United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-04-06

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

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

ANNAN IN GENEVA TO SPEAK ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF RWANDAN GENOCIDE

Secretary-General

Kofi Annan left Russia and arrived in Geneva, where on Wednesday, he is scheduled to deliver a major speech, outlining a strategy for the prevention of genocide, at the Human Rights Commission, on the

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.

Meanwhile, UNICEF notes that Rwandan children continue to struggle with the lingering impact of the atrocities committed ten years ago. UNICEF points out that Rwandas children face extreme challenges. Among them, Rwanda is home to one of the worlds largest proportions of child-headed households.

In New York Wednesday, UN Headquarters will hold a minute of silence at noon to mark the genocide. UN staff will convene at the fountain outside, starting at 11:45 a.m., to pay respects to all those whose lives were lost in the genocide. Because of that event, the Wednesday briefing by the Spokesmans Office will take place before noon, at 11:30 a.m.

The Secretary-General cancelled his official appointments in Russia today, upon the advice of doctors, following signs of throat irritation. He was unable to meet with the Chairman of the State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, but called him to extend his apologies for cancelling their meeting.

UN TEAM CONTINUES CONSULTATIONS IN IRAQ

The Secretary-Generals Special Advisor, Lakhdar Brahimi, is continuing his consultations in Iraq. Today he had the opportunity to meet separately with two more members of the Governing Council, Mahmoud Othman and Samir Sumaidaie.

As part of his effort to listen to a wide range of Iraqis, Brahimi also met with a group representing womens non-governmental organizations, as well as another group of human rights advocates. He held lengthy meetings with them during which they discussed their concerns regarding the transition of power, security and transitional administration.

Later today, he was also scheduled to meet with Iraqi academics.

Asked about the type of future role for the United Nations in Iraq, the Spokesman said that would be determined by the Security Council.

Asked about security conditions in Iraq, he noted that the security situation was being assessed regularly. He added that, for security reasons, details of the Brahimi teams travels would not be announced in advance.

UNHCR TEMPORARILY INTERRUPTS REFUGEE CONVOYS TO IRAQ

Recent security incidents and tensions in southern Iraq have prompted the UN Refugee Agency to temporarily interrupt its thrice-weekly convoys carrying refugees back from Iran.

On Monday, 495 refugees, including 117 persons from Nassariyah and the rest from elsewhere in the south arrived back from Iran with a UNHCR-facilitated convoy, bringing the total of facilitated returns from Iran to over 5,000 people.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN

The achievements of the Berlin Conference on Afghanistan were truly impressive, but more needs to be done to ensure that the Afghan peace process receives the support it needs, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Marie Guéhenno told the Security Council today.

Speaking at an open meeting of the Council this morning, Guéhenno noted the very generous pledges the Afghan Government received in Berlin last week, as well as agreement there on a strong framework for regional cooperation in counter-narcotics work.

But he added that turning the tide of the drugs economy will take a concentrated effort and patience. Also, he warned, the vast majority of Afghans remain convinced that, above all, elections require prior disarmament.

Following the formal meeting, the Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement on Afghanistan, welcoming the results of the Berlin Conference and stressing the relevance of the Workplan of the Afghan Government.

GUINEA BISSAU ON SECURITY COUNCIL AGENDA

At 3:00 p.m., the Council has scheduled consultations on Guinea-Bissau.

The Secretary-Generals Representative for Guinea Bissau, David Stephen, is scheduled to brief on the recent legislative elections there, which were declared by international observers to be "free, fair and transparent.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS MISSION FOR DARFUR, SUDAN, BEGINS WORK

A "fact finding" mission on the human rights situation in Darfur, Sudan, is underway. The mission led by Bacre Waly Ndiaye, Director of the Human Rights Office in New York,today began its work Chad, where they will interview refugees from Darfur, and it will visit Sudan later. The mission would last about 10 days.

Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan initiated the mission to look into reports of systematic human rights abuse against civilians.

The UN Office in Sudan is reporting that the situation in Darfur is not showing signs of improvement and conditions are deteriorating in some areas.

With the continuing influx of internally displaced persons to urban areas, outbreaks of communicable diseases are increasing. In one camp alone, 200 cases of measles have been confirmed. Humanitarian agencies in Darfur are concerned that similar outbreaks could spread throughout the region.

A lack of security and the limited capacity of humanitarian agencies leave aid groups unable to provide sufficient amounts of food, shelter, clean water and health care supplies.

SIX PEACEKEEPERS DIE IN ACCIDENT IN DR CONGO

Six South African peacekeepers serving in the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo died today in an accident at Lake Kivu, 35 kilometers from Goma in the east of the country.

The accident occurred when the armoured personnel carrier, in which 11 peacekeepers were travelling, swerved to avoid a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and fell into the waters of Lake Kivu. Five peacekeepers were able to get out of the vehicle and were transferred to Goma for medical treatment. One of them is in serious condition.

Efforts continue to rescue the bodies of those trapped inside the vehicle.

NEW CRIMINAL CODES ENTER INTO FORCE IN KOSOVO

Two new criminal codes the Provisional Criminal Code and the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code came into force in Kosovo today.

The two codes bring the law in Kosovo into greater conformity with regional and European standards, and they ensure consistency with modern principles of international law, in particular international human rights law.

Harri Holkeri, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Kosovo, has described the codes entry into force as a crucial milestone for Kosovo. He said the enforcement of these two codes will enhance the ability of the justice system to deter and punish offenders.

The entry into force comes less than three weeks after the worst unrest to hit Kosovo since the UN took over its administration nearly five years ago.

UN ENVOY FOR CYPRUS SAYS PLAN IS PRINCIPLED COMPROMISE

The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, spoke to reporters upon arriving at the airport in Cyprus today, saying he is aware that he comes back to the island at a very delicate moment.

He said that, with referenda on the plan on Cyprus scheduled for April 24, the decision is now up to the people of Cyprus, and rightly so. He said, We have no intention of interfering in that democratic decision.

He urged the people of Cyprus to read the plan, adding that, despite what has been reported in some quarters, the plan was improved, for both sides, in last weeks talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. De Soto said, Obviously the plan is a compromise but it is a principled compromise.

IRAN AGREES TO ACCELERATE COOPERATION

Iran has agreed to accelerate its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Director General Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters in Tehran today after a meeting with Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

ElBaradei said that a team of five IAEA inspectors would visit Iran on April 12 to verify that Iran has met its commitment to suspend enrichment of uranium. The Director General is to meet President Mohammad Khatami later today.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNITED NATIONS WORKING TO COOPERATE WITH OIL-FOR-FOOD INQUIRIES: Asked about requests from the U.S. Congress for the United Nations to provide documents or oral testimony to hearings on allegations about the Oil-for- Food Programme, the Spokesman said that the United Nations is working out the best way to cooperate with these inquiries as constructively as possible. But there may be some constraints on how far the United Nations can go in handing over actual documents or providing sworn testimony to the legislature of any one Member State, he added.

UNICEF, PARTNERS ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT ON AIDS DRUGS: UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, is one of several bodies which today announced agreements that will make it possible for developing countries to buy high-quality AIDS medicines and diagnostics at the lowest available prices. In many cases, these items will be available for more than fifty percent less than current prices. The other bodies involved are the Global Fund, the World Bank and the Clinton Foundation.

HORN OF AFRICA ENVOY ENDS VISIT TO ETHIOPIA: Martti Ahtisaari, the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa, today wrapped up a trip to Ethiopia. He reviewed the situation there and focused on reducing food insecurity and vulnerability to future droughts.

FAO SAYS GLOBAL CEREAL STOCKS EXPECTED TO FALL:

The Food and Agriculture Organization said today that global cereal stocks will fall sharply again by the end of the 2003/2004 season. Closing inventories are expected to be down by 89 million tons, or 18 percent from their opening levels.

The anticipated sharp decline in cereal stocks from the previous season would be mainly due to China, although substantial reductions are also anticipated in India, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union.

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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