United Nations Daily Highlights, 01-05-07

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

FROM THE NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, May 7, 2001

ANNAN TROUBLED BY RENEWED HOSTILITIES IN FYR OF MACEDONIA

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was "very troubled by the renewed armed hostilities" there and expressed concern that the situation, if unchecked, could spiral into a more grievous conflict.

The Secretary-General has remained in touch with European Union High Representative Javier Solana and with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson on the matter, and fully supports their ongoing activities. He reiterated his call for a complete cessation of violence and the importance of continuing the dialogue among the political leaders of the country aimed at strengthening multi-ethnic relations and democratic norms and restoring stability.

UN REFUGEE AGENCY REPORTS NEW EXODUS FROM FYR OF MACEDONIA

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR) reported today that since the fighting in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia started on May 3, more than 3,800 people had entered Kosovo. Over the weekend, more than 1,500 people from the Tetevo region had entered the province after a nine-hour journey by foot over the mountains.

UNHCR Special Envoy Eric Morris says the refugee agency is particularly concerned about the well-being of civilians caught in the conflict areas

UN ENVOY MEETS WITH EU, NATO REPRESENTATIVES IN SKOPJE; HEADS TO NY

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo Hans Haekkerup is on his way to New York where he is scheduled to have consultations with the Secretary-General Tuesday and brief the Security Council on Wednesday. On the agenda will be the status of the legal framework for Kosovo and the regional security situation. He is also expected to meet with President Vojislav Kostunica, who is scheduled to be in New York at the same time.

Earlier today during a stopover at Skopje airport, Haekkerup met with European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and NATO Secretary-General George Robertson to discuss the security situation in the region.

In response to a question, the Spokesman noted that plans are being made for a meeting between the Yugoslav President and the Secretary-General, but there is no time set yet for that meeting. The Spokesman had not heard of any plans for Kostunica to speak to the Security Council.

Asked about the legal framework for Kosovo, Eckhard said that they were intended to provide for elections in Kosovo, and were not the same as a Constitution. Work on the legal framework is not yet complete, he added, noting Haekkerup's efforts to include the views of the Kosovo Serbs, and all Kosovo communities, in his work

UN CONFIRMS END OF VIOLENT STANDOFF BY BOSNIAN SERBS

Thousands of Bosnian Serbs today violently broke up an international ceremony to break ground for the reconstruction of the 16th-century Fehadija Mosque, in the town of Banja Luka, the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina said today.

Shortly after noon EDT, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jacques Klein, confirmed that several hundred people, including international officials and Muslim clergy, who had taken refuge in an Islamic community center had all been moved to safety by Republika Srpska police.

Earlier, the officials had been surrounded in the community center by a Bosnian Serb mob that had broken through police lines. Republika Srpska officials had also been on hand to try to calm the crowd down.

At least three buses that were being used to bring people to the ceremony, as well as a local bakery, were set on fire.

The UN Mission condemned the incident, which directly threatens the reconciliation and return process.

On Saturday, the Mission also condemned mob violence by Bosnian Serbs in the town of Trebinja, which prevented a ceremony from being held at the Osman Pasha Mosque, which is also to be reconstructed.

Asked about the reasons for the recent disturbances, the Spokesman said that they had come a "a bit of a surprise" and would need to be analyzed.

ADDITIONAL LIBERIA SANCTIONS ENTER INTO FORCE

The President of the Security Council informed Member States today that, at one minute after midnight this morning, the Security Council's additional sanctions on Liberia, as detailed in Resolution 1343 -- including a ban on import of rough diamonds and on travel by Liberian officials and their spouses -- went into effect.

Asked whether Liberian Foreign Minister Monie Captan, who is in New York, would meet the Secretary-General, the Spokesman noted that the Foreign Minister had requested a meeting, and there was a possibility that the two might meet Tuesday. Captan held a press conference on Monday after noon at UN headquarters.

ANNAN REPORTS PROGRESS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE IN EAST TIMOR

In his latest report on the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor ( UNTAET), the Secretary-General says that East Timor "has continued to make progress on the path to independence." However, he adds, "a great deal remains to be done until that objective is reached."

The report notes that in the past year East Timors gross domestic product grew by an estimated 15 percent and crop production rose by over 70 percent of the pre-September level. Much of this growth occurred in Dili.

The refugee problem remains unresolved, says the report, with very few refugees coming back to East Timor.

The UN Mission is seeking urgent clarification from the Indonesian Government on the jurisdiction of the ad hoc tribunal established in Indonesia to deal with gross violations of human rights in East Timor. President Abdurrahman Wahid's decree of April 24 limited the temporal jurisdiction of the tribunal, which, as a consequence, would leave out some serious crimes, like the massacres in Liquica and Suai.

Elections for the Constituent Assembly are scheduled for August 30, and a civic education framework has been developed to encourage public participation in the constitutional development process.

In Dili today, the UN Mission reported the start of the registration of political parties this morning.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO MEET DR OF CONGO RIGHTS ENVOY

There are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council scheduled today. However, this afternoon at 4:00 p.m., Council members will attend a private meeting, organized by France, to hear from the UN human rights rapporteur for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Roberto Garretón.

On Tuesday, the Council has scheduled consultations on Ethiopia- Eritrea, at which the Secretary-Generals Special Representative Legwaila Joseph Legwaila is scheduled to brief. The Council is also expected to discuss the upcoming mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ANNAN NOTES PASSING OF FIRST PRESIDENT OF RWANDA TRIBUNAL

Judge Laďty Kama of Senegal, who had served as the first President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda ( ICTR), died Sunday in Nairobi following a short illness.

In a statement, the Secretary-General notes the passing of Judge Kama with sadness, calling his death "a great loss for the United Nations," and underscoring his vision, his commitment to the Tribunal's work and to human rights in general.

The current President of the Tribunal, Judge Navenethem Pillay of South Africa, who took over from Kama in 1999, said he had dedicated his life to justice for his fellow human beings. The Tribunal's registrar, Adama Dieng, said the loss was "a severe blow to the Tribunal."

At the time of his death, Kama, although no longer Tribunal President, was still a sitting judge in the Tribunal, presiding over one of its trial chambers. The Tribunal will send a delegation to Dakar, Senegal, for his burial.

ANNAN PRESENTS BUDGET PROPOSAL TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Secretary-General this morning presented his proposed program budget for the years 2002 and 2003 to the Advisory Committee that deals with administrative and budgetary questions. He presented the advisory group with the first program budget proposal to use results-based budgeting; the proposal also includes steps to streamline procedures and strengthen UN preparedness.

The Spokesman noted that no budgetary numbers will be made public until the budget is officially presented; the Advisory Committee meetings are closed. In response to a question, he noted that the portions of the budget proposal have been coming out as documents, and the full proposal would go to the Committee on Programme and Coordination either this month or next. The proposal would go to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly in the fall.

Asked about the U.S. arrears, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General, to his knowledge, was not in direct contact with U.S. officials on that matter.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

In response to a question, the Spokesman said that there had been no contact between the Secretary-General and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell since last Thursday.

The report of the UN inter-agency mission, which visited 11 West African counties from March 6 27 March, has been submitted by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. The 32-page report highlighted the need for integrated subregional approach by the international community to prevent the further emergence of conflicts, restore peace and stability and promote economic and social development. The report is scheduled to be discussed by the Council next Monday.

In a statement today, the Spokesman noted the meeting held last Wednesday, May 2, under the auspices of the Secretary-General, between representatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Secretary-General was represented by his Special Representative, Matthew Nimetz, and the parties continued to exchange views pursuant to the 1995 Interim Accord signed by them. They decided to meet again on a date to be agreed.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

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