![]() |
Compact version |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
Sunday, 1 September 2024
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-02-03United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgARCHIVESHIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON BRIEFING BY FRED ECKHARD SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK Thursday, February 3, 2005ANNAN RECEIVES REPORT ON OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAMME INQUIRY The Chairman of the Independent Inquiry Committee in the Oil for Food Programme, Paul Volcker, presented the Secretary-General with a copy of the committees initial report. The United Nations is currently studying the report. At 5:00 pm today, the Secretary-Generals Chef de Cabinet, Mark Malloch Brown, will present the United Nations initial reaction to the report. The briefing may delayed and will only start 30 minutes after Volcker and other Committee members finish their press conference. Asked about the UN reaction to the Independent Inquiry Committee report, the Spokesman said that the United Nations would first study the report to give a more considered response. He added that the Secretary-General has made it clear previously that, if there are things the United Nations can do in order to improve the way it goes about its business, the United Nations will make those changes. The Secretary-General has also made clear that he would waive the immunity of those named for criminal offenses, and would cooperate with the prosecution as they face the appropriate legal authorities. Asked whether the Secretary-General was disappointed that Volcker had disclosed some of the report's findings in todays Wall Street Journal before presenting the report to the Secretary-General, the Spokesman replied, Surprised, perhaps. He noted, in response to another question, that todays meeting between Volcker and the Secretary-General was a private one. ANNAN RECOMMENDS 10,000-STRONG PEACE SUPPORT OPERATION IN SUDAN The Secretary-General, in his report on Sudan issued as a document today, recommends that the Security Council, acting under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, authorize the deployment of a multi-dimensional UN peace support operation consisting of 10,130 troops and 755 civilian police. Deploying and sustaining the mission would be a considerable challenge in a country the size of Western Europe which has poor communications, few adequate roads or runways and an inoperable railway system, the report warns. There are also uncharted landmines and widespread unexploded ordnance. The Secretary-General says that it would be impractical to wait for peace to reign throughout Sudan before supporting the agreements that have already been reached. A start must be made in implementing the North-South Agreement and to use the process to help the Sudanese resolve other conflicts as well. Support to the agreement is the most promising path to a resolution of other political crises facing Sudan, most notably in Darfur, he says. The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, is expected to brief the Security Council on this report tomorrow. U.N. AID VEHICLE COMES UNDER ATTACK IN DARFUR, SUDAN Meanwhile, the UN mission in Sudan continues to report on insecurity in Darfur. In West Darfur, it was reported that yesterday, two individuals fired at a water and sanitation truck marked with a UN agency and an NGO logo. One person was injured. There were 10 bullets holes in the truck. The attackers looted all personal belongings of the driver and passengers of the truck. All UN movement on the road was suspended until further notice. ANNAN HOPES SECURITY COUNCIL WILL ACT QUICKLY ON DARFUR REPORTS RECOMMENDATIONS The Secretary-General, in comments to reporters yesterday afternoon, said he hopes that the Security Council will act quickly on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report on Darfur, Sudan. In response to a question about how people guilty of crimes in Sudan are to be prosecuted, he said there is a debate going on in the Security Council but stressed, They must be prosecuted, whichever way the Council decides to go. He said that the way Iraqis turned out in large numbers to vote on Sunday showed the courage of the Iraqi people. The Secretary-General added that, with the elections now behind us, every effort should be made to bring in Sunni nationalists, in a time for dialogue and reconciliation. U.N. ENVOY CONTINUES CONSULTATIONS IN IRAQ From Baghdad, the UN Envoy for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, has been continuing consultations with Iraqi leaders on means of pushing the political process forward in the wake of the national elections held 30 January. He met with Iraqs Interim Finance Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, a candidate on the United Iraqi Coalition electoral list, with whom he discussed the role the United Nations will continue to play in supporting the political and rebuilding processes in Iraq in the implementation of its mandate under Security Council Resolution 1546. Qazi held similar talks with President of the Iraqi Islamist Party, Muhsen Abdul Hamid, stressing the importance of the participation of all Iraqis in shaping the future of their country. In comments to the press after the meeting, Qazi said this had been part of consultations he is holding with representatives of all Iraqi political forces in the wake of the elections. He said the United Nations stands ready to offer every possible support to the Iraqi people. Qazi said the United Nations will continue to encourage inclusiveness in the political process based on broad based dialogue among all components of the Iraqi society. ANNAN TELLS AID CONCERT OF SADNESS IN TSUNAMI-STRICKEN COUNTRIES In a video message, the Secretary-General today told viewers of an MTV Asia Aid concert in Bangkok that he had seen scenes of unimaginable sadness on his recent visit to tsunami-stricken countries. The concert is being held primarily to raise funds for UNICEF and its relief work in hard-hit areas. Meanwhile, in the Maldives, the island of Kandholhudhoo, which was badly hit by the tsunami, has been completely evacuated. But on the island of Kulhudffushi, the World Food Programme (WFP) is assisting more than 3,000 students in four schools as part of a new school feeding initiative. And in Thailand, WFP has delivered large dispatches of rice and canned fish to the south, to supplement school lunch programs and feed vulnerable families. In other news, the Food and Agriculture Organization reports that it has handed over the first of a consignment of boat repair kits, to the Sri Lankan government, to help restore the livelihoods of thousands of Sri Lankan fishermen. Also in Sri Lanka, following reports of bottlenecks in the distribution of relief aid, WFP is increasing its staff and capacity there, to deal with any gaps in food distribution and to ensure that all who need food receive it. U.N. PEACEKEEPING CHIEF APPEALS FOR HELP IN TACKLING SEXUAL ABUSE Jean-Marie Guehenno, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, addressed the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations this week. In his speech, he appealed for its help in tackling as a top priority in 2005 the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse, and to recognize that the failure to do so could do irreparable damage to the image and reputation of UN peacekeeping. He also appealed for them to approve the establishment of a standing civilian police capacity as well as a military strategic reserve force, and spoke about the surge experienced in peacekeeping over the last year. For example, there are now 75,000 military, police and civilian personnel deployed in 17 peace operations managed by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, compared to 55,000 at this time last year. He also warned that the Department is over-stretched, and that it would be preferable not to ask the United Nations to establish any new complex peacekeeping operations, beyond Sudan, this year. HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT MEETING OFFICIALS DURING VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN Cherif Bassiouni, the UNs independent expert on human rights in Afghanistan, began a new week-long visit to the country on Monday, in which he has started to meet with Afghan officials and civil society members. He will report on his mission to the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, next month. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan today also said the demobilization of more than 36,000 former soldiers so far. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS NO SECURITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TODAY: There are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council scheduled for today. ANNAN WATCHED U.S. PRESIDENTS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH: In response to a question, the Spokesman confirmed that the Secretary-General had seen President Bushs State of the Union speech on Wednesday night. HEALTH MINISTERS, EXPERTS TO MEET ON CANCER TREATMENT: With the death toll from cancer claiming 1.7 million Europeans each year, Health Ministers and experts of leading oncology centers from 27 countries across the continent met at the International Atomic Energy Agencys headquarters in Vienna this week to work together to combat the disease. U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY CHIEF WANTS LIBERIAN REFUGEE PROCESS SPED UP: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, concluded his visit to Sierra Leone yesterday, and went on to visit neighboring Liberia. On his way there, Lubbers followed a convoy of 205 Liberian refugees as they returned home. In a statement, Lubbers said that his visit to the area had convinced him that the situation has improved sufficiently to enable more of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Liberians to return. "It's time to accelerate the repatriation movement," Lubbers said. UNESCO TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON INTERNET FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is holding a two-day conference on freedom of expression on the internet, taking place at UNESCO headquarters today and tomorrow. One hundred and fifty media professionals, academics and policy makers from around the world will attend the conference, entitled Freedom in Cyberspace. 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 United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |