United Nations Daily Highlights, 01-08-17

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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 Friday, August 17, 2001

ANNAN CONCERNED AT DETENTION OF AID WORKERS IN AFGHANISTAN

Secretary-General Kofi Annan remains concerned at the continued detention of eight international and 16 national staff of Shelter Now International by the Taliban, according to a statement issued today.

He regrets that, contrary to customary international law, consular access and legal representation for the detainees have been denied. This gives a signal that could have severe consequences on critical humanitarian assistance at a time when Afghans are suffering the combined effects of war, extreme poverty, massive displacement and severe drought.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Taliban for a speedy solution in line with international norms and obligations.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals reference to "consequences," the Spokesman said that he was expressing his concern that this situation might affect the working conditions of humanitarian workers and their ability to deliver much-needed aid.

ANNAN SAYS MORE WOMEN NEEDED IN INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, was encouraged by the substantial progress that has been made by the Congolese parties in organizing the preparatory meeting for the Inter-Congolese dialogue, with the facilitation and strong support of former Bostwanan President Ketumile Masire and his team.

He hopes that the preparatory meeting, which is scheduled to begin on August 20 in Gaborone, Botswana, will successfully pave the way for the actual Inter-Congolese dialogue.

He also expressed his full support for the Masire's appeals to the Congolese parties that women should be more fully represented in their delegations to the preparatory meeting as well as the Dialogue, and that gender issues should be included in its agenda.

UN HELICOPTER IN DR CONGO HIT BY GUNFIRE

On Thursday afternoon in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a helicopter from the UN Mission (MONUC), which was flying from Goma to Kalemie in the east, was fired on by unknown personnel, and was hit by 14 rifle rounds.

The helicopter, which was carrying UN military observers, continued flying to Kalemie, where it landed safely, with no injuries to personnel.

The UN Mission condemned the attack and is investigating the incident.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON MIDDLE EAST NEXT MONDAY

There is no Security Council meeting scheduled today.

On Monday, at 10 a.m., the Council will hold an open meeting on the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.

On Thursday afternoon, Council President Alfonso Valdivieso told the press that the Council strongly condemned last week's attack on a train in Angola by UNITA, in which more than 200 people were killed.

He also made a statement to the press on Liberia, expressing the Council's concern at continued fighting there and calling on the Liberian Government to pursue all peaceful avenues to end the fighting.

IRAQ IS NOT COOPERATING ON MISSING PERSONS, SAYS UN REPORT

The Secretary-General's latest report on the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals in Iraq, issued today, regrets that the Iraqi Government is still unwilling to cooperate with the Secretary-General's High-Level Coordinator on the issue, Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov.

The Secretary-General adds that the High-Level Coordinator will not be able to achieve what he is mandated to do until the Government of Iraq substantially changes its attitude.

UN TIMOR ENVOY LAUDS PEACEFUL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, said today that the campaign for the upcoming August 30 Constituent Assembly elections was proceeding peacefully and that the East Timorese people deserve praise for embracing the political process with energy and determination.

At a press conference held in the capital, Dili, he noted that more than 100,000 East Timorese had taken part in civic education events designed to raise awareness of the electoral process.

"The East Timorese have developed an allergy, a zero tolerance, to violence and coercion, and those guilty of attempting this will be judged on election day," Vieira de Mello said. He added that his recent visits to many East Timorese districts with political party leaders had revealed how the population is holding them accountable to the pledges they made in the Pact of National Unity.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has begun to provide shelter materials to the residents of Iran's Golestan province, where some 1.2 million people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding, reportedly the worst that the region has seen in 200 years.

UNHCR staff in Mashad, in eastern Iran, today loaded five trucks with 200 tents and 2,000 plastic tarpaulins, to be delivered to the provincial capital, Gorgan.

A Bosnian Serb who surrendered voluntarily on Wednesday to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia will make his initial appearance before the Tribunal next Tuesday, August 21. The suspect, Dragan Jokic, has been indicted for crimes against humanity and war crimes for his alleged role in massacres conducted against Bosnian Muslims in the Srebrenica enclave in 1995.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed its alarm that some 60,000 people remain displaced within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and its readiness to help those who wish to return to their homes to do so once conditions permit.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this morning in Geneva concluded its 59th session after examining reports on efforts by the Governments of Italy, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Cyprus, the United States, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Ukraine and Egypt to implement the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Committees next session is scheduled for March 2002.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a research proposal to study the link between air travel and venous thrombosis. The project would take approximately 2 and half years to conduct and cost approximately $10 million, and the proposal is currently being submitted to various potential funding sources. Pending the results of the study, the WHO recommends that common sense measures, such as reducing alcohol intake, drinking adequate fluids, wearing loose clothing and performing leg exercises while seated, should be followed.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) warned today that its recommendations, made some 12 years ago, for flood control in Thailand have largely gone unheeded, and the Government needs to revisit those recommendations given the recent heavy rain and associated landslides in the north. The Commission had recommended efforts to halt the deterioration of forest cover, the deployment of flood warning systems and the creation of central flood authorities.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS Sunday, August 19 The Secretary-General will arrive in Oslo to begin an official visit to Norway. Monday, August 20 In Oslo, the Secretary-General will meet with the King and Prime Minister of Norway. He is also to deliver a speech on global governance at the University of Oslo. The Security Council will hold a public meeting on the Middle East, including the question of Palestine. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda will recommence its public settings following a judicial recess. Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, will be in London to launch "An Assessment of the Status of the Worlds Remaining Closed Forests." Tuesday, August 21 The Secretary-General will meet with the Norwegian President and with members of Parliament in Oslo before leaving for Stockholm, Sweden. The Security Council expects to hold consultations on Iraq and Somalia. Wednesday, August 22 Thursday, August 23 The Security Council will hold a private meeting on East Timor. Today is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. Friday, August 24 The Security Council intends to hold consultations on Burundi.

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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