United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-05-17

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

THE NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, May 17, 2004

ANNAN CONDEMNS KILLING OF GOVERNING COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement, expressed shock and dismay at the assassination this morning in Baghdad of the President of the Iraqi Governing Council,Ezz El-Din Salim. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this tragic and criminal act. It is a bad day for the people of Iraq and all those striving to help them.

In the critical days leading up to the restoration of Iraqs sovereignty on June 30, it is all the more important for the Iraqi people to resolve peacefully their differences and rally together in a spirit of unity and dialogue to build the foundations of a new Iraq.

Despite this tragic incident, which has robbed Iraq of an illustrious citizen, the United Nations remains committed to assist the Iraqi people in the transitional political process.

On this sad and painful occasion, the Secretary-General extends his condolences to Mr. Salims family as well as to the Iraqi people.

The Secretary-General told reporters this morning that he hoped that the culprits would be apprehended, and that the assassination will not disrupt the work being done by the team led by his Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi. He said todays attack is one more reason for all those who are determined to stabilize Iraq to make sure that the elements who are determined to derail the process do not succeed.

BRAHIMI ATTENDS EMERGENCY

IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL SESSION

In Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, met with U.S. Administrator L. Paul Bremer this morning and visited with members of the Iraqi Governing Council, who were meeting in emergency session, following Salims assassination.

Brahimi also issued a statement regarding the killing of Salim, with whom he spent a significant amount of time this weekend on a visit to the Kurdish north. He said the killing had taken the life of one of Iraqs most loyal and patriotic citizens, a man who made every sacrifice for his country, and who worked sincerely and selflessly so that Iraq may regain its sovereignty and strength.

Brahimi went to Erbil Friday evening, where he met initially with Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdish Democratic Party, and members of his cabinet.

On Saturday he attended the National Conference on Sovereignty and Democracy, organized by a non-governmental organization, the Iraqi Council for Peace and Solidarity. Some 800 delegates attended from all over Iraq, including members of the Iraqi Governing Council. Ezzedine Salim was one of the speakers, as was Brahimi.

In the afternoon, he met another prominent Kurdish leader, Jalal Talabani, before attending a session of the Iraqi Kurdistan National Assembly. For an hour and a half, he took questions from the audience, which included all 120 members of the parliamentary group and 80 other guests. On Saturday evening, he met again with Barzani.

On Sunday morning, Brahimi had a breakfast meeting with Salim and then continued talking with him for a total of two hours. He then met with members of the troika, made up of the current, past and future presidents of the Iraqi Governing Council. This meeting, which included Bremer and U.S. envoy Robert Blackwell, continued through lunch.

Brahimi returned to Baghdad in the afternoon, and in the evening met Ayad Alawi, who is chair of the Wifaq, or consensus, Movement.

This morning, in addition to his visit to the emergency Governing Council meeting, Brahimi met with a Governing Council member who represents the Chaldo-Assyrian community in Iraq, Yonadem Kanna, and then with the Minister of Defense, Ali Alawi.

Asked whether Brahimi was still hopeful that a transitional government could be formed by June 30, the Spokesman said that it is obvious from his schedule that Brahimi is not giving up. He added that the June 30 deadline is still sacred to everyone.

Asked when Brahimi would return from Iraq, the Spokesman said it would be towards the end of this month.

ANNAN CALLS ON ISRAEL TO HALT DESTRUCTION OF HOMES IN GAZA

The Secretary-General reiterated his condemnation of Israels widespread destruction of Palestinian homes in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Recent reports from UN agencies assert that some 2,197 people have lost their homes in the first 15 days of May. In addition, there are reports of Israeli military plans for a more extensive round of house demolitions in Gaza.

He repeats his call on the Government of Israel to fulfil its obligations under international law as it acts to ensure its security. As the occupying power, it must cease such acts of collective punishment immediately, and to refrain from further grave violations of international law.

The Secretary-General was asked today about the Israeli destruction of housing in Gaza, and he said he was distressed that such destruction is continuing.

HOUSING FOR GAZA HOMELESS WILL COST $32 MILLION

The UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has opened a school to house the latest victims of the destruction and is distributing tents, food, water, kitchen kits, mattresses and blankets. UNRWA estimates that it will cost $32 million to re-house the 18,382 people who have lost their homes across the Gaza Strip.

The agencys head, Peter Hansen, said that UNRWA now has the job of dealing with the human tragedy behind each demolition the distressed children in its schools, the homeless families in need of basics like blankets, food and water, and the communities shaken by the stress of ceaseless conflict.

Hansen also stressed that his agency is facing severe under-funding of its Emergency Appeal for 2004 and is unlikely to receive all the resources it needs to meet the needs of the homeless. Already, many thousands of people have waited more than two years for the agency to provide them with new, permanent shelter.

ANNAN: MYANMAR CONVENTION MUST BE ALL-INCLUSIVE

The Secretary-General notes with concern that Myanmars National Convention was reconvened today without the involvement of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political parties who won the majority of seats in the elections of 1990.

The Secretary-General reiterates that, for the National Convention to be credible, it must be all-inclusive and that all the delegates must be able to express their views without sanction. The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has clearly indicated her willingness to work with the Government, and U Tin Oo, Deputy Chairman of the NLD, as well as the lifting of the remaining restrictions on the NLD, are essential if the international community is to recognize the National Convention as a legitimate forum for democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar. The Secretary-General and his Special Envoy are dismayed that, despite receiving assurances from the Government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) did not take these necessary steps.

The Secretary-General appeals to the countries in the region to counsel the SPDC to take these steps. In the belief that a solution can still be found through dialogue, the Secretary-General calls on the SPDC to allow his Special Envoy to return to Myanmar as soon as possible.

ANNAN TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL OF PEACEKEEPING CHALLENGES

The Security Council is holding a special debate today on UN peacekeeping, under the chairmanship of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Khurshid M. Kasuri.

In his remarks to the Council this morning, the Secretary-General noted that the United Nations is facing a time of surging demand for UN peacekeeping, and that as complex and multi-dimensional mandates increase, so do public expectations of what missions can achieve.

The Secretary-General called on the Security Council to provide peacekeepers with mandates that are clear, implementable and achievable, and to lead other Members States in ensuring that each mission receives the troops and resources it needs.

The Secretary-General added that peacekeeping is definitely more efficient and better coordinated than it was five years ago. Notwithstanding these advances, he said, the scale of the current surge may well outstrip UN capacities to backstop its operations, and the international community will have to look at augmenting these capacities.

Peacekeeping does not relieve nations of their responsibilities. Rather, it pools national responsibilities for the greater good, he said.

UN MISSION REPORTS DISARMAMENT AGREEMENT IN ITURI

From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN Mission reports that six armed groups operating in the eastern region of Ituri have agreed to begin a disarmament process. At the end of a meeting in Kinshasa, the groups also reaffirmed their support for the national transition process and agreed to work towards the reunification of the country.

The UN Mission commends the Ituri leaders for taking this important step and reiterates its readiness to provide assistance in the disarmament process. The Mission also commends the Transitional Government for reaffirming its commitment to addressing the situation in Ituri.

NEW REPORT NOTES PROMISE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Food and Agriculture Organization has released today its annual report The State of Food and Agriculture 2003-04. In it, FAO notes that while biotechnology holds great promise for agriculture in developing countries, so far only farmers in a few developing countries are reaping these benefits.

FAO says neither the private nor the public sector has invested significantly in new genetic technologies for the so-called 'orphan crops' such as cowpea, millet and sorghum that are critical for the food supply and livelihoods of the world's poorest people.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNAN IMPRESSED BY INDIAN DEMOCRACY: Asked about the Secretary-Generals response to Indias elections, the Spokesman said he had been quite impressed by what was a display of democracy in action. The Secretary-General will write a letter of congratulations, as he usually does, he added.

ANNAN TO MEET WITH NEW YORK MAYOR: The Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, is hosting a reception for the United Nations and the diplomatic corps this evening, at City Hall, and the Secretary-General will attend. At that reception, which begins at 6:30, the Secretary-General will receive a proclamation from the Mayor. In response to a question, the Spokesman later said that the meeting was not open to the press.

SECRETARY-GENERAL MET WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: On Saturday morning, the Secretary-General held a one-on-one meeting at his residence with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

DISARMAMENT PROGRAM STARTS IN AFGHANISTAN: The main phase of Afghanistans disarmament program began today in Kabul as the 99th Rocket Brigade handed over its weapons, the first time a military unit has turned in its missiles.

LIBERIA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE WORKING ON NEW LIST: Asked whether the United Nations considers Victor Bout to be a threat to the stability of west Africa and Liberia, the Spokesman later told the correspondent that Bout is on the Security Council Liberia Sanctions' Committee list of individuals subject to travel restrictions. He is described as a "businessman, dealer and transporter of weapons and minerals. Arms dealer in contravention of UNSC resolution 1343. Supported former President Taylors regime in effort to destabilize Sierra Leone and gain illicit access to diamonds." That committee is expected soon to issue a list that would freeze funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled directly or indirectly by Charles Taylor, Jewell Howard Taylor, and Charles Taylor Jr. and/or those other individuals designated by the Committee.

UN NARCOTICS BOARD BEGINS SESSION: The 80th Session of the International Narcotics Control Board starts in Vienna today, and will run for two weeks. The session will focus on the interaction between supply and demand strategies against global drug abuse problem.

ANNAN MARKS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAY: Today is World Telecommunication Day and the Secretary-General has marked it with a call for greater efforts in bridging the digital divide so that the worlds poorest countries can benefit from advances in information and communication technologies. The Secretary-General says access to information and technological know-how is essential to defeat hunger and protect the environment, and he called for global partnerships for development between governments, the private sector, civil society and the United Nations.

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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