United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-04-12

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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 MARIE OKABE

DEPUTY

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N.

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, April 12, 2007

BAN KI-MOON DEPLORES BOMB ATTACK ON IRAQI PARLIAMENT

The Secretary-General deplores the bomb attack in the Iraqi Parliament today, which has killed several Parliamentarians and left many more people wounded. This attack targeted Iraqs elected officials and attempted to undermine one of the countrys sovereign institutions.

The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the victims, the Government of Iraq and the Council of Representatives. He once again urges all Iraqi leaders to come together in a spirit of unity in order to stem the violence and work towards a more peaceful and stable Iraq.

U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY CONDEMNS BAGHDAD BOMBINGS

Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for

Iraq, condemned in the strongest terms todays attacks in Baghdad on the Al-Sarrafiya Bridge and the Iraqi Parliament.

Qazi said that the bombings constituted attacks on the symbols of Iraqs proud history and hope for its future. They showed the need for enhanced dialogue and national reconciliation. He called on the Iraqi authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of these criminal acts and bring them to justice.

Asked whether the United Nations would implement special security measures in Iraq, the Spokeswoman declined to comment for security reasons. However, she noted, the United Nations evaluates its security measures around the clock, and would be sure to do so in Iraq.

BAN KI-MOON DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER ABDUCTED BBC JOURNALIST

The Secretary-General was asked by a reporter after his Town Hall meeting about the abduction one month ago of BBC journalist Alan Johnston in Gaza, and he said that he was deeply concerned.

The Secretary-General said that Johnstons coverage of Palestinian issues has earned a great reputation worldwide, and he emphasized that freedom of coverage, as well as freedom of the press, should be protected as a matter of principle. I sincerely hope that those who are responsible for this abduction should release him unconditionally and immediately, the Secretary-General said.

Asked about the ongoing dispute in

Lebanon about the international tribunal, the Secretary-General said he was very much concerned by the lack of progress on this issue, and he reiterated his hope that the Lebanese Government will take the necessary constitutional procedures, and will work through dialogue and the promotion of national reconciliation.

He also discussed his hopes for progress on the deployment of peacekeepers to

Darfur.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS U.N. STAFF HE PLANS

O FOCUS ON MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE, STAFF MOBILITY

At a press encounter right after he spoke to staff at UN Headquarters and duty stations around the world in a town hall meeting today, he told reporters that he had been profoundly moved by the professionalism, commitment and hard work he has seen among UN staff during the past three months.

He told the staff that he is asking his senior managers to identify their priorities and goals in a measurable way, and that he is also working to strengthen the Management Performance Board. And he said that there would need to be one UN contract for all, under one set of staff rules for all staff serving with the UN Secretariat, and also discussed his efforts to ensure that staff members are more mobile and capable of handling diverse functions.

Afterwards, the Secretary-General told reporters, in response to a question, that the Town Hall meeting was very useful and rewarding, and allowed him to learn there are certain concerns among staff, particularly on his proposals to promote mobility among staff members. He said he would have closer dialogue with the staff.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON SUDAN AND SOMALIA

At 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will hold consultations on

Sudan, Somalia and other matters.

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) will provide an update on the meeting that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, involving the United Nations, African Union and Sudanese officials, concerning the heavy support package for the African Union force in Darfur.

Then, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tuliameni Kalomoh will brief Council members on recent developments in Somalia.

UN MISSION IN KOSOVO REACHES OUT TO POPULATION

Asked about a poll taken in Kosovo showing the unpopularity of UN authorities working there, the Spokeswoman noted that the poll is the latest of the regular quarterly surveys done by UNDP in Kosovo and is based on opinion polls among the population. The UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has not been involved in this project.

She said that UNMIKs ratings have gone up and down in different quarters in the past, and that the Mission has no comment on this latest movement.

There could be several factors affecting the public perception of UNMIK, Okabe said, adding that she would not speculate at this time.

Asked what the United Nations would do to counter the negative perceptions of its work in Kosovo, the Spokeswoman said that the UN Mission there has been very active in trying to reach out to the people of Kosovo.

Asked when UNMIK might wrap up its work, she said that the Mission had a Security Council mandate, and its work would continue until the Council decides otherwise.

LEBANON: U.N. REPRESENTATIVE EXPRESSES SHOCK

OVER RECENT CONFLICTS IMPACT ON CHILDREN

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, is currently in the Middle East. In a press conference in Beirut today, she said she had been

shocked to see the destruction caused by the recent conflict in southern Lebanon and its considerable impact on children.

She also visited a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, where she noted the very high school drop-out rate. Referring to that visit, she said it was crucial that children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized ones, be encouraged to continue to go to school.

She also stressed that all parties should respect international humanitarian law with regard to the protection of children and ensure that schools are zones of peace.

PEACE-BUILDING COMMISSION VISITS BURUNDI

A delegation of the Peace-building Commission is currently on a four-day mission to Burundi.

The mission is led by Norways Permanent Representative, and its main goal is to discuss with the Government and other stakeholders how the Commission can best support national peacebuilding efforts, bring increased attention to ongoing peacebuilding efforts in Burundi, and communicate the main principles and purposes of the Peacebuilding Commission to stakeholders on the ground.

LACK OF ACCESS TO HARD-HIT AREAS HAMPERS

SOLOMON ISLAND RELIEF EFFORTS

Turning to the Solomon Islands, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

reports that humanitarian activities are still being hampered by lack of access to and communication with tsunami-hit areas.

Nevertheless, UNICEF has managed to send tens of thousands of packets of oral rehydration salts to the western town of Gizo. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are planning a measles vaccination campaign for this coming Monday.

NEW TYPE OF FUNGUS THREATENS WHEAT CROPS IN ASIA AND AFRICA

A new strain of wheat fungus that can lay waste to entire fields has spread from East Africa to Yemen, according the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Wheat stem rust is carried by wind over long distances. As much as 80 percent of wheat varieties planted in Asia and Africa could be susceptible to the fungus, FAO says.

The agency has joined with several agricultural organizations to fight the spread of the disease.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMPLAINTS FROM TIMOR-LESTE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BEING DEALT WITH: Asked about complaints from Jose Ramos Horta, one of the Presidential candidates for Timor-Leste, the Spokeswoman said that some candidates have submitted complaints through the channels provided for by law; they are being dealt with in accordance with the procedures. Others, while maintaining that there have been flaws, have announced that they would not submit formal challenges.

SUDAN: U.N. FOOD AGENCY TO SHIFT AID FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF TO LONGER-TERM RECOVERY: The World Food Programme (WFP) said today that, due to a reduced demand for food aid, it will gradually shift its operations in southern Sudan from emergency relief to longer-term recovery after more than 20 years of delivering food aid to the region.

FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON REQUESTED MEETING WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL: Asked about a meeting this afternoon between the Secretary-General and former US President Bill Clinton, the Spokeswoman said that the meeting came at Clintons request. She noted his key role in the recovery effort after the Indian Ocean

tsunami.

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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