United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-12-15

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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

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, December 15, 2005

FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH TO BE U.N. ENVOY FOR EARTHQUAKE EFFORT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appointed former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush as his Special Envoy for the South Asian Earthquake Disaster.

As the Special Envoy, former President Bush will represent the Secretary-General and the United Nations system in the national and international response to the 8 October earthquake in South Asia. He will lead the Organizations efforts and sustain international political will to support humanitarian, medium-term and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction.

The devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck South Asia on 8 October killed more than 73,000 people in Pakistan and 1,300 in India. An additional 69,000 people in Pakistan were injured in the earthquake.

SECURITY COUNCIL MOVES U.N. STAFF FROM ERITREA

The Security Council, in a Presidential

Statement yesterday afternoon, agreed, in consultation with the Secretary-General, to temporarily relocate military and civilian staff of the UN

Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) from Eritrea to Ethiopia. That relocation has been taking place today.

The Council intends to maintain an UNMEE military presence in Eritrea during the period in which it is reviewing future plans for UNMEE.

The Security Council made clear that it approved this decision solely in the interests of the safety and security of UNMEE staff. The Council strongly condemned Eritreas unacceptable actions and restrictions on UNMEE. It intends, with the Secretariat, to review promptly all options for UNMEEs deployment and functions in the context of its original purpose, capacity to act effectively and the different military options available.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operation Jean-Marie Guéhenno, who had been in Eritrea, emphasized that this relocation was temporary, in the face of the unacceptable decision of the Eritreans.

He referred to the deadlines given to both Ethiopia and Eritrea to comply with resolution 1640 and expressed the hope that both countries would take advantage of the window of opportunity being offered to respond to the demands of the Security Council. Failure to comply will mean that the UN will have 'difficult choices' to make regarding the future of the Mission, he said.

The Secretary-General, asked about the redeployment at a press stakeout, said the restrictions placed by the Eritrean authorities made it impossible for us to operate as effectively as we want to.

He also said an options document on the way ahead would be presented to the Security Council next week.

The Secretary-General said that he gave a clear and firm message to the Eritrean authorities when he met with the new Eritrean ambassador to the United Nations yesterday.

The Spokesman said, in response to a question, that Guéhenno had not been able to meet with any Eritrean officials while in that country.

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES IRAQIS TO VOTE

The Secretary-General, in a

statement issued yesterday afternoon, encouraged Iraqi voters to exercise their democratic right to vote as a first step towards building together a stable, united and prosperous Iraq. This is your chance to let your voice be heard as a force for peace and national reconciliation, he said, adding, Ultimately, only you as a people can move Iraq forward.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

Ibrahim Gambari also briefed the Security Council on Iraq yesterday afternoon, saying that, after the election, a new political landscape will emerge in Iraq. Irrespective of the elections outcome, he added, the need for national dialogue and reconciliation is real, and the United Nations stands ready to contribute to supporting this goal in a direct and practical way.

Asked whether the Secretary-General was encouraged by the reports about the Iraqi elections, the Spokesman said that, judging from the reports that have been received, voting has been proceeding relatively smoothly. However, he added, for an official sitting in New York, or even in Baghdad, it is much too soon to offer a definitive view of the situation on the ground.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND

The General Assembly has decided by consensus to establish the

Central Emergency Response Fund, a key component of the Secretary-Generals reform package. The Fund will provide immediate resources for life-saving aid during the early days and months of emergencies. It will also help to ensure that aid is channeled to overlooked and under funded crises. The Fund, which aims to hold $500 million, will be operational in early 2006.

In remarks to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General said he was delighted that the Fund had been approved, adding that, quite simply, it will save lives.

He also said that, for far too long, humanitarian assistance for disaster victims had remained a reactive process, and that lives which could and should have been saved were lost. Now, however, todays decision would ensure that in the critical realm of humanitarian aid, the UN would do more, sooner.

SECURITY COUNCIL FOCUSES ON YUGOSLAV AND RWANDAN TRIBUNALS

The Security Council is receiving briefings right now from the main officials of the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda on their continuing work.

Carla Del Ponte said that Serbia and Montenegro should be held accountable for the failure to bring Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic to justice. The international community must remain fully committed to their transfer, she said.

The Presidents of the two Tribunals -- Erik Mose for Rwanda and Fausto Pocar for the former Yugoslavia -- also briefed the Council on the progress of the completion strategies for each Tribunal.

Earlier today, the Security Council approved a resolution, renewing for one year the sanctions provisions on Cote dIvoire detailed in resolution 1572.

This afternoon at 3:00, Council members will hold consultations to discuss a draft resolution concerning the mandate of the International Independent Investigation Commission dealing with Lebanon.

U.N. TROOPS LEAVE SIERRA LEONE AFTER SIX YEARS OF PEACEKEEPING

Today, 290 Pakistani peacekeepers left Sierra Leone, just two weeks short of the end of the UN Missions mandate there.

Also in Freetown, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, Daudi Mwakawago , turned over to the government some 25 light vehicles and hundreds of radios.

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In the Secretary-Generals last report on the mission, out on the racks today, he says it is with a deep sense of satisfaction that he can report on what he calls the remarkable accomplishments of the UN

Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) over the past six years. He said UNAMSILs methods are now being studied by other UN missions.

The Secretary-General said that although most blue helmets were leaving, the United Nations was staying in Sierra Leone in the form of a new, integrated UN office that would continue the process of peace consolidation.

U.N. FOOD PROGRAMME ENDS WORK IN CHINA

Having fed 30 million people in China over the past 26 years, the World Food Programme (WFP)

will end its food aid to the country at the end of 2005.

Speaking in Beijing today, WFP head James Morris said, The Chinese Governments tremendous success in alleviating hunger means our food aid can be put to better use elsewhere.

WFP is now looking to China for a broader partnership to combat hunger worldwide.

UNITED NATIONS SIGNS DEAL WITH DHL TO SPEED HUMANITARIAN DELIVERY

This afternoon, Kemal Dervis, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme and Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, will sign a disaster relief partnership with the shipping company DHL.

The agreement is aimed at speeding up delivery of UN aid to remote disaster areas.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORKS ON PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION

Yesterday afternoon, the Assembly President presented a new text of a draft resolution for the Peacebuilding Commission to Member States at the informal consultations. He told delegates that the text is his best attempt to strike the middle ground without giving up important principles related to the Peacebuilding Commission. He stated that he hoped that Member States would be ready to adopt this draft resolution early next week.

This morning the Plenary also approved the recommendation from the General Committee, proposed by Costa Rica, for inclusion in the Assemblys agenda of an item on the follow-up to the Volcker report.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Developing countries losing out in cultural TRADE: Three countries - the United Kingdom, United States and China - produced 40 percent of the worlds cultural trade products in 2002, while Latin America and Africa together accounted for less than four percent according to a new report by the UN

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The report analyses cross-border trade data from about 120 countries on books, CDs, videogames and sculptures, and other cultural products. The report says, While globalization offers great potential for countries to share their cultures and creative talents, it is clear that not all nations are able to take advantage of this opportunity.