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United Nations Daily Highlights 96-06-12United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSWednesday, June 12, 1996This document is prepared by the Central News Section of the Department of Public Information and is updated every week-day at approximately 6:00 PM. HEADLINES
The Security Council has noted with concern the reported incidents on 11 and 12 June 1996, when access was not allowed by the Iraqi authorities to a Special Commission inspection team to a site in Iraq designated for inspection by the Commission. Unanimously adopting resolution 1060 (1996), the Council demanded that the Government of Iraq allow the Special Commission inspection team immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to any and all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transportation which they wish to inspect. The Council has also expressed support and appreciation to the Special Commission for its efforts to ensure implementation of the resolution of the Council. These were times of dramatic change, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Ghali has said at the opening of a three-day, High-Level segment of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul, Turkey, today. Nonetheless, there was also a sense of opportunity and hope that a new world could be built, he added. Dr. Boutros-Ghali said that no previously held United Nations Conference had involved the contributions of as many specialized constituencies. He noted that new partnerships had begun taking shape at the Conference, a process strengthened by the parallel events which took place during the Conference itself. The Secretary-General asked Heads of Government to facilitate the process set in motion in Istanbul and promised to "spare no effort to ensure -- a strong spirit of inter-agency teamwork" during the post- conference phase. The decisions reached at Istanbul constituted a solid foundation for future progress, and "must be translated into concrete measures," he urged. Following his statement, the Secretary-General met with several Heads of State and other senior Government officials, according to a UN Spokesman. During his meetings with the Presidents of Poland, Romania and Burundi, he reviewed progress of the Conference. There was unanimous agreement that Habitat II had been a success so far and also that UN conferences were worthwhile endeavours. The Secretary-General emphasized the economic and social aspects of the work of the Organization - rather than its peace- keeping activities, the spokesman said. Secretary-General also reviewed relevant regional issues with the delegations. A three-day High-Level segment has begun at the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), in Istanbul, Turkey, aimed at providing a forum for world leaders to commit themselves to actions that will make their cities, towns and villages healthy, safe, just and sustainable, according to a UN Radio report. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan said that as the new century approached, the world was faced with new threats from over- urbanization, over-population and degradation of the environment. "Let Istanbul be the clarion call for a new beginning", she said and urged Governments to deal with housing for the masses. President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya said that Governments in African countries were straining to manage the human settlements problems in the face of other equally fundamental needs for employment, health, education, food and the environment. "Twenty years after the Vancouver Conference, there is little to show for our efforts towards solving the human settlement dilemma", he added. Meanwhile, Israel's President Ezer Weisman spoke of the tremendous challenge of the absorption of immigrants in the fields of housing and employment. He stressed that as Israel faced the challenge of immigrant absorption it also had to contend with other challenges that beset every developing country. President Suleyman Demirel of Turkey spoke of the need to display resolve and political will to solve the problems of "adequate shelter for all" and "sustainable human settlements", as well as the effective implementation of policies. That was the task at hand, "one that we owe to the succeeding generations", he added. The Secretary-General was very pleased with the completion of the process of the removal of all nuclear weapons from the territory of the Ukraine, which furthers the cause of nuclear non-proliferation, according to a UN Spokesman. The Secretary-General congratulated Ukraine on transforming itself into a country entirely free of nuclear weapons. "He reiterates his call for the successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Ban Treaty by the end of this month," the Spokesman added. A total of 4,400 warheads were removed from the Ukraine, according to the Spokesman. Some 587 Rapid Reaction Police Personnel were quartered yesterday, in Angola, bringing the total to 5,256, according to a UN Spokesman. With that the Angolan Government had completed the quartering of the Rapid Reaction Police, as agreed to by both parties, he added. On the side of the Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA), 45,295 soldiers were registered up to yesterday, the Spokesman said. UNITA therefore had "just under 5,000 to go before reaching the pledged target of 50,000" by 15 June, he added. More than 100 experts are gathered at the Headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for a three-day symposium entitled "From Partial Insecurity to Global Security", according to the Organization. Issues to be examined at the symposium, include conflict resolution, causes of conflict and ways of building peace. A three-day comprehensive seminar on lessons learned from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) began today in Plainsboro, New Jersey in the United States. The seminar is part of an ongoing exercise to draw lessons from the experience of the United Nations in peace-keeping, in order to improve the functioning of current operations and better prepare for future ones. The comprehensive seminar on Rwanda is the second of its kind to be held and brings together troop-contributing countries, external experts and the UN officials involved in the operation. The first seminar, held September last year, dealt with the United Nations Operation in Somalia. Based on the discussions at the seminar, participants will assist in formulating recommendations for implementation in ongoing United Nations peace-keeping operations, as well as for improving international response to other complex crises and situations similar to that in Rwanda. An international conference to examine ways to improve mine clearance technology, primarily for developing countries will be hosted by the Government of Denmark, in cooperation with the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs, early next month. The conference will be held near Copenhagen, Denmark and will also elaborate safety standards for clearance operations. The proliferation of more than 110 million land-mines worldwide, many in countries that are striving for peace after years of war, poses an enormous humanitarian and economic problem. Most land-mine victims are civilians, including children, and the presence of land-mines often prevents refugees from returning home for many years after a conflict has ended. Expressing profound concern about the situation in Burundi, Federico Mayor, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has called for moderation and dialogue at a time when that country is experiencing a new escalation of violence. "I urgently call on all Burundians to put an end to this spiral of violence, whatever its source and justification," Mr Mayor said. The UNESCO Director-General called upon the international community, especially the European countries, to provide generous, rapid and flexible assistance to Burundi. He noted that it was necessary to resume the dialogue initiated at Mwanza, Tanzania, and to undertake courageous, firm and resolute commitments. For information purposes only - - not an official record From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgUnited Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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