United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-01-19

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

BY KOFI ANNAN

SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, January 19, 2004

The following item substitutes for the daily noon briefing, which will resume Tuesday.

OPENING REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

"Good Morning [Afternoon], Ladies and Gentlemen.

As you know, I have just been meeting with senior representatives of the Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority.

I wanted to hear the assessment of the Governing Council on how the process in Iraq was evolving and what Iraq expects of the UN by way of assistance. We covered a wide spectrum of issues, including the transitional political process, humanitarian relief, security and the recovery and reconstruction of Iraq.

In my view, this meeting has been an important opportunity for all of us to get a clearer understanding of each others positions.

I believe we did that. We would all agree that it was a very frank and open exchange of views, which we will aim to continue and broaden in the near future.

For my part, I would want the UN to concentrate on areas where we have a clear comparative advantage, and which all Iraqis consider vital. Further details and discussion are needed to clarify exactly how the UN can best help in the various fields where we have been asked to assist.

Meanwhile, both the Governing Council and the CPA representatives have expressed a strong wish that the UN should quickly send a technical mission to Iraq to advise on the feasibility of elections within the next few months and, if not, what alternatives might be possible.

I think we all agree that elections are going to be necessary, indeed there is provision for two sets of elections in 2005. The issue now is whether the technical, political or security conditions exist for general direct elections to take place as early as May this year.

Other subjects discussed included the process of drafting and finalizing the fundamental law, future appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the question of security agreements to be concluded between the Governing Council and the CPA, as provided for in the 15 November agreement.

Obviously, the scope for operational UN activities inside Iraq will continue to be constrained by the security situation for some time to come. The CPA and the Governing Council offered undertakings that the coalition and the Governing Council would provide full security for UN international personnel in Iraq.

Let me state once again that the UNs sole objective is to help the Iraqi people. We would like to see as broad a consensus as possible develop among Iraqis on what needs to be done to bring about an Iraq at peace with itself and with its neighbours and on the role that the UN can play in this.

I believe that there is widespread agreement among us that the UN will have an important role to play in working with the Iraqi provisional Government from July onwards on key constitutional and electoral issues. We agreed that partnership would be necessary and we are also going to be active in recovery, reconstruction and in the humanitarian and human rights fields.

Meanwhile, as regards a possible role between now and the end of June for the UN, we have agreed that further discussions should take place at the technical level, which would be focused on the most immediate electoral and security issues. On the basis of those discussions, I would be in a better position to take decisions about what the UN can do to help, particularly regarding the possible dispatch of a mission to Iraq to advise on elections.

Thank you very much. I will now take your questions."

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

In response to questions about what had been decided upon at todays meeting, the Secretary-General said that the focus had been on the possibility of sending a technical team to assess, on the ground, whether elections are possible between now and May.

That team would be in addition to a four-man security team the UN intends to send, which, the Secretary-General said, has received the cooperation of the Coalition Provisional Authority to go about its work.

Asked about his own views about the likelihood of elections, the Secretary-General said he does not believe that there is enough time between now and May to hold elections, although any team that looks into that issue would report back to him on whether that is the case.

Asked whether the elections plan could be restructured, he said the United Nations needs more details, and will discuss the matter at the technical level. All stakeholders, he said, are open to refinements of the plan now on the table.

Asked why the United Nations should be involved in the current US efforts in Iraq, the Secretary-General stressed, The stability of Iraq should be everyones business. If we get it wrong at this stage, he warned, we may not even be able to move to the next stage.

Asked about the Sunday bomb attack in Baghdad, he said that, given concerns about security, what happened was not reassuring. He noted that the Coalition Provisional Authority has some ideas about how to improve security conditions for the UN. At the same time, he told another questioner, he does not foresee a massive return of the UN until a new government is in place in Iraq.

At the same time, he said, he wishes to have the UN begin work not only on planning for Iraq but also in ensuring that it can work with the new government.

Asked about communications with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the Secretary-General said he had not communicated directly with him, but that the late Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and adviser Ghassan Salameh had both previously had contacts with al-Sistani and members of his entourage. The United Nations continues to have contacts with his advisers and entourage.

Asked about whether UN Special Adviser Lakhdar Brahimi would have a role in dealing with Iraq, the Secretary-General said he has not taken a decision on that matter.

He said that he would make the judgment as to who leads his team. It shouldnt be very long before he does so, he added.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING IRAQ

SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET WITH GOVERNING COUNCIL AT 5 P.M.: The Security Council is scheduled to hold a private meeting starting 5 p.m. today with Adnan Pachachi, the chairman of the Iraqi Governing Council. The Secretary-General is scheduled to attend the session.

UNITED NATIONS CARRIES OUT HUMANITARIAN WORK IN IRAQ: Within the limitations imposed by the security situation, UN agencies and programmes are continuing to carry out a wide range of assistance through their national staff and Iraqi contractors, with the support of several hundred international staff in the region. These activities include cross-border deliveries, rehabilitation projects and capacity building.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY

AGREEMENT REACHED ON LIBYAN NUCLEAR INSPECTIONS: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed ElBaradei met today with U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and Nuclear Proliferation, John Bolton and his British counterpart, William Ehrman, to coordinate their respective efforts in implementing Libya's decision to abandon any nuclear weapons related program and activities. ElBaradei indicated that the sides had "reached agreement on what needs to be done."

SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING ON SMALL ARMS: Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs Nobuyasu Abe today told the Security Council that the Secretary-General is encouraged by the Councils continued efforts to address the challenge posed by illicit small arms and light weapons. Addressing an

open debate of the Council on small arms, Abe presented

the Secretary-Generals recent report on that topic, which highlights progress made in dealing with the trade of illicit small arms, but notes as challenges the imposition of coercive measures against Member States that deliberately violate arms embargoes and restrictions on the supply of ammunition.

AUSTRALIAN ELECTED AS CHAIR OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Today in Geneva, Ambassador Mike Smith of Australia was elected by consensus as the chairman of the 60th session of the Commission on Human Rights, succeeding Ambassador Najat al-Hajaji of Libya. Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan today called the opening of the 60th session historic and urged the Commission to take action against the trafficking of women and children.

UN HELICOPTER COMES UNDER ATTACK IN DR CONGO: The head of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, William Swing, has described the attack against a UN helicopter on 16 January as very serious and unacceptable. The helicopter was on its way to a town near Bunia, following an attack on a camp by the Nationalist Integrationist Front (FNI) militia, when it was fired upon five times. While the firing caused no casualties, Swing condemned the attack in which the FNI is believed to have been involved. He said that the United Nations would use all means necessary to protect the civilian population, and UN helicopters and troops.

PEACE PROCESS IN ABKHAZIA, GEORGIA REMAINS PAINFULLY SLOW: In his report on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, which was made available today, the Secretary-General said that while some progress has been made in the peace process there, the progress has remained painfully slow. Nevertheless, the Secretary-General encouraged both sides in the dispute to continue implementing recommended peace-building initiatives, such as the opening of a human rights office in the Gali district as well as resolution of the dispute over language teaching in the area. He added that he recommends a further extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in Georgia for six months, up until 31 July this year.

UN ENVOY VISITS TROUBLED GALI REGION: The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Georgia, Heidi Tagliavini, traveled to Gali today to chair the second meeting between the sides on security in the Gali district, a conflict-afflicted region near Abkhazia's border with the rest of Georgia. The meeting involved discussion of ways to improve the effectiveness of security mechanisms in the zone of conflict and related questions.

MORE THAN 420,000 AFGHANS REGISTER TO VOTE: The UN Mission in

Afghanistan, in its Sunday briefing, noted that Afghan President Hamid Karzai registered as a voter that day in Kabul. So far, more than 420,000 Afghans have registered to vote.

AID REACHES FLOOD VICTIMS IN WESTERN AFGHANISTAN: In response to intense rainfall in Afghanistans Herat province, which caused extensive flooding in the most heavily populated areas of the region, a UN team visited the affected villages on Saturday, and today, food and non-food items are being supplied to the affected families.

SUDANESE REFUGEES RELOCATED IN CHAD: After months of living on the edge, hundreds of Sudanese refugees have reached safety after being moved from the insecure Chad-Sudan border to an inland site in eastern Chad. The

UN refugee agency and the local Chadian authorities are continuing their search for new sites in eastern Chad to relocate more Sudanese refugees before May, when the rainy season will render the sandy roads impassable for heavy trucks.

GABON AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA DISCUSS TERRITORIAL DISPUTE: The Foreign Ministers of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are meeting today at UN headquarters with UN mediator Yves Fortier to discuss their territorial dispute.

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL REFLECTS ON NEW OBSTACLES TO WORLD PEACE: Deputy Secretary-General, Louise Frechette spoke today about new obstacles to world peace and the need for collective responses to the challenges posed by international terrorism and genocide. In her keynote address to the Canadian Club in Montreal, Frechette also called on the international community to uphold the

Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty and to address HIV/AIDS, the deadliest epidemic in human history.

AGREEMENT REACHED ON DRAFT TEXT ON RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The Working Group on Disability Convention has adopted a draft text of an international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The draft text incorporates the goal of removing barriers in society to ensure the full participation of people with disabilities in social and economic life.

EXPERTS MEET ON CONVENTION AGAINST DOPING IN SPORT: Around 300 experts in law and sport, particularly those specializing in the fight against doping, are expected to attend UNESCOs first intergovernmental meeting on the Preliminary Draft of the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, which began in Geneva today.

ANNAN TO LEAVE NEW YORK FOR EUROPE: In the evening, the Secretary-General will leave New York to begin a 12-day, seven-city trip to Europe.

GUEST AT NOON BRIEFING TUESDAY: Under-Secretary-General Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Secretary-General of the Barbados +10 Conference on Small Islands, will brief on a preparatory meeting to be held in Nassau, Bahamas from 26-30 January.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

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New York, NY 10017

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