United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-09-08

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON

BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, September 8, 2005

KOFI ANNAN SAYS ROLE OF CITIES CRITICAL IN WORLD'S FUTURE

This morning, the

Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, addressed the

United Cities and Local Government meeting at UN Headquarters.

In his remarks to the mayors and other officials there, he said that over the next 30 years virtually all of the worlds population growth will occur in the urban areas of low- and middle-income countries.

He added that cities and local authorities have a critical role to play in this as should present trends continue, the decades ahead will see the urbanization of poverty.

Later today, the Secretary-General will address the

Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. In his speech, he is expected to tell the parliamentarians that they as the embodiment of democracy have an important role to play in the implementation of the outcome of next weeks

World Summit.

U.N. STAFF ASSISTING U.S. HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS

The

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provided an update on UN efforts working closely with Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in support of the U.S. relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims.

An initial UN presence has now been established in Atlanta and is moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today, with a staff of eight. The United Nations also has a presence in Denton, Texas, with a total of six staff on the ground today. Both are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Regional Coordination Centers. In addition, logistics staff are also at the Little Rock Air Force Base, the staging area for incoming international assistance. We are also liaising with the U.S. AID Response Management Team in Washington, D.C. UN logisticians are helping in tracking international assistance with the U.S. team.

The World Food Programme and

UNICEF have started talks with the American Red Cross about the possibility of eventually channeling materials and supplies through them.

UNICEF is providing education supplies to the non-governmental organization, Church World Service.

The World Health Organization is responding to requests for staff to assist in Baton Rouge, Denton, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

U.N. REPORT FOCUSES ON HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS IN IRAQ

Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for

Iraq, today released a report on the human rights situation in that country during July and August. The report voiced concern over the lack of protection of basic human rights there.

The UNs Human Rights Office receives regular allegations reflecting the deficiencies in the administration of justice, in particular the handling of detainees. It also notes the flagrant disregard for human life demonstrated by armed opposition groups.

U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR LEBANON IS IN MOSCOW FOR TALKS

Terje Roed-Larsen, the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Implementation of Security Council

Resolution 1559, was in Moscow today, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

They reviewed the latest developments concerning the resolutions implementation and related matters. The meeting took place as part of a round of broad consultations with key partners on Resolution 1559 and related matters.

Roed-Larsen described the meeting as productive. He will remain in close contact with his Russian counterparts.

Asked about the work of the head of the investigation into Rafik Hariris assassination, the Spokesman said that Detlev Mehlis is in New York today, where he is talking with UN officials about his investigation. Mehlis will meet with the Secretary-General this afternoon. He is also ready to talk to key ambassadors, as they request.

Asked whether Mehlis met with the Syrian Ambassador, the Spokesman later said they met on Wednesday.

MORE AFGHAN EX-SOLDIERS JOIN REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

The

UN Mission in Afghanistan reports a slight increase in the number of former officers and soldiers who have joined the reintegration program.

So far, more than 60,000 people have either entered or completed the process, representing about 98 percent of all demobilized fighters.

ANNAN ASKS FOR EXTENSION OF U.N. MISSION IN LIBERIA

The Secretary-General's report to the Security Council on Liberia is out as a document today.

In the report, he asks for an extension of the

UN Mission in Liberia of its mandate for another year, until September of next year.

He also complimented the UN mission and the Liberian people on what he called steady progress in their preparations for the October national elections.

FEWER CHILDREN, MORE WORKERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Fertility reductions that took place in developing countries in the 1970s and 1980s have reduced the share of children in the population and increased the proportion of working-age persons, a new report by the

Department of Economic and Social Affairs says.

The report says those changes can boost the per capita rate of economic growth and raise living standards, easing the path to fulfilling the

Millennium Development Goals.

HONOR ROLL OF PAID UP COUNTRIES NOW AT 113

Vietnam sent its dues in today.

The arrival of that check brought the list of fully-paid-up member states to 113.

UNITED NATIONS WILL FOLLOW UP ON OIL-FOR-FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS

The Spokesman, in response to questions about the report issued on Wednesday by Paul Volckers

Independent Inquiry Committee, said the 1,000-page

report was quite exhaustive and clearly stated findings against various UN officials. He said that the United Nations would take follow-up action as necessary, based on the findings of the report, which UN officials are now studying.

The Spokesman repeatedly declined to answer questions about the actions of some UN staff, including Wagaye Assebe and Lamine Sise, involving the purchase of a car by the Secretary-Generals son. Dujarric said that the Volcker report had exhaustively dealt with those issues.

Dujarric added that the Secretary-General had made clear on Wednesday that he

accepts responsibility regarding the reports findings. Action has already been taken against a number of staff members over the past months, he added.

Among the actions being taken to follow up on the Volcker report, the Spokesman said, the United Nations was establishing an Ethics Office, creating rules to protect whistle-blowers and setting up a policy for greater financial disclosures. The United Nations has also learned lessons on how to improve its administration, he said.

He noted, in response to another question, that the

Oil-For-Food Programme would have been run better with clear lines of responsibility between the Security Council and the UN Secretariat and with stronger auditing capability.

The report, he said, was a strong message for UN reform, with clear recommendations for a United Nations with modern administrative powers and greater oversight.

Asked about responses to potential criminal activity, the Spokesman said that the United Nations would cooperate, and was cooperating, with national authorities prosecuting any criminal behavior.

Asked whether Deputy Secretary-General

Louise Fréchette would resign, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General told reporters on Wednesday that he does not expect any resignations. The Deputy Secretary-General continues to enjoy the Secretary-Generals confidence, he added.

He added, in response to a question, that he was not aware of any specific meeting between the Secretary-General and his Deputy on the report.|

Asked about the Deputy Secretary-Generals role in the coming days, the Spokesman said she would continue to work on issues of UN reform and would participate fully in next weeks summit. He said there was no pressure whatsoever from Member States for either the Secretary-General or Fréchette to be scapegoats for the problems described in the report. The Secretary-General, Dujarric said, would continue to work on UN reforms over the rest of his term.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals mood, the Spokesman said that he was focused on the weeks ahead and on efforts to get a solid outcome document at the 2005 World Summit.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNITED NATIONS CONDEMNS ATTACK ON MINISTER IN COTE DIVOIRE: The

UN Operation in Cote dIvoire (ONUCI) has

condemned an attack on Territorial Administration Minister Issa Diakite by a group of young people. The UN mission said Diakite was uninjured in the incident but several cars were damaged, including those belonging to the UN. The mission said the attack was unacceptable and incomprehensible at a time when energies should be devoted to peace and national reconciliation.

NO DEADLINE SET FOR SUMMIT DRAFT: Asked if a deadline had been set for a draft outcome document for next weeks Summit, the Spokesman said he was not aware of one.

*** The guest at the noon briefing was Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

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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