United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-08-23

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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

Thursday, August 23, 2007

BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON MYANMAR AUTHORITIES

TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM RESTRAINT

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following events in Myanmar closely and with concern, particularly in light of reports that student leaders and others have been arrested by the authorities.

In the spirit of the efforts of mutual engagement being pursued by the United Nations and Myanmar in the context of his good offices, the Secretary-General calls on the authorities to exercise maximum restraint in responding to any demonstrations and encourages all parties to avoid any provocative action.

He calls for a constructive dialogue towards national reconciliation at this important time in Myanmar's history.

GLOBAL COOPERATION NEEDED TO DEAL WITH EMERGING NEW DISEASES

In an increasing interconnected world, new diseases are emerging at an unprecedented rate and global health security depends on international cooperation. Thats according to the 2007 World Health Report which was launched today in Geneva.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that since 1967, at least 39 new pathogens have been identified including HIV, Ebola fever, Marburg fever and SARS. WHOs Director-General, Margaret Chan,

said that better security called for global solidarity.

The 2007 World Health Report recommends, among other things, that countries fully implement the revised International Health Regulations of 2005. These regulations have allowed WHO to receive health alerts on a regular basis and to conduct joint risk assessments.

The report also stresses the importance of global cooperation in monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks as well as sharing knowledge and technologies.

U.N. AGENCYS DISEASE PREVENTION IN SUDAN SHOWS RESULTS

In Sudan, UNICEF says that efforts to prevent major disease outbreaks during the annual rainy season are showing results. According to the agency, only 800 cases of acute watery diarrhea have been reported since April compared to 6,000 during the same period last year.

Some 365,000 people are affected by flooding in many parts of north Sudan but UNICEF and other agencies have increased preventive measures since last years outbreak of acute watery diarrhea which killed more than 900 people.

UNICEF notes however that 265,000 more people could be affected if the floods continue.

UGANDA: U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY TO VISIT JUBA FOR PEACE NEGOTIATION CONSULTATIONS

The Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Lords Resistance Army (LRA)-affected regions, Joaquim Chissano, is now on mission in the region.

Earlier today he met with the President of the Central African Republic, who is on a state visit, in the Ugandan capital Kampala. At that meeting the Special Envoy briefed the President on his activities.

This afternoon, Chissano will proceed to Juba for further consultations on the peace negotiations between the LRA and the Government of Uganda. He will also visit the DR Congo as part of his current mission to the region.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and the Government of Uganda will field two joint teams to assess the impact of severe flooding across large swaths of eastern Uganda. The two teams are expected to begin their assessments in the Teso and Mbale regions by the end of the week. They will focus particular attention on the impact of the flooding on water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, health, food security, shelter, and road conditions.

LEBANON: U.N. MISSION WELCOMES PROGRESS IN

JULY 16 ATTACK INVESTIGATION

The UN Interim Force for Lebanon welcomes the reported progress in the investigation concerning the terrorist attack on the UNIFIL Military Police at the Qasmiyeh Bridge on July 16, with the arrest of 2 suspects.

UNIFIL stresses the importance of identifying and arresting the perpetrators of this attack and of the previous attack on the UNIFIL Spanish Contingent patrol on June 24th.

TIMOR-LESTE: SECURITY SITUATION IS STABLE BUT TENSE

Over in

Timor-Leste, the general security situation has been stable but tense, although a sporadic string of serious incidents were reported.

Two deaths occurred during a fight involving 100-300 people, where houses were set on fire. The U.N. police and International Stabilization Forces troops responded and controlled the situation.

UN Police Commissioner for Timor-Leste, Rodolfo Tor, in an interview with UN Radio said the two deaths occurred as a result of a fight among neighbors. The two children of one of the neighbors were trapped in a house that was burnt by the other assailants. The bodies have been recovered the dead bodies and the case is now under investigation.

CONCERN VOICED OVER JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS IN CAMBODIA

The Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights in Cambodia and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of Judges and Lawyers are

concerned that recent judicial appointments appear not to have been made in accordance with the Constitution. They said that this cast doubt on whether the principle of judicial independence is being fully respected in Cambodia.

According to Cambodian law, all judicial appointments, are decided by the Supreme Council of Magistracy and implemented by royal decree. Yet the royal decree of August 9th replacing the President of the Court of Appeal appears not to have been made on the basis of a decision of the Supreme Council of Magistracy.

The Special Representative has also voiced concern at the composition of the Supreme Council of Magistracy, which includes a government minister and a member of the ruling partys Permanent Committee

PERU: U.N. FUND FOCUSES ON NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GIRL QUAKE VICTIMS

In Peru, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has allocated $50,000 dollars to address the specific emergency needs of women and girls affected by the disaster.

UNFPA will provide, among other things, hygiene kits and is working to restore and strengthen local primary health services focusing particularly on emergency reproductive health services.

The Fund is also undertaking a census of the affected population to determine its exact needs.

U.N. PUBLICATION STRESSES ROLE OF THE MEDIA

IN ACHIEVING MILLENNIUM GOALS

Released in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a new publication on the development of a sustainable media which states that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) cannot be achieved without sustained political will and investment.

The publication, Framework for the Development of a Sustainable and Pluralistic Media, also says that achieving the MDGs require a free and democratic environment in which the media can play an effective role in promoting sustainable development, fighting corruption and promoting good governance.

The publication also states that strong media and communication environment is critical to a developed and prosperous Africa.

UNESCO MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR REMEMBRANCE

OF SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION

Today is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

Marking this occasion,

UNESCOs Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, stressed the importance of reflecting on a tragic past that may be distant but whose repercussions continue to fuel injustice and exclusion today.

This reflection on the barbarity our society is capable of unleashing is all the more necessary as millions of men, women and children still today suffer the horrors of new forms of slavery, he said.

Matsuura also added that we must all step up our efforts to ensure that the history of salve trade and of slavery takes its rightful place in civic education programmes and school textbooks.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WANTS TO SEE WHISTLEBLOWER

PROTECTION APPLIED THROUGHOUT U.N. SYSTEM

In response to a question on a reportedly leaked letter from a member of the United States mission to the United Nations addressed to the UN Ethics Office on UN whistleblower protection practices, the Spokeswoman declined to comment on that specific letter.

She said, however, that the U.S. mission has been in touch with the Secretary-General's office, whose position on the matter was explained to them. The U.S. mission, she added, has expressed its understanding of the Secretary-General's response.

The Secretary-General remains determined to have ethical norms applied throughout the system. However at the moment, the Ethics office does not have jurisdiction over the UNDP.

Montas went on to say that the Secretariat is now waiting for the decision by UNDPs executive board on the complementary external review they have announced. She referred further inquiries to the UNDP.

Asked why the Secretary-General appeared to reserve judgment in this matter, Montas explained that the UNDP answers first to its board and to the General Assembly. However, the Secretary-General has been deeply involved in this matter and has been discussing it with the U.S. mission as well as the Ethics Office and the leadership of the UNDP. She said that Ban Ki-moon would like to see whistleblower protection applied evenly and without exception throughout the United Nations system.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

CYPRUS TALKS TO BE HELD IN NICOSIA ON SEPTEMBER FIFTH: Asked to describe the role the United Nations intends to play in the planned talks between the leaders of Cyprus' Greek and Turkish communities, the Spokeswoman said that the 5 September talks would be held at the official residence of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus in the capital Nicosia.

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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