United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-03-27

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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 27, 2003

UN AGENCIES CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN IRAQ

National staff from a number of UN agencies are continuing to work under difficult circumstances in Iraq.

A UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) officer in charge in Baghdad said the national staff feel they are "affirming their existence by continuing to work and doing what they can." Fifty UNICEF first aid kits have been distributed by Government authorities to child care institutions and those looking after the elderly.

In northern Iraq, UNICEF staff in Suleimaniyah have started distributing fresh water to internally displaced families. Staff have also been building latrines and putting up tents.

A team of national staff from the World Health Organization has sought permission to travel from Baghdad to Basra to assist with the potential public health emergency in Iraq's second largest city. The lack of clean water in that city remains of great concern to UN agencies.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that about half of its staff in the north, in Erbil, are still reporting to work to continue food distribution which has been scaled down to the reduced level of stock in the warehouses. WFP has been concentrating its efforts where local residents have been hosting displaced relatives.

The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Koïchiro Matsuura, yesterday urged the parties involved in the war in Iraq to respect the rights of journalists and refrain from targeting the media. He called on them to recognize the need for a free flow of information.

UNICEF also expressed its concern at a report that military equipment has been found in a school. The agency urges all parties in conflicts to ensure that schools are places that do not invite attack and remain a secure environment for children where their right to education can be fulfilled.

Asked about a call from Doctors without Borders for immediate access to Iraq by humanitarian agencies, the Spokesman responded, "We would favor anything that gets humanitarian aid to the Iraqis immediately."

ANNAN: SECURITY COUNCIL MUST REDISCOVER UNITY OF PURPOSE

Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday afternoon opened the Security Council open debate on Iraq, which continued this morning, by saying that all of us must regret that our intensive efforts to achieve a peaceful solution, through this Council, did not succeed, and by calling for the Council to rediscover its unity of purpose.

He said that many people ask why the Iraqi Government did not take full advantage of the last chance it was given by the Security Council to disarm, while at the same time, many are seriously questioning whether it was legitimate for some Member States to proceed to such a fateful action now without first reaching a collective decision in the Security Council.

He warned that the inability of the Council to agree earlier on a collective course of action places an even greater burden on it today.

He drew particular attention to the need to protect the civilian population, the wounded and prisoners of war, and to bring relief to the victims. He noted the concerted effort in the Council to reach agreement on adjustments to the oil-for-food program, adding his hope that it would soon succeed. The United Nations will also launch a flash appeal to donors soon, he said

The Secretary-General also underscored two guiding principles that should underpin all future decisions on Iraq: respect for Iraqs sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence; and respect for the right of the Iraqi people to determine their own political future and control their own natural resources.

He noted that, in the last few months, people around the world have shown how much they expect of the United Nations and the Security Council, adding, Many of them are now bitterly disappointed. Their faith in the United Nations, he asserted, can only be restored if the Council is able to identify and work constructively toward specific goals.

As of this morning, 43 speakers were inscribed for the continuation of the open debate on Iraq, with Council members speaking last.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO HEAR LATEST REPORT ON AFGHANISTAN

This afternoon in an open Security Council meeting, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno will introduce the Secretary-Generals latest report on the situation in Afghanistan.

In his introduction, Guehenno will focus on the challenges ahead in the implementation of Bonn Agreement and how the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) proposes to meet them. The Secretary-General noted in his report that security remains the most serious challenge facing the peace process in the country.

Guehennos introduction will be followed by consultations. The mandate of UNAMA will expire on Friday, and it is expected that a resolution to extend its mandate will be considered at a separate meeting of the Council that day.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO MEET BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

The Secretary-General will meet later today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the Secretary-Generals office. The United Nations was informed that the Prime Minister does not intend to talk to the press after the meeting concludes.

Asked whether the Secretary-General would brief the press afterward, the Spokesman said he would not. He added that the meeting was as the request of the United Kingdom, and that the Secretary-General would be looking forward to a readout of the meetings Blair had in Washington. One focus, Eckhard said, would be on the adaptation of the oil-for-food program to meet Iraq's humanitarian needs.

Asked about the progress of adjustments to the oil-for-food program, the Spokesman said that the Security Council Sanctions Committee dealing with Iraq was continuing consultations on that subject. He noted that the Secretary-General, after meeting the five permanent Council members for lunch on Tuesday, had been impressed with their determination to find a solution on that issue, within the next few days.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION DECIDES NOT TO HOLD SESSION ON IRAQ

In a vote earlier today in Geneva, the Human Rights Commission decided not to hold a debate, known as a special sitting, on the humanitarian and human rights consequences of the current conflict in Iraq.

On Monday, nine countries had requested a special sitting to discuss the Iraq conflict, but their request was rejected today by a vote of 18 in favor, 25 against and seven abstentions, with three countries absent.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello said after the vote that all parties to the conflict must respect fundamental human rights and humanitarian law and take precautions to protect civilians. In particular, he called on all parties to observe the principle of distinction between combatants and non-combatants, saying that parties must never direct attacks against the civilian population or civilian objects, even if the purpose is to strike a military target.

Noting that the human rights of the Iraqi people have been violated for many years, the High Commissioner expressed regret that the human rights dimension of the situation in Iraq was not given the prominence it deserved over the years in the Security Councils deliberations.

He urged the Commission, Let us therefore redouble our efforts to make sure that we are not so powerless now. Let us seek results. Let us make a difference a real difference for the people of Iraq.

SOUTH KOREA PLEDGES AID TO NORTH KOREA

Three UN agencies today welcomed a substantial pledge of support by the Republic of Korea (ROK) for emergency feeding and healthcare programs in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). The World Food Programme, the UN Childrens Fund and the World Health Organization said in a press release that the ROK government has indicated it will channel almost $20 million this year through the three agencies.

The Republic of Korea pledges, the latest in a series by donors to the DPRK, bring to $72 million the level of funding secured by UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and the Red Cross movement for key humanitarian operations during 2003. However, that is still 68 percent short of the $225 million amount required to fully implement the agencies' programs this year.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN: The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the family and friends of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the former United States Senator and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who passed away yesterday. Throughout his rich and varied life, Senator Moynihan displayed exceptional intellect, vision and passion on a range of issues in the domestic and international arenas alike. He was a steadfast advocate of the core ideals of the United Nations, from the promotion of international rule of law to the work for social and economic justice. Although sometimes critical of the way the Organization worked, he retained and expressed a deep and abiding belief in the need to balance national interests with a commitment to multilateralism. His courage, character and unforgettable flair will be remembered and missed by many people, not only in his own country, but around the world.

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Maurice Strong, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General returned today to UN Headquarters to report to the Secretary-General on his visit to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. He is expected to meet with the Secretary-General this afternoon at 3:00. On his recent visits to the region, Strong had consultations in China and the Republic of Korea on relevant issues. Next week, Strong will make a visit to Brussels where he will hold talks with European officials on humanitarian and other matters.

AFGHANISTAN: The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed great concern at an incident involving a journalist from Herat, Ahmad Behzad. He was beaten and arrested on March 19, immediately following the opening of the Herat Office of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. Though he was released on the same day, UNAMA has learned that he was ordered to leave Herat, the city where he and his family live. UNAMA said that if those allegations are confirmed, it will be the urgent responsibility of the Afghan authorities both in Kabul and in Herat to investigate the case fully and to make sure that any wrongdoing does not go unpunished. UNAMA underscored that it is not acceptable that a journalist is prevented from doing his work in his own country.

UN LIBRARY: The Dag Hammarskjöld Library has launched its first online edition of the UN Bibliographic Information System (UNBIS) Thesaurus. This is the fourth edition of the Thesaurus, the first three being exclusively print versions. This is also the first time the Thesaurus is available in all six official languages of the United Nations. The test version was launched in November 2001 and the current redesigned version has a completely new user interface.

SARS UPDATE: The World Health Organization organized a virtual conference yesterday in which 80 experts from 13 countries discussed clinical features and treatment for patients suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They talked about symptoms, suspected viral agents and treatment options. The group agreed to hold regular meetings using electronic communications to develop international guidelines for the care of SARS patients. As of yesterday, 1,323 cases, including 49 deaths, have been reported. This figure now includes statistics for China, where there were 792 cases, including 31 deaths.

UN BUDGET: Three more Member States made full payments of their 2003 regular budget contributions today. Egypt made a payment of more than $1 million, Jordan paid just over $100,000 and the Marshall Islands paid over $13,000. There are now 68 fully paid-up Member States.

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