United Nations Daily Highlights, 02-10-31

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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 OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, October 31, 2002

SOMALIA: ANNAN WELCOMES DECLARATION OF CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement issued through his Spokesman, welcomes the signing of a Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process at the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Eldoret, Kenya under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The Secretary-General urges the Somali parties to abide fully by the commitments they have made and to move into the next phase of the reconciliation process with determination and a true spirit of reconciliation.

The Secretary-General remains concerned about continued fighting and insecurity in some parts of Somalia. He calls for an immediate end to all fighting, which not only undermines the reconciliation process, but also impedes the provision of humanitarian and development assistance in Somalia.

The Secretary-General commends President Daniel arap Moi, the Government of Kenya and the IGAD countries for their efforts in support of national reconciliation in Somalia. He reiterates the continued support of the United Nations to the IGAD effort on Somalia.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

This morning in closed consultations, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative and head of UN mission the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Amos Namanga Ngongi, briefed the members of the Security Council on the Secretary-Generals latest report.

The UNs Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Carolyn McAskie also briefed on her recent mission to that country. McAskies briefing was focused on the recent violence and its grave effects on the humanitarian situation in Ituri, in the north eastern part of the country, as well as in the Kivu provinces .

At 3 p.m., the Security Council has scheduled consultations on Cote D'Ivoire.

Following those consultations, the Council has scheduled three back-to-back formal meetings to consider presidential statements on small arms, strengthening cooperation between the UN system and the Central African region in the maintenance of peace and security, and on women, peace and security. All three subjects were discussed in open meetings during the month of October.

At 3:30, the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Liberia has scheduled as meeting. Today is the last day of the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Liberia.

And at 4 p.m., there is a scheduled briefing to member states in the Economic and Social Council chamber by the Chairman of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom.

On other sanctions matters, on the racks today is a letter from the Secretary-General, naming two experts to the monitoring mechanism for Angola sanctions as requested by the Security Council.

GEORGIA REQUESTS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING

Issued as a document of the Security Council is a letter from Ambassador Revaz Adamia, the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations, requesting an open meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Georgia.

UN CHILDREN FUND CONDEMNS BOMBING OF AFGHAN SCHOOLS

The UN Childrens Fund condemns the recent attacks on four schools in Wardak Province of Afghanistan that took place on the night of Thursday October 24 and the early morning of Friday October 25. The attacks, carried out by unidentified persons, caused damage to both school buildings and educational materials. No injuries have been reported and three of the schools are open for business as normal.

A UNICEF education officer visited the affected schools on Wednesday along with representatives of the Provincial Education Office to inspect the damage.

The mission reported that local people are angry and outraged at these attacks, and that many of the girl pupils were in tears on hearing the news. However, with the exception of Jarlez School where the owner has yet to decide if the school can continue, pupils have returned to the classrooms to take their end of year examinations. Local residents have expressed their determination to continue sending all children to school.

UNICEF believes that the majority of people in Afghanistan want to see their children educated, boys and girls alike, and attacks such as those in Wardak and other incidents elsewhere in the country will do nothing to crush the desire for education amongst ordinary people.

UN AFGHAN ENVOY SAYS SECURITY REMAINS A PRIORITY

Wednesday afternoon, the Security Council held a formal meeting followed by closed consultations on Afghanistan.

In his briefing to the Council, Lakhdar Brahimi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan underscored that security remains a priority concern. Sporadic fighting continue to erupt from time to time, he said, The Government does not yet have the means to deal in an effective manner with the underlying problems which are the cause of these threats to security.

He also warned that unless and until a well-trained, well-equipped National Police and Army are in place, security would continue to be a problem.

The human rights situation also remains worrisome in many respects, Brahimi said. He used the abuses against Pashtuns and domestic violence against women, among others, as illustrations of the seriousness of the situation.

On the humanitarian front, Brahimi noted that Afghanistan did not currently have the capacity to absorb the large numbers of refugees returning, and for this winter some 2.2 million people would need assistance and support.

In a related item, in his latest report on Afghanistan, the Secretary-General notes that while efforts have been made to resolve conflicts between still-powerful leaders in some areas, a number of acts of terrorism and political violence have been perpetrated, including attacks against UN premises and personals. He calls for the international community to take more emphatic security measures beyond the capital.

UNIFEM SAYS INT'L LAW NEEDS TO PROTECT WOMEN, GIRLS IN CONFLICT

The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) launched today its Independent Experts Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Womens Role in Peace-building.

The assessment, which was conducted by Elizabeth Rehn, former Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, attempts to bring to the worlds attention the voices, feelings and experiences of women affected by conflict. It looks at violence against women, health and the impact of HIV/AIDS in conflict situations, reconstruction and prevention and womens role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

Among the recommendations is that international laws and standards need to be revisited to recognize the vulnerability of women in conflict situations, including targeted sanctions against the trafficking of women and girls.

Another area of concern is in womens representation at the highest level within the United Nations system and the assessment recommends an increase in the number of women appointed as Special Representatives and Special Envoys and that senior gender advisors should be appointed in the field, especially in peacekeeping operations.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the latest report on the human rights situation in Timor-Leste, prepared by the then-sitting UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson, underscores that serious concerns continue to persist. The report highlights concerns over a weak justice system, increasing domestic violence and assaults and intimidation against returnees from West Timor. More over, the report says, accountability for the serious crimes that took place in 1999 remains the key concern of the Timorese. The report also urges international community to continue to support the countrys efforts to develop a uniquely Timorese society with respect for human rights.

In response to a question, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus is in Ankara as part of his continuing consultations.

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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