United Nations Daily Highlights, 97-01-30

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

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, 30 January 1997

HEADLINES

• Security Council says ultimate responsibility for restoring peace in Angola rests with Angolans themselves.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN Observer Mission in Georgia, subject to review of Mission's mandate.
• New international security agenda must be agreed upon taking into account rapidly changing world, UN Secretary-General says.
• UN Secretary-General says justice and peace are indivisible in Bosnia; stresses need to rebuild Bosnia into unified State.
• Women's Anti-Discrimination Committee briefed on activities of UNDP and UNIFEM.
• First UN Conference on Integration of Public Administration and Science of Disasters concludes in Beijing, China.
• Belgium ratifies Chemical Weapons Convention.

"The Council also notes with concern the slow pace of implementation of the remaining military aspects of the peace process, in particular, the demobilisation and integration of UNITA soldiers into the Angolan Armed Forces," the Council President said.

He said the Council emphasised that the ultimate responsibility for restoring peace rested with the Angolans themselves. "The Council reminds UNITA and the Government of Angola that the international community can only provide assistance if progress is achieved in the peace process and that it will consider a United Nations presence in Angola after the expiration of the UNAVEM III mandate in this context," Ambassador Owada said.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1096 (1997) Thursday, the Council noted with deep concern the continued failure by the parties to resolve their differences due to the uncompromising position taken by the Abkhaz side.

It underlined the necessity for the parties to intensify without delay their efforts to achieve an early and comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, including on the political status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia, which fully respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

Reaffirming the right of all refugees and displaced persons affected by the conflict to return to their homes in secure conditions in accordance with international law, the Council said it was unacceptable to link the return of refugees and displaced persons with the question of the political status of Abkhazia, Georgia.

The Council urged the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps in response to the threat posed by the laying of mines in order to improve security conditions so as to minimise the danger to UNOMIG personnel and to create conditions for the effective performance of its mandate.

Adding his voice to those who had expressed strong support for the urgent need to continue with the process of nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation, Mr. Annan said the possibility of nuclear accidents, illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and the threat of nuclear terrorism all underlined the need to maintain progress in that area.

"Of course, weapons in themselves, do not cause war. But an excess of arms breeds the suspicion and mistrust that can heighten tension and lead to violent conflict," Mr. Annan said.

Noting that nuclear disarmament must remain a priority for the international community, Mr. Annan called for a convention banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

"I am aware that this issue poses enormous technical and political difficulties. But I would also remind the Conference that we can never move forward, unless we are prepared to start talking," he said.

Addressing UN correspondents at United Nations Office in Geneva, Thursday, Mr. Annan outlined various issues ranging from UN reform efforts, peace in Bosnia, and the crisis in the Middle East. On the question of Bosnia, Mr. Annan expressed the hope that the international community would have the patience and determination to sustain the effort. "What we are there to do in Bosnia needs time and will take time. Those on the ground who are doing it now, I think should stay and do it and get it to a logical point," Mr. Annan said.

Asked about the possible extension of Security Council resolution 986 (1995) on the oil-for-food formula on Iraq, Mr. Annan said the need that necessitated the passage of the resolution would still be there, and the assistance that was being given to the people of Iraq would still be necessary. "...My sense is that it will be extended for another six months, barring unforeseen developments," he said.

On the crisis in the Middle East, Mr. Annan told correspondents that if the will to settle was not there, and if the parties used negotiations as a tactical move to further their selfish objectives, there was very little the international community could do.

Regarding UN reform, Mr. Annan said the reform process would not be restricted to New York and would affect all UN duty stations. He said the emphasis was not just to cut but also to settle the issue of the role of the Organisation.

The Director of UNIFEM, Noeleen Heyser told the Women's Anti- Discrimination Committee that UNIFEM would seek to provide technical assistance to, and build the capacity of groups working on women's human rights.

Also addressing the Committee, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Thelma Awori said UNDP was committed to building country capacity to strengthen the enabling policy and legal framework for gender equality and improving women's access to assets and resources, including decision-making.

She told the Committee that overcoming poverty was the most serious challenge confronting the majority of women around the world today.

The Conference, held in Beijing, China from 20 - 28 January noted the value of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural dialogue. It suggested a framework and actions designed to achieve better integration of public administration and the science of natural disasters.

Participants encouraged the United Nations Global Programme for the Integration of Public Administration and the Science of Disasters to facilitate assistance to developing countries in building their capacity for natural disaster reduction.

According to the Preparatory Commission for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Belgium possesses a significant chemical industry, and its ratification is of special importance in the light of the approaching entry into force of the Convention.

The Convention prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, retention, transfer and use of chemical weapons. It also provides for the total destruction of chemical weapons and related production facilities in all States parties under international supervision within a specific time-frame.

From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

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