United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-02-26

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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

Thursday, February 26, 2004

UN PREMISES ARE INVIOLABLE, SPOKESMAN SAYS; UN WILL GUARD AGAINST INVASIONS OF PRIVACY

The Spokesman said that the United Nations has seen todays media reports alleging that the Secretary-Generals phone conversations were tapped by British intelligence. We would be disappointed if this were true, he said in a statement.

Such activities would undermine the integrity and confidential nature of diplomatic exchanges. Those who speak to the Secretary-General are entitled to assume that their exchanges are confidential.

The Secretary-General therefore would want this practice stopped, if indeed it exists.

The Secretariat routinely takes technical measures to guard against such invasions of privacy, and those efforts will now be intensified.

Asked whether the alleged bugging activities would be illegal, the Spokesman said that the United Nations considered them to be illegal. He cited three relevant treaties: the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the 1947 Headquarters Agreement between the United Nations and the United States and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

In particular, the Spokesman cited Article II, Section 3 of the 1946 Agreement, which states, The premises of the United Nations shall be inviolable. The property and assets of the United Nations, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be immune from search, requisition, confiscation, expropriation and any other form of interference, whether by executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action.

Eckhard added that, although that Convention had been drafted fifty years ago, its provisions apply as well to satellite intercepts and other such forms of interference.

Asked how the United Nations can prevent such practises, the Spokesman said that the United Nations could take certain steps within its power, including using secure phones and secure fax lines. He said that the Secretary-Generals offices are routinely checked.

In terms of further UN action, he acknowledged that the United Nations has no practical means of enforcing the above laws, but he stressed that the alleged activities were not good for UN work, and were illegal.

He said the United Nations would use any measures that it could to safeguard communications, with the awareness that no method is foolproof.

Asked whether any bugging devices had ever been found, he said he was not at liberty to say. Eckhard also declined to talk about security-related matters.

Asked about any communications today between the Secretary-General and British officials, the Spokesman said that UK Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry had called by phone from London with the Secretary-General, and had said he was calling on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Spokesman declined to provide details of the conversation.

He was unaware of any intention by the Secretary-General to speak with former British Cabinet official Clare Short, who made the allegations. He added the United Nations did not know if the allegations made today are true.

Asked whether the allegations only referred to the British Government, the Spokesman said the United Nations was reacting on the basis of Shorts comments. He was not aware whether the Secretary-General would speak to any other nations on this matter.

Asked whether the bugging of other Member States missions to the UN was also illegal, he said the matter was outside the United Nations purview, but cited the 1961 Vienna Convention.

Asked whether anyone close to the Secretary-General could have been involved, the Spokesman said there was no reason to suspect them, and noted that all UN staff are expressly prohibited from taking instructions from governments.

He said that the United Nations was reaffirming the principle that UN premises are inviolable. Were throwing down a red flag, and saying, If this is true, please stop it.

ANNAN VOICES SORROW AT PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKIS DEATH

Secretary-General Kofi Annan learned with deep sadness of the tragic death of the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski, and members of his delegation in a plane crash today.

President Trajkovski will be remembered for his crucial role in preserving the unity of his country and laying down the basis for the stability of a multi-ethnic Macedonian state. A true European, President Trajkovski greatly contributed to the development of regional cooperation and led his country towards membership in the European Union and NATO to ensure prosperity and stability for his people and for the entire region.

The Secretary-General conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of President Trajkovski and the members of his delegation, and to the people of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Also today, Security Council President Wang Guangya said that the members of the Council expressed their profound sadness at President Trajkovskis death, and offered their condolences to his family and the Government and people of his nation.

Harri Holkeri, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Kosovo, has also conveyed his deep shock and sorrow.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO HOLD FORMAL MEETING ON HAITI THIS AFTERNOON

The Security Council today will hold a formal meeting on Haiti at 3:00 p.m., which was requested yesterday by Jamaica, acting on behalf of the Caribbean Community. The Secretary-General will attend that meeting.

This morning, Council members held consultations on Haiti in which they considered a draft Presidential Statement, which was submitted by the United States.

Council members also have before them a letter from the French mission, transmitting a declaration by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin that calls for the immediate establishment of an international civilian peacekeeping force and international assistance for preparing presidential elections in Haiti.

On Wednesday, the Security Council President, Ambassador Wang Guangya of China, said in a press statement that Council members deplored the decision by Haitis opposition to reject the plan of action presented by the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States.

They call on Haitis Government and opposition to accept and implement the provisions of that plan, and also call on both sides to respect human rights and cease the use of violence to advance political goals.

Earlier today, the Security Council held a formal meeting to hear from the new President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili. President Saakashvili also was scheduled to meet the Secretary-General today, at 2:15 p.m.

FIVE AFGHAN AID WORKERS KILLED IN ATTACK NEAR KABUL

UNAMA, the UN Mission in Afghanistan, confirmed today that, on Wednesday night, Afghan aid workers were attacked in a village approximately 25 kilometers north of Kabul, with five aid workers killed when unknown assailants fired on them. The UN Mission called the attack absolutely unacceptable.

The Mission also said today that more than 1.1 million Afghans have now registered to vote in the eight cities where voter registration is taking place. About one quarter of the registrants so far are women, with a slight increase recorded in recent days in the numbers of women who are registering.

FUNDS NEEDED FOR CRUCIAL AIDS PROJECTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The future of millions of children in six southern African countries is being put in jeopardy by a massive lack of funds and international support for crucial aid projects, according to a warning issued today by eight UN agencies at the launch of the Mid Term Review of the Consolidated Appeal for southern Africa.

To date, the UN has received $324 million, but only $24 million is for non-food activities, or only 14 percent of what is needed.

The UN Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa, James Morris, noted that, after millions of children have been saved from starvation, it is tragic that their lives now remain at risk from a lack of clean water, adequate sanitation and proper health care.

UNDP CALLS FOR CREDIT RATINGS FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is calling for greater inclusion of African countries in international financial markets through the continued expansion of credit ratings in the continent.

Several African countries received a credit rating over the past year under UNDPs credit rating initiative with Standard and Poors, and several more are expected to receive a rating this year.

UNDP hopes the ratings will help to provide better access to financing, which in turn will help African countries to tackle a broad range of poverty alleviation issues and provide an incentive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals are a set of measurable targets for reducing poverty and improving lives that world leaders agreed to at the Millennium Summit in 2000.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTERNATIONAL COURT ORDERS RELEASE OF RWANDAN SUSPECTS: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda today ordered the conditional release of two Rwandan suspects, including the former Minister of Transportation and Communications, following their acquittal Wednesday on charges that they organized and participated in the 1994 genocide.

PROSECUTORS WRAP UP CASE AGAINST MILOSEVIC: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia confirmed on Wednesday that the prosecution had formally closed the case against former President Slobodan Milosevic.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

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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