United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-04-04

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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

Friday, April 4, 2003

UNITED NATIONS ASSESSES HUMANITARIAN NEEDS OF SOUTHERN IRAQI TOWN

A small UN humanitarian assessment team went to the southern Iraqi town and port of Umm Qasr today, to make a first evaluation of local water, sanitation and food needs, as well as the condition of the port. The team was scheduled to Kuwait this evening.

The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) is sending six trucks to the outskirts of South Basra, marking the first time that the trucking operation it has been using has reached that far inside Iraq. Eleven trucks in all made their way today across the Kuwaiti border, to deliver UNICEF supplies to the towns of Safwan and Zubair, as well as to the southern fringes of Basra. The trucks are bringing supplies of water and emergency health kits.

A World Food Programme (WFP) convoy carrying about 475 tons of flour aboard 19 trucks headed this afternoon towards the Turkish border with Iraq, to provide food for the three northern governorates, which, unlike the rest of Iraq, had not received wheat flour rations through the distribution system in March. WFP says that wheat flour stocks have all been used up in the northern governorate of Dohuk, and are negligible in the other two (Erbil and Sulayminiyah).

The World Health Organization (WHO) is receiving reports of growing numbers of civilian casualties, in and around Baghdad, Basra and many other towns in southern and central Iraq. WHO is deeply concerned that injuries suffered as a direct result of the Iraq conflict are the number one public health problem in Iraq today. WHO again reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under humanitarian law to respect the neutrality of civilians and especially that of hospitals, health workers and the entire medical infrastructure.

Asked about whether the United Nations would allow military forces to deliver humanitarian aid in Iraq, the Spokesman said that the international community would rely on the military for the delivery of goods only as a last resort, and had a preference to work with civilians for such delivery. In response to another question, he noted that the United Nations was forced to accept armed convoys accompanying aid distribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but had done so only as a last resort.

He noted, at the same time, that those forces that exercise de facto control over territory have the primary responsibility for the welfare of the population living there.

Asked about the consequences of the bombardment of Iraq, he said the United Nations could only repeat its appeal to the combatants to take all measures to limit civilian casualties. Eckhard noted that the conflict was approaching a phase where concern for civilians was at its height.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME WELCOMES RESPONSE TO FOOD APPEAL

James Morris, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, today welcomed the response by the international community to the agencys emergency appeal for $1.3 billion for Iraq. In the first five days since the appeal was launched, the agency received more than $270 million and 100,000 metric tons of wheat.

This is the best possible start to the biggest single appeal in WFP's 40-year history, he said.

ANNAN TO CONCLUDE MEETINGS WITH UN MEMBER STATES ON IRAQ

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today will be wrapping up his effort, conducted throughout this week, to brief all the Member States about the current humanitarian situation in Iraq and to exchange views with them.

This morning, he met with the African Group, and this afternoon, from 4:00 to 5:00, he will meet with the Latin American and Caribbean Group.

By the end of today, then, he will have met with all five regional groups at the United Nations, as well as with the Arab Group. The Secretary-General also met the members of the Security Council at lunch at his office on Wednesday, also to discuss Iraq.

Asked whether the General Assembly would hold a meeting on Iraq, the Spokesman noted that there has been some discussion among Member States about that possibility, but that, as of Thursday, there had been no formal move to convene a meeting. Asked about the Secretary-Generals views on holding such a meeting, he added, This is a matter for the Member States.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS TO DISCUSS COUNTER-TERRORISM WORK

The Security Council is holding an open meeting on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts.

British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, briefed the meeting for the last time before handing over the chairmanship to Spanish Ambassador Inocencio Arias. The meeting began with 30 speakers on the list.

Council members expressed their gratitude for Ambassador Greenstocks chairmanship of the Committee and paid tribute to his work over the past 18 months.

A Presidential Statement on the work of the Committee and a press statement paying tribute to the outgoing Chairman are expected to be read by the Council President, Ambassador Adolfo Aguilar Zinser of Mexico.

Following that open meeting, the Council has scheduled another to vote on a resolution involving adjustments to the size of the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET).

Then in the afternoon, following the two meetings, the Security Council sanctions committee on Somalia is scheduled to meet.

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS IRAQ-KUWAIT MISSION BY THREE MONTHS

Following the Thursday Security Council briefing on the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), which currently is maintaining a presence of 12 military officers and 20 civilian staff, supported by some local staff, in Kuwait City, the members of the Council agreed with the Secretary-Generals recommendation to maintain a peacekeeping presence for three months.

The President of the Security Council, in a letter to the Secretary-General, said Council members noted that UNIKOM is currently unable to fulfil its mandate as a result of the situation on the ground. They agreed to maintain the Missions presence until July 6, subject to any further decisions the Council may take on its mandate.

LIBERIA CONFLICT HAMPERING UN REFUGEE OPERATIONS

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that its operations for refugees from the Ivoirian conflict in Liberia are now severely hampered by an upsurge of recent fighting in the eastern border regions.

Most of the UN refugee agencys staff except for those hired locally have been pulled out of eastern Liberia. This follows generalized violence and two attacks on areas where UNHCR operates transit centers. The fighting has made nearly all eastern regions inaccessible to humanitarian agencies.

UNHCR reports that thousands have been forced to flee as a result of the recent fighting.

UNITED NATIONS, SOUTH AFRICA PUBLISH JOINT REPORT ON CORRUPTION

A joint report on corruption by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the South African Government was presented to that countrys Parliament earlier this week, and it says that four in 10 South Africans believe that corruption is one of most important problems to be addressed there.

The report says that South Africa contributes actively and substantially to international and regional anti-corruption efforts and that the country is improving in terms of anti-corruption legislation, although it still lacks a comprehensive, specific law on that subject. It says South Africa requires major efforts in public education and systematic prevention of corruption.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNICEF ONLINE CAMPAIGN: The United Nations Children's Fund, in conjunction with Fox Kids Europe television network, has launched an online campaign to support UNICEF's Go Girls! Education for Every Child campaign. The online campaign has a five-point pledge, which outlines what it will take to ensure the best possible education: the best start in life, the best schools, the best teachers and safety, protection and fairness.

UN POPULATION FUND LECTURE: At 4:30 this afternoon in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, Jeffrey Sachs, the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on the Millennium Development Goals will deliver the UN Population Funds eighth Rafael Salas Memorial Lecture on population and development. Sachs will look at the effect on economic development of the shift from high mortality and high fertility rates to low mortality and fertility. A speedy transition to lower mortality and fertility rates will help countries achieve the Millennium Goals of poverty alleviation.

UN BUDGET: Today, Uzbekistan became the 70th Member State to pay its regular budget contribution in full, with a payment of more than $148,000.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, April 7

The Secretary-General will issue a message to mark World Health Day.

The Security Council will hold consultations on Cote dIvoire, and will have an open briefing in the afternoon by World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris.

This is Education for All Week, with a focus on girls education.

Tuesday, April 8

The Security Council intends to hold consultations on the oil-for-food program for Iraq.

Wednesday, April 9

The Security Council is expected to hold consultations on North Korea, to consider a request from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Thursday, April 10

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on Cyprus.

Friday, April 11

There will be a public meeting dealing with the Security Councils relations with regional organizations, with the theme, "Facing the Challenges to International Peace and Security."

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

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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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