United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-02-11

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

BY FRED ECKHARD

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO RESUME TALKS WITH CYPRUS LEADERS

This afternoon at 4:00 p.m., Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will meet again with Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resume the discussions on Cyprus, which were adjourned late Tuesday afternoon.

The three-way meeting involving the Secretary-General, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots is the first event on Cyprus scheduled for today.

Asked whether the Tuesday talks had failed, the Spokesman noted that Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto afterwards had said that they had paused.

The Spokesman declined to speculate, in response to questions, on what changes could be made in the Cyprus peace process, but noted that the Secretary-Generals plan was on the table, and, if the two parties should agree to changes in it, he would be ready to make them.

Asked about the role of the guarantor parties, the Spokesman noted that the three guarantor states Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom were in the wings for the talks and prepared to help as required. The Secretary-General, he added, had asked for their help, including pressure on the parties to negotiate seriously. The guarantors have been involved throughout the process, and the Secretary-General also discussed Cyprus on his recent visit to Washington, D.C.

Asked if the Cyprus talks would end today, the Spokesman said that would be the Secretary-Generals preference, although he could not predict what would happen.

U.N. TEAM IN IRAQ MEETS WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS, CIVIL SOCIETY

The UN fact-finding team to Iraq, led by Lakhdar Brahimi, continued its work in Iraq today.

This morning, Brahimi met with two members of the Governing Council, Ghazy al Yawar, a Sunni from Mosul, and Younadem Kena, a representative of the Assyrian Christian minority.

This afternoon, he held discussions with a large group of lawyers, human rights activists and jurists. He followed that meeting with discussions with three members of the Shiite Dawa party, which is also represented on the Governing Council.

Later this evening, he will meet with a cross-section of Iraqi society, including academics and intellectuals.

Asked about the recent suicide bombings in Iraq, the Spokesman declined to comment, but noted that the fact-finding team is continuing its work as planned.

Asked how long that work would take, he noted that the Secretary-General said earlier this week that the experts may stay for about a week.

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED ON U.N. EFFORTS IN DR-CONGO

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), William Swing, briefed the Security Council this morning on the situation in the DRC. Swing noted the UN's efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the country and to assist the work of the Transitional Government.

The President of the Security Council, Ambassador Wang Guangya, read out a press statement at the end of the meeting, saying Council members were encouraged by recent positive developments in the peace and reconciliation process.

These consultations follow Mondays meeting at Headquarters on security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, held under the auspices of the Deputy Secretary-General, Louise Fréchette. The participants at that meeting (the DRC Government, the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, and other interested states) afterward issued a communiqué on how they expect to implement and coordinate military, police, and disarmament and demobilization aspects of the peace process.

U.N. TEAM REACHES SUSPECTED MASSACRE SITE IN DR CONGO

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported today that a UN military team has finally been able to reach an area near Gobu, northeast of Bunia, where a massacre is reported to have taken place on January 15. Earlier attempts to reach the area were thwarted by bad weather and the difficult terrain.

So far, the military team has discovered 12 bodies at the site. Another team composed of human rights experts is on its way to Gobu to follow up the investigation.

U.N. FORCE COMMANDERS IN WEST AFRICA TO MEET FRIDAY

The force commanders of three UN missions in West Africa -- Cote dIvoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone are scheduled to meet Friday in Abidjan to address cross-border security concerns of the sub-region.

They will also discuss disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-fighters in the sub-region, cooperation among the three missions and cross-border operations, according to the UN Mission in Cote dIvoire.

INSECURITY IN HAITI HAMPERING FOOD DELIVERIES

The World Food Programme today expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in Haiti. It says the situation there could affect the nutritional status of up to 268,000 of its beneficiaries, if food aid deliveries to the countrys north and northwest dont resume within the coming week.

Since last Thursday, WFP hasnt been able to deliver food to the northern towns of Port-de-Paix and Cap Haitien, as the main road to these towns has been blocked.

Asked about UN response to the violence in Haiti, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General is sending an assessment team to look at ways to help address humanitarian concerns, and is also exploring how to support the political efforts of the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States.

The Spokesman added that the Secretary-General likely would not appoint a Special Representative, but would concentrate on supporting regional efforts. To his knowledge, the Government of Haiti had not asked for assistance.

Asked what UN bodies were present at Haiti today, he noted afterward that the UN Development Programme, World Food Programme, World Health Organization, UN Population Fund, UN Childrens Fund, Food and Agricultural Organization and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization were all working in the country.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME TO BUY OLIVE OIL FROM PALESTINIAN FARMERS

The World Food Programme, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, will purchase 416 metric tons of olive oil from 2,600 selected poor Palestinian farmers. The purchase will cost a total of $1.3 million.

The agency will deliver the olive oil to WFP beneficiaries living in Gaza and the West Bank. These people have limited access to olive oil, due to its high cost and unavailability in markets.

WFP says that by purchasing the oil directly from the farmers, it is able to assist the most vulnerable people in the Palestinian Territories, while at the same help the West Banks local economy.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOUISE ARBOUR ON SHORT LIST OF HUMAN RIGHTS CANDIDATES: Asked whether Canadian Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour would be named UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Spokesman said that she is on a very short list of candidates, but that a decision has not been made.

FOOD AID REQUIRED IN SUDAN DESPITE RECORD HARVEST: The Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Food Programme have released today a joint report on Sudan, and in it, they forecast a record cereal harvest of 6.3 million tons this year. The record harvest comes as a result of favorable rains, the timely availability of agricultural inputs, and few significant outbreaks of pests or diseases. But despite the bumper harvest and good prospects for peace in southern Sudan, around 3.6 million people will need targeted food assistance this year mainly due to civil unrest.

FOOD SUPPLIES FOR NORTH KOREA DRYING UP: Asked about the UN response to the food shortage in North Korea, the Spokesman reiterated that the best thing the United Nations can do is to deliver food aid, but, despite its repeated warnings of a shortfall, food supplies are drying up. Consequently, there will be a pause in food deliveries until more food aid arrives in the pipeline.

ANNAN NOTES REMAINING DECOLONIZATION WORK: Colonialism is an anachronism in the 21st century, the Secretary-General says, although the work of the United Nations on decolonization is not yet finished. Speaking to the Special Committee that deals with decolonization this morning, he said that a lot of work remains to be done, with sixteen non-self-governing territories remaining on the Committees list. He voiced the hope that all administering powers will work to find ways to further the decolonization process in the year ahead.

NEARLY ONE MILLION BOSNIANS HAVE RETURNED HOME: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees says it will gradually shift the focus of its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina from refugee returns to helping the country set up its own asylum system. Nearly one million people had returned to their homes since the Bosnian war ended more than eight years ago.

FIGHTING HUNGER NOW CAN PREVENT OBESITY TOMORROW: Reducing hunger and undernourishment in pregnant women and children could prevent them from becoming overweight and obese, as well as reduce associated health costs in later life. Thats one of the key findings of a study released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The study uses evidence that suggests that hunger during pregnancy "programs" fetal tissues to get the most out of the food energy available, leading to over-nourishment in adult life, when coupled with greater food availability and a more sedentary lifestyle.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

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