United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-10-14

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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

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES NEW DRAFT RESOLUTION ON IRAQ;

ANNAN SAYS NEW TEXT DOES NOT REPRESENT MAJOR SHIFT IN THINKING

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, asked about the latest draft resolution on Iraq being discussed in the Security Council, told reporters upon entering UN headquarters this morning that, obviously, the current resolution does not represent a major shift in the thinking of the Coalition. However, he said, I am grateful that they have taken into view, into account, some of my preoccupations.

He added that he would implement any resolution that the Security Council may adopt, bearing in mind the constraints the United Nations faces.

In particular, he noted the very difficult security situation, adding that, in the present draft resolution, his own role will kick in when the circumstances permit.

Asked about the security situation while the United States remains the occupying power in Iraq, the Secretary-General said that he is on the record as stating that as long as there is occupation, the resistance will grow.

He was asked about language in the resolution, which states that the Governing Council will embody the sovereignty of Iraq, and said that the wording was a nice phrase, but added that, under this resolution, the occupying power is and will remain the government until such time that power is fully handed over to the Iraqis.

The Secretary-General, in response to a question about whether the resolution would be useful, said that when the Council passes a resolution, it always hopes the resolution will have an impact, adding, that is the test of the effectiveness of the resolution.

He hoped that the drafters of the resolution would work hard to obtain as broad support as possible.

Asked what the Secretary-General was referring to when he talked about the circumstances that might permit a role for the United Nations in Iraq, the Spokesman said the wording in the resolution was in response to the Secretary-Generals request that the Security Council take into consideration a number of factors that would determine his ability to carry out activities in Iraq using international staff. The most important of those factors, but not the only one, is security.

This morning, the Security Council began consultations on the latest draft resolution on Iraq. Those discussions were suspended after about an hour to make way for a scheduled meeting on the Middle East. The consultations on Iraq are scheduled to resume later today at the conclusion of the Middle East debate.

SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS OPEN DEBATE ON THE MIDDLE EAST

The Security Council is holding an open debate the Middle East, which was requested by Syria concerning Israels construction of a wall in the occupied territories. There are 45 speakers for the Middle East meeting.

Late Monday afternoon, the Security Council authorized the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to extend its presence from the capital, Kabul, to other parts of the country, citing the importance of extending the Government's authority throughout the country and providing security for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts. The vote on the new resolution, 1510 (2003) which extended the force's mandate another 12 months, was unanimous.

ANNAN URGES NEW LIBERIAN LEADERSHIP TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

Charles Gyude Bryant was sworn as Chairman he chairman-elect of the National Transitional Government of Liberia in an inauguration ceremony in the capital Monrovia.

The Secretary-General, in a message read by his Special Representative Jacques Klein, described the occasion as a turning point for Liberia.

This is your country, and yours to rebuild. I urge you to seize the opportunity provided by the international attention and resources currently directed towards Liberia, he said in his message.

Also attending the inauguration were Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and John Kufuor of Ghana, in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Foreign ministers from the West African sub-region and a senior U.S. State Department official were also present.

Klein, adding his own remarks, said, Rains this morning are a symbol from heaven. They washed away the past, they cleansed the land and they have blessed this nation and its people.

ANNAN CONCERNED AT VIOLENCE IN BOLIVIA, CALLS FOR RESTRAINT

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued through his Spokesman, is gravely concerned by the continuing violence in Bolivia, which has led to many deaths in the past several days. He calls upon the Government of Bolivia and the opposition to exercise maximum restraint at this very dangerous time and to settle their differences through peaceful means and dialogue.

There must be full respect for human rights, above all the right to life.

In order to address the very serious social and economic problems confronting the country, democratic institutions must be preserved and strengthened and the rule of law must prevail. This is the only way to ensure peaceful development for the benefit of all Bolivians.

ANNAN REGRETS BEING UNABLE TO ATTEND OIC SUMMIT IN MALAYSIA

In answer to questions, the Secretary-General wishes to make it clear, through a statement issued by his Spokesman, that he greatly regrets being unable to attend this weeks summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The Secretary-General attaches great importance to the OIC, and had planned to attend, but unfortunately has to remain in New York for very important discussions relating to Iraq, in which he is intimately involved.

He is, however, sending Lakdar Brahimi, his Special Representative for Afghanistan, to represent him at the summit and read a statement on his behalf.

The Secretary-General will be speaking to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohammed, later today.

U.N. BLUE HELMETS EXPAND DEPLOYMENT IN NORTHEAST DR CONGO

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said that the Mission is now being deployed in four locations in Ituri outside Bunia.

One company, with 175 blue helmets, has already been deployed in Bule, near the village where the last massacre occurred on 6 October.

Starting tomorrow, three more companies will be deployed in the villages of Bogoro, Iga Barrier, and Marabo.

For the rest of Ituri, deployment will start at end of November with the full presence of the Nepalese contingent.

The Security Council Resolution 1493 requires the Secretary-General to deploy UN peacekeepers in other parts of Ituri, as the situation permits, to help to stabilize the security conditions and improve the humanitarian situation.

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY CHIEF TO VISIT IRAN

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, will visit Iran later this week, and he will be accompanied by senior officials of the Agency.

Monday, he accepted an invitation from the Iranian Government to visit. As discussed with Iranian officials, the purpose of ElBaradei's visit would be for Iran to provide the IAEA with all the remaining information required to clarify important questions that are still outstanding about Iran's nuclear programs.

He will report to the Agency's Board of Governors in November on the implementation by Iran of its safeguards agreement under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TO MAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA

Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette is leaving Headquarters today to travel to Vancouver followed by an official visit to China.

In Vancouver, she will participate in a meeting of the Board of the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation.

On October 19 in Beijing, she will address the opening of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), where one of the main issues will be the agreement that will make the WTO a specialized agency of the UN system.

While in China, the Deputy Secretary-General will have meetings with Government officials as well as the UN Country team.

The Deputy Secretary-General will be back in the office on Monday, 27 October.

UNITED NATIONS TO HOST MIDDLE EAST MEDIA SEMINAR IN SPAIN

The question of peace in the Middle East will be the subject of an international media seminar organized by the UNs Department of Public Information on October 21 and 22 in Seville, Spain.

Co-hosted by the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the two-day meeting will bring together present and former policy-makers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as senior UN officials, international experts and representatives of the world media.

The seminar, entitled Toward a Two-State Solution, will provide a forum for media representatives and international experts to discuss the present situation of the road map to peace in the Middle East. Participants will reflect, as civil society leaders, on the role of culture, literature and education in facilitating a dialogue for peace, and on the medias coverage of the conflict.

Senior UN officials present will include the Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor, as well as The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed Larsen.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

MANATEES AND GREEN SEA TURTLES THREATENED: Manatees and green sea turtles are just some of the growing list of already threatened species at risk from the destruction of ocean sea grass according to a new report issued by the UN Environment Programme. The first-ever-global survey of the underwater meadows of sea grass that skirt the world's coasts reveals that 15 percent of this unique marine ecosystem has been lost in the last 10 years.

HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES IN ANGOLA NEED $2.5 MILLION: The World Food Programme (WFP) today launched an appeal for Angola for $2.5 million for the next three months so that it could maintain its air operations concerning transport of personnel and supplies for 200 humanitarian agencies in Angola.

U.N. BUDGET: Vanuatu today paid more than $13,500 dollars to the UN regular budget to become the 112th Member State to pay its dues in full this year.