United Nations Daily Highlights, 02-09-20

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

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY

FRED ECKHARD

SPOKESMAN

FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, September 20, 2002

ANNAN TO PRESENT UN REFORM REPORT MONDAY

It is now five years and nine months that Secretary-General Kofi Annan has been quietly working to transform the United Nations into a more efficient and a more effective organization.

On Monday morning, at 10:30, he will present his report on UN reform, containing his vision of what can be improved in his second term, at a press briefing. He will also take stock of what was accomplished in his first term.

Because of the Secretary-Generals press conference, there will be no noon briefing, although the highlights of the days events will be published on the Spokesmans website.

UN ENVOY DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL

The Security Council this morning held an open meeting to receive a briefing by the UN Special Coordinator on the Middle East, Terje Roed Larsen, on recent developments in the region.

Larsen noted the deeply unfortunate upsurge of violence in recent days, including two suicide bombings in Israel and a bomb blast at a Palestinian school near Hebron, which he called repugnant and tragic events.

Most recently, he said, the Israeli Defence Force yesterday once against encircled Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafats offices in Ramallah and carried out major demolitions, in a siege that continues today. Noting recent Palestinian reform efforts, he said, Yesterdays incursion and the renewed isolation of President Arafats compound undoubtedly weaken the position of those working for major reform.

Larsen described the recent work done by the Quartet which comprises the United Nations, European Union, Russia and the United States including its meetings held this past Tuesday. There was a common understanding at the Quartet meeting, he said, that neither the security problem nor the humanitarian crisis can be fully solved without a political solution.

He asserted, Security first, as the Secretary-General has said so often, is never going to work in the Middle East. Steps need to be taken not on a sequential basis, but in parallel and with reciprocity.

Larsen also informed the Council about the continued deterioration of the Palestinians humanitarian situation. The latest report by the Special Coordinator on social and economic conditions, which is to be issued later today, shows that Palestinian unemployment is now around 50 percent, and that poverty levels have reached 70 percent in Gaza and 55 percent in the West Bank.

The reports major preliminary findings on unemployment, poverty levels and income losses were released late last month in Jerusalem, as part of a statement on the rapidly expanding humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Larsen.

The 35-page report covers the first six months of the year, one of the most violent and unstable periods since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967. Its findings are a core part of the ongoing diplomatic discussions, including this weeks Quartet meeting.

After the Security Council open meeting, Larsen and the Security Council members discussed the Middle East further in closed consultations.

ANNAN CONDEMNS ARMED ATTACKS IN CÔTE DIVOIRE

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued Thursday evening, voiced his deep concern at reports of armed attacks by elements of the armed forces of Côte dIvoire in various parts of the country. The Secretary-General was particularly saddened by the loss of life that has ensued.

The Secretary-General unequivocally condemned any attempt to settle disputes through violence. He called on all those involved in these attacks to immediately and unconditionally cease their activities and submit to the constitutional order. He also called on all concerned parties to refrain from any action that could worsen the situation.

He deeply regretted that these events happened at a time when Côte dIvoire was moving towards enhancing national reconciliation and broad-based political dialogue in an evolving democratic framework.

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to continue to work closely with the Government and people of Côte dIvoire in their efforts to restore peace, stability and progress.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTIONS

Thursday afternoon, Hans Blix, Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), briefed the Security Council in closed consultations about the timetable for work by UN weapons inspectors, following Iraqs acceptance earlier this week of the inspectors return.

He told reporters after the consultations that a first advance party of inspectors could be on the ground by October 15. The Commission will hold talks with Iraqi experts in Vienna, starting September 30, to finalize practical arrangements for the return of the inspectors.

Blix also gave the Security Council a timeline for the first 120 days of the inspectors work, as detailed by Security Council resolution 1284. After a two-month period of preparation, including getting the inspectors facilities in Baghdad ready, UNMOVIC could start its work on the ground and begin the 60-day period for examining Iraqs remaining disarmament tasks.

The Commission would then report to the Security Council on its work, so that the Council could approve a program of work for the inspectors.

BOSNIA: UN MISSION CONDEMNS MOSQUE DESTRUCTION

The UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) today strongly condemned the destruction of a newly-rebuilt mosque in Kljuc, after a powerful explosion on Wednesday night completely destroyed its minaret and damaged its roof and windows.

The mosque had been one of the first to be reconstructed in eastern Herzegovina, and the Mission is urging the local police to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this malicious act. The Mission will also closely monitor the investigation by local police into this incident.

BURUNDI: UN AGENCIES ASSIST MORE THAN 500,000 DISPLACED BY INSECURITY

The World Food Programme (WFP) has started to distribute 5,800 tons of food aid to assist more than half a million vulnerable people in provinces most affected by insecurity in Burundi.

The food aid will be given together with seeds and farm tools, provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Continual fighting in Burundi has resulted in significant population displacements, erosion of assets, significant livestock theft and destruction of homesteads. Nearly 1.4 million people in Burundi, mainly internally displaced persons, do not have adequate access to food and thus depend on WFP food assistance.

SUDANESE GOVERNMENT, SPLM AGREE WITH UN ON DEMINING

A Memorandum of Understanding on UN support to mine action in Sudan was signed Thursday in Geneva between the Government of Sudan, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement and the United Nations.

The Memorandum was signed during the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention, and it focuses on the request of both parties to the United Nations to implement an Emergency Mine Action Project in Sudan.

The projects overall objective is to reduce civilian casualties from mines and unexploded ordnance, as well as those among the humanitarian aid community. UN Mine Action offices are being established in Khartoum and Rumbek.

UN CONCERNED BY HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SOUTHERN ANGOLA

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola, Erick de Mul, expressed his concern about the critical humanitarian situation faced by more than 100,000 persons in the town of Mavinga in the southern province of Kuando Kubango from where he just returned.

According to de Mul, of the new areas that have become accessible to humanitarian partners since April, this has been one of the most difficult to stabilise. Access is very difficult. The roads and bridges need repair and the airstrip is wearing down from all the flights bringing in assistance.

The sheer numbers of people in need in Mavinga and surrounding areas is overwhelming, he says.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for Angola, Ibrahim Gambari, met with Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos this morning. Gambari told reporters afterwards that the Technical Group of the Joint Commission has already started working on the first formal meeting of the Joint Commission, which will be held next Thursday, September 26. The Commission is tasked with accomplishing outstanding issues of the Lusaka Protocol.

UNHCR CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS ON FORCED RETURNS TO EASTERN CONGO

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed its grave concern about allegations from Congolese refugees in Rwanda that local authorities and officials of the rebel group Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD/Goma) are pressuring ablebodied men to return to north Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Rwanda, to join rebel security forces.

"They are asking all able bodied men to repatriate and secure the area," one 20yearold male complained to UNHCR in Byumba camp on Wednesday.

Information posters telling refugees that the return operation being managed by the government of Rwanda should be voluntary have been torn down. UNHCR had posted more than 1,000 posters in two refugee camps housing some 32,000 refugees.

ANNAN RINGS PEACE BELL TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

This morning, the Secretary-General rang the Peace Bell to mark the International Day of Peace, which will be observed Saturday.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that this year marks the beginning of a new peace-day tradition, as the General Assembly has decided from now on to observe the International Day of Peace on 21 September as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. He called on all nations and all people to cease all hostilities for the duration of the Day. Twenty-four hours are not a long time, he said, but enough for the world's leaders to begin to listen to their peoples."

UN Information Centres and field missions around the world have organized a range of activities and events to mark the day. The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) reported that about 100 children from advocacy groups in the country went on a Peace Bus tour of the capital, Freetown, today to deliver messages of peace to UNAMSIL and various government offices.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Amos Namanga Ngongi, has accepted an invitation by the leadership of the Congolese Rally for Democracy to visit Goma in the eastern DRC Saturday for International Day of Peace commemorations. Ngongi has not been in that part of the country since June since the RCD leadership declared him persona non grata.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER NOTES ENORMOUS TASK AHEAD

The new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, spoke to the press in Geneva today, telling them, after one week of getting his bearings in his new job, The task before me is enormous. I am conscious of that.

Asked about the recent upsurge of violence in the Middle East, he said, I hope that we will revert immediately to this six-week period of relative peace and get down to the real job, let the Quartet continue.

Asked about whether he would adopt a lower profile than his predecessor, Mary Robinson, he responded, Judge me on the basis of results, not on style.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

In Arusha, Tanzania today, Jean-Baptiste Gatete, the former Mayor of Murambi Commune, who was transferred to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda after being arrested in the Republic of Congo, pleaded not guilty to all 10 counts linking him to the Rwandan genocide. Gatete was making his initial appearance before the court, and a date for his trial is to be fixed in due course.

Nane Annan, the Secretary-Generals wife, gave the keynote address today at the annual meeting of the Learning Leaders, a non-profit group that recruits, trains and supports over 11,500 public school volunteers in New York City. She praised the work of the 2,000 volunteers present, saying she could feel their contagious spirit, and added, Every day, you are performing miracles and opening the eyes of children to the wonders of the world.

Women politicians, wives of heads of state, academics and professionals will meet in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, beginning Saturday for a two-day conference to launch a womens movement for world peace. The Secretary-Generals message to the conference will be delivered by Mervat Tallawy, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for West Asia.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS Saturday, September 21

Today is the International Day of Peace.

Sunday, September 22 Monday, September 23 At 10:30 a.m., the Secretary-General will launch his report on UN reform at a press conference.

The Secretary-General is scheduled to have his monthly luncheon with the members of the Security Council.

Tuesday, September 24 The Security Council expects to hold consultations on Somalia and Liberia.

Wednesday, September 25

The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the oil-for-food program in Iraq.

Thursday, September 26 The Secretary-General is expected to address the annual luncheon of the Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial Fund. Later, he is expected to speak at the UNA-USA Global Leadership Awards Dinner, with awards this year to go to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and UN Goodwill Ambassador Muhammad Ali.

The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It may also hold a formal meeting to consider a resolution on the mandate of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

At 11:15 a.m., the report of the UN Conference on Trade and Development on the African economies will be launched at a press conference.

The guest at the noon briefing will be World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris, who will discuss his recent visit, as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, to southern Africa.

Today is World Maritime Day.

Friday, September 27 The General Assembly is expected to consider the admission of Timor-Lorosae as a UN Member State. At 11:00 a.m., Timorese President Xanana Gusmão is expected to hold a press briefing. The Security Council expects to hold consultations on the Councils annual report to the General Assembly.

The guest at the noon briefing is Antonio Maria Costa, head of the UN Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General United Nations, S-378 New York, NY 10017 Tel. 212-963-7162 - press/media only Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212) 963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org

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