United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-09-23

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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

Friday, September 23, 2005

KOFI ANNAN, IN WASHINGTON, D.C., URGES HELP FOR AFRICA

Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C., this morning, as they held a forum on the theme, Africa Matters. He agreed on the importance of Africa, saying, At a time when African states are addressing their problems with new energy and determination, we must work with them, and invest in them, to build the better future that can be theirs.

He reiterated his sympathy for all those who have suffered from Hurricane Katrina, and noted the humanitarian efforts the United Nations has made in support of the victims. Among them, he said, are the provision of two planeloads of education and recreation kits by UNICEF; the work by the World Health Organization to assist in tracking support to displaced people; and assistance in coordinating international assistance.

In short, he said, the United Nations is doing whatever it can to help, and wishes the American people strength and courage as they continue the recovery and reconstruction effort.

The Secretary-General also briefed the Caucus on the remarkable commitments agreed to at the World Summit, although he added, Leaders did not deliver everything I had hoped for.

The Secretary-General will also meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice while he is in Washington. He is expected back in New York this afternoon.

Asked why the Secretary-General had rushed to Washington, D.C., to meet with Secretary of State Rice, the Spokesman objected to the characterization of the trip. The Secretary-General, he said, had not "rushed" to Washington. Annan, the Spokesman explained, had a long-standing commitment to speak to the Congressional Black Caucus. In meetings last week between the Secretary-General and the Secretary of State, they decided they would meet in Washington.

U.N. ENVOY PRAISES ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN COOPERATION

The UN Special Coordinator for the

Middle East,

Alvaro de Soto, told the

Security Council this morning that Israels government, facing vociferous opposition, has proved with its withdrawal from Gaza that it can carry out democratic decisions in the general interest. Israels armed forces also showed exemplary consideration to those affected by its evacuations, he added.

He noted that, although the disengagement was a unilateral Israeli decision, all relevant sectors of the Palestinian Authority worked diligently and constructively to coordinate with their Israeli counterparts and other actors. The habit of coordination developed among Palestinians and Israelis in the last few months is a valuable asset on which to continue building in the coming period, de Soto said.

He said that the Palestinians who live in Gaza will wonder what has changed if it is not followed by their ability to link up with those living in the West Bank and in the outside world. At the same time, Palestinians must understand, accept and address Israels need to be assured of the safety and security of its citizens. We have copies of his statement upstairs.

The Council, after consultations on the Middle East, went into a formal meeting to adopt a Presidential Statement. In the Statement, the Council supported the statement issued earlier this week by the Quartet, and urged Israeli and the Palestinian Authority to cooperate with efforts to achieve the goals set out in the Quartet statement.

SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATES FOCUSES ON SUDAN, BURUNDI

The

Security Council began its work today by voting unanimously to extend the

UN Mission in Sudan by six months, until 24 March 2006, with the intention to renew it for further periods.

Yesterday afternoon, the Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement on

Burundi, in which it welcomed the decision taken during the Summit on Burundi earlier this month to establish a forum of Burundis partners. It encouraged the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, Carolyn McAskie, to conclude discussions with all concerned partners to establish a forum as soon as possible.

UNITED NATIONS RESPONDS TO HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN IRAQI CITY

The

UN Mission in Iraq says that, so far, the United Nations and its partners have delivered food and other items to more than 16,000 people in and around the city of Tal Afar, as well as to 1,350 displaced families in areas near Tal Afar.

That is part of the effort that the UN Country Team in Iraq has made, working closely with the Iraqi leadership, to respond to the humanitarian crisis in conflict-affected areas in Tal Afar. At the same time, the United Nations has worked with the government to advocate for humanitarian access, so that it can assess needs in the area and provide medical access to the injured.

ANNAN SAYS SIERRA LEONE WORK ON SCHEDULE

The Secretary-General, in the latest report on Sierra Leone, says the phased withdrawal of the

UN Mission there is on track and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

He also reports that the establishment of a UN integrated office for Sierra Leone is also proceeding on schedule.

The new office will be aimed at development.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ENDS TODAY

The General Assemblys General Debate wraps up today, with statements in the morning and afternoon.

Assembly President Jan Eliasson will make a concluding statement. He will summarize briefly the views that have been expressed by delegations on the implementation of the World Summit outcome -- that momentum on development must be maintained and strengthened, and rapid progress made on the Peacebuilding Commission, Human Rights Council, terrorism, the responsibility to protect, and reform of the United Nations.

He will also advise delegations of his intention to set out a work plan for Summit follow-up late next week.

BELIZE BRINGS HONOUR ROLL TO 123

A check from Belize arrived today. That brings the number of fully-paid-up Member States to 123. Belize paid $17,795

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

HIJACKERS BREAK AGREEMENT TO RELEASE FOOD AID SHIP: The World Food Programme (WFP) today

declared null and void all agreements with Somalias Transitional Federal Government and community leaders to end the hijack of a Kenyan-owned vessel off the coast of Somalia. Yesterday the hijackers failed to comply with a deal to end the three month saga and release the ship, its 10-man crew and 850-ton humanitarian cargo of rice. WFP issued a warning to the hijackers not to loot the cargo. This is the first time in WFP history that a ship carrying relief food has been hijacked.

ARAB CULTURE PRIZE AWARDED: The

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization today

announced that the 2005 Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture will be awarded to Algerian writer Tahar Ouettar and French academic Michel Lagarde. Ouettar wrote several novels, including The Ace, The Donkeys Wedding, and The Candle and Dark Tunnels. He edits the cultural supplement of the daily Al-Chaab. Lagarde, belongs to the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), and teaches in Romeat the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies. The Sharjah Prize - which includes a monetary award of $ 25,000 for each laureate - was created by the Executive Board of UNESCO in 1998 with funds provided by the government of Sharjah.