United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-03-19

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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

Friday, March 19, 2004

KOSOVO: CLASHES, LOOTING AND UNREST PERSIST

The UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), reports that the situation there has calmed down in comparison to the previous two days, but the situation remains extremely volatile. KFOR has deployed more troops from the United Kingdom, United States and France and their presence is being felt.

While there are still reports of clashes in various parts of the region, these are on a smaller scale however there are still reports of looting and unrest.

UN Police report that the violence has left at least 28 people dead, and between 500 and 600 injured, 55 of them KFOR soldiers. In the last two days, 110 Serb houses have burned and 16 churches have been destroyed, six of them yesterday.

Harri Holkeri, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Kosovo, has been talking with politicians both in Kosovo and in Belgrade, urging them to help calm the situation.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has welcomed the deployment of additional NATO troops to Kosovo hoping that thisll help put an end to violence and destruction of property.

According to UNHCR, over the past two days, at least 1,000 minority members mostly Serbs, from Gnjilane, Pristina and Pec/Peja areas have been evacuated to safety by KFOR. Many of those peoples homes have been torched by angry crowds, and churches have also been set on fire.

UNHCR, alongside other organizations, is trying to deliver some aid to the evacuees.

However, theres little they can do as all movement in Kosovo has been halted due to security concerns.

ANNAN TO SEND U.N. TEAM BACK TO BAGHDAD AS REQUESTED

Secretary-General Kofi Annan was joined by his special envoy Lakhdar Barhimi on entering the UN Secretariat building this morning, and they spoke to the press together.

The Secretary-General said he had replied to yesterdays letters from the Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority advising them (in letters shared Thursday evening with the Security Council) that he intended to send a team headed by Brahimi back to Baghdad.

The first thing Brahimi would do on his return, he said in response to a question, would be to talk to the Iraqis now that theyve had time to digest his first report regarding elections to see how he could help them.

Security is still a constraint, he said, but he added that he was relying on the Governing Council and the CPA to assure the security of the team that goes in.

A journalist asked Brahimi whether the fact that L. Paul Bremer had to apply pressure on the Iraqi Governing Council to send the letter dampened his enthusiasm. Brahimi replied, We are not dying to go to Iraq. If the UN is not needed, he said, that is perfect from our point of view. But, he added, he thought that Iraqis both within the Governing Council and outside it are overwhelmingly demanding that the United Nations play a role.

Some U.S. officials, a journalist said, claimed that if the United Nations did not support the war it would be irrelevant. He asked how the Secretary-General felt a year later. The Secretary-General said he did not accept the idea that because the Security Council did not vote for the war the United Nations was going to be irrelevant. The events since then, he said, have indicated that the United Nations does have a role to play. Thats an affirmation, he concluded, of Member States trust and belief in the Organization.

Asked if the Secretary-General would be sending a security assessment team ahead of Brahimis team, the Spokesman said that that he was told by the security coordinator yesterday that a security assessment can be done by the security officers who are in Baghdad at the moment.

"So it will not require sending people from New York or elsewhere in the region, and it can be done rather quickly, but theres a second requirement that anyone going to that area would require training so any who had not had the training would have to take it, and I think thats a two-day programme, so you should probably assume a two-day delay due to security assessment and training," the Spokesman said.

Asked for details about the size and schedule for Brahimis team, the Spokesman said there none available at the moment.

Asked about the leadership of the team, the Spokesman said that it was his understanding that Carina Perelli will head the election component of the team, and Brahimi will head the entire team.

Asked if the UN as concerned about the perceptions people in the Middle East might have if the United Nations was to return to Iraq under the protection of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-Generals comments earlier today didnt just refer to protection from the CPA, but also the Iraqi Governing Council. "So we would be dependent on the security apparatus thats been set up in Iraq, not just the foreign troops but the newly formed Iraqi military and police," the Spokesman said, adding that the host country is always responsible for the security of UN personnel working in that country.

"So we really just have to put blinders on to perceptions and say were going in there with a purpose and the purpose is clear, its also clear we need security support, the host country will provide it, including the occupying powers," the Spokesman said.

ANNAN: OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAMME PROBE TO "GO AHEAD FULL-SPEED"

At the morning press encounter, the Secretary-General was asked this morning for an update on the UN investigation into the Oil for Food Programme in Iraq. He replied that he has been in discussion with members of the Security Council for some time on the scope and the extent of the investigation, which he said would have to be independent.

I dont think we need to have our reputation impugned, he asserted. It is highly possible that thereve been quite a lot of wrong-doing, but we need to investigate and get to see who was responsible

We will go ahead full-speed on our own staff, he concluded, and hopefully it can be expanded in other areas.

Asked whether comments the Secretary-General made about the extent of wrong-doing within the Oil-for-Food Programme referred to within the UN or a broader context, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General has been referring to the broader context. "The allegations that have appeared in the press focus on the activities of companies and to a certain extent governments," the Spokesman said. "We are also aware of the allegations made against our own people he says he would like to see a comprehensive and independent investigation of the whole shooting match."

Asked about the length of time the Secretary-General had been in discussions with Security Council members on this issue, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General have been meeting individually with Council members for one to two weeks. "I think he feels that Council members are beginning to agree with this need and I think theyre now just talking about the means of carrying out such an investigation," the Spokesman said.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals intentions about a formal approach to the Council on this issue, the Spokesman said consultations are continuing today.

HAITI: UN ENVOY DISCUSSES FUTURE COOPERATION WITH O.A.S.

The Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Haiti, Reginald Dumas, met yesterday with the Chief of the Organization of American States Special Mission in Haiti, David Lee. They reviewed the ongoing work of the OAS in Haiti and the possibilities for cooperation between the United Nations and the OAS.

Dumas also met with a group of donors and representatives of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

This morning Dumas and Hocine Medili, who is heading the UN assessment mission, attended a meeting between interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and the heads of the agencies comprising the UN system in Haiti.

Medili was meeting with representatives of Haitian women's organizations. Topics of discussion at this meeting include peace building and gender-based violence.

The assessment mission is expected to travel outside Port-au-Prince within the next day or two.

BURUNDI: ANNAN PROPOSES MULTI-DIMENSIONAL UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION

The Secretary-General, in a report on Burundi to the Security Council, says the country has never before had such an opportunity for lasting peace.

He recommends that the Security Council consider authorizing the deployment of a multi-dimensional UN peacekeeping operation to support the peace process in that country. Given the size and the security situation of Burundi, he says a minimum troop strength of 5,650would be required for the military component.

The Secretary-General urges a decision, at least in principle, to be taken quickly, possibly before April 2. That is the day when the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping mission expires.

The Security Council is scheduled to discuss this report on Monday in consultations.

SUDAN - ONE OF WORLDS WORST HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

The UNs top humanitarian official in Sudan called attention to the humanitarian situation in Darfur, which is one of the worst in the world.

Since fighting between rebel groups, armed militia, and the Government of Sudan intensified roughly a year ago, the United Nations has consistently received reports of systematic raids against civilian populations. These attacks have reportedly included the burning and looting of villages, large-scale killings, and abductions.

More than 700,000 people have been internally displaced within Darfur. Roughly 110,000 more have fled into neighboring Chad, where they are able to receive UN assistance. Because of violence and clearance procedures, the majority of these people have been beyond the reach of humanitarian agencies.

The United Nations, led by Tom Vraalsen, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs for Sudan, are actively working to have humanitarian ceasefire talks on Darfur resumed. Prospects for the resumption of those talks are good. Though humanitarian access to the region has improved slightly, humanitarian operations are still constrained by the volatile security situation.

Asked if the Secretary-General is raising the possibility that developments in the Darfur region of Sudan were taking on Rwanda-type characteristics, the Spokesman said the word "genocide" has not been used by anyone at UN Headquarters to date. "But I think its intentional that we have not used it. I think the local representative, as weve been trying to do here, has been trying to get global attention to what is widely thought to be the worst humanitarian situation on the planet right now. So if the world is listening, so much the better," the Spokesman said.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIBERIA SEEKS RETURN TO RULE OF LAW: The first consultative workshop on transitional justice began today at the headquarters of UNMIL, the UN Mission in Liberia. The two-day meeting, with the participation of several Liberian human rights and civil society organizations, the National Transitional Government and humanitarian agencies, was organized by the UNMIL Human Rights Section, in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Today, Liberia is facing a dual challenge: Liberians have to simultaneously deal with the heavy legacy of the past and chart the course for a better future, said Souren Seraydarian, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Operations and Rule of Law.

CYPRUS TALKS CONTINUE: Asked for an update on meetings or communication the Secretary-General may have recently had on Cyprus, the Spokesman said the talks that are going on now are intense, and "we are keeping our comments to a minimum." He noted that Kieren Prendergast, the Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, rejoined the talks for a few days and made a few comments to the press on leaving Cyprus. "But really were not saying too much. The action is there, the door is open. Were hoping that both parties, as well as Greece and Turkey, will keep to their commitments of the February agreement and bring this 40 year stand-off to a happy conclusion so that Cyprus can join the European Union unified. Thats out objective," the Spokesman said.

WESTERN SAHARAN REFUGEES SEE FAMILY MEMBERS: According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the third round of visits is taking place today between Saharan refugees living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria and people from their home area around Laayoune in Western Sahara. Around 25 people will be flying in each direction on board a plane provided by the UN Mission for the Western Sahara and remaining with their relatives for five days. The family visits initiative was launched on March 5 after months of negotiations. Since applications to travel far outnumber the transport capacity, UNHCR is giving priority to compassionate cases, such as people who have a close relative who is very sick and parents separated from their children.

UNITED NATIONS SEEKS AID FOR MADAGASCAR, TWICE HIT BY CYCLONE: The United Nations is launching today a flash appeal to raise $8.7 million to help the Government of Madagascar deal with urgent relief needs following Cyclone Gafilo which struck Madagascar twice in the last ten days. Jan Egeland, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, is urging donors to support the appeal quickly before people fall victim to poor sanitation, lack of food, or exposure to the elements.

BIRD FLU NOT DEFEATED: The Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization for Animal Health are urging caution in regard to claims that avian influenza, or bird flu, has been defeated. The two organizations are urging Asian countries which have declared victory over bird flu to base such statements on in-depth investigations. They warn that the crisis isnt over, and add that theyre ready to provide international experts to assess the situation. More than 3 months after the flus outbreak in several Asian countries, the toll is 23 human deaths, and at least 100 million birds which have died or been culled to control the disease.

UPDATE ON PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS: An updated background note on UN peacekeeping operations says there are currently 13 peacekeeping operations with an annual budget of about $2.8 billion. Some 94 countries are contributing close to 50 thousand military and civilian personnel to them. In addition, there are almost 10,000 international and local civilian staff serving in the missions. As of April 4, the number of peacekeeping missions will rise to 14 with the addition of the UN Operation in Cote dIvoire.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Sunday, March 21, 2004

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Monday, March 22, 2004

Today is World Water Day.

The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on Burundi.

The 37th session of the Commission on Population and Development begins today and meets until Friday, the 26th.

Guest at the noon briefing will be Catherine Bertini, Under-Secretary-General for Management,

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Today is World Meteorological Day.

The Security Council is scheduled to hold an open briefing on Afghanistan, followed by consultations on the same subject.

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At 11:00, Joseph Chamie, Director of the Population Division, and others will brief on the 37th session of the Commission on Population and Development.

Thursday, March 25, 2004

The Security Council is scheduled to hold a public meeting on West Africa.

The sixth meeting of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force begins today and ends on Saturday, the 27th. At a 10:30 press conference, Sarbuland Khan, Director for Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination, and others will brief on the work before the Task Force.

Friday, March 26, 2004

The Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, followed by a formal meeting on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

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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