United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-03-06

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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, March 6, 2003

IRAQ DEBATE: ANNAN ENCOURAGES ALL SIDES TO SEEK COMMON GROUND

Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked today by a reporter whether there was still a chance to achieve Security Council unity and avoid a war with Iraq, and he conceded that the positions are very hard now in the Council, but he noted that, with the arrival of many foreign ministers for tomorrows Security Council meeting on Iraq, there will be a chance to discuss the matter calmly.

He noted that there are several proposals on the table, including the draft resolution submitted by the United States, United Kingdom and Spain; the French-German-Russian proposal; and an idea offered by Canada. He added, Until there is an actual vote, you cannot tell what will happen.

The Secretary-General said he was working hard to encourage all sides to strive for a compromise and seek common ground. He noted, To make concessions, you get concessions.

In response to questions raised earlier on the Secretary-Generals meetings with Ambassadors of the Permanent Members of the Security Council, the Spokesman said after his separate meetings this afternoon with the Permanent Representatives of the United States and China, the Secretary-General will have met with all five Permanent Members as well as with the President of the Council.

These meetings were at his request and were on the subject of Iraq. They were all one-on-one and there will be no read-outs, Eckhard added.

ELEVEN FOREIGN MINISTERS EXPECTED FOR FRIDAY MEETING ON IRAQ

There are no Security Council meetings or consultations scheduled for today.

Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the Security Council has scheduled a 10 a.m. open meeting on Iraq.

As of this morning, the Council Presidency says that 11 foreign ministers and one deputy foreign minister is expected to attend the meeting.

Then at 4 p.m. tomorrow, consultations on Iraq are scheduled.

Meanwhile, out as a Security Council document today is the joint statement on Iraq by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of France, Russia and Germany adopted in Paris yesterday.

Regarding media arrangements for tomorrows meeting, the Security Council stake out area will be limited to 300 special pass holders. As always Resident Correspondents will not need passes. One hundred passes for the Security Council press gallery will be distributed on a first come first serve basis to print media journalists. Resident Correspondents will need one of those passes to access the Security Council. All passes can be picked up from the Media Liaison office on the second floor starting at 5 p.m. today. Conference Room 1, in the basement, will be set up an overflow room for media and staff. Facilities in that room will be provided to broadcasters to record the Council proceedings. The pass office will remain open until 6 p.m. tonight and reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.

MISSILE DESTRUCTION CONTINUES IN IRAQ UNDER UN SUPERVISION

A team from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) supervised the destruction of six more Al Samoud 2 missiles, bringing to 34 the total number of missiles destroyed to date.

Another team of weapons inspectors observed the final concrete encasing of the two destroyed missile casting chambers at Al Mutasim.

Teams from UNMOVIC and IAEA conducted a series of other inspections as well. These include visits to a phosphate mine and sulphur production plant.

UN REPORTS VIOLATIONS OF DMZ BETWEEN IRAQ AND KUWAIT

In response to questions on reported violations of the Demilitarized Zone between Iraq and Kuwait, the Spokesman said the UN Observer mission (UNIKOM) has reported numerous violations of the demilitarized zone since March 4 by personnel in civilian clothes in 4 x 4 vehicles, at least some of whom were armed and identified themselves as U.S. Marines.

On March 5, UNIKOM observed three breaches that had been cut in the electric fence erected by the Government of Kuwait along the border with Iraq, in Sector North of the demilitarized zone, he added.

Eckhard went on to say that UNIKOM has raised this matter with the Government of Kuwait and requested that they be informed in advance of any similar construction projects in the demilitarized zone.

This information is being brought to the attention of the President of the Security Council.

ANNAN DEPLORES EXCESSIVE AND DISPROPORTIONATE ISRAELI FORCE IN GAZA

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, deeply deplores the use of disproportionate and excessive force by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza earlier today, which reportedly led to the killing of 11 Palestinians and the injuring of more than 140.

Such military actions in densely populated areas, as well as the demolition of Palestinian homes, cannot be accepted as a legitimate means of self-defence and violate international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General once again wishes to remind Israel of its obligations in this regard, and in particular of the need to protect the lives of civilians.

ANNAN FLAGS NEED TO FIGHT POVERTY AND INJUSTICE TO HELP COUNTER TERROR

The Security Councils Counter-Terrorism Committee today convened a special meeting bringing together representatives of 60 international, regional and sub-regional organizations, and the Secretary-General opened the meeting this morning by pointing to the Councils firm commitment to fight terrorism in every instance.

The Secretary-General warned that terrorists could do much more damage if they were to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and said it has never been more important to strengthen the multilateral regimes to prevent the proliferation of such weapons.

He stressed the need to develop an international program of action to fight terrorism, founded on an unshakeable commitment to upholding the rule of law. And he also pointed to the compelling need to fight poverty and injustice, suffering and war, to help counter the conditions that serve as a justification to those who would commit terrorist acts.

Aside from the Secretary-Generals address, the rest of todays meeting is closed, but a communiqué will be issued at the end of todays proceedings.

The Counter-Terrorism Committee will discuss in the coming weeks an action plan and issue recommendations on coordinated global action by international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

AFGHANISTAN: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PERSISTS

In a report entitled The Situation of Women and Children in Afghanistan, the Secretary-General states that despite positive developments, intimidation and violence by regional and local commanders against women continue unabated. In many rural areas, the situation of women has not changed since the Talibans rule ended.

The report goes on to say that more efforts are needed to repeal legislative measures that discriminate against women and girls particularly with regard to education, access to healthcare, employment and political participation.

The report also states that overall high illiteracy levels of women and girls continues to be one of the key obstacles to their full participation in society. Nevertheless it also highlights that 30 per cent of the three million children who have returned to school since March 2002 were girls.

Also on womens education in Afghanistan, the United Nations Childrens Fund is going to launch a new partnership with the Afghan Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Womens Affairs, on International Womens Day, to produce the countrys first literacy textbook for women, 79% of whom are illiterate.

The textbook will focus on the subject of life skills within an Islamic context. Chapters will concentrate on issues such as the importance of the family, raising healthy children, food, the environment, housekeeping, respect and understanding, marriage, and employment.

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY TO BE OBSERVED ON FRIDAY

International Womens Day is on Saturday and will be observed here tomorrow with a discussion on the theme Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals. Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette will make opening remarks and is expected to emphasize that gender equality is essential to meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

The event will be chaired by Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor and speakers include High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia, Nafis Sadik.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF AND U.S. PRESIDENT DISCUSS IRAQ AND TERROR DETAINEES

High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello, in his first official visit to Washington, D.C., since taking up his post, met yesterday afternoon, first with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and then with President George W. Bush.

In his meetings, the High Commissioner discussed, among other topics, the treatment of detainees in the war on terror and the situation in Iraq.

Vieira de Mello raised his concerns about the detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere.

They had a broad discussion on Iraq, and concurred that everything should be done to address the plight of the Iraqi people.

The High Commissioner also brought up his growing concerns regarding the human rights of both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

He also asked whether, in line with the U.S. national security strategy, the United States could ensure that affordable AIDS drugs would be available to all who need them.

FIVE UN PEACEKEEPERS KILLED IN TIMOR-LESTE RIVER ACCIDENT

The UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMISET) reported today an accident involving Republic of Korea peacekeepers.

A vehicle with two Korean peacekeepers on board got stuck when crossing a river with a strong current.

Three other South Korean soldiers from another vehicle tried to help them. As a result, all five soldiers were swept away by the current.

According to UNMISET, four bodies have been found so far.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UN STAFF IN IRAQ: Asked if the United Nations expected to be notified in advance of a possible U.S. attack on Iraq in order to have time to evacuate its staff, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General would expect to be notified in time to make the necessary arrangements for evacuation of UN staff. The Spokesman refused to give more details of plans for evacuation of UN personnel.

CYPRUS:

In answer to questions raised on Cyprus, the Spokesman answered that Secretary-General has said that his plan for Cyprus is structured in such a way that, should a positive outcome be reached in The Hague, the two leaders can still, if both of them agree, make further refinements to the plan up until 25 March.

UN BUDGET: Slovakia today became the 60th Member State to pay its regular budget contribution for this year in full with a payment of more than $580,000. Also today, Japan made a payment of more than $428 million to the peacekeeping budget.