United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-10-04

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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

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

ANNAN SHARES CONCERN ABOUT NORTH KOREAS INTENDED NUCLEAR TEST

Secretary-General Kofi Annan shares the global concern regarding the declared intention by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to conduct a nuclear test in the future. Such action, if undertaken, would further aggravate tensions in the region.

It would bring universal condemnation by the international community and will not help DPRK achieve the goals expressed in its statement, particularly with regard to strengthening its security.

The Secretary-General urges the DPRK leadership to exercise utmost restraint and adhere to the international community's norm on nuclear testing and also observe the current moratorium.

The Secretary-General believes that the DPRK should return to the six-party talks so that the nuclear issue on the Peninsula, as well as other security concerns between and among the parties could be solved through negotiations.

SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS CONSULTATIONS ON NORTH KOREA, GUINEA-BISSAU

The Security Council held closed consultations on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. [Ambassador Kenzo Oshima of Japan, Council President for October, told reporters after the meeting that discussions would continue on a draft statement later today.]

Earlier, the Council held consultations on Guinea-Bissau. Assistant Secretary-General Tuliameni Kalomoh briefed on the latest report by the Secretary-General on that country.

ANNAN PICKS LONG-TIME U.N. OFFICIAL TO HEAD GUINEA-BISSAU OFFICE

The Secretary-General has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Shola Omoregie of Nigeria as his Representative in Guinea-Bissau and Head of the

UN Peace-building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNGOBIS).

Omoregie will succeed Jo&#259;o Bernardo Honwana of Mozambique who left in mid September to return to Headquarters.

Omoregie has served with the United Nations since 1978, most recently with the Department of Political Affairs.

U.N. OFFICIAL BRIEFS IRAQI PRESIDENT ON COMPACT FOR IRAQ

Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Iraq, met today with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and briefed him on his recent travels, including the high-level meetings convened by the Secretary-General concerning the International Compact with Iraq.

President Talabani expressed his appreciation for the UN partnership with Iraq and looked forward to the implementation phase of the commitments made by Iraq and the international community.

President Talabani also discussed with Qazi the progress made on the various initiatives intended to decrease the level of sectarian violence. Qazi also brought up the human rights situation in Iraq.

U.N. ENVOY, ERITREAN PRESIDENT DISCUSS SITUATION IN SOMALIA

The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, met earlier today in Asmara with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki on the second leg of his seven-nation mission to promote peace and reconciliation in Somalia.

Fall and President Afewerki discussed how to avoid any further deterioration of the political and security situation in Somalia, including the planned resumption of the Khartoum dialogue between the Somali Government and the Islamist Courts and the proposed peacekeeping mission by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

In the next few days, Fall will also visit Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen for consultations with their respective leaders.

ERITREA RELEASES U.N. VOLUNTEER STAFF AFTER FIVE WEEKS

The Eritrean authorities released and handed over to UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) the UN Volunteer staff member who had been detained since 28 August 2006. The staff member appears to be in good spirits and is currently undergoing a medical evaluation.

The Mission welcomes the decision by the Eritrean authorities and looks forward to continued cooperation with the Government of Eritrea to conclude the investigation of this case.

Once again, UNMEE would like to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that its staff continue to respect the laws and regulations of the host country.

U.N. ADVISOR ON GENOCIDE PREVENTION VISITS RWANDA

Juan Mendez, the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, met today with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during a visit to Rwanda.

Mendez intends to learn from the experience of Rwandas reconciliation process in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, so that he can draw lessons from the way in which Rwandans are leaving behind a difficult and violent past.

ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH VIOLATED HUMANITARIAN LAWS,

EXPERTS TELL HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

The

Human Rights Council today held a discussion on a joint report by four United Nations experts on their mission last month to Lebanon and Israel. Those experts were: Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Paul Hunt, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health; Walter Kalin, the Secretary-Generals Representative on the human rights of internally displaced persons; and Miloon Kothari, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.

The report concludes that serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law were committed by Israel during the recent conflict in Lebanon. In many instances, Israel failed to distinguish between military and civilian objectives; to fully apply the principle of proportionality; and to take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian injury and damage.

The experts also concluded that Hezbollah violated humanitarian law in many instances by targeting civilian populations and by disregarding the principle of distinction.

Tomorrow, the Human Rights Council will begin considering nearly 50 resolutions and decisions on a number of issues raised during its three-week session, which is scheduled to end this Friday.

WORLDS SEAS AND OCEANS THREATENED BY RISING SEWAGE TIDE

The UNs Environment Programme (UNEP)

says that a rising tide of sewage is threatening the health and wealth of far too many of the worlds seas and oceans.

In a new report called the State of the Marine Environment, UNEP says pollution linked with rising coastal populations, inadequate treatment infrastructure and waste-handling facilities is also putting at risk human health and wildlife as well as livelihoods from fisheries to tourism.

U.N FOUNDATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP

TO BOOST U.N. EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNOLOGIES

The UN Foundation and the Vodafone Group Foundation today announced a five-year plan that offers the latest telecommunications technology to support UN emergency response missions worldwide. Also involved in the project are the humanitarian non-governmental organization Télécoms Sans Frontières, the UNICEF, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Meanwhile, in related news, the World Food Programme today launched a new humanitarian response network, with strategic hubs in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Each emergency hub will stock strategic supplies of relief goods and equipment, ready for transport within 24-48 hours by air and sea.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. LEGAL COUNSEL IS WORKING ON PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON: Asked when the United Nations would provide a report on the tribunal of an international character for Lebanon, the Spokesman said that Legal Counsel Nicolas Michel was continuing his discussions with the Government of Lebanon on that topic. Once that is concluded, he will give his recommendations to the Security Council.

ANNAN VIEWS MIDDLE EAST AS AMONG TODAYS KEY CONFLICTS: Asked whether the Secretary-General would make a final effort to resolve the Middle East problem during his remaining time in office, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General would devote time to that issue, both working within the Middle East Quartet and on his own. He noted the Secretary-Generals view that the Middle East is at the centre of many of the troubles that we face today.

U.N. ASSESSES POST-TYPHOON VIETNAM: In response to Typhoon Xangsane, which hit Vietnam on 1 October, the United Nations today sent three joint assessment missions to Hue, Da, Nang and Quang Nam. The missions will present findings and recommendations early next week. Based on the findings, an action plan will be prepared in consultation with the Vietnamese Government.

REFUGEE AGENCY CONCERNED BY ASYLUM TRENDS: Despite ongoing efforts to safeguard asylum worldwide, half of the 116 country offices of the High Commissioner for Refugees last year raised concerns over the actual or potential forced return of refugees or asylum seekers to situations where they could face danger, according to Assistant High Commissioner Erika Feller. While there were several successes, there were also some disturbing trends, including mounting concerns over refoulement, or the forced return of refugees to situations of danger in breach of the 1951 Refugee Convention, she said.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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