United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-09-30

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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

Thursday, September 30, 2004

ANNAN CONCERNED ABOUT ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN GAZA STRIP

Secretary-General Kofi Annan is gravely

concerned at the escalation of violence and the rising toll of casualties on both sides in the Gaza Strip and adjacent Israeli areas in the past 24 hours. He especially mourns the death and injuries of children.

The Secretary-General remains deeply convinced that there is no military solution to this conflict.

He urges both parties immediately to cease all forms of violence, to act in strict compliance with their obligations under the

Road Map and international law and to renew their search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS DISRUPTING U.N. OPERATIONS IN GAZA

The

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

says that the on-going large scale Israeli military operations in Gaza have once again severely disrupted the agencys work.

Due to Israeli-imposed internal closures in Gaza, UNRWA has been forced to suspend many of its normal operations. This includes emergency food distribution.

Furthermore, the closures are also preventing some 750 staff members from returning to their homes.

The Agency has reminded the Government of Israel of its obligations under international law, including bilateral agreements with UNRWA.

It once again calls on Israel to restore the freedom of movement of Agency staff and guarantee their safety at all times.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL;

RECOMMENDS INTERNATIONAL POLICE PRESENCE IN DARFUR, SUDAN

UN

High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Louise Arbour, and the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Juan Mendez, will brief on their recent mission to

Sudan. The

Secretary-General accompanied them to the briefing.

The Secretary-General had recently asked the pair to visit Darfur to see what can be done, now and in the future, to provide better protection for the civilians who are desperately in need of it.

[Speaking to reporters following the consultations, Arbour said they had briefed on the general findings of their mission, most importantly the recommendation that there should be an international police presence in Darfur, to monitor and assist Sudanese police in their tasks, particularly in and around camps for displaced persons.

She noted that, in some camps, the number of police is clearly insufficient, but, even when the police presence has substantially increased, people have no confidence in it. Some IDPs have claimed that they recognized some police officers as former Janjaweed elements, she said.

Asked why it should be up to the Government of Sudan to welcome international police assistance, Arbour said that, if Sudan does not do so, it would be up to the Security Council to make any decision that it deems appropriate.

Asked about reports that people in the camps had been harassed by Government officials, Arbour said those reports were widespread. She said she hopes to be able to follow up on those reports.

She added, in response to another question, that she did not see conditions that were conducive to safe and voluntary return. Arbour said that the camp residents were "trapped in prisons without walls."

Arbour said that there were still attacks on villages, but also pointed to individual attacks on a massive scale, which she said were also taking place now.

Asked why he hadnt called what was happening in Darfur a genocide, Juan Mendez noted that the terms of his mandate are not to qualify whether genocide has happened or not. He had focused on his mission on the protection of ethnic groups, saying that "we have not turned a corner" in terms of preventing genocide.]

At 3:00 p.m., the Council has scheduled a private meeting at which Sudans Foreign Minister Mustafa, Osman Ismail, is scheduled to brief.

ANNAN PLEASED WITH CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS ON MYANMAR

The

Secretary-General convened a high-level informal consultation on Myanmar, which was attended by senior representatives of a dozen Member States, as well as representatives from the

United Nations Development Programme and the

World Bank.

In a

statement issued following the Wednesday afternoon discussions, the Secretary-General expressed his pleasure at the constructive discussions, which strengthened the sense of common purpose on how to assist Myanmar in making its process of democratic transition more inclusive and sustainable.

The Secretary-General hopes that the countries participating in the discussions would redouble their individual and collective efforts to move the process forward.

He also urges the Myanmar authorities to listen to advice given by friendly countries, in goodwill, and allow his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, to visit the country as soon as possible.

In comments made to reporters after the meeting, the Secretary-General said that the Member States who participated all have different and complementary roles, and we would use the individual influence of each country to move the process forward. He added that the participants all wanted to see the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

ANNAN WELCOMES RUSSIAN CABINETS ENDORSEMENT OF KYOTO PROTOCOL

The

Secretary-General was

pleased to learn today that the Russian cabinet has asked the State Duma to ratify the 1997

Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change.

He welcomes this step, since the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, made possible by Russias ratification, will be the essential first step in tackling the planetary challenge posed by climate change.

He takes this occasion to remind the entire international community of the need to bring a greater sense of urgency to this crucial issue of human security and well-being.

RUSSIAS ACTION WILL INVIGORATE CLIMATE TALKS IN DECEMBER

Meanwhile,

Klaus Toepfer, the Executive Director of the

United Nations Environment Programme, has

welcomed Russias intent to ratify the Kyoto Protocol as a cause for celebration as its the final step needed to bring the treaty into force.

As of last week, 125 countries have ratified or acceded to the Protocol, which is part of the

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

To enter into force, 55 Parties to the Convention must ratify the Protocol, including developed countries whose combined 1990 emissions of carbon dioxide exceed 55% of that groups total.

Russia, with 17% of the emissions, would push the amount beyond the threshold.

While the Russian parliament still has to approve the ratification, Toepfer said Russias action will breathe new life into the international climate negotiations which resume in Argentina this December.

As well, he said, ratification will invigorate research into cleaner fuels, more efficient energy generation and renewable energies such as wind, solar and wave power.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES UN MISSIONS IN IRAQ, DR CONGO

Earlier today, the Security Council held closed consultations on security aspects of the UN Mission in

Iraq.

The other item on the agenda is the extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in DR Congo, which expires tomorrow.

Today is the last day of the Spanish

Presidency of the

Security Council.

Starting tomorrow, the United Kingdom assumes the presidency of the

Security Council for the month of October.

UNICEF CHIEF CALLS FOR SPEEDY ASSISTANCE FOR HAITIS STORM VICTIMS

Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of

UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, is

calling for assistance to the victims of tropical Storm Jeanne.

Wrapping up a visit to

Haiti she said she was returning to New York to advocate more attention and support. After what I saw in Gonaives today, we have to move fast she said.

According to Bellamy, the at-risk population includes 30,000 children under the age of five and 8,000 women who are pregnant or lactating.

Meanwhile, the

World Food Programme (WFP) reports that a giant Antonov-124 cargo plane took off today from the

United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi, Italy, carrying 100 metric tons of High Energy Biscuits for the victims of the floods in the countrys northwest. The flight is expected to arrive in Port au Prince on Friday.

For the most vulnerable people, these biscuits could mean the difference between life and death, especially as so many of them no longer have the means to heat and prepare food," said Guy Gauvreau, WFPs Country Director in Haiti.

U.N. MISSION IN GUATEMALA ISSUES LAST REPORT BEFORE CLOSURE

The report of the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) has been issued. The Mission is slated to close in December 2004 after close to ten years in the country, and this is its final report on implementation of the 1996 peace agreements.

The report indicates impressive accomplishments in Guatemala. Among them: the end of conflict and state-sponsored human rights violations; the reduction of the military and the integration of the insurgents into civilian life; peaceful elections and political debate and the start of key institutional reforms.

Yet, the report adds, serious problems persist, such as corruption, inequality, racism, crime and weak rule of law, and their resolution will require the dedication of all Guatemalans.

The report indicates that the departure of MINUGUA is neither the end of the peace process not the end of UN involvement in the country.

The UN System will continue to work with Guatemala in the building of a more just, equitable and peaceful society.

ANNAN: GROUP OF 77 PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT

The

Secretary-General today praised the Group of 77 coalition of developing countries, which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

He said that the group, which now comprises 132 members, continues to play an important role in defending and promoting the interests of developing countries.

Addressing the Groups Foreign Ministers this morning, the Secretary-General said that next year will be a significant test of resolve as the

General Assembly holds its first comprehensive review of the

Millennium Declaration.

He told the Foreign Ministers, Your engagement in the review process is essential.

The Group of 77 also today elected Jamaica as its chair for next year, replacing this years chair, Qatar.

FINAL ROUND OF DISARMAMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN LIBERIA

With the deadline for the disarmament of Liberias warring factions set to expire in just one month, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) yesterday launched the final round of its nation-wide disarmament program in the provincial city of Harper, Maryland County, about 750 kilometers, southeast of the capital, Monrovia.

Approximately 1,000 combatants of the armed group Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) in the southeastern counties of Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee are expected to turn in their weapons during this last round.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SOME 20,000 CHILDREN DEMOBILIZED IN SOUTHERN SUDAN:

UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund,

says that around 20,000

children have been demobilized from the ranks of southern Sudanese rebel forces since 2001. These developments are contained in an article published in the journal Forced Migration Review, which summarizes a major evaluation of child demobilization in

Sudan.

FINAL PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR AFGHAN ELECTIONS: The UN Mission for

Afghanistan today provided details of the final preparations for the 9 October elections. Right now, some 115,000 polling officials are being trained in their election day duties, at the roughly 25,000 voting stations that will be in place throughout the country. Also, some 300 donkeys will be used for the elections to deliver voting materials in several Afghan provinces.

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)

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