United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-11-28

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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, November 28, 2003

ANNAN: ISRAEL NOT COMPLYING WITH DEMAND TO HALT BARRIER

IN OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today released his report, requested by the General Assembly, on the Government of Israels compliance with a General Assembly Resolution, which demands that Israel stop and reverse construction of a barrier in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Secretary-General concludes that Israel is not in compliance with this demand.

In the report, the Secretary-General acknowledges and recognizes Israels right and duty to protect its people against terrorist attacks.

The Secretary-Generals position has always been that the State of Israel has the legitimate right to live in peace and security. Nevertheless, he points out, that this right "should not be carried out in a way that is in contradiction to international law, that could damage the longer-term prospects for peace by making the creation of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state more difficult, or that increases suffering among the Palestinian people."

In addition to reporting on Israels compliance with the Resolution, the Secretary-General informs the General Assembly about the humanitarian and socio-economic impact of completed Barrier sections, and the implications of the official planned route. His findings include the following:

Approximately 56,000 Palestinians already live in enclaves created by the Barrier, most notably the town of Qalqiliya, in which access to land, markets, jobs and services is seriously impeded.

The Secretary-General remains convinced that the only outcome that will bring lasting security and prosperity to both sides is a just, durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in which two sovereign and independent states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders.

He urges the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to go back to the negotiating table to reach this end.

LIBERIA: WALKOUT AT DISARMAMENT MEETING STRONGLY CONDEMNED

The UN Mission in Liberia has strongly condemned a walkout staged at the first meeting of the country's National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration.

The representatives of the three groups Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and former members of the Liberian Government at the start of the meeting on Thursday tabled their demands for dozens of positions for themselves within the ministries of the National Transitional Government of Liberia and public corporations as a pre-condition for their participation in the programme.

They then walked out of the meeting, failing to adopt the DDRR programme that will provide their combatants with monetary incentives, food, medical treatment, vocational training, educational opportunities and a chance for a better future.

The UN mission says their actions demonstrate their total disregard for the welfare and well-being not only of their combatants, but of the 3.3 million citizens of Liberia whose interests they claim to represent.

For the first time in 14 years, electricity was supplied to central Monrovia and when a humanitarian flight landed in Voinjama, a distant border town; it marked the first time the airfield had been used in more than a decade. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continued the programs to bring aid to Liberians in need farther and farther away from the capital.

PROTOCOL ADOPTED ON EXPLOSIVE REMNANTS OF WAR

In Geneva today, a new draft Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War was adopted by 92 countries.

The protocol aims to clear up millions of unexploded weapons left behind after conflicts end. The text obliges a country taking part to "mark and clear, remove or destroy explosive remnants of war in affected territories under its control".

ICAO REDUCES DISTANCE BETWEEN AIRLINERS

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) achieved a milestone in air navigation history yesterday, when it reduced the minimum vertical separation between aircraft from 2,000 to 1,000 feet. The new rule will apply to major air traffic routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

ICAO says the change will result in increased route capacity and greater operational flexibility that will generate considerable economic, environmental and passenger service benefits.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

BULGARIA TO ASSUME SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENCY: There are no consultations or meetings of the Security Council scheduled for today. Bulgaria will assume the Council presidency on December 1.

TOURISM MUST BE MANAGED CAREFULLY: While tourism has become the worlds largest economic sector, it still must be handled carefully to avoid such threats as over-development, damage to the environment, the exploitation of workers, the erosion of indigenous culture and the pernicious sex tourism trade, the Secretary-General warned in a message delivered yesterday to the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, which has been meeting in Brasilia. Annan said the World Tourism Organizations recently established Global Code of Ethics for Tourism was an excellent step in the right direction.

NOBEL PEACE LAUREATES SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN DEBATE ABOUT UN REFORM: Today in Rome, Shalini Dewan, the Director of the UN Information Center, delivered the Secretary-Generals message to the Fourth World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in which he said that Nobel Peace Prize laureates have a role to play in the current debate about reform to the United Nations and the international system.

TRIAL OF EX-RWANDAN OFFICIALS STARTS: At the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the trial of four senior officials who belonged to the 1994 Rwandan government began yesterday. The accused, who include three former Government ministers and the former Director General for Foreign Affairs, face seven counts related to genocide and violations of the Geneva Conventions.

HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE TO OPEN IN GUATEMALA: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is expected to sign an Agreement with the Government of Guatemala formally establishing an office in that country. The establishment of this Office follows an initiative of the Government and several international actors in order to continue the work currently done by the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). MINUGUA is expected to close down in December 2004

TREATY ON HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES TRADE: Armenia became the 50th state to ratify the Rotterdam Convention on Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, thus triggering the 90-day count-down to the treatys entry into force.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, December 1

Today is World AIDS day.

Bulgaria assumes the Security Council Presidency for the month of December.

At 10:30 a.m., the Secretary-General will deliver his remarks during the annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

At 11:30 a.m., Ambassador Heraldo Munoz of Chile, Chairman of the Security Council Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, will brief on the report prepared by the monitoring group on Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions. The Chairman of that group, Michael Chandler, is also expected to be present.

At 12.45 p.m., the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations is sponsoring a press conference to draw attention to the "Battle of Hope," a World AIDS Day boxing and musical event to take place in Abuja, Nigeria on 10 January 2004. Panelists include Laila Ali, daughter of heavyweight boxing champion Mohammed Ali; Mr. Jermaine Jackson, brother of musician Michael Jackson; Billy Nwoye, member of the Altadena Town Council, California; and Mr. N.E. Ndekhedehe, Charge d'Affaires of the Nigerian Mission.

At 4.00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Iraq advisory/ contact group in Conference Room 8 at UN headquarters.

At 5:00 p.m. in the Visitors' Lobby the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, in conjunction with UNAIDS will launch a poster exhibition, Signs of Hope, Steps for Change, featuring artwork created in over 23 countries addressing the stigma and discrimination suffered by those living with HIV and AIDS. Some of the artists are traveling to New York and will be on hand. Nane Annan will open the exhibit along with Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS and Rev. Robert Vitillo, President of the National Catholic AIDS Network.

At 7:30 p.m. the UN's World AIDS Day Commemoration will begin at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine, marking the first time the programme is being held outside Headquarters. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature musical performances as well as the experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS from around the world. Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and current Executive Director of the Ethical Globalization Initiative and Kathleen Cravero of UNAIDS will participate and there will be a video message from the Secretary-General.

Tuesday, 2 December

Today is the International day for the Abolition of Slavery

At 12.30 p.m. in Room 226 at UN headquarters, the President of the General Assembly will announce the winners of the Human Rights Awards.

At 1.15 p.m., Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria will hold a briefing about the Security Councils programme of work for the month of December. (Room 226)

Wednesday, 3 December

Today is the International Day for Disabled Persons

At 11.15 a.m., the Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2004, will be launched at UNICEF headquarters, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the day that the anti-personnel mine-ban treaty opened for signature. After the launch, UN Mine Action Service Director Martin Barber will brief the press on the report and the global landmine situation.

Thursday, 4 December

Friday, 5 December

Today is International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.

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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