United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-11-17

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

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY

MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, November 17, 2003

ANNAN ENCOURAGED BY U.S. PROPOSALS TO TRANSFER POWER IN IRAQ

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in response to questions from reporters this morning, said he was encouraged by the latest U.S. proposal to transfer power in Iraq, saying that the United Nations is going to study the plan carefully.

The Secretary-General said he had received briefings over the weekend on the plan from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Iraqi Governing Council President Jalal Talabani and British envoy to Iraq Jeremy Greenstock. He said that he believes Powell also foresees an important UN role in Iraq.

The Secretary-General added that he is looking at candidates to head the UN mission in Iraq and hopes to name a candidate to replace Sergio Vieira de Mello, as his Special Representative in Iraq, in the not too distant future.

Meanwhile, the United Nations will explore what kind of operations it can do from outside Iraq, and, when circumstances permit, how it will operate in Iraq.

ANNAN CONDEMNS ATTACK ON HUMANITARIAN WORKERS IN AFGHANISTAN;

INCIDENT UNDERSCORES URGENT NEED TO IMPROVE SECURITY OUTSIDE KABUL

The Secretary-General, when asked about the killing of a UN humanitarian worker in Afghanistan Sunday, said such an attack could not be justified. He said that security considerations will entail some changes in the way we operate, and I think we are beginning to take some measures already.

According to a statement issued Sunday, the Secretary-General was distressed and angered to learn of the cold-blooded killing of Bettina Goislard, an international staff member, and the wounding of a national staff member of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the city of Ghazni in southeastern Afghanistan.

He condemned this outrageous and contemptible act against unarmed UNHCR staff members who were assisting the people of Afghanistan.

The Secretary-General believes this latest incident, coming less than a week after a bombing in front of the UN offices in Kandahar, underscores the urgent need for the international community to provide stronger security in areas outside the capital, Kabul.

He called on the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of United Nations and other agency and humanitarian staff who are engaged in providing assistance for the reconstruction of a peaceful Afghanistan.

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, said that Bettina Goislards commitment to helping the most vulnerable Afghans start a new life after years of exile illustrated the essence of the UN mission in Afghanistan.

As of today, UN staff in Ghazni have been relocated back to their nearest bases, with the international staff members relocated to Kabul. The security situation is currently being assessed, and interim precautionary measures have been put in place to protect all staff members.

Asked if there had been an increase in attacks on UN targets in Afghanistan, the Spokeswoman answered that in addition to the attack on the UN offices in Kandahar on November 11, over the weekend there had been an additional attack on a UN vehicle in the east but there were no injuries.

Asked what sort of precautions were being taken to protect the UN staff in Afghanistan, the Spokeswoman said the United Nations had suspended operations in the south, east and southeast of the country, pending a review of the security situation. The Spokeswoman stressed that UN operations were continuing in other parts of the country. In response to questions, she said that there are about 800 international staff members in Afghanistan, with more than 500 posted in Kabul.

Asked if the attacks on UN targets in Afghanistan were comparable to those on UN targets in Iraq and could they be seen as an effort to drive the United Nations out of Afghanistan, the Spokeswoman said she had not analogies between the two countries.

Asked if the precautions being considered could include a withdrawal of UN staff from the country, the Spokeswoman said she could not into details of security discussions.

ANNAN CONDEMNS ISTANBUL BOMBING, APPALLED AT LOSS OF LIFE

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary-General condemned the terrorist attacks against two synagogues in Istanbul.

He is appalled at the loss of life. He extends his condolences to the Government of Turkey and to the families of the victims.

He urges that all measures be taken to bring those responsible for these heinous acts to justice.

The acting High Commissioner for Human Right also condemned the bombing. In a statement, he said he finds it particularly disturbing that the bombers targeted places of worship. Religious places must be held sacred.

UNITED NATIONS WELCOMES REPATRIATION OF REBELS BACK TO RWANDA

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued through his Spokesman, welcomes the voluntary repatriation to Rwanda of 103 members of the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR) on 14 November, and congratulates Rwanda and the FDLR leaders for the strength of the political will demonstrated by them to negotiate this repatriation, and to end the long-standing conflict through a peaceful means.

This development represents a major breakthrough in the peace process.

The Secretary-General is gratified that the ongoing efforts to normalize relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda within the framework of the Declaration of Good Neighborly Relations and Cooperation have accelerated.

The Secretary-General calls on the DRC and Rwanda to further strengthen their cooperation in encouraging all remaining Rwandan armed groups in the DRC to return to Rwanda.

He also calls on these armed groups to take advantage of the current opportunities available to them under the United Nations Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC)s voluntary Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Resettlement and Re-integration process.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES EFFORTS TO TACKLE HIV/AIDS

IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

Jean Marie Guehenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, briefed the Security Council this morning on programmes to tackle HIV/AIDS in peacekeeping operations and among uniformed services.

Guehenno focused on actions being taken to reduce the risks of peacekeepers contracting or transmitting HIV while on mission. He told the Council that his Department now has HIV/AIDS policy advisers or focal points in most field missions and provides pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, as well as voluntary, confidential testing and counseling facilities. In addition, DPKO runs outreach projects with local groups including commercial sex workers, schools, youth and womens groups and national armies and police forces.

Guehenno stressed that the key partnership in this area is with the 92 troop contributing countries that currently provide over 42 thousand staff to peacekeeping missions. He urged Member States to use the technical assistance provided by UNAIDS to mainstream HIV awareness training.

Piot said that Security Council resolutions which addressed the AIDS issue in conflict situations had been central to winning the support of national governments in this area and he asked for this to continue. He described the ways in which UNAIDS has addressed AIDS and security and said that HIV represents a challenge to every one of the soldiers and police officers under UN command and added that they should not just rely on education efforts delivered in the context of missions.

Piot urged Member States to ensure that all uniformed personnel, including future and returning peacekeepers are able to participate in ongoing HIV programmes.

The Secretary-General also spoke about HIV/AIDS this morning on his arrival at headquarters. He said this was a major epidemic and more should be done. He noted that the Global Aids Fund was running out of money. He said he would like to see a situation where it would receive about $3 billion a year. He also called for leadership at all levels, from presidents to community leaders and for a further decline in medication prices.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

At 3 p.m. today, the Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the Middle East.

Published today there is an exchange of letters between the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council President regarding the continuation of the UN Political Office for Somalia for the 2004 and 2005.

Also on out today is a Security Council report of a mission to the Central African region that was led by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Tuliameni Kalomoh. The mission, which took place in June, concludes that there is an urgent need for the United Nations to help implement subregional policies to support efforts to address cross-cutting challenges such as the promotion of good governance, and the stemming of illegal flow of arms, drugs and militia.

ANNAN, ITALIAN PRESIDENT CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN IRAQ

The Secretary-General and the President of Italy, Carlo Ciampi held met Sunday afternoon at the Secretary-Generals residence.

Following the 45-minute meeting, the Secretary-General told journalists that had discussed Iraq and the need for the international community to pool its efforts, working with the Iraqis and their neighbours to stabilize the country. We are convinced, the Secretary-General added, that a chaotic Iraq, in the middle of the Middle East, is not in anyones interest.

This meeting had been scheduled to take place today but was moved up to Sunday because President Ciampis had to return to Italy earlier than first scheduled.

ITALY HONORED FOR ITS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF DISABLED

In a ceremony this morning at the United Nations, the Italian Welfare Minister Roberto Maroni, accepted the annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award on behalf of his country.

In a message delivered at the ceremony, the Secretary-General noted that while peacekeeping and the UNs involvement in places like Iraq grabbed the headlines, the organizations work on behalf of persons with disability occupies an important position in the UNs global mission of peace, development and human rights.

Noting that one of every 10 people on earth has some form of mental, physical or sensory impairment, he went on to ask: how can any society develop and truly flourish without the full and equal participation of so many of its citizens?

In the message, which was delivered on his behalf by his wife, Nane Annan, he also paid tribute to Italys efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

UN ENVOY CALLS ON ISRAEL TO CEASE AIR VIOLATIONS OF LEBANON

Today the Secretary-Generals Personal Representative for southern Lebanon, Staffan di Mistura, reiterated his call on the Israeli authorities to cease air violations.

Sunday, nine Israeli air violations, involving 11 aircraft, were recorded. Reports indicated that these aircraft flew over areas throughout southern and eastern Lebanon, breaking the sound barrier. In southern Lebanon, 13 rounds of anti-aircraft fire were recorded.

He has on a number of times pointed to the potential for escalation as a result of these air violations and the ensuing anti-aircraft fire on the Lebanese side.

He reminds all parties of their obligation to refrain from all violations of the Blue Line in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CYPRUS: Asked if the Secretary-Generals position on his Cyprus Good Offices had changed since his report in April where he clearly said that the Turkish Cypriot was responsible for the talks breaking down in stalemate, the Spokeswoman said that the answer to that question is contained in the Secretary-Generals report of April 1st to the Security Council, which outlines the views of the parties that have not substantially changed since then. Asked what the status of the Secretary-Generals Good Offices, the Spokeswoman referred to paragraph 14 of the Secretary-Generals latest report on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, which states the Secretary-Generals position.

KOSOVO: UN officials have reached agreement to restart the privatization program in Kosovo, on the legal basis of existing regulations, says the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Kosovo, Harri Holkeri. The privatization policy will require the Kosovo Trust Agency to conduct a case-by-case review of enterprises before it proceeds with its work, he said. Holkeri spoke after meeting in New York with the senior UN officials dealing with peacekeeping and legal affairs.

ASBESTOS: Asbestos and two hazardous pesticides could be added to an international list of chemicals that cannot be exported unless the importing country explicitly agrees. The matter is being discussed in Geneva this week by the signatories of the 1998 Rotterdam Convention, which seeks to help governments, particularly in the developing world, to prevent chemical accidents and pollution.

WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY: The preparatory talks last week for next months World Summit on the Information Society brought nations closer together on a declaration and an action plan to be adopted at that Summit. Some issues will require further negotiation, however, including security, the governance of the internet, the role of the media and human rights issues. The preparatory committee will hold a final meeting on the fifth and sixth of December, just before the World Summit, which will take place in Geneva on December 10-12.