United Nations Daily Highlights, 05-12-26

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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

Friday, 23 December, 2005

[Please note: there will be no Noon Briefings between 26-30 December. News developments within the UN system will be posted on this website throughout that time period, and the Noon Briefings will resume on 3 January.]

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES DR CONGO ON ELECTIONS

The Secretary-General, Kofi Annan,

congratulates the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Independent Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of their constitutional referendum on 18 and 19 December, despite the tremendous challenges which they faced.

The relatively high voter turn out and the fact that the polling was conducted in a largely free, fair and peaceful manner attests to the determination of the Congolese people to participate in deciding their nations future. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the people of the DRC in this historic process.

U.N. BEGINS NEW ROUND OF AID TO PAKISTAN QUAKE VICTIMS

The

Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is

starting a new round of aid distribution to help Pakistan earthquake survivors in camps cope with the extreme cold. The agency is handing out 250,000 blankets and 77,000 plastic sheets this week. In addition, UNHCR has been fixing latrines, bathrooms and communal kitchens in 50 of the camps, and is working with

UNICEF to provide water.

The agency is concerned that, as people try to stay warm with candles and stoves, there will be an increased risk of tent fires. It is therefore working with the Pakistani authorities to find safe ways to provide heating in the camps.

Regarding financial commitments, the

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the UN flash appeal is only 43% covered, and that fifty to sixty million dollars per month is needed through April to avoid having to phase down operations in Pakistan.

U.N. ASKS UZBEKISTAN TO HOLD "SCRUPULOUSLY" FAIR TRIALS

The UN

High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today is urging the Uzbek Government to abide by international standards of due process, amid reports that defendants have been convicted in closed-door trials this month in connection with events in Andijan last May.

Arbour says If the latest proceedings were anything like the trial that resulted in the conviction of the first 15 defendants last month, there is very good reason to worry.

She adds that, at the previous trial she had expressed concerns over alleged irregularities, and today she once again urged the government to abide scrupulously by the fair-trial standards.

HALF RATIONS FOR REFUGEES IN ZAMBIA

The

World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the Zambian Government

appealed today for $8.5 million to provide food for up to 82,000 Angolan and Congolese refugees in Zambia.

Faced with severe shortages of food and funding, WFP plans to reduce rations by half, starting 1 January, to assure them some level of food assistance in the months ahead. The agencies fear that reduced rations will lead to problems such as increased malnutrition and higher mortality rates.

RECENT REPORTS OF MAJOR REFUGEE MOVEMENT IN SUDAN ARE UNFOUNDED

The UN Mission in Sudan has looked into reports by the Sudan Liberation Army that several thousand Sudanese refugees had left Chad for North Darfur, following attacks by Chadian opposition groups.

The Mission has determined that those reports are unfounded.

U.N. MISSION TO REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH TROOP WITHDRAWAL

Asked about the passing of the 23 December deadline for the withdrawal of troops to pre-December 2004 levels as stipulated in

Security Councils

Resolution 1640, the Spokesman said that the position of the

UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) is that the deadline has not yet elapsed.

UNMEE continues to monitor activities on both sides of the Temporary Security Zone and Adjacent Areas, the Spokesman said, adding that a report on compliance will be made by the

Secretary General to the Security Council (with input from UNMEE) on 2-3 January 2006, as outlined in Resolution 1640.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

December 23, 2005

Monday, December 26

The UN will be closed in observance of Christmas Day.

Tuesday, December 27

Wednesday, December 28

The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB), the audit oversight body for the Development Fund for Iraq, will meet at UN Headquarters today. The IAMB members will then brief the press at 4:30 p.m. They are: Jean-Pierre Halbwachs, Representative from the UN and Chair; Khalifa Ali Dau, Representative from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development; Bert Keuppens, Representative from the International Monetary Fund; and Fayezul Choudhury, Representative from the World Bank

Thursday, December 29

Friday, December 30

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 100178

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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