United Nations Daily Highlights, 01-08-08

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

BY MANOEL DE ALMEIDA E SILVA

DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK Wednesday, August 8, 2001

ISRAELI DELEGATION VIEWS VIDEOTAPE, RELATED ITEMS

An Israeli delegation led by Ambassador Yehuda Lancry, accompanied by Israeli Defence Force (IDF) liaison General Dani Arditi and four other Israeli officials, this morning viewed the videotapes of October 7-8, 2000, which are related to the abduction of three Israeli soldiers by the Hizbollah. The delegation was also shown items found in the vehicles allegedly used in the abduction and which might have a bearing on the condition of the soldiers.

According to the agreement between the United Nations and the Israeli authorities, there will be another viewing at a UN office in Europe, where other Israeli officials and family members of the three detained soldiers could also view the tapes and the items.

Asked to respond to reports that some family members were not satisfied with the arrangement, the Spokesman said that the UN and Israel had reached agreement on a European venue, to make it easier for them to view the tapes and items.

In response to questions, he added that there were no plans for future showings beyond the one to be held in Europe, possibly within the next seven to 10 days.

Asked whether only seven items, bearing traces of blood, would be shown, or whether all 53 items in UN possession could be made available, the Spokesman confirmed that the agreement concerned the seven items that the Israeli delegation viewed today.

COUNCIL INFORMALLY DISCUSSES REGIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

The members of the Security Council are meeting informally today at the Princeton Club for a discussion on "Regional Approaches to Conflict Management in Africa." It is organized by the Mission of Colombia, which holds the Council Presidency for August, and the International Peace Academy.

On Thursday morning, the Council is scheduled to hold closed consultations on Sierra Leone.

UN, UK OFFICIALS MEET WITH REBEL LEADER IN GBADOLITE

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) reports that today Gen. Mountaga Diallo, UN Force Commander and acting head of the Mission, traveled to Gbadolite with the visiting British Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Clare Short.

They were scheduled to meet with the leader of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC), Jean-Pierre Bemba, to review with him the peace process within the framework of the Lusaka Ceasefire agreement and the Kampala and Harare disengagement plans.

The humanitarian boat convoy that is heading to Mogalo in Equateur Province is now scheduled to arrive there on August 12, two days ahead of schedule. A team from the UN Mission left Kinshasa today for Equateur province to meet with MLC officials to prepare for the boats' arrival.

GENOCIDE SUSPECT ENTERS PLEA AT RWANDA TRIBUNAL

Today in Arusha, Tanzania, the former Bourgmestre -- or senior municipal official -- of Rukara commune, Jean Mpambara, pleaded "not guilty" to one count of genocide in his initial appearance before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

He is alleged to have been involved in attacks against Tutsis in his commune, including by promoting anti-Tutsi propaganda, training Interahamwe militias and distributing arms.

Mpambara told the Tribunal today that he was a victim of mistaken identity who had been arrested illegally. He was arrested in a refugee camp in Tanzania in late June and transferred to the Tribunal's Detention Facility in Arusha.

RECONCILIATION MEETING OF EAST TIMORESE HELD AT BORDER

The Chief of Staff of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), Nagalingam Parameswaran, hosted a meeting Tuesday at the border between East and West Timor, bringing together almost 250 community representatives from the district of Cova Lima and pro-autonomy leaders.

The meeting -- which was also attended by Xanana Gusm&atilde;o and other East Timorese national representatives -- was "very successful and very emotional," the Chief of Staff said.

The meeting was part of an effort to bring back refugees to Cova Lima from camps in West Timor. Similar meetings will be held for all districts of East Timor.

Also on Tuesday, the UN Mission's Prosecutor General filed an indictment against four militia members accused of crimes against humanity in Manufahi, as part of the campaign of violence that surrounded the 1999 popular consultation.

RIGHTS COMMISSIONER TO DISCUSS RACISM IN INTERNAT CHAT

On Thursday, Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, will take part in an internet chat hosted by MSNBC.com at 11 a.m. New York time.

"It is very exciting to harness the power of the World Wide Web to bring people together and communicate a message of respect for difference and of cherishing diversity," Robinson said today. "This is especially important as we need to counter the use of the Internet to spread hate."

She will also hold a press conference in Geneva on Friday at 9 a.m., New York time, on the closing of the third meeting of the Conference's preparatory committee.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

The International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People will be observed Thursday, when the traditional Sacred Pipe Ceremony will take place on the Public Plaza at the Visitors Entrance. The Mohawk Singers and Dancers will also perform, in an event that is open to the public. Also, starting Thursday, there will be consultations on the recently established Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will meet for the first time next May.

Today, Mauritania became the 97th country to sign the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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