United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-06-21

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Monday, June 21, 2004

ANNAN: FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM IS A FIGHT FOR ALL HUMANITY

Anti-Semitism is a good place to start in the fight against intolerance, because, throughout history, it has been a unique manifestation of hatred, intolerance and persecution, Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a seminar on anti-Semitism that opened here this morning. In fighting anti-Semitism, he asserted, we fight for the future of all humanity.

He acknowledged that the UN record on anti-Semitism has at times fallen short of its ideals, calling the 1975 General Assembly resolution that equated Zionism with racism an especially unfortunate decision. He added that he was glad that the resolution has since been rescinded.

The Secretary-General added, When we seek justice for the Palestinians, as we must, let us firmly disavow anyone who tries to use that cause to incite hatred against Jews, in Israel or elsewhere. He urged the UN human-rights system to explore ways to combat anti-Semitism more effectively in the future.

Asked about comments made at todays seminar by professor Anne Bayefsky, which said that the Secretary-General had not responded to anti-Semitism, the Spokesman said that todays event was one such response. He went on to say that the Department of Public Information was launching a series of discussions against intolerance, including at least two other events, on Islamophobia and migrants. The fight against intolerance, he added, had been at the top of the Secretary-Generals agenda for the past seven and a half years, and his record showed it.

ANNAN CONDEMNS HOSTAGE-TAKING, HOPES FOR RELEASE IN IRAQ

Asked for comment on the hostage-taking of a South Korean businessman in Iraq, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General was concerned at the recent trend in hostage-taking, including in Iraq, which, he said, does not bode well for the peaceful transition in Iraq.

The Spokesman said that the Secretary-General condemns all acts of hostage-taking, which have no justification and can only undermine the restoration of peace and security in Iraq. He strongly appealed for the immediate and safe release of Kim Sun-il.

He added that, to his knowledge, the United Nations has not attempted to negotiate in this matter, nor has it been asked to. He said that he was sure that, if the Secretary-General could make a difference, he would try.

ANNAN CALLS DARFUR SITUATION EXTREMELY WORRYING

The Secretary-General, in an interview with UN Radio that aired today, said that the situation in Darfur, in western Sudan, is extremely worrying. He warned that, unless we deal with the situation in Darfur, any peace in Sudan is going to be a fragile peace.

The Secretary-General said in the interview that he has talked to the Sudanese Government and other Governments to deal with the Darfur crisis, and added that he intends to go to Sudan himself shortly. But he warned that we should avoid the situations where we allow Member States to hide behind the Secretary-General, use him as an alibi for their own inaction.

In the interview, he also discussed the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, AIDS in Africa and the continents economic development.

Asked about the purpose of the Secretary-Generals trip to Sudan, the Spokesman noted that the situation in Darfur could potentially undermine the entire peace process in Sudan. The reports are serious enough that the Secretary-General would like to see as much as he can firsthand. He noted that the issue of access still prevents the United Nations from doing its work the way it would like to do it.

ONSET OF RAINY SEASON COMPLICATES RELIEF EFFORTS IN DARFUR

The rainy season has started in Darfur, and humanitarian agencies project that in a matter of weeks, the rains will leave some roads impassable and will transform crowded and unsanitary displacement sites into breeding grounds for communicable diseases such as diarrhea, measles, meningitis, and malaria.

In addition to the onset of the rainy season, Government-imposed restrictions continue to hamper deliveries of life-saving services. Although some steps have been taken to facilitate access in recent weeks, some restrictions still remain, including clearance of vehicles and humanitarian goods from customs, for their speedy deployment to the region, and the registration of new NGOs.

The security situation continues to hinder aid deliveries. An increased number of clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Janjaweed militia have also been reported near El Fasher.

SECRETARY-GENERAL RECEIVES REPORT ON CIVIL SOCIETY

The head of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, presented the "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: panels report to the Secretary-General today.

In transmitting the report to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General wrote that it is very thoughtful, and said he was particularly pleased that the Panel has proposed a number of concrete measures to increase the participation of civil society representatives from developing countries. He added that he was delighted that many of the proposals build on the solid progress made at the United Nations in interacting with civil society in recent years.

President Cardoso and another panel member, Kumi Naidoo of South Africa, were the guests at the noon briefing.

Asked whether the Secretary-General agrees with all the Panels recommendations, the Spokesman noted the Secretary-Generals wholehearted endorsement of their report.

ANNAN: WHOLE REGION WILL PAY PRICE IF DR CONGO NOT STABILIZED

The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be highly unstable. [Following the continuing presence of insurgent troops in the east of the country under mutineers General Laurent Nkunda and Colonel Jules Mutebutsi, there are reports of a build-up of some 20,000 Government troops in the area.]

According to the Secretary-Generals Special Representative William Swing, this is the most serious crisis experienced by the DRCs Transitional Government so far, and it is intensified by the rhetoric emerging from both the DRC and Rwanda.

A number of high-level diplomatic efforts by African, European and US leaders are underway to defuse the tension and set up a joint verification mechanism along the DRC-Rwanda border. Presidents Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria were in Kinshasa over the weekend and South African President Thabo Mbeki issued a statement this morning warning that the build-up of troops could lead to war.

In an interview with the UN Radio, which will be aired today, the Secretary-General expressed his concern about developments in the DRC. If we are not able to stabilize (the situation) and the Congo were to revert back into violence or anarchy, the whole region will pay a price, he said. He added that this is why the United Nationsis focusing so much attention on the DRC and noted that he hoped it would be discussed with all the leaders concerned at the African Union Summit in early July.

Asked whether he could comment on reports that UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were using force against rebel troops and siding with the Government, the Spokesman later noted that there had been an incident on Sunday, in which a military patrol from the UN Mission in the DRC had come under fire from rebel forces in Kamanyola, near the eastern town of Bukavu. A UN helicopter had been called in and warning shots had been fired at the rebel forces, which had then dispersed. No casualties were reported. This action was fully authorized within MONUC s mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to take the necessary action to protect UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel.

SECURITY COUNCIL BEGINS WEST AFRICA MISSION

Representatives of 14 Security Council Member States are on their way to Accra, Ghana, the first stop on their seven-nation mission to West Africa. The mission, led by British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, is scheduled to visit Ghana, Côte dIvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria from June 20 to 29.

While in Accra, the delegation is expected to meet with the Executive Director of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mohammed Ibn Chambas, and President John Kufuor of Ghana.

After staying overnight in Accra, the mission is expected to travel to Abidjan in Cote dIvoire, where Ambassador Jones Parry has told a

news conference the Security Council would convey a fairly tough message on the need for all parties to live up to their responsibilities and to keep the national reconciliation process on track.

UN ENVOY NOTES SECURITY CONCERNS IN AFGHANISTAN

Jean Arnault, the head of the UN Mission in Afghanistan, today told reporters in Kabul that events over the past three weeks have demonstrated that security in Afghanistan is not improving, and that volatility there has increased.

He said that the time is now for the international community to assist the Afghan people on security issues, and issued a strong invitation to NATO Member States to take into account the importance of security in promoting a democratic agenda in the country.

OLYMPIC TORCH PASSES THROUGH UNITED NATIONS

This past Saturday, the Olympic Torch made its way to the United Nations, carried by two young runners chosen by UNICEF. In remarks to hundreds of spectators who had gathered for the ceremony, the Secretary-General said the Olympic Movement and the United Nations share a number of ideals, such as equality, understanding, tolerance and hope.

Attending the ceremony were New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Greek Minister of Culture Fanny Palli-Petralia and the head of the Athens Game Olympic Committee, Gianne Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND PEACE-BUILDING: There are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council as a whole scheduled for today. Delia Domingo Albert, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines is scheduled to chair a Security Council open debate Tuesday on the role of civil society in post-conflict peace-building.

ANNAN MARKS WORLD REFUGEE DAY: Monday was World Refugee Day, and the Secretary-General marked the occasion by saying that the overwhelming majority of the 17 million people living under the UN Refugee Agencys protection desperately want to return to their homes. He noted that last year alone, 1.1 million refugees returned home.

UN POPULATION FUND RELEASES SURVEY: A new global survey by the UN Population Fund shows that reproductive health and rights are becoming an integral part of the national agenda in an increasing number of countries, and more policy makers are committed to safe motherhood.