United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-11-15

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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 MARIE OKABE

DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO URGE INTERNET OPENNESS AT SUMMIT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with his senior advisers in Tunis this morning, and discussed the

World Summit of the Information Society, which opens there on Wednesday.

The Secretary-General will tell the Summits opening plenary tomorrow that the information societys very lifeblood is freedom. Without openness, he is to say, the information revolution will stall, and the information society we hope to build will be stillborn.

This afternoon, the Secretary-General met with the Mayors of Bilbao and Tunis respectively, Juan Jose Ibarretxe and Abbas Mohsen who presented him with the outcome document of the Second World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities on the Information Society, which took place in Bilbao earlier this year.

Later today, he is expected to meet with Israels Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom. He will also meet with the heads of UN agencies attending the Summit, including

Yoshio Utsumi the Secretary-General of the

International Telecommunications Union.

In Tunis, Utsumi, with his opening remarks to the press on the eve of the Summit, expressed his satisfaction with the logistical arrangements of one of the biggest events in the history of the United Nations. He announced that by the morning of 15 November, 23,000 participants had registered, with 12,000 arrivals recorded so far. About 173 countries are represented at the Summit and over 50 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend, he said.

Meanwhile,

Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, gave a press conference on the stakes of the World Electronic Media Forum, taking place in parallel with the Summit. He underscored the importance of the safety of journalists in zones of conflict.

Asked whether the Secretary-General was concerned that the Summit could be harmful to the United Nations because it may not help the cause of the freedom of information, the Spokeswoman drew attention to the Secretary-Generals comments underscoring the importance of freedom to the information society. The Secretary-General, she noted, was using his speeches and his bully pulpit to move the process forward.

ANNAN HAILS GAZA-EGYPT BORDER AGREEMENT

The Secretary-General

welcomes todays agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on the Gaza-Egypt border crossing. He sees this development as a positive step towards building confidence between the two parties.

The Secretary-General believes that the opening of the Rafah crossing will contribute to improving the Palestinians freedom of movement and economic activity.

The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation to the Quartets Middle East Envoy James Wolfensohn and to the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, for their efforts in brokering the deal, and he thanks the European Union for its proposed technical assistance in its implementation.

SECURITY COUNCIL WORKS ON AFRICA; BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The

Security Council held an open meeting this morning on the Councils recent mission to Central Africa.

The missions delegation leader, Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, briefed the Council on the

trip which saw Council members visit five countries and meet several leaders in the region.

That first Council meeting was followed by another on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Unions High Representative for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, briefed the Council on the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has made over the past ten years.

U.N. POLITICAL CHIEF MEETS LEADERS IN LEBANON

Under-Secretary for Political Affairs

Ibrahim Gambari continued his visit to Lebanon, where he held separate meetings today with some of the leaders of the country's religious communities.

He also met with Lebanons Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Elias Murr. Gambari told reporters afterward that they had discussed cooperation by the Lebanese government with the United Nations on both the Hariri investigation and the implementation of other U.N. resolutions on Lebanon, particularly Resolution 1614, regarding the extension of government control throughout the country.

Throughout his meetings today, Gambari emphasized the U.N.'s desire and support for the sovereignty, independence, stability and security of Lebanon. He is expected to meet with Lebanons Prime Minister, Fuad Siniora on Wednesday.

Asked whether the Secretary-General is in talks with the Syrian authorities concerning the investigation, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General has been supporting Detlev Mehliss efforts on that matter.

U.N. IRAQ ENVOY IN AMMAN FOR TALKS WITH JORDANIAN OFFICIALS

In Amman today,

Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Iraq, met with Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran and expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life during last weeks terrorist attack.

Qazi briefed the Prime Minister on recent developments in Iraq, and discussed the upcoming preparatory meeting in Cairo, under the auspices of the Arab League, to explore the means for national reconciliation among Iraqis.

ANNAN TO SEND MESSAGE TO PALESTINE DONORS' MEETING

On Wednesday morning in Jordan, Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of the UN

Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), will deliver a message on the Secretary-Generals behalf to the Agencys donors about the indispensable work that it does.

In that message, the Secretary-General calls on donors to not only continue their support to UNRWA, but to increase it.

U.N. COMPOUND IN SOUTHERN SUDAN LOOTED AND BURNED

The United Nations has received reports about inter-ethnic tensions in Yambio, the State capital of Western Equatoria in Southern Sudan, which sparked fighting between the Zande and Dinka tribes.

The

World Health Organization (WHO) compound has been looted and burnt. Violence is still ongoing in Yambio.

BLUE HELMETS HELPING CONGOLESE ARMY IN ATTACKS

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reports that UN peacekeepers provided support to Congolese government soldiers during an operation in the Koga-Similiki area, in the countrys eastern district of Ituri.

The decision to provide support for the operation came in the wake of recent attacks against the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in the nearby Boga area.

The operation involves three companies from MONUCs Ituri Brigade a total of approximately 300 soldiers who provided transport and cordon support, while close air support was provided by two Indian air force MI-25 helicopters.

On Monday, one FARDC battalion was transported by road to the Boga area, where it attacked militia elements. This morning, a MONUC riverine unit transported approximately 100 FARDC soldiers by boat to Koga, where heavy fighting was reported. The waterborne unit also evacuated three wounded FARDC soldiers.

The UN Mission says the Congolese forces report one Congolese soldier killed, with heavy casualties inflicted on the militia and the town of Similiki now reported to be held by the FARDC.

U.N. TROOPS IN CLASHES WITH GANG MEMBERS

The

UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)

reports that UN peacekeepers carried out several search and security operations this past weekend against gang members in various districts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surroundings.

During these operations, one suspect was killed, two others were wounded, and nine people were arrested. Weapons were seized and stolen vehicles recovered.

MINUSTAH says it will deploy additional UN peacekeepers to reinforce an area known as Cité Militaire, in order to slow down the activity of local armed gangs.

SNOW MAKING LIFE COLD AND MISERABLE FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

Snow has started to fall in the areas near the South Asia

quake in northern Pakistan, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the dropping snow line, as well as the rains at lower elevations, is making life cold and miserable.

UN agencies are, nevertheless, still working hard to attend to the survivors needs. The World Food Programme (WFP) today

said that, because of new donations from the United States, Norway, Canada and Denmark, it would be able to extend its helicopter operation for at least another two months.

The agency says this is the largest humanitarian helicopter operation it has ever launched, and the entire airlift -- which involves WFP, UNHCR, NATO and other actors -- is now transporting up to 100 tons of relief supplies every day.

Meanwhile, UNHCR

says that, since the earthquake struck, it has brought more than 20,000 tents -- as well as hundreds of thousands of blankets, jerry cans, kitchen sets, stoves and plastic sheets -- into Pakistan.

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY WARNS OF INTERNET SCAMS

The UN

Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today issued a warning that scam artists are using the internet to make fraudulent resettlement and employment offers to people who are seeking to emigrate or to obtain refugee status.

The agency said the fake websites and chat groups are offering -- for a fee -- jobs in industrialized countries, and they are using the name of UNHCR.

UNHCR never charges any fees, the agency said, and it does not join chat groups or other such websites.

U.N. DEVELOPMENT CHIEF IN BANGKOK ; TO HEAD TO PAKISTAN

Kemal Dervis, the Administrator of the UN

Development Programme is in Thailand today on the second leg of a three country trip that includes India and Pakistan. In Bangkok, Dervis is meeting with senior Thai officials to discuss the countrys status as an emerging donor.

Dervis said the developing world has much to learn from Thailands experience in sound fiscal management, trade policy and regional economic cooperation.

Dervis also visited India where he met with senior government officials to discuss financing mechanisms for Indias human development, and other matters. From Thailand, he will go to Pakistan, where he will join the Secretary-General in opening an international conference in support of the earthquake victims.

SPOKESWOMAN: U.N. EMPLOYEE'S SUMMARY DISMISSAL RESCINDED

Asked about the Secretary-Generals response to a Joint Disciplinary Committee ruling on Joseph Stephanides, the Spokeswoman said that Under-Secretary-General for Management Christopher Burnham send that response, on the Secretary-Generals behalf, in a letter that says that the decision to summarily dismiss Stephanides was rescinded.

She declined to answer several questions about that decision, noting that the United Nations was providing a background briefing this afternoon to explain the decision.

In response to questions about whether Stephanides still is believed to have violated staff rules, contrary to the decision of the Joint Disciplinary Committee, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-Generals decision was made in response to the Committees report, and he had considered what their recommendations were. [The officials said, in response to questions, that the Secretary-General still maintained that Stephanides had violated procurement rules.]

Asked when the decision was made, Okabe said the letter was dated November 14, and had since been conveyed to Stephanides. She was unaware of when the Secretary-General had made any decision on the case, noting that he was traveling.

UNITED NATIONS, VOLCKER COMMITTEE IN TALKS ON DOCUMENT DECISIONS

Asked about Transparency Internationals concerns that the documents possessed by Paul Volckers

Independent Inquiry Committee should all go to the United Nations, the Spokeswoman said that discussions were continuing between the United Nations and the Committee on the handling of those documents. She reiterated that the United Nations wants to provide as much access to the documents as possible.

While those talks continue, she said, the United Nations was considering an effort to extend the life of the Committee beyond its expiry at the end of this month. Instead, she said, it may go on at least until the end of this year.

Asked whether that means that the Committee may carry out further investigations, she said it did not; it would simply be extended to deal with follow-up issues.

U.N. AFRICA ENVOY SELECTED THROUGH REGULAR PROCEDURES

Asked how

Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary

Abdoulie Janneh was selected, the Spokeswoman said he was appointed following a regular procedure in which a long list of candidates had been compiled. A short list was developed on June 24, and a list of interviewees was then drawn up, with interviews taking place in July. The appointment was announced in September.

She said that, when senior appointments require General Assembly approval, such as for the heads of UN agencies, the short lists are made public; that is not the case for Secretariat appointees, as in this case.

She said Janneh was appointed on the basis of his exemplary record.

Asked whether there would be any disciplinary action taken against him concerning the case of the Mercedes, referred to in a September Independent Inquiry Committee report, the Spokeswoman said that would not happen. She declined to answer further questions on the case, which she said was not considered to be a UN matter.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES HUMANITARIAN WORK

At the Monday plenary meeting of the General Assembly, three resolutions were adopted on the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, on the Indian Ocean tsunami, the South Asian earthquake, and the Chernobyl disaster. Additional resolutions on this subject, including the question of improving the current Central Emergency Revolving Fund, are still in consultations, and are expected to be acted on in plenary sometime in December.

On the implementation of the

World Summit Outcome, Assembly President Jan Eliasson has sent a follow-up letter to all Member States announcing that the co-chairs for the consultations on development and ECOSOC reform will be Ambassador Cheick Sidi Diarra of Mali and Ambassador Johan C. Verbeke of Belgium. Also, the co-chairs for the consultations on management reform will be Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan and Ambassador Allan Rock of Canada. Initial consultations are expected to be held in the next two weeks.

The President will give a press briefing on these new steps in the Summit follow-up process, as well as a status report on the progress thus far, this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in Room 226.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEETING HELD ON FOOD INSECURITY IN SAHEL: For the first time, the UN today

convened a joint dialogue between humanitarian and development actors on the issue of food security in Africas Sahel subregion. To be held from November 15 to 16 in Dakar, Senegal, the meeting will focus on both the immediate and the structural causes of the subregions recurring food crises as part of efforts to mitigate and prevent future crises.

U.N FOOD AGENCY SAYS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE HINDERS DEVELOPMENT: The rural digital divide is isolating almost one billion of the poorest people who are unable to participate in the global information society, according to the UN

Food and Agriculture Organization. The agency said it would highlight the problems of the digital divide and its efforts aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange and access to information in combating hunger and poverty at the World Summit on the Information Society starting tomorrow.

ALLIANCE FOR CIVILIZATION CHIEF TO SPEAK FOR ANNAN IN SPAIN: Asked about the status of Iqbal Riza, the Spokeswoman noted that he had been serving since earlier this year as the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on the

Alliance for Civilizations. Riza, she had said on Monday, will represent the Secretary-General in a meeting of the High-Level Group for that Alliance in Spain, starting on November 27. He had established the High-Level Group, and also recruited people to head the Alliances secretariat, whose appointment was also announced on Monday. Asked whether Riza was paid a dollar-a-year salary, the Spokeswoman later said he was.

REPORTERS TO BE KEPT INFORMED ON ANNANS TRAVEL PLANS: Asked whether the United Nations can confirm that the Secretary-General will soon be traveling to Asia, the Spokeswoman said she had nothing to announce, but added that reporters are informed for their planning purposes about the Secretary-Generals travels seven to ten days before they begin.

HIGHLIGHTS ARE SUMMARIES; VERBATIM RECORD COMES LATER: The Spokeswoman responded to complaints about the contents of the Highlights of the Noon Briefing, noting that the Highlights are a summary and not an official record of the briefing. There is also a verbatim transcript of the briefing, which comes out later and contains the full text of everything that is said.

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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