United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-04-17

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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 SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N.

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

SITUATION IN DARFUR AT A CROSSROADS

On 16-17 April 2007, the Secretary-General and the AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konaré met at United Nations Headquarters for high-level consultations on

Darfur. Chairperson Konarés delegation included the African Union Envoy for Darfur, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr. Saïd Djinnit. The Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Darfur, Mr. Jan Eliasson, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno and other top UN officials also participated in the consultations.

The Secretary-General and Chairperson Konaré believe that the situation in and around Darfur is at a crossroads. They expressed serious concern at the prevailing dire security and humanitarian situation on the ground and continued attacks against civilians and AMIS peacekeepers, as well as inter-tribal fighting and incidents of aerial bombardments. They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Darfur and create an environment conducive to political negotiations. They also urged all parties to make the Ceasefire Commission an effective body and fully cooperate with it. They expressed concern with the continued tensions between Sudan and Chad and urged that all efforts should be made to normalize relations and stop all cross-border activities.

The Secretary-General and Chairperson Konaré reiterated the determination of the United Nations and the African Union to jointly lead efforts to advance the political process and to finalize plans for a strong peacekeeping operation which would be capable of implementing the security aspects of the DPA and providing protection for the civilian populations, in accordance with the conclusions of the 16 November 2006 Addis Ababa high-level meeting on Darfur, which were subsequently endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council. They further called for strict implementation of the Joint Communiqué on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur of 28 March 2007. They also stressed the importance of taking forward these mutually reinforcing initiatives in a fully transparent manner in collaboration with the Government of Sudan and other key stakeholders.

The Secretary-General and Chairperson Konaré welcomed the broad support of the Security Council for the work of the AU and UN Envoys for Darfur and called for a roadmap to be elaborated by the Special Envoys as well as continued international support for their efforts to move forward towards substantive negotiations. They urged all movements to join the process in earnest under the joint AU-UN leadership. They also welcomed the agreement of the Government of Sudan with regard to the UN Heavy Support Package (HSP) for AMIS and reiterated the determination of the UN and the AU to proceed expeditiously with the implementation of the HSP and finalization of planning for the hybrid operation. The AU and the UN expressed concern at the funding situation of AMIS and appealed to donors to assist in finding a viable and sustained solution to it, especially in the context of the expected deployment of the hybrid operation.

The Secretary-General and the AU Chairperson stressed the importance of taking forward political and peacekeeping initiatives in the context of a comprehensive international strategy to resolve the Darfur crisis, which would include proposals for rehabilitation and economic development.

Asked whether China had any role in the UN-AU agreement, the Spokeswoman said that the agreement was one reached between the two parties: the African Union and the United Nations.

Asked whether Sudan may have the power to veto helicopter crews, Montas affirmed that there has been a deal reached, in which Sudan has accepted the heavy support package. What is now being discussed, she said, is how to make that package a reality.

Asked about the nationality of the troops coming into Darfur, the Spokeswoman noted that Konaré had mentioned that priority would be given to African troops.

Asked about the timetable for the deployment of the heavy support package, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations and African Union were fully aware of the urgent need for deployment.

SUDAN AGREEMENTS MUST BE IMPLEMENTED

The Secretary-General wrapped up his two-day meeting with African Union Chairman Alpha Oumar Konaré on Darfur, and he spoke to the press afterward to say that, although he is encouraged by the positive signs from the Sudanese Government, the important thing now is to implement these agreements into action.

He said that the African Union and United Nations have agreed to move towards deploying a hybrid operation in Darfur and to intensify their political process. They have also instructed their special envoys, Salim Ahmed Salim and Jan Eliasson, to come up with a more detailed and workable road map for the political process.

DARFUR: FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CAMP FOR DISPLACED PERSONS

The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) says that a fire broke out yesterday in the market place at the Abu Shouk internally displaced persons' camp in North Darfur. The fire destroyed around 100 shops, but no human casualties were reported, and local police say the fire was started accidentally.

Meanwhile, in West Darfur, four children were reportedly killed by unexploded ordnance over the weekend, and the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) will investigate the incident.

BAN KI-MOON CONDEMNS DEADLY INCIDENTS IN AFGHANISTAN

The Secretary-General was deeply distressed to learn of the fatal incident which occurred earlier this morning, when a United Nations convoy was hit by a remote-controlled explosive device in Kandahar city, resulting in the death of an Afghan driver and four Nepalese contractors working with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The Secretary-General has also learned with sadness of an explosion which took place at a school in Herat this morning, in which at least four children were killed and four others wounded. He is deeply concerned at the security situation throughout Afghanistan, which results in increasing numbers of civilian casualties.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns such despicable acts of violence against civilians and sends his profound condolences to the bereaved families and respective governments of the victims of todays incidents.

Also available is a

statement from the UN Mission in Afghanistan, which says that intentional attacks on civilians are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN will be pursuing full accountability for those who are behind this.

In response to questions about the Nepalese, the Spokeswoman reiterated that they were contractors working for the United Nations.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED BY VIRGINIA SHOOTINGS

The Secretary-General was asked today about the killings yesterday at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and he said that the rampant killing of innocent civilians is unacceptable, and he condemns it in the strongest terms.

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the killings in Virginia. This tragic incident underscores the common bonds of all humanity. We all grieve with the survivors and the families of all victims. The Secretary-General hopes for a profound healing process for the many individuals and communities affected.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had any response to the killer being identified as a South Korean, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General condemned what has happened, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator.

CLIMATE CHANGE POSES THREAT TO PEACE AND SECURITY

The Secretary-General this morning addressed the Security Councils open debate on energy, security and climate. He noted that the planets warming is unequivocal, its impact is clearly noticeable, and it is beyond doubt that human activities have been contributing considerably to it.

The Secretary-General stressed that the issues of energy and climate change can have implications for peace and security. Specifically, he said that when resources are scarce -- whether energy, water or arable land -- our fragile ecosystems become strained, as do the coping mechanisms of groups and individuals. This can lead to a breakdown of established codes of conduct and even outright conflict, he added.

Another possible consequence of climate change was increased migration, he added, which could deepen tensions and conflicts, particularly in regions with large numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees.

Calling for early action vis-à-vis climate change, the Secretary-General said the resources of civil society and the private sector must be brought in and that the Security Council has a role to play.

Also on the subject of the Security Council, the Council will most likely hold consultations on Lebanon, specifically on resolution 1701, following todays open debate.

TOP U.N. OFFICIALS URGE GREATER ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQI REFUGEES

The Secretary-General delivered a video message to the international conference on Iraqs refugees and internally displaced persons that began today in Geneva, telling the conference that, for many fleeing Iraqis, resources are dwindling. Many will become destitute.

The Secretary-General urged neighbouring countries to keep their borders open and uphold the principle of no forced return, and he asked Iraq to work to create the conditions for the safe return of Iraqis.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes and High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres laid out the challenges being faced by the two million Iraqis who have left their country, with as many as two million more internally displaced.

Holmes said that the key point of the crisis, and of future humanitarian response, is the protection of civilians. He said that we must find ways to operate inside Iraq despite the terrible insecurity which dominates significant parts of the country.

Also, the World Health Organization

says that the escalating violence and widespread insecurity are putting severe pressures on the health of Iraqis. It notes that, on average, 100 people were killed daily in 2006.

LEBANON: U.N. LEGAL COUNSEL ARRIVES TO HELP ESTABLISH TRIBUNAL

UN Legal Counsel Nicolas Michel arrived in Beirut today, and told reporters at the airport that he has come to

Lebanon with an open mind and an open heart, and is ready to engage in a substantial dialogue as he assists the Lebanese on their way towards the ratification of the agreement on the establishment of a tribunal of an international character.

He said he would meet with the whole spectrum of the main interlocutors involved, including the President, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament.

Michel underscored that the tribunal was requested by the legitimate Lebanese authorities and its creation was unanimously supported by the first meeting of the countrys national dialogue. Although it will take at least one year after the adoption of its legal basis for the tribunal to become operational, he said, now is the time for the adoption of that legal basis.

Asked whether Michel would go to Syria, the Spokeswoman said that his focus was on his work in Lebanon.

PROSECUTOR RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON KOSOVO PROTEST DEATHS

Turning now to Kosovo, International Prosecutor Robert Dean today presented to the UN Mission his interim

report regarding the deaths and serious wounding of protestors during last Februarys demonstration in Pristina.

The interim report states that there is a substantial basis on which to conclude that Romanian gunners attached to the Romanian Formed Police Unit were indeed responsible for the four woundings two of which were fatal. But there is not enough evidence pointing to which specific Romanian gunners were responsible for firing the wounding shots, and the evidence does not show at this time that the entire group of Romanian gunners acted unlawfully.

The interim report does add, however, that there is a reasonable suspicion that three of the shootings constitute crimes under Kosovo law.

In light of the above, the report says that the UN Mission, the UN, and the Government of Romania may consider initiating appropriate procedures for compensation for the surviving family members of those fatally shot and for those seriously wounded.

This report is not final. The investigation is continuing.

U.N. REPORT NOTES PROGRESS IN ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS TREATMENT

Countries in every part of the world are making substantial progress in increasing access to HIV treatment, but much more needs to be done to achieve the goal of universal access by 2010. That is according to a

report released today by the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and UNICEF.

The report found that the number of people in low and middle income countries with access to anti-retroviral therapy for advanced HIV infection increased by more than 50 percent in 2006, to more than two million.

That number, however, represents only 28 percent of those in need of treatment.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FACES DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The World Food Programme (WFP) is warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by war and civil conflict and are in urgent need of food assistance, WFP says, adding that the situation is getting worse as a result of the violence spilling over from Darfur.

WFP is appealing for increased international donor support so that it can provide urgent assistance to almost a quarter million people.

In other news, WFP said today that a shortage of contributions has forced it to cut food rations for more than a million Ugandans driven into camps from their homes during a 20-year rebellion by the Lords Resistance Army.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO DEPART FOR EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST: Later today, the Secretary-General leaves for Italy, Switzerland, Qatar and Syria. He should return by the middle of next week. Asked whether the Secretary-General may pay any surprise visits to other countries, the Spokeswoman said that he had said he would not, in response to a question from a reporter today.

U.N. MISSION IN CÔTE DIVOIRE READY TO ASSIST IN DISMANTLING OF DEMILITARIZED ZONE: In response to questions about the dismantling of the demilitarized zone dividing Côte d'Ivoire, the Spokesperson said that the UN Mission in that country (UNOCI) had said that it supports this dismantling, as it is in line with the Ouagadougou Agreement. The UN Mission also says it is ready to assist in this process, upon request from the parties.

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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