United Nations Daily Highlights, 99-08-24

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday, 24 August, 1999

HEADLINES

• Security Council urges Angolan Government and rebels to allow aid agencies access to two million displaced persons.
• Recent intimidation and violence against UN staff members in East Timor deplored by Security Council members.
• Security situation in Somalia still raises concerns, says Security Council President.
• General Assembly President greatly saddened by loss and damage caused by earthquake in Turkey.
• Thousands of Congolese refugees in Gabon to receive aid under UN refugee agency plan.
• UN special envoy for human rights to visit Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a formal statement by Council President Ambassador Martin Andjaba of Namibia, the Council expressed concern at the critical condition of internally displaced people suffering from lack of food, medicines, shelter, arable land and other necessities.

According to United Nations estimates, there are more than 2 million displaced people and perhaps 3 million more living in areas inaccessible to humanitarian aid agencies.

The continuing conflict between the Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) jeopardized the ability of aid agencies to continue delivering assistance, the Council said, as it urged both parties, particularly UNITA, to guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of humanitarian workers, including UN personnel. It also strongly urged respect for neutrality and impartiality in aid delivery.

The Council reiterated that the primary cause of the current crisis was the failure of the UNITA leadership to comply with its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol and demanded that UNITA give up its arms and allow Government control over rebel-held areas.

In urging both sides to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, the Council called on UNITA to stop committing atrocities, including killing civilians and attacking humanitarian aid workers, and demanded the rebels release all foreign citizens, including the Russian aircrews, they have been holding.

The Council was also concerned that the fighting had increased the cost of humanitarian assistance and noted the insufficient level of contributions to the 1999 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Angola.

In a press statement, Council President Ambassador Martin Andjaba of Namibia said the members welcomed the steps taken by the Indonesian Government to address the security situation, recalling that it was Indonesia's responsibility to ensure a secure environment throughout the ballot period.

"They also deplored the recent acts of violence and intimidation against United Nations staff members" serving with the UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), Ambassador Andjaba said.

Council members welcomed the successful completion of the registration process for the 30 August vote on an autonomy proposal for East Timor, highlighting the importance of the ballot proceeding as planned, Ambassador Andjaba said.

Meanwhile, yesterday marked the end for challenging registration lists in East Timor, said a UNAMET spokesman in Dili. From 19 to 23 August, the Mission received 27 challenges. The Electoral Commission now has until 28 August to rule on the challenges.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ambassador Martin Andjaba of Namibia said the Council had welcomed Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report on Somalia. The detailed report submitted to the Council last week, had portrayed the very difficult conditions prevailing in that country.

Ambassador Andjaba said one of the issues raised during the consultations was for the international community, in particular the donor countries, to consider increasing their support to the people of Somalia.

Other concerns included violations of the arms embargo on Somalia. "There are countries and individuals supplying weapons and ammunition to various factions in Somalia," Ambassador Andjaba said.

In a statement released at UN Headquarters in New York, General Assembly President Didier Opertti of Uruguay said he has followed with utmost concern the dramatic consequences of the devastating earthquake.

Mr. Opertti expressed his deepest condolences to the Government of Turkey, as well as to the families of the victims, and called on the international community to extend all possible humanitarian assistance to alleviate the disaster's effects.

UNHCR reported tens of thousands of Congolese are waiting out the fighting in their country in the dense forest on both sides of the border. The Congolese towns of Mbinda, Mayoko and Mossendjo are reported to be crowded with displaced people escaping battles around Brazzaville and many families have been split up during their flight.

Refugees who have entered Gabon told UNHCR that they witnessed atrocities perpetrated against civilians by the militias fighting the national army.

UNHCR is planning to send two freight containers of emergency relief supplies to Gabon by the end of the month from its West African stocks.

While in the capital Kinshasa, Special Rapporteur Roberto Garreton of Chile will also meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations and international organizations, the spokesman said. During his 10-day trip, Mr. Garreton is also expected to visit several prisons and detention centres and then travel to the east of the country, including Goma and Bukavu, cities controlled by the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy.

Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kinshasa is organizing, with the support of other UN agencies, a week- long seminar on the administration of justice. The event is organized as part of the country programme currently carried out by the Office of the High Commissioner to strengthen national capacity in the field of human rights, the spokesman said.

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

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article