United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-08-17

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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

Friday, August 17, 2007

SECRETARY-GENERAL AND U.N. STAFF MARK FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF BAGHDAD BOMBING

UN staff around the world held events to mark the fourth anniversary of the bombing of the UN compound in Baghdad, in which 22 people were killed and more than 150 wounded.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the bombing of the Canal Hotel on 19 August 2003 remains one of the UNs darkest days, and he told those paying tribute at UN Headquarters, Four years on, our hearts remain heavy. He added that the bombers shook us to the very core, yet they could not shake our ideals: our values, our commitment, our resolve.

The Secretary-General said that he understands the fears and concerns some staff may have about any expansion in Iraq, and affirmed that any such measure remains strictly subject to conditions on the ground. At the same time, the terrorists who struck so cruelly in Baghdad must, one day, be brought to justice.

He later told CNN that he felt moved by what happened, adding, I am very much committed to work for those families and friends of the victims, and friends who were there.

The ceremony at UN Headquarters included a minute of silence to remember those who died, and a wreath was laid in honour of the fallen staff.

In Geneva, the Director-General of the UN Geneva Office, Sergei Ordzhonikidze,

said of those who died, We vow to take forward their quest for peace as the most appropriate tribute to their memory. Staff in Geneva and Nairobi, among other duty stations, also marked the day with a minute of silence.

Asked whether staff would volunteer to go to Iraq, the Spokeswoman said that staff volunteer to go to whatever location they serve. In any case, she said, no staff would be deployed, even if they volunteer, if adequate security conditions do not exist.

Asked whether living quarters in Iraq would be strengthened, Montas said that a number of measures are being taken to reinforce security in Iraq.

ACCOUNT OF 19 AUGUST 2003 BOMBING TO BE SHARED WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS

The United Nations has vigorously pursued the coordination of an accurate account of the tragic crime of 19 August 2003. All the elements of that account are now complete, and the United Nations looks forward to sharing the account as soon as possible with the families of victims and other concerned parties.

In order that the United Nations does not prejudice or impair the legal interests of families or friends, it is consulting with the Member States whose nationals are the deceased victims and where it is aware of possible legal proceedings.

The United Nations does not intend to provide a list of lessons learned which would assist terrorists, but this process has been exhaustive and has led to significant developments in UN security. The creation of a new Department of Safety and Security has been one of these steps.

In response to further questions, the Spokeswoman said that the report is ready to come out once family members have been informed. She added that all aspects of what happened in Baghdad would not be made public, because of security concerns and ongoing legal proceedings, although there would be some information about how the bombing was carried out.

Asked about the execution in November 2006 of Awraz Abdel Aziz Mahmoud Saeed, the Spokeswoman said that he had been sentenced to death that March, and his sentence was later confirmed by the Court of Cassation.

The Secretary-General, Montas said, has consistently urged States to abolish the death penalty, and his Special Representative in Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, appealed directly to President Jalal Talabani to commute the death sentence. However, Sa'eed was executed on 13 November of last year.

Asked about other efforts to bring to justice the culprits of the bombing, Montas noted that Iraq, the United States, United Kingdom and France have all done investigations, in the case of their own nationals killed on August 19, and legal proceedings involving the bombing are underway in those countries. The Department of Security and Safety had brought together the results of those investigations.

Asked whether the situation in Iraq could be considered genocide, the Spokeswoman noted that, although the United Nations does not describe it that way, the Secretary-General has repeatedly made clear his concerns about the daily violence and insecurity there.

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED THAT NETHERLANDS IS FAVOURABLE TO HOSTING LEBANON SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

The Secretary-General was pleased to receive on 15 August 2007 a letter from Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende informing him that the Government of the Netherlands is favourably disposed to hosting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was created to prosecute those responsible for the attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and others. Pursuant to Security Council resolution 1757 (2007), the Secretary-General is taking the steps and measures necessary to establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in a timely manner.

In his letter to the Government of the Netherlands last month, the Secretary-General emphasized that the experience and knowledge gained by the Netherlands in hosting several international courts and tribunals was invaluable. He cited the unique and essential role of the Netherlands in the development of international justice and the rule of law.

The Secretary-General will dispatch a delegation to the Netherlands in the coming weeks to discuss practical arrangements required for the establishment and operation of the Special Tribunal.

PERU: U.N. PROVIDES ASSESSMENT, COORDINATION ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

In Peru, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that early data concerning the earthquake that struck the country on August 15 reveals that Canete, Chincha and Pisco are the most damaged cities. So far, authorities have confirmed that 510 were killed and 1,000 wounded with over 16,500 homes destroyed. OCHA expects those figures to climb in coming days.

A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team is being deployed and should arrive in the country shortly.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has already started distributing food to the victim of the quake. In all, it will provide $500,000 worth of supplies drawn from in-country food stocks.

For its part, UNICEF has also started distributing water purification tablets, oral hydration salts and water containers. The agency is also providing prevention and education materials to teach families how to handle safe water, to prevent diseases and encourage food hygiene practices.

UNICEF has donated $200,000 for assistance in the response phase and will allocate $300,000 more for reconstruction.

U.N. ASSISTS FLOODING VICTIMS IN DPRK

In the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, this morning, the World Food Programme (WFP) sent several assessment teams to sites in eight counties in the South Hamgyong and North Hwangae provinces. WFP has 4,000 tonnes of pre-positioned food stocks in the country for immediate use, and it is prepared to begin an initial emergency feeding operation for 320,000 people.

Meanwhile, UNICEF has provided pre-positioned supplies of essential medicines for waterborne diseases and water kits. It is also working with the Ministry of Education to support the resumption of classes next month in the affected areas.

U.N. CONCERNED OVER HEALTH AND HUNGER THREAT AFTER SOUTH ASIA FLOODS

In South Asia, the World Health Organization and UNICEF are expressing their deep concern about the continuing threats from hunger, disease and malnutrition faced by the millions of people affected by the flooding in the region.

The two agencies report that the incidence of diarrhoeal and other water-borne diseases continue to rise. They say relief and recovery efforts are well on their way with WHO providing, among others, rehydration serums, and antibiotics but that the needs remain very important. Access to fresh water, food and shelter remains the primary concern.

According to UNICEF, almost 3,200 people have lost their lives and nearly 50 million people have been affected by the flooding across the subcontinent with yet more rain forecasts for the coming weeks.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN NEPALS MOST FLOOD-AFFECTED DISTRICTS BEGINS

Over in Nepal, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday began food distributions to the people in the most flood-affected districts of the Western Terai region.

With the quick response from the donor community and the Nepal Red Cross Society, the world food body in just two weeks was able to start delivering food to the most flood-affected areas. The victims are receiving an emergency relief package of rice, oil, lentils and salt.

Based upon the request by the Nepalese government, WFPs initial response was to provide some 60,000 people with three months of food rations.

But since the initial request, the number of flood victims across the country has increased to over 400,000, and the WFP is already in the process of appealing to donors for additional funds to cover the increased needs.

SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENVOY APPOINTED

The UNs Humanitarian Chief has welcomed the appointment of Abdulaziz bin Mohamed Arrukban of Saudi Arabia as the Secretary-Generals Special Humanitarian Envoy.

The humanitarian community has much to gain from the expertise of Mr. Arrukban, says Under-Secretary-General John Holmes.

Arrukban is tasked with strengthening linkages between the UNs humanitarian efforts and the humanitarian aid provided by Governments and organizations in the Middle East and North Africa.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TIMOR-LESTE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY SECTOR REFORM

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, at a high level meeting in Dili this week, has outlined four key elements in working towards the reform of the security sector in the nation.

In the meeting, Khare stated the need to improve relations between the police and the army, strengthening the legal framework, increasing police capacity and enhancing civil oversight as the four priority areas in building an effective and accountable security sector that serves the needs of the Timorese people.

Stressing that the strengthening of the army and police will be crucial to the development of Timor-Leste as a modern state, Khare also said the U.N. will assist the people and government in these four areas so that the security sector is efficient, effective and accountable.

U.N. STEPS UP VOLUNTARY RETURNS OF SUDANESE REFUGEES

The United Nations Refugee Agency this week has stepped up the pace of voluntary returns of Sudanese refugees, by opening up a new major return corridor on the southern tip of Sudans border with Uganda.

According to UNHCR, the new route links the refugee settlements in Uganda with Eastern Equatoria State in Sudan, where security has gradually returned following the recent withdrawal of the Ugandan rebel group in the area, boosting the confidence of many Sudanese refugees to return.

Uganda hosts one of the largest populations of Sudanese refugees. Some 70 percent of the 160,000 Sudanese refugees living in a string of 11 camps in Uganda originate from Sudans Central and Eastern Equatoria States.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISCUSSED AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, SUDAN WITH SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: Asked about the Secretary-Generals meeting on Thursday with the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, the Spokeswoman said that they had discussed several areas where Saudi Arabia had a special interest, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and the Darfur situation, and the Middle East. She noted Saudi Arabias role in the Riyadh talks on Darfur, and added that the Secretary-General had also discussed the upcoming meeting of the Middle East Quartet.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

to the Spokesperson's Page

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