United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-07-16

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

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

ANNAN NOTES PROGRESS TOWARDS DEPLOYMENT IN LIBERIA

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, upon entering UN Headquarters today, was asked about Liberia, and said that some progress has been achieved in making all the parties involved including the United States and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as the United Nations understand what is required.

He said the plan is for ECOWAS to send in a vanguard force of between 1,000 and 1,500 troops. Once they have arrived, President Charles Taylor would leave the country and US and other reinforcements would move into Liberia, before a UN peacekeeping force is established for the longer term.

He added that he had hoped the vanguard force would be deployed at the latest by the end of this month, and said the possibility that it may take place later than that was worrying because the longer we delay the deployment, the more dangerous the situation gets. The Secretary-General has asked his military advisers and other officers to be in touch with the US and with the ECOWAS forces to see what can be done to accelerate troop deployment.

Asked what would happen if Taylor does not leave the country, he said he was not sure that was an option given the commitment he has given, not only to his peers but also to the whole world. He added that when he and the Liberian President last spoke, he had the impression that Taylor would accept Nigerias invitation to step down.

A seven-member UN humanitarian assessment team arrived Tuesday in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, and is talking with humanitarian agencies to determine the security situation in preparation for the return of UN international staff to Liberia.

Looting continues to be a problem in the capital, and a lack of security is preventing humanitarian agencies from having access to some 70 percent of Liberias territory.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme, together with its partners, is continuing food distribution to internally displaced persons in and around Monrovia.

Also, the UN Childrens Fund and the World Health Organization, in collaboration with Liberias Health Ministry, have concluded the first round of polio immunization in Monrovia.

ANNAN MEETING WITH OFFICIALS TODAY ON MYANMAR

In addition to his comments on Liberia, the Secretary-General was asked today about what the UN might do to free Aung San Suu Kyi.

He replied that he is meeting today with his Special Envoy for Myanmar, Razali Ismail, who has seen Aung San Suu Kyi since her arrest, and will be briefed on what the next steps should be. He is also meeting this afternoon with Myanmars Deputy Foreign Minister, U Khin Maung Win.

Asked about the Democratic Peoples Republic of Koreas dispute with the United States, the Secretary-General said that he has been in touch with both parties, and he also noted efforts by the Chinese Government and others to help find a way forward that would be acceptable to them.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS COUP IN SÃO TOMÉ

The Secretary-General, in a statement, strongly condemned the coup détat in São Tomé and Príncipe and called for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order. He also called for the prompt release of Government officials detained during the coup.

The Secretary-General reiterated his firm condemnation of any attempts to seize power by force.

UN MISSION IN DR CONGO PRAISES ARRIVALS OF VICE PRESIDENTS

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said that the arrival of the two Vice-Presidents respectively designated by the Congolese Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) and the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) marks a historic step in the DRC peace process.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in that country, William Swing, welcomed the development as positive and reiterated to all parties that the UN Mission will support every effort and initiative in favor of a successful transition leading to free, transparent and democratic elections. Swing also assured them of the support of the entire international community.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE BRIEFING FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL

This afternoon at 4:15, the Security Council will meet in closed consultations to hear a briefing by the Secretary-General. He will outline for the members the discussions he held during the African Union Summit last week in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Council met in closed consultations this morning to hear from Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno, who presented the Secretary-Generals latest report on the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

Council members were also briefed on the Secretary-Generals Somalia report by Haile Menkerios, Director of the Africa I Division in the Department of Political Affairs. The Council President, Ambassador Inocencio Arias of Spain, afterward said that Council members reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict in Somalia.

UN ENVOY FOR IRAQ MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT, GOES TO IRAN

The Secretary-General Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, is on his way to Iran today, where on Thursday he will meet with President Mohamed Khatami and Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi.

Earlier today in Damascus, Vieira de Mello met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. He briefed them on the latest developments in Iraq, notably the creation of the Governing Council.

On his way into the building this morning, the Secretary-General mentioned that he would meet with the delegation of the Governing Council of Iraq.

Asked about Vieira de Mellos travels, the Spokesman said that he has recently visited Saudi Arabia, as well as Syria and Iran, to consult with regional Governments.

In response to another question, he said that the establishment on Sunday of the Governing Council had been a step toward a democratically elected Government in Iraq. He noted Vieira de Mellos work with representatives from all sectors of Iraqi society toward that goal.

IAEA REPORTS TO COUNCIL ON LOOTING AT IRAQI FACILITY

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei this week submitted a report to the UN Security Council on the Agency's completed safeguards inspection of nuclear material at the Tuwaitha site in Baghdad, following reports of looting there.

The IAEA found that the sites Building One, which contains a large variety of uranium compounds and yellow cake, had many containers missing and many others emptied, with a large area of the floor covered by uranium compounds. Overall, at Tuwaithas Location C Nuclear Material Storage Facility, at least 10 kilograms of uranium compounds could have been dispersed.

The IAEA says that the quantity and type of uranium compounds that were dispersed are not sensitive, from the point of view of nuclear proliferation; but the Agency will make every effort to recover the missing material.

UN ALLOWS FOR RELOCATION OF SOME STAFF FROM BURUNDI

In Burundi today, internally displaced persons continue to receive food and other assistance provided by the United Nations, cooperating with non-governmental organizations.

The United Nations on Tuesday allowed for the relocation, outside Burundi, of all international staff not directly concerned with emergency or humanitarian relief operations or security matters. The decision was taken after careful consideration of the security situation in the country.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Burundi, Sunil Saigal, said that while the decision reflects the very serious events of last week, an improved security situation would bode well for future revisions.

ANNAN PRAISES APPOINTMENT OF NIGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

The Secretary-General, in a statement, expressed his pleasure at the news that Oluyemi Adeniji has been appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. Until his appointment, Adeniji had served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sierra Leone since December 1999.

The Secretary-General congratulated Adeniji wholeheartedly on his important new functions and wishes to thank him for the effective leadership he provided to the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

Under Adenijis stewardship, UNAMSIL recovered from the crisis of May 2000, and the Mission supported a massive disarmament exercise as well as national elections in Sierra Leone, and facilitated the restoration of the Governments authority throughout the territory of Sierra Leone. As Adeniji departs, UNAMSIL, as well as the whole UN family, will continue to assist the people of Sierra Leone to consolidate peace in their country.

Pending the appointment of Adenijis successor, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Alan Doss, will serve as Officer-in-Charge of UNAMSIL.

ANNAN WELCOMES EFFORT TO MOBILIZE SUPPORT FOR AIDS FUND

The Secretary-General today delivered a video message for the International Conference in Support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is taking place in Paris.

In his message, the Secretary-General welcomed the initiative to mobilize greater support for the Global Fund, which has a crucial role to play in the fight against the devastating diseases. For the United Nations family, and me personally, turning the tide on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is a priority second to none, he said. We will remain a full and committed partner in the collective struggle towards our common goal.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADVISOR APPOINTED FOR GLOBAL COMPACT: The Secretary-General has appointed Professor John Ruggie of Harvard University as special advisor for the Global Compact, as of 15 July, for a period of one year. Ruggie, a former Assistant Secretary-General, will advise the Secretary-General on the overall direction of the Global Compact and oversee the preparation of a high-level Leaders Meeting on the Global Compact at UN Headquarters, tentatively scheduled for June 2004. Ruggie will work closely with Georg Kell of the Global Compact Office.

GLOBAL COMPACT CONVENES ADVISORY MEETING: The Global Compact is convening its fourth Advisory Council meeting today here at UN Headquarters. Major issues under discussion include the preparation for the Leaders Meeting, and a general review of the strategic direction of the initiative.

UN ENVOY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TO VISIT CHILE: The Special Rapporteur dealing with the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, will visit Chile at the invitation of the Government from July 18 to 29.

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