United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-09-15

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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 15, 2005

ANNAN: DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS MADE IN FRANCOPHONE COUNTRIES

Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke this morning at a meeting of heads of states and governments from French-speaking countries.

In his

remarks, the Secretary-General said that the last ten years had witnessed real and undeniable progress in democracy and human rights in a number of Francophone countries. But he also noted that in some countries there had been failures on the road to democracy.

He congratulated the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie for its decision not to invite to its summits any leader who had toppled democratic institutions.

LEADERS REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS

The Secretary-General met this morning with Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of Spain and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, to discuss the

Alliance of Civilizations.

They reaffirmed that the Alliance initiative is important at a time of mounting tensions between societies, including those between the West and the Muslim world.

The task ahead, they agreed, is to make this initiative concrete. Both Prime Ministers said that they would help the High-Level Group to produce a report and plan of action by the end of 2006, and would otherwise assist in making the plan success.

ANNAN WELCOMES NEW STEPS TO RAISE FINANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT

The

Secretary-General welcomes moves taken by a number of countries to implement two new methods to raise additional sources of financing for development.

The initiatives involve issuing bond to finance an immunization fund and a voluntary levy on plane tickets.

In a

statement released yesterday, the Secretary-General says that in a few months time they will start saving the lives of millions of people around the world. He also encourages other countries to join these initiatives.

Asked what would be required for the voluntary plane-ticket levy to go into effect, the Spokesman said that it would be up to national governments to decide how the money would be collected. He said that no UN body would collect the voluntary levies.

CORRUPTION TREATY TO ENTER INTO FORCE IN 90 DAYS

Heads of State and Government, as well as other officials, are continuing to sign international treaties today, as part of the

Focus 2005 Treaty Event.

Among the events highlights, Ecuador became the thirtieth country to ratify the Convention against Corruption just a few minutes ago. That treaty will now enter into force in 90 days.

Also, yesterday, 36 States undertook 54 treaty actions related to 14 treaties, and so far, 33 countries have been represented at the Head of State or Government level.

The treaty on nuclear terrorism, which opened for signature yesterday, has already received 44 signatures.

NIGERIAN POLICE UNIT RECALLED FROM U.N. MISSION IN DR CONGO

Following allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by some members of a Formed Police Unit from Nigeria in Kinshasa, the Government of Nigeria has decided to recall the unit from the

UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, without prejudice to the decision of the UN investigation and review process.

The Secretary-General welcomes this decision by the Government of Nigeria. Furthermore, the United Nations will provide all appropriate assistance to the Government of Nigeria as it undertakes measures to address this matter at the national level.

The

Secretary-General acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Nigeria to

UN peacekeeping operations. Indeed, Nigeria is a longstanding African peacekeeping partner and an important troop and police contributing country.

The Government of Nigeria and the United Nations share a commitment to a policy of zero-tolerance regarding sexual exploitation and abuse and any other forms of misconduct by peacekeeping personnel.

ANNAN EXPECTED TO DISCUSS NUCLEAR ISSUES WITH IRANIAN PRESIDENT

Asked whether the

Secretary-General was disturbed by comments attributed on Wednesday to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about nuclear technology, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General would meet the Iranian President this afternoon, and they would be expected to discuss nuclear issues.

NO SECURITY COUNCIL MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY

There are no meetings or consultations of the

Security Council scheduled for today or tomorrow.

There are two reports to the Security Council which were released today on Iraq and Sudan. Both reports are scheduled for discussion next Wednesday.

ANNAN PRAISES SUDANS RECOVERY FROM DEATH OF JOHN GARANG

In his

report on Sudan, the

Secretary-General notes that the death of First Vice-President John Garang dealt a cruel blow to all the people of the Sudan, in particular the southern Sudanese people.

But he also notes that it was gratifying that the parties reaction to the loss of Mr. Garang revealed a remarkable capacity to recover from such a setback and a determination to stay the course of the peace process.

The report outlines the daunting challenges faced by the UN mission in Sudan as it tries to help the parties consolidate the peace between the North and South.

The Secretary-General also flags continuing threats to humanitarian operations, violence against civilians, violations of human rights and little progress at the political level in Darfur. He appealed to all parties and partners to work to radically improve the prevailing conditions.

Finally, he underlined the role of international partners and donors a role he says will never be more important than at the present time.

ANNAN: IRAQS CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS

COULD HAVE BEEN MADE MORE INCLUSIVE

The

Secretary-General, in his latest

report to the

Security Council on

Iraq, says that the constitutional process has engaged the Iraqi people in an unprecedented debate on key challenges facing their country.

However, he adds, the process could have been made more inclusive, participatory and transparent, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Iraqi people.

The United Nations, he writes, will continue its efforts to provide the necessary support for the upcoming referendum and national elections.

The Secretary-General continues to be gravely concerned about the increasing number of civilian casualties and serious injuries. Virtually no Iraqi has been left untouched by the violence, he says.

He adds that the Iraqi Government must ensure the appropriate and legitimate use of force by its security sector and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Iraqi citizens.

AFGHANS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR POLITICAL RIGHTS

Today in Kabul, the final report was issued by the

UN Mission in Afghanistan and the countrys Independent Human Rights Commission on political rights before this weekends elections.

Filippo Grandi, the Secretary-Generals Deputy Special Representative in the country, said that, given the circumstances, Afghans so far have been able to exercise their political rights. The main concern continues to be security, and the report also mentions concerns about the intimidation of candidates and voters and of partiality by government authorities.

As for the participation of women, Grandi said that campaigning by women has been much better and more active than initially thought.

SECOND-ROUND OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO BEGIN IN NIGER

The

World Food Programme (WFP)

reports that it is ready to start a second round of food distribution that will target the 1.7 million people most in need of assistance in Niger.

That second round, which will start in the southern town of Maradi on Sunday, is intended to sustain the most vulnerable through to the harvest the point at which they should once more become largely self-sufficient.

Other agencies working with WFP in Niger are the

UN Childrens Fund, which is focusing on malnourished children, and the

UN Population Fund, which is addressing the needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Although WFP has been able to reach more than 1.2 million out of its target of 1.8 million people, the situation remains difficult, with young children continuing to die. According to the

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, just over half of the UNs flash appeal for Niger has been funded. There is a current shortfall of nearly $40 million.

LETTER INVITING SOMALI CABINET MEMBERS TO MOGADISHU WELCOMED

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Somalia,

Francois Lonseny Fall, today welcomed a letter from that countrys Prime Minister which invites the Cabinet members of the Transitional Federal Government to meet in Mogadishu. He urged all Cabinet ministers to seize the opportunity for consultations to move closer to reconciliation.

The letter follows months of international efforts to help foster dialogue to resolve the differences within the transitional institutions.

In recent months, the President and Prime Minister have relocated to Jowhar while some Cabinet members and Parliamentarians have stayed in Mogadishu.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUMMITS OUTCOME DOCUMENT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED: Asked about problems in the

World Summits outcome document, the Spokesman said that the tremendous achievements in that document should not be overlooked, including those concerning development, terrorism and the responsibility to protect civilian populations. At the same time, he noted glaring holes in the document, including the absence of disarmament and non-proliferation.

CONCERN GROWS OVER INCIDENCE OF CHOLERA IN WEST AFRICA: The

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today reports a growing concern with a high incidence of cholera in West Africa. More than 38,000 cases of cholera and nearly 600 deaths have been recorded across eight countries. The worst hit is Guinea-Bissau, where the disease has killed 252 people. The United Nations country team is now assisting the Government of Guinea-Bissau to mobilize resources to combat the epidemic.

MILLIONS OF AFRICAN WOMEN AND GIRLS SUFFER FROM LACK OF BASIC SERVICES: The Executive-Director of the

UN Childrens Fund,

Ann M. Veneman has joined other prominent women, including Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Norways Minister for International Development, to

call for more attention and funds to help the millions of African women and girls suffering disproportionately for lack of these basic services. Women, water and basic hygiene are the key to creating lasting change in Africa, but national water and sanitation plans are still leaving women out, leaders in development said today, Veneman said at a meeting in the sidelines of the UN World Summit. Veneman made the comment at a meeting of the Women Leaders for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

**For additional Summit-related events, please visit:

http://www.un.org/summit2005/events_schedule.pdf

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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