United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-03-15

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

BY MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, March 15, 2004

ANNAN CONDEMNS WEEKEND SUICIDE BOMBING IN ISRAELI PORT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemns yesterdays double suicide bombing in the Israeli port of Ashdod, which killed at least ten and injured 16.

He urges the Palestinian Authority to bring to justice those who plan, facilitate or carry out these horrific acts of terrorism and to devote all its efforts to put an end to these crimes.

He sends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

ANNAN NAMES SENIOR OFFICIAL TO MOBILIZE ASSISTANCE TO BOLIVIA

Following his November 2003 visit to Bolivia and further to a request from the Bolivian Government for assistance, the Secretary-General has asked José Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, to serve as the focal point for the UN system in its efforts to mobilize international assistance for Bolivia.

To fulfill that task, Ocampo will travel to Bolivia to review the situation and report back to the Secretary-General.

He will hold discussions with the Government and key national actors, as well as international organizations and institutions. Ocampo is expected to conduct his first mission on 16-18 March.

SPECIAL ADVISER ARRIVES IN HAITI

AMID CONCERN OVER WATER SUPPLY IN CAPITAL

The Secretary-Generals Special Advisor for Haiti, John Reginald Dumas, arrived in Port au Prince this morning. Meanwhile the UNs mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; multidisciplinary assessment mission, headed by Hocine Medili is continuing its work in Haiti and will be meeting with members of the diplomatic community today.

On the humanitarian side, the World Health Organization (WHO) representatives have expressed their concern about the breakdown of the main water duct of Port au Prince in an area where there is an important hospital. In addition, the water company has announced that it has run out of disinfectants and reagents to control water quality.

The distribution of emergency medicines is now being coordinated under the auspices of WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the Canadian Cooperation, and the availability of vaccine stocks is being assessed country-wide.

It is considered essential at this stage to guarantee the safety of patients in health centers, and to enhance the capacity of public health institutions to assist the poorest patients.

BLACK BOX TO BE TAKEN TO NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

The black box from Rwanda discovered on UN premises last week is still in the custody of Dileep Nair, the head of the UNs Office of Oversight Services.

Arrangements are being made to transport it to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., for analysis, in the presence of an official of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

UN officials will retain custody of the black box throughout the analysis.

Asked about when the black box will be sent to Washington, D.C., the Spokeswoman said that this information will be made public when the "black box" arrives. What I can say is that we will let you as soon as the arrangements have been finalized, in other words, well let you know when it arrives, the Spokeswoman said. I cant tell you how long it will take, were not experts in these matters.

NEW IRAN NUCLEAR INSPECTION DATE FALLS WITHIN TIME SCHEDULE

Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today that he was informed that the new date for the next round of inspections in Iran is 27 March.

ElBAradei said that although the delay is regrettable, its still within the IAEAs time schedule for conducting inspections. On Friday, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution on the verification of Iran's nuclear programme. Among other points, the resolution noted "outstanding issues" and questions, and requested that ElBaradei report back to the Board on these matters before the end of May, in advance of its next meetings scheduled to start 14 June.

KOSOVO ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON 23 OCTOBER

Harri Holkeri, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Kosovo, has selected 23 October as the date for the regions next elections.

Holkeri based this decision on the recommendations of an Election Working Group, endorsing all of its proposals, including one calling for closed lists. Holkeri said the closed lists will ensure women's participation in the Assembly of Kosovo.

Separately, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, said that among the challenges Kosovo faces, there is a need to revive the economy and to implement themso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; Standards a set of benchmarks that must be reached before action on Kosovo's final status can begin.

Guehenno made the comments at the end of a five-day trip to Kosovo and Belgrade, where he met representatives from all segments of society.

ANNAN CALLS FOR RESOLVE DURING RWANDA GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY

In a message delivered at a weekend Symposium on the Media and the Rwanda Genocide at the Carlton University School of Journalism and Communication in Ottawa, the Secretary-General said that when the people around the world commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide on April 7, the observance should be filed not only with remorse, but with resolve.

The Secretary-General also said that he expects to appoint a UN special advisor on the prevention of genocide, and to make other proposals for strengthening action in this area. "There can be no more important issue and no more binding obligation than the prevention of genocide."

Asked if the Secretary-Generals proposal for the establishment of a Special Rapporteur or Adviser on the prevention of genocide would include a requirement to investigate past genocides, the Spokeswoman said that she had not seen the relevant terms of reference although her understanding is that the position's focus would be on the prevention of genocide.

APPEAL BEGINS FOR $100 MILLION FOR ETHIOPIAN FOOD AID

The World Food Programme is appealing for up to $100 million to help 7 million drought-affected Ethiopians still in need of food aid this year despite better harvests WFP plans to use the money to buy local surpluses to make up for the shortfall in other regions according to a survey, more than 300,000 tons of maize, wheat and sorghum are available for local purchase.

The Ethiopian Government is appealing for around 900,000 tons of food this year for 7 million people who cannot afford to buy it even if surpluses reach markets in drought-affected areas. WFP says that up to a third of this amount could be covered through buying food within the country.

HEAVY WEAPONS SURVEY BEGINS IN

AFGHANISTAN

UNAMA, the UN Mission in Afghanistan, has announced that a Heavy Weapons Survey begins this week in eight regions of the country. This is being undertaken to support a government proposal for 100% of heavy weapons to be cantoned by the elections.

Meanwhile, UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, says that Afghanistans religious community will be making its contribution to the campaign for girls education, along with other childrens rights, as the country anticipates more than five million children enrolling in classes throughout 2004. Religious leaders are a powerful force for change in Afghanistan, holding a position of great respect in communities.

ENTIRE SOCIETIES URGED TO HELP FIGHT DRUG ABUSE

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs began its 47th session in Vienna this week, with a call for entire societies to get involved in fighting substance abuse.

In his opening remarks, Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said today that the greater and the wider the commitment of society to drug control, then greater the likelihood of success.

He added that Afghanistan, as the worlds largest producer of opiates, remains a special challenge and it needs continuing support in implementing its new national drug control strategy.

The Commission is considering the world situation in drug production, trafficking and abuse. The current session ends on 22 March.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REMEMBERS SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO

The Commission on Human Rights this morning opened its 60th annual session in Geneva today, with expressions of praise and grief, over the work of the late High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and over his death in a bombing at the Baghdad UN office on 19 August 2003.

Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan said Vieira de Mello should have been present at today's session, which also happened to be his birthday, and in his inimitable style should have been able to spur everyone on in his or her work.

Mike Smith of Australia, the current Commission Chairman, said among other things that terrorism posed a major challenge, and the Commission perhaps needed to discuss the human rights dimensions of this modern scourge. The session lasts until 23 April.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAKHDAR BRAHIMI TO SPEAK TO REPORTERS TUESDAY: In response to requests from journalists, it was announced that Special Advisor Brahimi, who is in New York and met with the Secretary-General today, would be a guest at the noon briefing tomorrow.

NO SECURITY COUNCIL MEETINGS/CONSULTATIONS TODAY: There are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council as a whole scheduled for today.

ANNAN TO WRITE TO SPAINS NEW GOVERNMENT: Asked if the Secretary-General will issue a statement about the results of Spains national elections over the weekend, the Spokeswoman said the United Nations does not generally issue statements on election results. The Secretary-General is expected as he does with all election results to write to the elected leader and offer his cooperation and support, the Spokeswoman said.

WRITTEN RESPONSES ON RECENT BULLETIN TO BE PROVIDED: In response to a question about the Secretary-General's reaction to questions raised in the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly about the extension of benefits to UN employees involved in same sex marriages, the Spokeswoman later said that the Secretariat would be submitting written answers to the questions posed by Fifth Committee members regarding the bulletin.

SPECIAL ENVOY ON POLIO ERADICATION IN NIGERIA TO BE GUEST ON WEDNESDAY: Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-General's special advisor on Africa and Special Envoy to Nigeria for polo eradication just returned from Nigeria and will talk about that campaign as the guest at the noon briefing Wednesday.

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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