United Nations Daily Highlights, 98-06-29

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

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Monday, 29 June, 1998

HEADLINES

• Secretary-General's Special Representative for Angola, five other UN staff and two pilots die in plane crash outside of Abidjan.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN Observer Mission in Angola through 15 August and pays tribute to memory of Maitre Beye and other crash victims.
• Gravely concerned at plight of children in armed conflict, Security Council says it will consider specific measures to protect them.
• United Nations Peacekeeping Force will remain in Cyprus through end of 1998.
• Secretary-General travels to Nigeria on urgent mission to promote release of political prisoners.
• Secretary-General recommends that UN Mission of Observers remain in Prevlaka through next January.
• Accused Bosnian Serb found dead in cell at International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia.
• United Nations Children's Fund and World Health Organization join forces to combat spread of HIV/AIDS.
• Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to publish guidelines on vaccine research.
• Secretary-General urges heads of State and Government to heed calls by youth for drug-free world.
• General Assembly committee approves decisions aimed at streamlining United Nations disarmament structures.

"I am extremely saddened at the tragic incident which took place yesterday evening," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement issued on Saturday shortly after he received the news. The Secretary- General noted that Mr. Beye had been travelling from Togo to Cote d'Ivoire in yet another attempt to seek the support of African leaders in overcoming the present crisis in this war-torn country. "In this difficult time, I once again appeal to all Angolans, in particular the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), to continue to cooperate closely with the United Nations and to bring the peace process to the earliest conclusion," he said.

The Secretary-General was in Vienna on an official visit when he heard the news. Addressing a press conference there, he expressed his profound grief "at the irreplaceable loss of this valued colleague, a dedicated and dynamic peacemaker, and a great son of Africa whom the Angolans dubbed the 'Messiah of Peace'."

The Secretary-General also conveyed his deep sorrow to the families of the five colleagues accompanying him -- Koffi Adjoyi, Beadengar Dessande, Moctar Gueye, Ibikunle Williams and Captin Alvaro Costa, and the two pilots, Jason Huntar and Andrew McCurrach who were killed with him. "Their loss adds to the heavy toll of those in the United Nations who have given their lives in the cause of peace," he said, adding, "The United Nations family is in mourning today."

The Secretary-General spoke personally with the family of Maitre Beye and the President of Mali to express his grief. He also telephoned the MONUA Force Commander to wish him and his staff strength as they continue the important work that Maitre Beye had undertaken in the last five years. "I renew my appeal to the parties in Angola to redouble their efforts to complete the work for peace that Maitre Beye has sadly left unfinished," said Mr. Annan. "I am sure that all African leaders, as well as the international community, will join me in this appeal so that MaŚtre Beye will not have perished in vain."

Mr. Beye, who was 59 at the time of his death, had been appointed by then- Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to serve as Special Representative for Angola in 1993. He had a distinguished diplomatic and political career, serving in the Government of Mali at various times as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Legal Counsel to the President, and Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. He worked from 1988 to 1991 at the African Development Bank in Abidjan, serving as head of the Legal Department and as Secretary- General.

In addition, between 1971 and 1990, Mr. Beye was elected to various high offices at international conferences and intergovernmental bodies, including the Arbitral Court of the Economic Community of West Africa, the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples, and the International Association of Democratic Lawyers.

As a scholar, Mr. Beye undertook research in international law, political science and international relations at Dijon University's Faculty of Law and also at the Centre for Studies and Research on International Law and International Relations at The Hague, Netherlands.

Mr. Beye had lectured on international public law at Dijon University and worked as a professor at the National School of Administration in Bamako, Mali. A barrister registered with the Dijon Bar, he had represented Mali before the country's courts. Mr. Beye is survived by his wife and four children.

Acting unanimously, the Council adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to report no later than 7 August on United Nations involvement in Angola, taking into account the safety and freedom of movement of MONUA personnel and the status of the peace process.

The Council also reiterated its demands that the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) cooperate fully with MONUA in providing full access for its activities, including the verification of UNITA's demilitarization.

The Council President, Foreign Minister Jaime Gama of Portugal, expressed Council members' deepest condolences to the families of those who had died in the crash. "Maitre Beye dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the cause of peace and maintained his optimism even under the most adverse circumstances." The Council expressed its hope that the efforts of this eminent son of Africa would not have been in vain, and that his vision of a peaceful and prosperous Angola would soon triumph.

"No one can replace Maitre Beye, but his work can and must be carried on," said United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fr‚chette. "There could be no more fitting conclusion to his life than a timely completion of the Lusaka Protocol; a realization of his dream of a reconciled Angola," she said.

Opening the discussion, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Children in Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu, said that the young people in some 50 countries were affected. Two million had been killed in the past decade, 12 million had been made homeless, and many others were suffering from psychological trauma. An estimated quarter of a million children were serving in armed conflicts. He said international humanitarian instruments and traditional taboos were being cast aside.

Mr. Otunnu called for concerted action to reverse "the trend of that abomination." He called for concrete initiatives to prevent or mitigate the sufferings of children in armed conflict, and appealed to the Council to consider the needs of children in its imposition of sanctions.

By the presidential text, read by Council President Antonio Monteiro of Portugal, the Council strongly condemned the targeting of children in armed conflicts, including their humiliation, brutalization, sexual abuse, abduction and forced displacement, as well as their recruitment and use in hostilities. The Council called upon all parties concerned to strictly comply with their obligations under international law.

Further, the Council expressed its intention to pay serious attention to the situation of children affected by armed conflicts. Ambassador Monteiro said the Council would consider means to assist with the effective provision and protection of humanitarian aid and assistance to populations in distress. It would also consider appropriate responses whenever buildings or sites that usually have a significant presence of children, such as schools and playgrounds, were targeted. The Council also undertook to support efforts aimed at ending the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

Responding to concerns about the impact of sanctions on children, the Council recognized that consideration should be given to their needs whenever measures are adopted under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations. Article 41 permits the Council to apply measures short of the use of force, such as complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations.

Acting unanimously, the Council adopted two resolutions on Cyprus. The first reiterates the Council's grave concern at the continuing "excessive and increasing levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernized, including by the introduction of sophisticated weaponry."

The Council called upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and in the number of foreign troops on the island to help restore confidence between the parties. It called upon the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to resume their discussions on security issues, which had begun last September.

Also by that resolution, the Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the United Nations and others to promote the holding of bi- communal events so as to build trust and mutual respect between the two communities. It regretted the suspension of such activity by the Turkish Cypriot side.

In a related resolution, the Council reaffirmed that "the status quo is unacceptable and that negotiations on a final political solution of the Cyprus problem have been at an impasse for too long." The Council stressed its full support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and for the efforts of his Special Adviser on Cyprus.

The Special Advisor, Diego Cordovez, is expected to arrive on the island in the early hours of 2 July, according to a United Nations spokesman. Separate meetings are scheduled with Glafcos Clerides and Rauf Denktash, the leaders of the two Cypriot communities. The Special Advisor is expected to leave Cyprus on 4 July.

Prior to his departure, the Secretary-General told reporters in Vienna that he had been encouraged by discussions he had had with General Abubakar in recent weeks. "I have throughout made clear that I would like to do everything I can to encourage the acceleration of a credible process that would bring Nigeria to democratic civilian rule, starting with the release of the remaining political prisoners."

For more than a year, the Secretary-General had been in close contact with the military leadership in Nigeria, and in particular with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in an effort to promote the release of political prisoners, the commutation of the death sentences of General Diya and others convicted of charges of plotting to overthrow the Government and a return to democratic rule in Nigeria.

"I look forward to meeting with General Abubakar and his colleagues, as well as with a wide range of Nigerian political opinion and civil society," Mr. Annan said, adding, "I am hopeful that my visit will contribute to progress towards the objectives sought by all the Nigerian people with the full support of the international community."

In a new report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General says that UNMOP, which monitors the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula and of the neighbouring areas in Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, has not faced any serious incidents in recent months. However, there are also no signs that both parties will cease continuing violations of the demilitarization regime.

Both Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have indicated that they are willing to settle the Prevlaka dispute through bilateral negotiations, as called for in an agreement they signed in 1996. On 15 June, Croatia presented the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with a proposal to resolve the dispute, but has received no official reaction yet.

"It is to be hoped that this proposal will provide a much-needed impetus for the start of negotiations, and I urge Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to engage in substantive talks towards the resolution of the dispute," the Secretary-General states. In the meantime, he recommends a six-month extension of UNMOP's mandate, "since the Mission plays an essential role in maintaining conditions conducive to negotiations."

The Mission is comprised of 28 military observers from 25 different countries.

The President of the Tribunal, Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dokmanovic's death. In the meantime, the body was transferred to the morgue and family members were notified.

Mr. Dokmanovic had last been seen on Sunday evening by the Detention Unit's physician. Upon medical advice, the light in Mr. Dokmanovic's cell was left on and he was monitored every 30 minutes. The last check took place at around 11:30 pm. The body was found shortly after midnight.

Mr. Dokmanovic was awaiting the verdict of his trial, which was scheduled to be handed down on 7 July. His trial had begun on 19 January, lasting for 35 days, during which 43 witnesses were called for the prosecution and 42 for the defence. Mr. Dokmanovic had pleaded not guilty to crimes against humanity, among other charges. He was allegedly involved in the forced removal and mass execution of 200 non-Serb persons from the Vukovar Hospital in November 1991.

The two agencies will support projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America aimed at offering voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing to pregnant women. These projects will also help provide infected women with antiretroviral drugs, better birth care and safe infant feeding methods.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), HIV/AIDS projects have so far been planned for Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cote d'Ivoire, Honduras, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the joint initiative will support approximately 30,000 HIV- infected women in some 30 sites in the targeted countries.

The complex challenge of reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission involves expanding confidential HIV counselling and testing as well as improving antenatal and delivery care. Social protection must be provided alongside alternatives to breast feeding so that women who decide not to breast feed will not be stigmatized. "There is no magic bullet for preventing mother-to- child transmission," observed UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot. "You need to strengthen local health and community structures," he added.

The guidelines, although not legally binding, are expected to set a new standard for ethical criteria in HIV vaccine research, according to UNAIDS. Developed over a nine-month consultative process involving some 200 people from 30 countries, the guidelines reinforce the need to obtain individual informed consent. They also call for ensuring an appropriate standard of counselling and other HIV prevention methods, and providing care for people who become infected during the course of the trial.

A key proposal is that once a vaccine is proven safe and effective, all agencies sponsoring the trials will have an obligation to make it widely available. According to UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot, those who take part in the trials should be the first to benefit from the availability of a vaccine. "All populations worldwide who have participated in the vaccine research should have some form of early and preferential access," he said.

During the recently concluded General Assembly special session on drug control, the Secretary-General had received copies of two documents from youth around the world: the Youth Charter for a Twenty-First Century Free of Drugs, and the Vision from Banff, which contains proposals adopted by young people who had met in the Canadian city of Banff.

"I feel we owe it to them to match the seriousness of their commitment and not throw in the towel," the Secretary-General wrote. "I hope, therefore, that I can count on your continued leadership in ensuring that we build on the action plans adopted at the special session," he added.

The Youth Charter for a Twenty-First Century Free of Drugs contains a set of principles for achieving that objective. It states in part that youth have "a right to refuse to take drugs and to be respected by others." The Youth Charter calls on States to cooperate in action against drug trafficking and production.

The Vision from Banff document addresses not only illicit substances, but licit ones as well. "We know all too well that tobacco and alcohol are huge industries that contribute to national economies, but they also cause great harm to our health," it states. "All nations must gradually make it more difficult for young people to obtain these drugs, through taxation, enforcement of age limits and other existing laws, and stricter licensing policies." The text was adopted at a meeting held in Banff, Canada from 14 to 18 April with the participation of 180 youth from 24 countries.

By one of those decisions, the Committee recommended that the Assembly decide that, starting with its substantive session in the year 2000, the Disarmament Commission should deal with two main issues each year, including the issue of nuclear disarmament. A third item could be added if there were consensus on the matter. Also by that draft, the Commission's substantive session would be reduced to three weeks from its current five weeks.

The other decision, if adopted by the Assembly, would require the Committee to conclude its substantive work within five weeks, if possible, holding no less than 30 meetings.



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