United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-06-01

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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

Tuesday, June 1, 2004

ANNAN: IRAQI INTERIM GOVERNMENT MARKS A NEW BEGINNING

The announcement of an

Iraqi interim government today marks a new beginning and not an end,

Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters this morning.

He said that he wanted to add his voice to those who are welcoming the Iraqi people for designating a new government.

Asked about the impression that his envoy

Lakhdar Brahimi did not get his way in choosing the government, the Secretary-General answered that after extensive consultations Brahimi had produced a list and that the Prime Minister came from that very list. The Secretary-General added that many members of the government also came from Brahimis list.

Answering questions critical of the process by which this government was chosen, and especially the presence of many Governing Council members in this government, the Secretary-General said that it was not perfect and that Brahimi worked in a difficult environment.

He went on to stress that the United Nations has done exactly what it had set out to do. It was never intended that the UN would go and appoint and impose a government on the Iraqis, he added.

The Secretary-General agreed that there were members of the governing council in the new government, but stressed that were also some new faces. We should look at the government as a whole, not at individual names, he said.

A correspondent referred to President Bushs description of Lakhdar Brahimi as the quarterback in the Iraqi process and asked how the United Nations would characterize his role. The Spokesman replied that Brahimi had put together an extensive list of names of possible political leaders for Iraq following wide consultations throughout the country. Those lists had been submitted to the people making the decisions, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), first and foremost, and the Iraqi Governing Council.

The Spokesman noted that Brahimi was working in a context in which the CPA governed Iraq. He recalled that the CPA had appointed the Governing Council, but with considerable input from Sergio Vieira de Mello, and it was a reasonably representative body. Brahimi had gone to Iraq to broaden that representation further by consulting with Iraqis of every stripe. Brahimi had not selected the new Government- he had been there to advise and consult.

Asked when and where Brahimi would start informing Security Council members about the new Iraqi Government, the Spokesman said that some Council members had said they wanted to talk to Iraqi leaders directly. Some members of the new Government may be coming to New York to address the Security Council, though no decision had been reached yet on whom would come and when. However, biographies of all those named were available in Baghdad, for all to evaluate.

Asked how Brahimi and the rest of the world would know whether the new Government was popular in Iraq and could speak for Iraqis, the Spokesman replied that Security Council members would have to make their call on what they saw as the popular reaction in Iraq. Some members had indicated that they may wait as long as two weeks to judge its acceptability.

As for how a new Government filled with political heavyweights sat with Brahimis previous position of preferring technocrats with no electoral ambitions, the Spokesman said he believed Brahimi had emphasized the need for competent people with integrity. There would be an opportunity to ask Brahimi this question at his press conference in Baghdad on Wednesday.

The Spokesman had no information on reports that Iraqi Foreign Minister Zubairi would be coming to New York. Neither did he know when Brahimi would be traveling to New York.

Asked whether the new appointments set a precedent that the Iraqi President would always be a Sunni Moslem, while the Prime Minister was a Shiite, the Spokesman said he did not believe Brahimi had intended to set up a formula to be followed indefinitely. He had tried to balance the three major factions in Iraq in a way acceptable to all three and to bring in some fresh blood, and he had accomplished both those objectives.

BRAHIMI WORKING ON ESTABLISHMENT

OF PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IN IRAQ

At the ceremony this morning in Baghdad unveiling the new Iraqi Interim government,

Lakhdar Brahimi said this was the first step of this road which will be, no doubt, long and difficult, but I believe that those who were chosen to perform this mission will be qualified and effective and capable for it.

In closing, he told the audience that he did not come to

Iraq to work as an international civil servant.

I tried to work as one of you, Brahimi said, a brother who believes in this country, a brother who loves this country, a brother who considers this country his, and looks forward to several visits in the future, not for work, but for meeting the brothers and the friends.

Brahimi is now working towards the establishment of a Preparatory Committee for a national conference.

He is also expected to hold a press conference tomorrow.

SECURITY COUNCIL SCHEDULES CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ AT 5 P.M.

Today is the first day of the Philippine Presidency of the

Security Council for the month of June. Council President, Ambassador Lauro Baja of the Philippines, is holding bilateral consultations with members today.

The Security Council scheduled consultations on Iraq at 5 p.m.

Ambassador Baja is scheduled to speak with the press about the June programme at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow.

U.N. MISSION IN BURUNDI BEGINS OPERATIONS

A new UN peacekeeping mission came into being today. The

UN Operation in Burundi took over command of more than 2,000 troops, which had been working under an African Union mandate.

At the handover ceremony in the capital Bujumbura, Ambassador Bernahu Dinka, who currently heads the UN office, read a

message from the Secretary General in which he praised the accomplishments of the African Mission and urged the various parties in Burundi to intensify their efforts to work for a durable restoration of peace in the country.

He also stressed that the United Nations is determined to see this operation succeed and invited the Burundian political leaders to assume its responsibility and work urgently for compromises.

The new UN force will eventually be

comprised of 5,650 military personnel, including five infantry battalions and 200 military observers as well as 120 civilian police and up to 1,000 national and international civilian staff.

The UN Mine Action Service is initiating a mine-action programme today to support the operations of a new peacekeeping mission in Burundi. Mine-action services will also facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the return and repatriation of internally displaced people and refugees.

ANNAN WELCOMES TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY TO UNITED NATIONS IN BURUNDI

The

Secretary-General

welcomes the official transfer of authority from the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) to the

United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB), which was established by the Security Council by its

resolution 1545 (2004) of 21 May 2004. The success of AMIB is evident and laid a solid foundation on which to further advance the peace process.

The Secretary-General believes that it is up to the Burundian people and their leaders to take advantage of this significant opportunity of renewed international commitment to Burundi to bring about a durable peace.

They must now accelerate their efforts and work closely together to address urgent priorities such as preparations for the elections, the disarmament and demobilization of combatants and the reform of the security sector. The Secretary-General also hopes that the Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL) will use this opportunity to join the peace process in the interest of the long-suffering people of Burundi.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt appreciation to the contingents of the African Mission in Burundi for their dedicated service to the cause of peace in Burundi, under very difficult conditions. The Secretary-General is pleased that they will participate in the UN Operation, to be joined by additional contingents from other countries.

The UN operation in Burundi, together with the African Union and other friends of Burundi, will lead the renewed effort of the United Nations to assist Burundi in meeting the difficult tasks ahead.

The Secretary-General calls on the international community to contribute generously to the national reconciliation and reconstruction efforts of Burundi.

U.N. MISSION IN HAITI BEGINS OPERATIONS

The

UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) was formally established this morning in Port au Prince.

At a ceremony held in the Police Academy, the Secretary-Generals Special Advisor for Haiti,

Reginald Dumas, conveyed a message from Kofi Annan in which he noted that Haitians were facing many immediate challenges and expectations were running high. While the new Mission did not claim to bring solutions to all these challenges, he said, it would be multidimensional to help Haitians address the complex range of problems they face.

As foreseen in Security Council

resolution 1542, authority has been transferred from the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) to the UN Mission today. The current MIF troops will however, remain for a transition period of 30 days.

The Secretary-General has informed the

Security Council of his intention to appoint Lieutenant-General Augusto Ribeiro-Pereira of Brazil as force commander of the new mission.

He has also informed the

Security Council that a number of countries have agreed to provide military personnel to the mission, namely: Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, France, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, the United States and Uruguay.

ANNAN APPALLED BY TERRORIST ATTACKS IN SAUDI ARABIA

The

Secretary-General is

appalled by the terrorist attack this weekend on a residential compound in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in which 22 people were reportedly killed, many others wounded and scores taken hostage.

He condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms. He conveys his heartfelt condolences and expresses his sympathy to the families of the victims. He hopes that the Saudi authorities will thoroughly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

ANNAN DISTURBED BY REPORTS OF VIOLENCE IN KARACHI

The

Secretary-General is very

disturbed by the reports of violence in Karachi, Pakistan, in the last two days, including the murder of a religious leader on Sunday, the bombing in a mosque on Monday and the disturbances that took place today during funeral processions for those killed in Mondays attack.

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms terrorist acts that target innocent civilians and places of worship as well as attempts to sow sectarian discord and strife. He hopes that the necessary steps will be taken to protect innocent lives and calls for inter-communal partnerships to foil the policy of hate and violence.

MORE THAN $15 MILLION NEEDED FOR HOMELESS PALESTINIANS OF RAFAH

Following weeks of the most intense destruction in Gaza since the start of the Intifada, the

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has

launched an appeal to the international community for $15.84 million to meet the immediate needs of the people of Rafah.

Launching the appeal, UNRWAs chief,

Peter Hansen, said: In the hardest-hit place in the Gaza Strip there are few places to turn for assistance. Rafah was always a poor place. It is now a devastated place. Hundreds of destitute families are relying on UNRWA and the international community.

The agency, says the funds to provide emergency cash, food and housing assistance to the hundreds of families who have lost their homes, had a breadwinner killed or wounded, or who are in need of ongoing medical care.

U.N. MISSION IN LIBERIA CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS

In his latest

report on the

UN Mission in Liberia, the

Secretary-General notes that the Mission continues to make steady progress in stabilizing the country and creating the necessary security conditions for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

He adds that the programme of reintegration of former combatants and the repatriation of non-Liberian combatants will require the generous support of the international community and that without this support, there could be renewed insecurity in the country and region.

LIBERIAS CHARLES TAYLOR CAN FACE SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT

The Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone ruled yesterday that former Liberian President Charles Taylor was and is subject to criminal proceedings before the Court.

The Appeals Chamber found that Taylors official position as an incumbent Head of State at the time when the proceedings were initiated against him is not a bar to his prosecution. Yesterdays decision reaffirmed an early decision delivered in March.

U.N. FINDS UPCOMING BOOK ON PEACEKEEPING TO BE SELECTIVE ACCOUNT

Asked about the UNs reaction to the upcoming publication of a book on U.N. peacekeeping operations, entitled, "Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures, written by three people including two current staff members, the Spokesman said the books manuscript has been read by senior UN officials.

Frankly we found it a sensational and selective account of peacekeeping. I think it greatly oversimplifies in Cambodia for one, by focusing on a few bad apples, the Spokesman said, adding that the UN would not try to stop publication of the book.

He noted that staff members they have the obligation to get permission from the United Nations before publishing.

Once this book is published is they have broken a staff rule because they did not have permission. So they would be subject to disciplinary action, the Spokesman said, noting that staff members are free to publish whatever they want once they leave the United Nations.

He added: Two out of three of these authors are still on the staff. Apparently they still believe in the Organization enough to collect a pay check once a month you can ask them why theyre still around but they have broken a staff rule.

INVESTIGATION INTO SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIM CONTINUES

Asked about any developments in the investigation being carried out by the UNs

Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into a

sexual harassment complaint against

Rudd Lubbers, the

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Spokesman said there was nothing new to report.

We checked with the OIOS this morning and they told us that their investigation is continuing and they cannot predict when theyll be finished with it, the Spokesman said.

He added: Typically, we dont comment on ongoing investigations, so OIOS is going about its business in a professional and thorough way, and when theyre finished theyll present their report to the Secretary-General.

Asked if the matter damages the image of UNHCR, the Spokesman indicated that the final report would need to be seen before a comment could be made.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRANSFER OF SUDANESE REFUGEES FROM DARFUR CONTINUES: Hundreds of Sudanese refugees from the

Darfur region of Sudan are still

arriving in eastern Chad every week, and the efforts of

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, to transfer the refugees to camps away from the border continue with more than 80,900 in the camps so far.

DEPUTY-SECRETARY-GENERAL ATTENDED EUROPEAN FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY: The Deputy Secretary-General,

Louise Frechette, attended the annual assembly of the European Foundation in Athens on Sunday. She focused her presentation of the

Millennium Development Goals, stressing that in every region, and at every level, the goals are proving to be a powerful catalyst for change. She also noted that the United Nations is truly transforming the way it works with the outside world.

NUMBER OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES NEEDING FOOD AID REMAINS UNCHANGED: The number of countries facing serious food shortages last month declined to 35 from 38 in February, according to a report released yesterday by the Food and Agriculture Organization. But, the report adds, in Africa the number of countries needing food aid remains unchanged at 24. The report blames civil conflict, adverse weather, particularly drought, for much of the food shortages, but adds that in many of these countries, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major contributing factor.

ANNAN ENCOURAGED BY RESUMPTION OF INDIA-PAKISTAN TALKS: Asked if the

Secretary-General had a reaction to reports that

India and Pakistan would be holding talks later this month, the Spokesman said he was sure the Secretary-General would be encouraged by the resumption of dialogue between the two countries. He added that he was not aware of any telephone conversation the Secretary-General may have had with Indias new Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION BEGINS ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Making globalization fair, creating jobs and promoting development through providing decent work are the foundations for global stability, the Director-General of the UN

International Labour Organization (ILO), Juan Somavia, said today as the agency opened its

annual conference in Geneva. Somavia

said the ILO can build a foundation for the future by promoting "employment as the main route out of poverty." The conference oversees compliance with international labour standards and establishes the agency's budget. It also fosters debate on global social and labour questions.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

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New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162 -

press/media only

Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212)

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