United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-08-30

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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, August 30, 2007

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IS BEING REMOVED FROM U.N. OFFICE

In the course of its winding down activity over the past weeks the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) discovered what was yesterday identified as gram quantities of certain liquid substances including Phosgene (COCL2) suspended in oil whose present state is unknown but which could be potentially hazardous. The material was immediately secured by UNMOVIC experts.

The office area was screened using UNMOVIC´s chemical weapons detection equipment and no toxic vapors were found. There is no immediate risk or danger. UNMOVIC staff are still working on the premises.

The Chief of Staff contacted the host country and informed them of the situation and sought their assistance in having the material safely recovered and disposed of. The FBI is on the premises for this purpose and the removal was expected to take place this afternoon.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council in a letter, and an investigation will be launched to determine how and why the material ended up in the UNMOVIC office.

The material, unknown liquid substances, was contained in metal and glass containers ranging in size from small vials to tubes the length of a pen in one of the sealed plastic bags. The only information we have of the contents of that bag is from an inventory of 1996 inspection which indicates that one of the items may contain phosgene, an old generation chemical warfare agent. In the other sealed package are reference standards sealed in glass tubes. The standards are used to calibrate chemical analytical equipment.

Asked about the origins of these liquid substances, the UNMOVIC Spokesperson said that there had been, in 1996, an inspection of the Murthana Chemical Weapons Production facility and that it was believed the materials came from there. He added that the substances had been in a sealed metal box inside a plastic bag and that there was no immediate danger.

Another UNMOVIC expert stressed that, since the discovery of these substances last night, an immediate sweep of all archival material had been done and that nothing else was found. He also said that the substances had been put into a safe, sealed inside with tape, in a room that was isolated.

SOMALIA: NATIONAL RECONCILIATION CONGRESS CONCLUDES

A delegation of the International Advisory Committee led by François Lonseny Fall, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, today attended the closing ceremony of the Somali National Reconciliation Congress in Mogadishu.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Fall paid a tribute to the government and people of Somalia for the successful conclusion of this locally-driven process. While the conclusion of the Congress marks another milestone in the quest for peace and reconciliation, Fall said, it does not signify the end of the reconciliation process.

He said that there are challenges ahead, which will require a continued political engagement and much perseverance by all parties.

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC AGENCY CIRCULATES REPORT ON IRAN

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that its Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has circulated his latest report on Iran to the upcoming meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors. The report covers developments since Dr. ElBaradei´s report of May 2007.

The 35-member Board will consider the report at its next meetings beginning in Vienna 10 September.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGED BY RECENT EFFORTS

IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

A few hours ago in Brussels, UN officials and others attended the opening of the UN International Conference of Civil Society in support of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process.

The Secretary-General, in a message to the conference, said that he is encouraged by recent efforts to get the Palestinians and the Israelis back on the negotiating track. The Arab Peace Initiative, Tony Blairs appointment as Quartet Representative, and the United States planned Middle East Peace meeting all have the potential to result in a significant breakthrough, he said.

The Secretary-General added that he welcomes the decision by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas to meet regularly to discuss a range of issues. He expressed the hope that the internal challenges each faces will not deter them from moving forward with discussions on the political horizon. The conference is expected to wrap up tomorrow.

The UN Conference and Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has just released its 2007 Report, which highlights recent economic developments in the occupied Palestinian territory. UNCTAD says that the report

focuses on the worsening economy, living conditions and on the impact of international and national economic policies of 2006. It also provides an update on UNCTAD´s technical assistance to Palestinian development projects.

U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SEEKS CONFIRMATION ON SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS SENTENCE

In response to questions about the trial of Special Rapporteur Sigma Huda, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says it has been following developments closely from Geneva since this matter arose some months ago.

"While we are aware from press reports that the Special Rapporteur has been sentenced to 3 years on corruption related charges, the Office is working to confirm the press reports of the conviction and obtain the relevant court documents as well as information on whether or not an appeal has been or will be lodged," the office said in a statement.

"The Office is seeking this confirmation directly from the Government, as well as via the UN presence in Dhaka and Ms. Huda's relatives. We would also like to recall the statement of UN Secretary General, on 17 July 2007, stating that the charges against Ms. Huda are unrelated to her mandate as Special Rapporteur."

U.N. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NEPAL CALLS FOR END OF VIOLENCE

The Secretary-Generals Special Representative in Nepal, Ian Martin, in a press conference yesterday appealed for an end to violence and to threats of communal violence.

While visiting the regional headquarters of UNMIN for the Eastern Region, Mr. Martin said it is a crucial time in the history of Nepal and that it is not going to be possible in the future for groups that have been marginalized in the past to continue to be marginalized.

He added that marginalisation will change through the restructuring of the State, but that requires a Constituent Assembly election in a good climate.

U.N. RUSHES EMERGENCY AID TO CHOLERA VICTIMS IN NORTHERN IRAQ

UNICEF has rushed emergency aid to help victims of a cholera outbreak in Suleimaniya and Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

To help hospitals treat victims, the agency has delivered 4,000 cannulae and needles and 15,000 sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). 4,000 safe water kits are also being delivered today to families in the Suleimaniya area.

UNICEF is closely coordinating its response with the local authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), which is leading the UN response.

Local authorities report that over 2000 people have been affected so far by the outbreak and approximately 500 patients have been admitted to hospital in the last two days alone.

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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