd, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), called the loss of life, livelihood and security in the territory most distressing.

TIMOR-LESTE: U.N. MISSION GETS NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER

The UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste says it has appointed Rodolfo Asel Tor, a senior police advisor from the Philippines, as its new Police Commissioner. Before joining the Mission, Tor was the planning director at the Philippines National Police. He replaces Antero Lopes who will return to his post at UN Headquarters.

The Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General for Timor-Leste, Finn Reske-Nielsen, has welcomed Tors appointment by noting that his vast experience in police matters will be of great help to the Mission at a time when the security situation in Timor-Leste is susceptible to disruptions and outbreaks of violence.

ARAB WOMEN DENIED EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Women in the Arab world are not realizing their full potential and are still denied equal opportunity, according to the UN Development Programmes Arab Human Development Report 2005: Toward the rise of women in the Arab world, which is being launched today in Sanaa, Yemen.

The

report argues that the lack of opportunity for Arab women in their societies represents not just a problem for women, but a barrier to progress and prosperity in the Arab world as a whole.

Full participation and empowerment of women will be a source of strength for Arab Nations and will allow them to reach greater prosperity, said the UN Development Programmes head, Kemal Dervis.

U.N. HELPS RESTORE FABLED IRAQI MARSHLANDS

Through a program managed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), almost half the Iraqi Marshlands, considered by some to be the original Garden of Eden, have recovered to their former 1970s extent.

In addition, up to 22,000 people living in the area are now getting access to safe drinking water and some 300 Iraqis have been trained in marshland management techniques and policies.

ANNAN WELCOMES LAUNCH OF PROCESS FOR ARMS TRADE TREATY

The Secretary-General welcomed yesterday's adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution launching a process that could lead to a treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons. While there are still many steps to be taken to forge a consensus to this end, the resolution represents the first formal step towards developing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons. The Secretary-General notes that unregulated trade in these weapons currently contributes to conflict, crime and terrorism, and undermines international efforts for peace and development.

HOLOCAUST MUST NOT BE DENIED

In answer to a question, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General would deeply deplore any conference whose purpose is to question or deny the reality of the Holocaust. Only a year ago the General Assembly passed a resolution which "rejects any denial of the Holocaust as an historical event, either in full or part". The Secretary-General personally believes that any attempt to cast doubt on the reality of this unique and undeniable horror must be firmly resisted by all people of goodwill and of whatever faith.

He spoke to President Ahmadinejad about this when he met him in Tehran in September.

In the same resolution, the GA designated 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Asked whether the Secretary-Generals views were being expressed solely in relation to the Holocaust Conference in Iran, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-Generals position on the Holocaust was clearly expressed when he spoke as the General Assembly passed its resolution on the Holocaust, when he referred to people who deny the Holocaust as bigots.

REPORTERS POSTINGS HARMING REPUTATION OF DECENT & HONORABLE U.N. EMPLOYEE

In response to a demand from a correspondent for an apology from the Deputy Secretary-General regarding allegedly insulting comments made to the correspondent for Inner City Press, the Spokesman conceded that Mark Malloch Brown used the word jerk in response to a specific question about UNDP staff member Brian Gleeson that was thrown to him as he was going from one meeting to another.

Malloch Brown, the Spokesman said, sincerely believes that Brian Gleeson is a highly qualified professional, and it was clear that the story that Inner City Press posted about Gleeson failed to report the Spokesmans on-the-record denial of the allegation that Malloch Brown had been involved in Gleeson's change of job at UNDP.

The Spokesman added that people change jobs often, and it should not always be seen as a demotion.

The Deputy Secretary-General believes that the Inner City reporter, through his postings, impugned the reputation of a decent and honorable man. These postings did not meet basic journalistic standards, Dujarric added.

If Inner City Press will withdraw the material from its website and acknowledge that it was inappropriate, the Spokesman said, the Deputy Secretary-General will happily withdraw his remarks.

In response to further questions, the Spokesman said that UNDP has been answering the Inner City reporters many questions more than 50 previously, and 16 more made overnight. UNDP has said that it is concerned that some of their answers have been improperly described or distorted.

As for other questions about UNDP, the Spokesman noted that UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis will brief the press on 18 December.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY FOR MAJOR EVENTS CRITICAL: Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security David Veness attended a meeting this morning convened by the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute on enhancing security for major events. He delivered a message from the Secretary-General, who noted that the concept of an Olympic truce to allow those games to take place in peace has been revived in modern times, even if it has not had the desired impact. Still, we must act in that spirit and do our utmost to ensure that major large-scale events can take place in peace.

SIERRA LEONE COURT GETS NEW CHIEF PROSECUTOR: The Special Court for Sierra Leone yesterday confirmed the appointment of Stephen Rapp to be the Courts next Chief Prosecutor. Rapp joins the Special Court from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda where he has held the position of Chief of Prosecution since May 2005. In this position, Rapp has been responsible for supervising the prosecution of the military, government and political leaders most responsible for the Rwandan genocide in trials at the ICTR.

COMMITMENT BY SRI LANKAN FACTION WELCOMED: Regarding Sri Lanka, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, has

welcomed the commitment by the so-called Karuna faction, which broke away from the Tamil Tigers, to work with UNICEF in ensuring that children are protected. She says this is a major step forward that will help to prevent children from being used by armed groups in Sri Lanka, and hopes to receive a similar commitment from the Tamil Tigers.

U.N. ENVOY URGES SERBS IN KOSOVO TO JOIN INSTITUTIONS: The Secretary-Generals Special Representative in Kosovo, Joachim Rücker, today

urged the Serb communities in northern Kosovo to join Kosovos institutions and make their voices heard, noting that many of their problems would be easier to fix through the institutions rather than from outside them. I see the municipalities in the north as being part of a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo, Mr. Rücker said.

CEREAL PRICES REACH RECORD HIGH: Cereal prices, particularly for wheat and maize, have reached levels not seen for a decade, according to the Food and Agriculture Organizationss latest Food Outlook report. Poor harvests in key producing countries and a fast-growing demand for biofuel production have driven up grain prices, while supply constraints have also dominated the rice economy, the report said.

ANNAN REMAINS SECRETARY-GENERAL UNTIL END OF YEAR: Asked about the transition period to a new Secretary-General, the Spokesman said the transition lasts until 31 December. The Secretary-General-designate, Ban Ki-moon, would be sworn in on 14 December, and may provide more information on the transition at that time, but Kofi Annan remains Secretary-General through the end of the year.

ANNAN & BUSH HAVE WARM PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP: Asked about the dinner that took place on Monday between US President George W. Bush and the Secretary-General, the Spokesman said it went well. The President and the Secretary-General have a warm personal relationship, he said, and both understand that they can differ on a number of issues without it affecting their relationship. The Secretary-General, he added, was pleased by the warm reception he received from the President and First Lady Laura Bush.