United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-02-07

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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 MICHELE MONTAS

SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

UNITED NATIONS WELCOMES FORMATION OF NEW D.R. CONGO GOVERNMENT

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the announcement yesterday of the formation of the Government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This marks an important new step in the countrys progress towards establishing institutions that serve all the people of the DRC by guaranteeing respect for human rights and the rule of law.

In this connection, the Secretary-General deplores the violent incidents which took place recently in several towns of the Bas Congo province, and reportedly led to the deaths of more than 100 people. He calls for an immediate end to the violence and for an investigation, as well as for humanitarian assistance to the victims and their families.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Government and the opposition to work together to resolve the present situation, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. He calls on security forces to refrain from the disproportionate use of force, and on opposition parties to pursue their electoral grievances through peaceful and legal means. He reiterates the call for inclusiveness, transparency and dialogue in the political process.

The United Nations remains committed to helping stabilize the situation in Bas Congo. To this end, the UN Mission, know as MONUC, has deployed a special team to the region.

Later,, the President of the Council, Ambassador Peter Burian of Slovakia, read a statement to the press that welcomed the announcement on the formation of the new Government led by Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga and encouraged this Government to tackle urgently the many challenges that the DRC continues to face.

HEAD OF PEACEKEEPING TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

MAJOR TASKS STILL AHEAD IN D.R. CONGO

The Security Council held consultations today on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on which it heard a briefing by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Marie Guéhenno.

Council members also received the text of a draft resolution concerning the extension of the mandate of the UN Mission in that country. The current mandate is set to expire on 15 February.

Speaking to reporters, Guéhenno said that a report was being prepared to deal with the question of the major tasks the UN Mission in the DRC will face during the next phase. He also spoke of the need for nations to provide troops for a hybrid force in Darfur, and how progress on the ground would make the deployment of such troops easier.

MENINGITIS EPIDEMIC SPREADS TO EIGHT STATES IN SUDAN

The UN Mission in Sudan reports a number of security incidents in North Darfur, involving a break-in by armed gunmen into a camp housing displaced persons and a shooting incident at a market place.

Meanwhile, negotiations for safe access in South Darfur have not yet resulted in a resumption of humanitarian activities in Gereida, due to insufficient safety guarantees by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) commanders.

Finally, the Mission reports that an epidemic of meningitis has spread to eight states in Sudan since the end of 2006. As of 1 February, about 780 cases have been reported with 76 deaths. The Ministry of Health, WHO and their partners are responding to the outbreak and mass vaccination campaigns.

UNITED NATIONS SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH LEBANON

ON PROPOSED SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

The United Nations yesterday signed the Agreement between the United Nations and the Lebanese Republic regarding the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

The accord was earlier signed in Beirut by the Director-General of the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Lebanese Republic. The Secretary-General designated Nicolas Michel, the Legal Counsel, to sign on behalf of the United Nations.

It is up to the competent Lebanese authorities to take the steps necessary under the Lebanese Constitution for the approval and ratification of the Agreement, to allow it to enter into force. The Tribunal could then be made operational with the full support of the United Nations.

Asked whether recent letters by the Lebanese Prime Minister to the Secretary-General or by the Lebanese President to the Security Council had been released, the Spokeswoman said that they had not. But she noted that, contrary to some reports, the letter by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora had not mentioned Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.

HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF DENOUNCES EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY NEPALESE POLICE

High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today expressed her deep concern about continued violence in southern Nepal.

She said that UN human rights officers in the Terai region had observed violence by protestors, as well as incidents of excessive use of force by the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police. Recognizing the challenges that police are facing including attacks on themselves she, nevertheless, said that the security forces must employ force only in proportion to the actual threat faced.

Arbour expressed particular alarm over reports of human rights defenders and journalists being threatened or obstructed from doing their work.

HUMANITARIAN LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMMES TO LAUNCH IN 15 COUNTRIES

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today announced that just under $85 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will be used to fund life-saving programmes in 15 countries.

This is the first of two annual rounds of allocations for under-funded humanitarian emergencies.

ANNOUNCEMENT ON SENIOR OFFICIALS EXPECTED SOON

Asked about comments from Jean Marie Guéhenno that the UN restructuring effort was aimed towards consolidating the Department for Peacekeeping Operations, the Spokeswoman said that one objective of the restructuring effort was to make unity of command more efficient, and to improve it at all levels, in headquarters and in the field. She said there would be more clarity on reporting lines.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals criteria for his senior appointments, Montas said that among them would be the ability to carry out reforms.

Asked about any problems in obtaining resignation offers from senior officials, she said that the Secretary-General had received responses from all the Assistant Secretaries-General and Under-Secretaries-General who had been asked. She expected an announcement on senior officials soon.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. FOOD AGENCY PROVIDES NOODLES, BISCUITS TO INDONESIAN FLOOD VICTIMS: At the request of the Indonesian authorities, the World Food Programme (WFP) today started providing food aid to flood-displaced people in the capital, Jakarta. WFP dispatched an initial shipment of micronutrient-enriched noodles and high energy biscuits, and is using its own trucks to get the food to the flood survivors who need it most.

UNITED NATIONS TEAM IS ASSESSING IMPACT OF BOLIVIA FLOOD: A five-person UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has arrived in Bolivia to help that country respond to recent flooding. The UN Development Programme is providing fuel to transport urgently-needed shelter supplies to hard-hit areas. And UNICEF is working to provide childrens food supplements, tents and mosquito nets. The World Health Organization is helping to coordinate public health activities and provide medicines, and the World Food Programme is distributing food aid.

"SPECULATIVE" TO TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT: Asked whether there would be a summit on climate change, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General has emphasized climate change, but it was speculative to talk about any summit. Arrangements would have to be made before any summit is held. She added that climate change, along with Africa, had been among the first priorities identified by the Secretary-General.

U.N. KOSOVO ENVOY TO SPEAK TO REPORTERS TOMORROW: Asked about Special Envoy on the Future Status of Kosovo Martti Ahtisaaris visit to New York, the Spokeswoman said he would talk to the Secretary-General.

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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