United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-10-02

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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 2, 2003

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES NEW DRAFT RESOLUTION ON IRAQ

The Security Council held consultations on its program of work, and on Iraq. The United States has introduced its latest draft resolution on Iraq.

The Security Council President, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, spoke at the stakeout following consultations, and said that further consultations on Iraq would be held on Monday at 3:30 p.m.

The monthly Security Council luncheon with the Secretary-General is scheduled for today.

And at 3:30 p.m., the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee is scheduled to meet.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IRAQ DRAFT NEEDS FURTHER STUDY

Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked about the U.S. draft resolution on Iraq as he entered UN Headquarters, and said it would have to be studied to determine whether it is a radical change from the past. He intends to discuss it with Security Council members as they hold their monthly luncheon today.

Asked whether the draft resolution fits with the plan he envisions for Iraq, the Secretary-General responded, Obviously, its not going in the direction I had recommended, but I will still have to study it further.

He also noted that security conditions in Iraq are being monitored on a daily basis and added that, without a secure environment, its going to be extremely difficult for us to take on major responsibilities.

Asked to comment further on the Secretary-Generals remarks about the Iraq draft resolution, the Spokesman declined, noting that the Secretary-General has been holding confidential discussions with Member States on this issue. He will study the draft further, and his advisers will provide him with an analysis of the text, the Spokesman added.

The Secretary-General was also asked about the situation in North Korea, which he is expected to discuss this afternoon with his Personal Envoy, Maurice Strong, and said he remains hopeful that the nuclear issue can be resolved diplomatically through the six-nation talks.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTURBED BY ISRAELI CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by the Government of Israels decisions to proceed with the construction of the separation wall deep in the West Bank and to build 600 new housing units in West Bank settlements. In keeping with the September 26 statement of the Quartet, he views both the security wall and settlements in the West Bank built on Palestinian land as serious obstacles to the achievement of a two-State solution.

Moreover, the wall continues to cause great hardship to thousands of Palestinian families.In addition, the Secretary-General has repeatedly expressed his view that settlements are a clear breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also contradict Israels commitments under the Quartets Road Map.

UN ENVOY CONCLUDES THREE-DAY VISIT TO MYANMAR

Razali Ismail, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar, concluded his three-day visit to Myanmar today, after having separate discussions with Government leaders, including Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic nationality groups. He also called on Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

Razali is pleased to confirm that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is well and in good spirits, recovering at her home from the recent surgery.

During all his discussions on the roadmap announced by the Prime Minister on August 30, the Special Envoy emphasized the need for the Government to begin by taking timely steps to include all parties in the various preparatory processes leading to the National Convention. He urged the Government to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy leaders as soon as possible, and that they be allowed to participate in the preparatory process.

The Special Envoy hopes that an understanding will emerge between the Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi shortly so that their dialogue on the countrys democratic transition may resume.

ANNAN CONCERNED ABOUT SETBACKS TO IVOIRIAN PEACE PROCESS

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about recent developments in Cote dIvoire, including the decision of the Forces Nouvelles to suspend their participation in the Government of National Reconciliation and in the program of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, as well as the subsequent decision to close down the main road linking Abidjan and Bouaké. These developments constitute a serious setback in the peace process.

The Secretary-General urges all Ivorian political forces and their leaders to work together to build upon the steps already taken toward implementing the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. In this regard, the Secretary-General hopes that the Ivoirian Government will continue to provide the necessary leadership in moving the peace process forward. The Secretary-General calls upon the Forces Nouvelles to resume participation in the Government of National Reconciliation and to seek solutions to their grievances through dialogue and through the good offices of the Monitoring Committee, chaired by his Special Representative, Albert Tevoedjre.

UN MISSION REPORTS TENSIONS IN LIBERIAN CAPITAL

The UN Mission in Liberia reported today that Monrovia, the Liberian capital, is tense following random shooting heard throughout the night.

The overnight shooting follows several incidents on Wednesday, including one that occurred when the leader of the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), Sekou Conneh, was trying to make his way into the capital. That situation was brought under control by the UN force, which took over peacekeeping duties in Liberia on Wednesday.

WFP TO ASSIST DISPLACED CIVILIANS FLEEING BURUNDI FIGHTING

Two weeks of fighting between two rival rebels groups have led to the displacement of an estimated 50,000 civilians in the east and northwest of the Burundian capital, Bujumbura.

Over the next month, the World Food Programme and its implementing partner CARE are targeting over 150,000 vulnerable farming households with food aid. Some 750,000 people will benefit from the project.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing more than 210,000 farming households in Burundi with seeds and hoes, and WFP is providing food rations to ensure the farmers have enough food and do not eat their seeds.

UN: MORE THAN ONE MILLION GIRLS ENTERED AFGHAN SCHOOLS

The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said that more than one million girls have entered the Afghan school system since the fall of the Taliban. UNICEF hailed the development as a testament to the courage and wisdom of the Afghan people and the generosity of the international community.

UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy will pay her third visit to the country from October 5-7.

Meanwhile, UNICEF and the UN Mission deplored the burning of two schools on September 27 in Balkh Province. Incidents such as these fly in the face of the collective efforts to build Afghanistans shattered education system and the overwhelming desire amongst the Afghan people to see their children educated, the UN Mission said.

Also on Afghanistan, the World Food Programme has signed an agreement with the New Beginnings Programme to support the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program, targeting 100,000 active soldiers, including officers. WFP will offer a one-time food incentive package to the soldiers who choose to re-enter civilian life. The package will be given only to the soldiers who have undergone demobilization.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

IRAQ ESTIMATED TO NEED $36 BILLION OVER FOUR YEARS: Asked about Iraqs reconstruction needs, the Spokesman confirmed that $35.589 billion would be needed over four years, according to a needs assessment prepared by the UN Development Programme and the World Bank. That figure does not include the Coalition Provision Authoritys estimates of an additional $19.4 billion over those four years.

UN MISSION WELCOMES GUATEMALA COURT DECISION: The UN Mission in Guatemala, MINUGUA, today welcomed the decision by Guatemalas Constitutional Court to uphold the sentencing of two army officers and a priest accused of the 1998 murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi who was killed in April 1998, shortly after issuing a landmark report on the human rights abuses committed in Guatemala during more than 30 years of conflict. MINUGUA points out that this is a very significant legal case, given the Gerardi's personality and the political circumstances surrounding his murder. It welcomes the Courts decision as a valuable step in the struggle against pervasive patterns of impunity in Guatemala.

U.N. TOURS TO RESUME FRIDAY: The General Assemblys general debate is ending this afternoon, and, as a result, the United Nations will be open to the public once more, starting Friday morning. At 9:00 a.m., the UN Headquarters building will re-open to the public and guided tours will resume.

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