United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-04-18

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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

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

BAN KI-MOON DEEPLY CONCERNED BY EVIDENCE OF ILLEGAL WEAPON FLIGHTS INTO DARFUR

The Secretary-General views with deep concern the evidence that has been presented to members of the Security Council regarding the flying of arms and heavy weapons into

Darfur, in violation of Security Council resolution 1591 (2005).

He is especially troubled by reports that private or national aircraft have been illegally provided with UN markings and used for military purposes. If further substantiated, such actions would be in clear violation of international law and in contravention of the UNs international status.

The Secretary-General will continue to work closely with the Security Council on this issue and will expect full cooperation from the Government of Sudan, other governments and all other parties to provide prompt clarification.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had discussed the reported violations when he met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the Spokeswoman said that a number of violations were raised by the Secretary-General in his meeting with the President.

She said that the Security Council had already raised the issue of the reported use of UN markings on aircraft with the Sudanese Government, following a report on one such violation in the middle of March. That issue was discussed by the Security Council on 5 April.

Montas noted that the UN Secretariat had repeatedly informed the Security Council about Sudanese violations, in reports dating back to 2006.

In response to questions about the implications of using the UN emblem on non-UN aircraft, the Spokeswoman said that such a step would violate Article 100 of the UN Charter, concerning the "exclusive international character" of UN operations.

She said an investigation into such an improper use of the emblem was being pursued, and reiterated the UNs concerns about the situation.

She later added that the Panel of Experts on the monitoring of the arms embargo in Sudan had already mentioned the existence of this aircraft in their report of 3 October 2006 that stated "The Government of Sudan used aircraft with AU and UN markings. This is a clear affront to neutral status of AMIS and the UN humanitarian operation".

BAN KI-MOON MEETS WITH TOP ITALIAN OFFICIALS IN ROME

The Secretary-General arrived in Rome from New York early Tuesday and started his official visit to Italy with a meeting with the President, Giorgio Napolitano followed by one with the Foreign Minister, Massimo dAlema. The topics covered included the Middle East, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Kosovo, climate change, UN reform, Darfur, Somalia and Western Sahara.

At a joint press encounter with the Foreign Minister after their meeting, the Secretary General told reporters that he had very useful and constructive meetings with the two Italian leaders. He commended Italy as the only country to rank in the top eight in both troop and financial contributions to the United Nations.

In response to a question about killing of the Mayor of Nagasaki, Iccho Itoh, the Secretary-General said that he learned with shock and regret of the assassination. He said that Mayor Itoh was a champion of peace for a world where nuclear war would never happen again.

The Secretary-General was also asked about capital punishment, and he said that he and High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour fully support the growing trend in the international community toward the abolition of the use of the death penalty.

The Secretary-General then continued his discussions with the Italian Foreign Minister over a working luncheon and then met with the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, among other officials.

Right now, he is expected to be having a tête-à-tête meeting with the Pope. Later tonight, he will attend a dinner hosted by the Presidents of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES LIBERIA AND SUDAN SANCTIONS

The Security Council this morning held consultations on the diamond sanctions on Liberia, with a briefing by the chair of the Councils sanctions committee for that country, the Ambassador of Qatar.

Under other matters, Council members also discussed the report of the monitoring group on Sudan sanctions.

Yesterday evening, the Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement on Lebanon, which, among other things, welcomes the Secretary-Generals intention to evaluate the situation along the entire Lebanese border and invites him to dispatch an independent mission to fully assess the monitoring of the border. It welcomes the completion of the second phase of the deployment of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

CONFERENCE ON IRAQI REFUGEES CLOSES WITH CLEAR COMMITMENTS FOR SUPPORT

High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres spoke at the closing of the conference on Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons in Geneva, and he lauded the Iraqi Governments very welcome new policy to support the Iraqis outside the country.

He noted other recent achievements, including the adoption last week by the United Nations of a strategic platform for humanitarian action inside Iraq; the continued commitment of the countries that have been hosting Iraqis to go on granting protection and assistance until their voluntary return would be possible; and the unanimous recognition of the generosity of the host countries, especially of Syria and Jordan, and the clear commitment for burden sharing with those countries.

Guterres underscored that this was not a pledging conference, but there was really a very clear commitment of support, which he hoped will be translated in meaningful forms in the very near future.

Asked whether the United Nations security concerns prevented it from dealing with Iraqs problems, the Spokeswoman said that, although the difficult security situation in Iraq has an effect on limiting some UN involvement, the United Nations has a presence in Iraq. She noted, among other things, the humanitarian and development work being pursued by the United Nations, as well as its role in dealing with refugee issues.

Meanwhile, UNICEF has issued an urgent humanitarian call for Iraqi children. Citing the consequences of rising security risks, UNICEF asked today to step up support to the countrys most vulnerable, who are increasingly in danger of malnutrition and disease.

U.N. PREPARES TO ASSIST TIMOR-LESTE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SECOND ROUND

The UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is pleased that the national preliminary results for the first round of the presidential elections in Timor-Leste have been announced. The final results would, of course, be certified by the Court of Appeals after consideration of any appeals that are lodged within the permissible 24-hour period.

As mandated in Security Council Resolution 1704, the UN Mission has provided technical and logistical support as well as electoral policy advice in support of all aspects of these elections.

The two candidates who have obtained the highest number of votes will now contest a second round, on May 9. Again, these elections will have the benefit of considerable assistance from the international community, including through the United Nations.

The United Nations is particularly pleased that the first round of the election was completed without any serious incidents of violence and intimidation during the campaign, vote and the counting of ballots, and that candidates have made full use of the appropriate legal channels to raise their concerns about the process.

Asked who the runoff candidates in the Timorese elections were, the Spokeswoman later said that they were Jose Ramos Horta and Francisco Guterres.

SECRETARY-GENERAL RECOMMENDS NEGOTIATIONS ON WESTERN SAHARA WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

The Secretary-Generals latest report on Western Sahara is out on the racks today. In it, he recommends that the Security Council call upon the parties, Morocco and the Frente Polisario, to enter into negotiations without preconditions, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The neighbouring countries, Algeria and Mauritania, should also be invited to those negotiations.

The Secretary-General also encourages the parties to lift all restrictions on UN military observers freedom of movement and calls on them to remain engaged with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). He also recommends that the Security Council extend the mandate of the UN Mission in Western Sahara for a further period of six months, until 31 October 2007.

Asked why a comprehensive solution to Western Sahara is not being sought, involving countries outside of Algeria and Mauritania, the Spokeswoman said that a comprehensive solution has been discussed as well. Involving Algeria and Mauritania on issues that concern them does not exclude the possibility of a larger regional approach, she said.

EXCHANGE RATES BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIES, SAYS U.N. REPORT

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in a report, said that management of exchange rates is the biggest challenge facing Asia-Pacific economies in 2007.

In its annual economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific, released today, UNESCAP also forecasts the external environment in the Asia-Pacific region to be less favorable in 2007. It also states that the region is becoming the locomotive of global growth. Developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 16% of global output and one third of world economic growth in 2006.

A special study also estimates the cost of gender discrimination to the regions economies, saying that the region is losing $42 to $47 billion dollars a year due to restrictions on womens access to employment, and another $16 to $30 billion a year because of gender gaps in education.

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IMPROVING IN NORTHERN UGANDA, BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

says the situation in northern Uganda and parts of Southern Sudan has improved significantly in the past year.

More than 300,000 people have returned home from displaced persons camps in the wake of sustained security improvements a result of progress in peace talks between the Government of Uganda and the Lords Resistance Army.

But OCHA notes that one million people still remain in the camps, and that the area requires continued emergency relief and protection, as well as assistance in returns and early recovery.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL IN EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS ON DARFUR: In answer to a question, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General has had extensive consultations with leaders in the region and beyond on Darfur. The Secretary-General welcomes President Bushs announcement today that he wants to give the UNs diplomatic efforts a chance to succeed. He is intensively working to expedite the political process and the hybrid operation for Darfur. She later added that the Sudanese Government needs to keep in mind that patience is running out within the international community. Today's announcement by President Bush was made within this context. The Secretary-General hopes that the Sudanese Government will keep its word on its commitments and that it will faithfully implement what has been agreed thus far. The Secretary-General is continuing his wide consultations with the international community on this matter.

U.N. PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR NIGERIA ELECTIONS: Asked about the elections in Nigeria, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations is not observing the Nigerian elections but has been providing advisory services and technical assistance to Nigerias election commission through UNDP, which is managing a basket fund of assistance from multiple donors. She added that the Secretary-General was following developments there and that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was organising observers.

SECRETARY-GENERAL NOT ADVOCATING SPECIFIC HOSTAGE-TAKING RESPONSE: Asked about an interview the Secretary-General had with Corriere della Sera concerning hostage-taking, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General had called hostage-taking despicable, but had not advocated any specific action in response. He stressed that it is up to Member States to establish a policy regarding response to hostage-taking.

RWANDAN GENOCIDE EXHIBIT EXPECTED TO OPEN BY NEXT WEEK: Asked about an exhibition on the Rwandan genocide that had been postponed, the Spokeswoman said that it was now expected that the exhibition would be opened either later this week or next week. The language featured in that exhibition, she said, was being changed.

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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