United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-03-22

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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

Monday, March 22, 2004

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLING OF SHEIKH YASSIN

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement, strongly condemned Israels assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, which resulted in the deaths of eight others. He is concerned that such an action would lead to further bloodshed and death and acts of revenge and retaliation.

He reiterates that extrajudicial killings are against international law and calls on the Government of Israel to immediately end this practice. The only way to halt an escalation in the violence is for the parties to work towards a viable negotiating process aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement.

In addition to the statement, the Secretary-General told reporters this morning that the killing of Sheikh Yassin doesnt really facilitate the task of the peacemakers. He also appealed to all in the region to remain calm and avoid any further escalation.

Meanwhile in Cairo, UN Middle East envoy Terje Roed Larsen joined the other envoys from the Middle East Quartet for a meeting at the US Embassy in Cairo. They are discussing the impact of the todays events.

From Geneva, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan expressed deep concern over Israel's continued use of assassination in the occupied Palestinian territory. In a statement, Ramcharan said that, while there is no doubt that Israel has a right to defend itself, this must be done within the rule of law.

Asked whether the Secretary-Generals condemnation of todays killing represents a change from past statements, which had deplored Israeli attacks, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General told reporters today that he didnt see his statements today as a rejection of the past.

Asked whether the Quartet would consider sending UN troops to the Middle East, the Spokesman said he did not think their discussions would concern that matter. The Quartet meeting, he said, had been previously scheduled but would now discuss todays events.

UN SPECIAL ADVISER RECEIVES LETTER FROM IRAQI AYATOLLAH

The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi, received a letter from the office of Iraqi Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani over the weekend. The letter is currently being translated into English from the original Arabic. Once that is done, as its contents have already been widely reported in the media, copies will be made available to the press.

The Spokesman declined to provide specific details of the letter, but noted that Brahimi had said that the United Nations can confirm media accounts about the letter.

He said the United Nations had no reaction to the letter at present.

Asked when a UN electoral team would go to Iraq, the Spokesman said that, for security reasons, no travel dates would be announced in advance. He said that it is the Secretary-Generals intention to send Brahimi back to Iraq, although there is no date for travel by him.

DETAILS ON OIL-FOR-FOOD INVESTIGATION EXPECTED THIS WEEK

In response to questions about the Secretary-Generals intention to have an independent investigation into allegations of corruption in the oil-for-food program, the Spokesman said the next step would be for the Secretary-General to meet the Security Council, or send it a letter, laying out the terms of reference for an investigative panel and the names of members. He said that was expected to happen sometime this week.

The Secretary-General, he noted, feels that the investigation could not succeed without the cooperation of the Council and all Member States.

Asked about responses to the Secretary-Generals written request for cooperation with that inquiry, the Spokesman said a letter had been received by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) from L. Paul Bremer, Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, promising cooperation. He was not aware of any reply so far from the Iraqi Governing Council.

Asked whether the United Nations feels embattled by recent allegations, including those concerning the oil-for-food program, the Spokesman noted that, as the Secretary-General said, the investigation is to look more broadly at companies and countries involved in the oil-for-food program. That investigation would continue the work already done by OIOS.

The Spokesman said the investigation should establish the facts in a key number of areas, and the United Nations looks forward to it. We hope that the clouds that have been over our heads will be lifted, he said.

Regarding the accountability panel on Iraq, Eckhard said that the Secretary-General was continuing to discuss his reaction to its report with his senior aides.

TALKS IN CYPRUS END, WITH NEXT PHASE SET FOR SWITZERLAND

After being underway for a little over a month, the Cyprus talks concluded on the island earlier today.

As per the February 13 agreement reached in New York, the parties will move to a concentrated effort to reach a final agreement. This new phase will begin Wednesday in the village of Burgenstock, near Lucerne, Switzerland. The Foreign Minister of Greece and Turkey will also be present to lend a hand during this phase. The Prime Ministers of these two countries are expected to arrive on March 28.

In speaking to the press not long ago, the Secretary-Generals Special Advisor, Alvaro de Soto, assessed the progress so far. On the positive side, he noted the enormous amount of work that had been accomplished by the technical committees to ensure that the federal government is in place from the first day, properly staffed and properly accommodated.

However, he noted that this progress had not been matched in the meeting of the two leaders. Therefore, de Soto said, the Burgenstock meetings will have to be very intensive in order to try to reach final agreement, and all involved will have to show the necessary political will to reach a final settlement.

In conclusion, de Soto said he wished that more progress had already been made in Cyprus but he is quietly hopeful about the phase ahead.

Asked when the Secretary-General would join the Cyprus talks, the Spokesman said he was expected to join the talks in Switzerland towards the end of this month.

ANNAN DISPATCHES SPECIAL ENVOY TO EQUATORIAL GUINEA

The Secretary-General has been following with concern recent developments in Equatorial Guinea where attempts have been made to overthrow the government by unconstitutional means. The Secretary-General has therefore decided to dispatch to Equatorial Guinea the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Tuliameni Kalomoh, as his Special Envoy to discuss with the authorities the situation on the ground and its implications for peace and security in the subregion.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had any recent communication on Equatorial Guinea, the Spokesman said he had spoken with that countrys President over the weekend.

UN MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN CALLS FOR RESTRAINT IN HERAT

The head of the UN Mission in Afghanistan today regretted the loss of life in Herat following the outbreak of violence on Sunday afternoon. Jean Arnault, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, called upon all involved in the confrontation to exercise restraint and to protect the lives of civilians.

The Special Representative extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in particular to Governor Ismail Khan, whose son, the Afghan Aviation and Tourism Minister, died yesterday.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES REPORT ON BURUNDI

The Security Council is meeting in closed consultations this morning on Burundi.

Behrooz Sadry presented the Secretary-Generals latest report on Burundi. Sadry is currently the UNs Deputy Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and recently led an assessment team to Burundi.

The President of the Council, Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, delivered a press statement on Burundi at the end of this mornings consultations. He said that Council members expressed concern at the continuing fighting and urged the parties to exercise restraint. They invited the African Union to consider extending the mandate of the African Mission in Burundi, due to expire on April 2.

UN ENVOY URGES PARTIES TO NEGOTIATE IN COTE DIVOIRE

In a statement released in Abidjan today, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, Albert Tevoedjre, urged the political parties to find a negotiated way out of the current political crisis.

The Special Representative said that the international community supports the peace process in Cote dIvoire but would not tolerate political disorder that could lead directly to destruction and uncontrollable terror.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had received any assurances that the peace process in Cote dIvoire was still on track, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General had spoken by phone over the weekend with President Laurent Gbagbo.

WORLD WATER DAY FOCUSES ON WATER-RELATED DISASTERS

Today is World Water Day. This year, the theme is water-related disasters including floods, droughts, hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones- and how to minimize their impact. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that modern society has benefited from scientific leaps to forecast and handle water-related disasters but it still requires greater information and preparation to ensure that hazards do not become unmanageable.

The Secretary-General has also used this years observance to announce the establishment of an Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. Chaired by the former Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro Hashimoto, the Board includes a number of eminent persons and technical experts. They are expected to galvanize global action to improve access to water and sanitation, which is central to the Millennium Development Goals.

ANNAN MARKS DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

In his message to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Secretary-General reflects on the historical roots of racism, the consequences of slavery and the hatred that leads to genocide.

He notes that we must strengthen our capacity for early warning in order to prevent genocide, mass murder, ethnic cleansing and comparable crimes. He also calls for greater support for bringing perpetrators to justice, for example through the International Criminal Court.

UNFPA WARNS OF LACK OF RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT CAIRO PLAN

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) today warned that a lack of resources to implement fully the Cairo Programme of Action, adopted ten years ago, would lead to substantial increases in maternal, infant and AIDS-related deaths. It could also detail progress towards reducing poverty.

UNFPAs Executive Director, Thoraya Obaid, said that progress has been uneven since the Cairo conference adopted goals on population and development. She said, We need the strength and endurance of a marathon runner to meet our goals during the next decade.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UN MISSION REPORTS KOSOVO IS CALMING DOWN: The UN Mission in Kosovo and NATOs Kosovo Force (KFOR) report that the situation on the ground in Kosovo has calmed down. Yesterdays funeral procession in Kosovo passed without incident, and UN police reported the situation in all areas to be calm and quiet.

UN STRENGTHENING SECURITY MEASURES: Asked about a recent threat against the United Nations by al-Qaeda, the Spokesman declined specific comment but said that the United Nations takes all security threats seriously. He noted that it has been steadily strengthening security measures at UN Headquarters and worldwide and had begun discussing budgetary implications with the General Assembly.

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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