United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-03-02

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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

Tuesday, March 2, 2004

SECRETARY-GENERAL AND SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMN

ATTACKS DURING HOLY OCCASION OF ASHURA

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement, condemned in the strongest possible terms todays terrorist attacks in Karbala and Baghdad, in Iraq. He is particularly appalled that these incidents took place in and around Muslim shrines during the holy occasion of Ashura.

The Secretary-General urged all Iraqis to refrain from acts that could undermine efforts to achieve national reconciliation at this delicate stage of the countrys political situation. He reiterated that Iraqis from all segments of society should work toward building political consensus and national reconciliation in a peaceful environment.

The Secretary-General is similarly appalled by reports of another attack, also during a procession today marking Ashura, in the Pakistani city of Quetta, which has resulted in the death and injury of dozens. Once again, he strongly condemned such cowardly attacks.

The Secretary-General reiterated his position that all terrorist acts, whatever their justifications, are morally reprehensible and wholly indefensible.

The Secretary-General extended his sincere condolences to the families of all the victims of todays attacks.

[The Security Council President, Ambassador Jean Marc de La Sabliere of France, also expressed the Council members condemnation in the strongest possible terms of todays terrorist attacks in Iraq. Council members, in a press statement read by de La Sabliere, also reiterated their full support to the efforts of the Iraqi people to rebuild their country and advance the political transition.]

Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan also expressed his shock and horror at the bombings in Iraq. He called it a barbaric crime, adding that nothing can justify these attacks and all must be done to bring those responsible to justice in line with international norms.

Asked about the effects of the violence in Iraq, the Spokesman said it is possible that those who carried out the attacks sought to undermine a peaceful transition in the country. The Secretary-General hopes the Iraqi people will not be deterred.

Asked about the potential for wider Sunni-Shia violence, the Spokesman said the United Nations would like to think the attacks are not solely based on religion, but may be politically motivated. He said that the United Nations hoped that Iraqi Sunnis and Shias could work together, as they have done recently in developing a constitution.

ANNAN CALLS FOR LONG-TERM INVOLVEMENT IN HAITI

The people of Haiti, and their efforts to build a better future, should be at the center of international efforts, the Secretary-General told reporters upon entering UN Headquarters today.

He said that he hopes the international community will be involved in Haiti for the long haul, and not a quick turn-around, adding that the effort to stabilize the country may take years.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had any misgivings about the Security Council action on Haiti on Sunday, following his meeting Monday with members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus who conveyed the view that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide had been deposed in a coup, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General felt quick action in Haiti was justified, given the threatening situation on the ground.

The Spokesman noted that the account of events in Haiti provided by the Caucus and by the U.S. State Department differed. But, he added, given the substantial amount of work needed in Haiti, the Secretary-General had no misgivings about the Security Councils action.

Asked whether the Congressional Black Caucus had asked the Security Council to investigate Aristides ouster, the Spokesman noted that any request to the Security Council would have to come from the executive branch of the Government.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had spoken to Aristide, the Spokesman said that Aristide had called the Secretary-General twice over the past week, prior to his ouster.

HUMANITARIAN AID DISTRIBUTION TO HAITI STILL FROZEN

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the situation in Haiti remains chaotic and the distribution of humanitarian aid is frozen for the time being.

UN staffers in Haiti returned to their offices yesterday to resume work, especially on the UN Flash Appeal for Haiti, which is to be presented to donor countries as soon as possible. The United Nations is attempting a rapid assessment of storehouses to see what remains after the widespread looting of the past days.

Meanwhile, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has issued an emergency appeal for $7.6 million to provide relief for children and women caught up by the collapse of civil authority. UNICEF has also announced that a humanitarian flight will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, carrying health and educational kits.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports that most of Haitis health centers ceased full operations over the weekend, due to the violence and the lack of electricity and water. PAHO has asked all parties to respect the neutrality of hospitals, and is doing all it can to coordinate the provision of medical supplies.

UN WEAPONS INSPECTORS REPORT ONGOING PROJECTS

The UN Monitoring Verification, and Inspection Commission, known as UNMOVIC, issued its latest quarterly report to the Security Council today.

UNMOVICs staff continues to work on a number of on-going projects, notably a compendium of Iraqs past proscribed weapons programs part of which is included as an annex to the report.

The commissions Executive Chairman, Demetrius Perricos, also reports that in the last quarter he and his staff received no official information on the work the US-led Iraq Survey Group. UNMOVIC hopes that the Groups final report expected out later this year will be made available.

Asked about UNMOVICs evaluation that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq in recent years, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General said today that he wasnt surprised.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES PROGRAM OF WORK, DR-CONGO

The Security Council held consultations on its program for work for the month.

Also this morning, the Security Council was briefed on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean Marie Guéhenno. The briefing focused on the deterioration of security in the eastern regions of the DRC, recent attacks against UN mission personnel, and the challenges facing the Transitional Government in order to achieve national reconciliation.

The Council President spoke to the press after consultations ended, and said that Council members reaffirmed their full support for the Transitional Governments current efforts. Council members also noted with concern the violence and killings by certain armed groups in Ituri.

ANNAN SAYS NO NEED FOR NORTH/SOUTH DIVIDE ON THREATS

A high-level panel examining change at the United Nations should show there is no need for a North-South divide when determining the greatest threats to the world, the Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution on Monday night.

He said it was important to get away from the idea that terrorism and weapons of mass destruction are only of interest to the North, and poverty and hunger only of concern to the South.

He expressed the hope that the Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change that he appointed last year would make specific recommendations for improving the United Nations. Some of the solution, he said, may lie in some kind of new compact between the United States and the rest of the world, comparable to that forged by the Great Powers in 1945.

In response to a question, the Spokesman said that television coverage of the speech had not been permitted because of a request from the host of the event, the Brookings Institution.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TALK TO U.K. AMBASSADOR: In response to questions concerning allegations of bugging at the United Nations, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General had requested a meeting today with British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, but the Ambassador asked for a postponement. Jones Parry had spoken to the Secretary-General, on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair, last Thursday, when former British Cabinet member Clare Short made the allegations.

CYPRUS DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE: Asked about progress in Cyprus, the Spokesman said the two sides continue to discuss possible changes to the draft plan, and Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast is currently sitting in on the talks for a few days, after which he will report back to the Secretary-General.

UN REFUGEE CHIEF ARRIVES IN CHAD: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers arrived today in Chad, following a delay of his mission, due to flight cancellations over the weekend. He is scheduled to meet with Chadian President Idriss Deby and discuss the situation of 110,000 Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad, as well as 33,000 refugees from the Central African Republic in the south of the country.

FAO SAYS ANIMAL DISEASE AFFECTS ONE THIRD OF MEAT EXPORTS: Approximately one third of global meat exports, or

6 million tons, are presently being affected by outbreaks of animal disease, the Food and Agriculture Organization said today. Those diseases, the FAO added, could result in world trade losses of up to $10 billion, if current import bans last throughout the year. The impact on small poultry producers in Asia, where more than 100 million birds have been culled or died in recent months because of avian influenza, may be considerable.

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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