United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-09-07

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, September 7, 2006

ISRAELI BLOCKADE OF LEBANON TO BE LIFTED

FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN ANNAN & REGIONAL LEADERS

Secretary-General Kofi Annan is on his way back to New York at the end of his two-week trip to Europe and the Middle East, which he ended today as he met with Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos in Madrid.

Following that meeting, the Secretary-General said in a joint press conference that Israels embargo of Lebanon will be lifted as of 6:00 p.m. today, local time. That lifting follows the intensive consultations the Secretary-General has had with European and Middle Eastern leaders in recent days, in person and by phone, trying to get the issues around the blockade resolved.

He said this would allow Lebanon to press ahead with recovery and reconstruction without impediment and added, I am really pleased that we have all rallied and that, if the international community continues to pool its efforts, it will succeed.

The Secretary-General also said he was very pleased that Prime Minister Zapatero decided to recommend to the Parliament that Spanish troops join other European countries in helping to stabilize Lebanon, and he reiterated that recent troop contributions to the enhanced UN force were a sign of international solidarity for the people of Lebanon.

The Secretary-General also met earlier in the day with King Juan Carlos of Spain, and discussed with him the Secretary-Generals tour of the Middle East, among other topics.

He also met separately this morning with former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez and with the Secretary of Russias Security Council, Igor Ivanov.

Asked about reports that nations cannot agree on the details of lifting the Israeli blockade, the Spokesman said a number of German officials are operating at Beirut Airport in close collaboration with UN staff. Meanwhile, a naval task force, including British, French, Greek and Italian ships, is about to be operational, as an interim measure before a UN naval force, hopefully including a German component, can be put in place.

The Spokesman said that Germany had made it clear that it wants to operate under UN command, while other nations are working at the invitation of the Lebanese for the time being.

Asked when the blockade would be deemed lifted, Dujarric said that it would be up to the Israelis to announce their lifting and up to the Lebanese to confirm that it had been lifted.

Asked about the rules of engagement for the ships, the Spokesman said that there were different rules of engagement for land forces and maritime forces, with different legal implications. He added that, in both areas, the point of

resolution 1701 is to restore Lebanons authority over its frontiers.

The Spokesman said he hoped that the legal maritime issues would be settled over the next two weeks and the Germans would join the effort.

Asked about UN contacts on this matter, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General has spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno has been in touch with other German officials.

The Spokesman declined to identify the facilitator appointed by the Secretary-General to deal with the issue of Israeli and Lebanese prisoners, following repeated questions about who that facilitator is.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals reaction to the latest reports about CIA detention centres, the Spokesman noted that, today in Madrid, the Secretary-General took a question on that topic. He said, In the fight against terrorism, we ought to be very careful not to erode human rights and civil liberties. If we do, we are handing the terrorists a victory they cannot win on their own.

The Spokesman added that the Secretary-General has repeatedly said that human rights should not be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism. He has also said that the Guantanamo detention centre should be closed, sooner rather than later.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES POSSIBLE MIDDLE EAST MEETING

The Security Council is holding consultations today on the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), Sierra Leone and other matters.

Briefing on UNMOVIC was Acting Executive Chairman Demetrius Perricos. On Sierra Leone, Victor Angelo, Executive Representative for the UN Integrated Office in that country, briefed.

Under other matters, according to the Presidency, a proposed meeting on the Middle East was discussed.

Asked whether the Secretary-General would encourage Israeli participation in a proposed Security Council meeting concerning a peace initiative for the Middle East, the Spokesman said that the Council was still discussing whether to hold such a meeting. He noted that the Secretary-General had recently discussed the Arab Leagues proposed peace initiative with the Leagues Secretary-General, Amre Moussa.

ISRAEL WITHDRAWS FROM TOWNS IN SOUTHWEST LEBANON

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew today from several towns in southwestern Lebanon, including Al Bayyadah. UNIFIL has set up checkpoints and deployed patrols in those areas to ensure that no IDF troops are present. It is expected that in the next 24 hours, the Lebanese Armed Forces will take control of the area.

Major-General Alain Pellegrini, the UNIFIL Force Commander, welcomed the Israeli withdrawals, saying, This shows that the process is working.

Over the past 24 hours, the Indian and Ghanaian battalions distributed 93,000 litres of water to several villages, and UNIFIL also continues to provide medical assistance to the local population.

Asked about Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Nicolas Michels trip to Lebanon, the Spokesman said that Michel met today with Lebanons justice minister, and called the visit part of an ongoing dialogue between the United Nations and the Lebanese authorities.

FOOD AGENCY CHIEF VISITS HARD-HIT FARMING COMMUNITY IN LEBANON

The head of the World Food Programme (WFP), James Morris, is currently in Lebanon to get a firsthand look at the situation on the ground. In addition to visiting a hard-hit farming community south of Beirut today, he met yesterday with the Lebanese Prime Minister and other government officials.

As humanitarian efforts in Lebanon move towards the recovery phase, WFP is preparing to wind up its emergency operation in the country by the end of October.

Meanwhile, on the human rights front: Walter Kälin, the Secretary-Generas Representative on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Paul Hunt, the Special Rapporteur on physical and mental health; and Miloon Kothari, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing; will visit Lebanon and Israel on a fact-finding mission from tomorrow until 13 September.

Asked about the visit by the special rapporteurs, the Spokesman said they were traveling to Lebanon on their own initiative, separate from the Human Rights Councils recent resolution. They would report to the Human Rights Council on their trip.

ANNAN STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF CONFLICT PREVENTION

This afternoon, the Deputy Secretary-General, Mark Malloch Brown, is scheduled to address the General Assembly on the Secretary-Generals conflict prevention report. After delivering a message on behalf of the Secretary-General, Malloch Brown will make his own remarks.

In his message, the Secretary-General is expected to say that one of his consistent objectives as Secretary-General has been to move the United Nations from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. He will also ask delegations to read the report and remind them that, with their help, the next Secretary-General will be able to strengthen this vital aspect of the Organizations work.

He is also expected to refer to his latest mission in the Middle East, which was carried out precisely to prevent further armed conflict in a region of the world which, during the lifetime of the United Nations, has suffered from it more than most.

SUDAN: U.N. MISSION REPORTS MORE VIOLENCE IN DARFUR

The UN Mission in

Sudan (UNMIS) says it has received reports that five armed men opened fire at African Union (AU) staff located at the Kassab camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur last Monday.

Six bullets penetrated the container that serves as the AU post. There were no causalities reported.

In South Darfur, UNMIS has reports that around 50 suspected armed militiamen on horseback attacked a group of women and children collecting firewood two kilometers south of Nyala.

Also, UNMIS says it was informed that two vehicles belonging to an NGO were shot at by five armed on the Zalingei-Nertiti road near the township of Nertiti township. No injuries were reported.

In addition, reports have just been received from UNMIS that a vehicle belonging to the World Health Organization was hijacked at Twailla in North Darfur at gunpoint.

Asked whether any initiatives or travels are planned by the Secretary-General regarding the impasse on Sudan, the Spokesman said he had no travel to announce, but added that the Secretary-General had raised the issue during his many stops in the Middle East.

The Secretary-General, Dujarric said, had reminded the Government of the Sudan of its humanitarian responsibilities and had said that this situation would not exist if it was capable of protecting its people.

The Secretary-General continues to be in touch with Security Council members and other influential Member States, including those of the Arab League, to see how they can help to persuade Sudan to accept a transition to a UN mission in Darfur.

COTE DIVOIRE: U.N. OFFERS ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE

Asked about the dismissal of the cabinet in Cote dIvoire, the Spokesman said that Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny called Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno and informed him of his decision to dissolve the government. He indicated that the decision was to ensure that the government had taken full responsibility for the incident concerning the dumping of toxic waste in Abidjan.

The United Nations, Dujarric said, acknowledged the decision which, is intended to ensure accountability and fight impunity. It is important, he added, for all Ivorian parties and political leaders to extend their full cooperation with the Prime Minister to facilitate the expeditious formation of a new government in order to avoid further delays in the peace process at this critical juncture.

Asked about Ivoirian elections, the Spokesman said the matter would be discussed at a meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly plenary later this month.

Regarding the toxic spill, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) added that, prior to the Government's resignation, a request for international assistance was made on 4 September, based on an short- and medium-term response plan that requires $13.5 million.

The OCHA Environmental Emergencies Section is monitoring the situation closely, has offered assistance to Cote d'Ivoire through the OCHA office in the country, and has alerted the European Commission and other francophone donors to the problem.

The UN Development Programmes Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery has released a $50,000 emergency grant to the UN Resident Coordinator for coordination of the response.

An inter-agency task force has been established in Cote d'Ivoire to coordinate UN agencies response to the situation and the Government's request for assistance. The Humanitarian Coordinator has requested a detailed emergency plan, focused on immediate priority needs, from the Government.

HUMANITARIAN CHIEF MEETS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN D.R. CONGO

Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland today arrived in Bukavu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where he visited a hospital that specializes in treating victims of sexual violence.

During his visit, Egeland met with women receiving treatment at the hospital, including one who, after being tied up and repeatedly raped for a week, lost the use of her hands. Moved by their suffering, Egeland promised the women that he would personally take their story to the world.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, has welcomed the conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, following its study yesterday of the Secretary Generals June report on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

REFUGEE AGENCY CONCERNED BY HUMAN SMUGGLING FROM SOMALIA

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

reports that the deadly business of smuggling people across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen has resumed for another year, with four overcrowded open fishing boats arriving in less than a week.

The hazardous journeys are continuing despite UNHCR's repeated calls for international action to address the problem of smuggling and minimize the number of deaths. Hundreds have died before reaching shore in each of the three previous sailing seasons.

High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has called for the international community to press local authorities in Puntland to crack down on smugglers. At the same time, UNHCR has called for donors to support efforts to help displaced persons in Puntland, where very difficult living conditions encourage people to take desperate measures like risking their lives in a boat journey to Yemen.

ALL CRIMES FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA MUST BE PUNISHED

Carla Del Ponte, prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), today addressed the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to tell them that the impunity gap must be dealt with.

That gap, she explained, is one in which some suspects can no longer be tried by the Tribunal, as it pursues a strategy to complete its workload; but they also cannot be tried by local courts because of legislative obstacles.

She warned that the impunity gap could negatively affect relations among the states and peoples of the Balkans for years to come, and asserted, All crimes must be punished; all criminals must face justice.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. GETS NEW PROCUREMENT CHIEF: The United Nations has a new permanent chief of the procurement department. Paul Buades is a Belgian national with over 20 years of service with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

UNITED NATIONS HEEDED MANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOWING OIL-FOR-FOOD PROBE: Asked about criticism by a former member of Paul Volckers independent panel, Mark Pieth, of UN follow-up to Volckers recommendations, the Spokesman said that the United Nations has taken up a considerable number of Volckers recommendations. He said that the UN Secretariat has taken up a number of changes under the Secretary-Generals authority, while other measures would need to be considered by the General Assembly.

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY TO BE OBSERVED: World Suicide Prevention Day, which is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), will be observed on Sunday, 10 September.