United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-08-31

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Friday, August 31, 2007

[Monday is a holiday at UN headquarters. There will be no noon briefing.]

BAN KI-MOON GIVES INSTRUCTS LAUNCH OF INVESTIGATION INTO

DISCOVERY OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon takes very seriously the late discovery of potentially hazardous material at the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) office in New York.

He has given immediate instructions to launch an internal investigation drawing on external expertise in close cooperation with the U.S. and New York City authorities.

He has asked the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security Services, David Veness, and the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Alicia Barcena, in charge of the safety and security of staff and Secretariat premises, to immediately return to headquarters. They are to provide substantive support to the Deputy Secretary-General and the Chef de Cabinet who have both cancelled their participation to the senior leadership meeting in Turin, in order to closely monitor the situation on his behalf.

The Secretary-General immediately sought and was given confirmation that the materials in the custody of UNMOVIC posed no risk to the staff or general population. All necessary safety measures continue to be taken.

The inquiry will examine the circumstances under which potentially hazardous substances were brought to the United Nations headquarters in New York from Iraq, the reasons why discovery of the items was only made in 2007 and the safety procedures in place at headquarters and in the field offices as well as the extent to which these procedures were followed.

Asked about the sequence of events, Okabe said that the Secretary-General was informed of the discovery of phosgene vials as soon as the substance was identified as potentially hazardous material. The host country was subsequently informed.

DISCOVERED MATERIALS FROM UNMOVIC OFFICE ARE IN FBI HANDS

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. yesterday, UNMOVIC confirmed that U.S. officials successfully completed the removal and handover to FBI of the liquid substances discovered in the UNMOVIC archives located in 866 UN Plaza.

We are assured by the national and UNMOVIC experts that the site has not been contaminated and it is safe for the occupants to return to their workplace.

AFGHANISTAN: BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES RELEASE OF KOREAN HOSTAGES

BUT REMAINS CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER HELD NATIONALS

The Secretary-General welcomes the release of the 19 remaining Korean hostages who have been held by the Taliban for over six weeks.

He commends the efforts of the Afghan authorities, and of all those who have assisted with the negotiations to obtain their release. Despite the tragic death of two of the hostages in July, he is happy that those released are now on their way to being safely reunited with their loved ones.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned for the safety and welfare of the other nationals who are being held against their will in Afghanistan. These include several Afghans and one German. The Secretary-General deplores the ongoing abductions and senseless murders of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COUNTER-TERRORISM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE IS NAMED

Following consultations with the Security Council, the Secretary-General has informed its members of his intention to appoint Mike Smith (Australia) to serve as Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate at the Assistant Secretary-General level. Mr. Smith would replace Javier Ruperez (Spain) who stepped down at the end of June.

The Security Council, by its resolution 1535, established the post to enhance the Councils ability to monitor the implementation of resolution 1373, raise the counter-terrorism capacities of Member States by facilitating the provision of technical assistance, and promote closer cooperation and coordination with international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

Mr. Smith currently serves as Australias Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism. He has held a number of senior postings in the diplomatic service of his country, including in Egypt, the United States, Algeria and Tunisia.

From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Smith served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in Geneva, and from 1998 to 2002, he served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Smith was born in Adelaide in 1949. He speaks Arabic and French and holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Adelaide University.

FRANCE TO ASSUME SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENCY TOMORROW

Today is the end of the Republic of Congo presidency of the Security Council and there are no meetings planned.

Tomorrow, France will formally assume the presidency of the Council for the month of September.

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS HUMANITARIAN IMPACT

OF ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN WEST BANK

In a new report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) details the humanitarian impact on Palestinians in the West Bank of Israeli settlements and other infrastructure. Some 38% of the West Bank is now taken up by Israeli infrastructure, the report says.

Israeli settlements and other infrastructure in the West Bank, including an extensive road network, checkpoints, roadblocks, and the Barrier, deprive Palestinians of access to land, and limit their ability to move freely, OCHA says. It adds that the West Bank has been split into a series of enclaves separating Palestinian communities from each other.

The report, cited by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, Michael Williams at a Security Council meeting earlier this week, is available on OCHAs website.

NORTH KIVU: U.N. MISSION IN DR-CONGO WORKING FOR BOTH SIDES

TO CEASE FIGHTING AND RESUME DIALOGUE

The UN Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) continues to closely follow the situation in North Kivu where fighting occurred yesterday between the FARDC and pro-Nkunda elements of the mixed forces in the town of Katale in the Masisi district. MONUC is exerting pressure on both sides to cease fighting and to resume dialogue to settle their differences.

As of the result of fighting in the area of Katale, MONUC sent 200 reinforcement troops to that area from elsewhere in the Kivus. The Mission has also increased over flights by helicopters to get a better picture on the ground as well as to deter further fighting.

Furthermore, MONUC is working closely with the humanitarian community to provide humanitarian assistance to persons affected by the recent fighting, including those who have been displaced.

John Holmes, the

Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, will arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Monday for a week long visit and he is expected to visit the Kivus.

Concerning that region, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that thousands of newly displaced people are fleeing tensions and insecurity in the Masisi and Rutshuru districts of North Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the agency, the population of one of the makeshift camps as doubled in three weeks, hosting now an estimated 18,000 people. UNHCR also says that more displaced persons have arrived at various sites in the last few days, as the population fears clashes between regular DRC government forces, troops resisting integration into the regular army and various rebel groups.

UNHCR expressed concern over the spiraling displacements in eastern DRC and said the situation could turn into a humanitarian and human rights disaster.

IRAQI REFUGEES INFORMED OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION BY TEXT MESSAGES

UNHCR news today, the agency launched today a $7 million appeal to fund the voluntary repatriation of 24,000 Mauritanian refugees from Senegal and Mali.

Some of these refugees have spent more than two decades in exile. The 17-month operation is scheduled to start in October.

In Syria, UNHCR announced that it will start the first food distribution programme for Iraqi refugees tomorrow, Saturday. Along with the World Food Programme (WFP), the agency will distribute two months of food rations to cover the needs of refugee families during the upcoming month of Ramadan.

This will be done through text messaging and UNHCR says it found that text messages to mobile phones are one the most effective ways of communicating with the refugees who often do not have a stable address but either they or someone close to them in their immediate community has a mobile phone.

U.N. AGENCY ASSESSES CONSEQUENCES OF NEPAL FLOODS

In Nepal, the World Health Organization (WHO) assess that the floods and landslides in the country by 21 August, have caused at least 146 deaths, displaced more than 22,000 families and affected some 467,000 people in 47 districts.

The WHO publication of Emergency and Humanitarian Action in Nepal released today also uncovers flood and landslides statistics, new rapid health assessment formats, the recent cholera outbreaks and a new WHO EHA project targeting post-emergency disease surveillance.

SOME 250,000 STILL FACE CRITICAL HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

AFTER PAKISTAN FLOODING

In Pakistan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports the humanitarian situation remains critical for an estimated 250,000 people in the worst affected areas, after the June cyclone and recent flooding.

Many are living in spontaneous roadside settlements or public buildings like schools. OCHA says that, despite the distribution of aid, more needs to be done. It also stresses that the flash appeal for $ 38 million, issued on 18 July to help flood victims, has only been covered by 20 per cent.

VIENNA CLIMATE CHANGE TALKS TO CONCLUDE TODAY

The

2007 Vienna Climate Change talks, which were held all week long, are expected to conclude today.

In an interview with UN Radio, Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), noted that the talks helped to point to the main elements needed for a long term climate change approach.

He also stressed the importance of mobilizing investments in order to address climate change and said the international community had a responsibility to developing countries in providing them with incentives and financial assistance.

Yvo de Boer also said that the Secretary-Generals High level meeting on climate change, in September, was a very important step. The world needs a political sign at the highest possible level that serious negotiations need to begin, he added.

HEARING OF CONGOLESE REBEL LEADER ACCUSED OF CHILD SOLDIER RECRUITMENT AT INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The International Criminal Court (ICC) says that a hearing ahead of the resumption of the trial of former Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, who is accused of recruiting child soldiers -- among other war crimes, will take place in its courtroom at The Hague on Tuesday.

The hearing will start the discussions with the participants about procedural issues to be decided before the beginning of the trial.

Following the hearing, the Trial Chamber is expected to issue guidance on the new agenda and timetable for the further hearings.

BAN KI-MOON TO BEGIN TRIP TO SUDAN, CHAD AND LIBYA

The Secretary-General is scheduled to begin on Monday his trip to Sudan, Chad and Libya.

In response to questions, the Spokeswoman said that the announcement of the next Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan, will be made soon. Meanwhile, she added, an Acting Special Representative had been ably leading the UN peacekeeping operation in Sudan. In the meantime, the Secretary-General has appointed a special envoy for the peace process whos been very active, and he has appointed a joint special representative for Darfur.

Asked if the Secretary-General will insist to the Sudanese authorities that they hand over two individuals indicted by the International Criminal Court, Okabe said that the fight against impunity is an important issue and that the Court has the Secretary-General's full support and earlier this week he met with the Court's chief prosecutor in New York.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

RETREAT OF SENIOR OFFICALS DISCUSSING UN GLOBAL ISSUES AND REFORMS: The Spokeswoman, in response to a question, said that the purpose of the Turin retreat of top senior UN officials is to take stock of Ban Ki-moon's first 8 months at the helm of the Organization and a look ahead at the UN system implementing the Secretary-General's vision, focusing on delivering results.

UNDP EXECUTIVE BOARD TO ANNOUNCE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR: In response to a question about the Secretary-Generals reaction to the latest UN Staff Councils resolution, the Deputy Spokesperson referred to the Secretary-Generals response at Tuesdays news conference. We are awaiting the UNDP Executive Board to make an announcement on their independent auditor, she said.

IAEA BOARD TO DISCUSS IRAN REPORT IN SEPTEMBER: In response to a question, Okabe said that the latest report on Iran was just posted on the IAEA website and the IAEA Board would be assessing that report in their meeting on 10 September.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

1 September 7 September 2007

[This document is for planning purposes only and is subject to change]

Saturday, September 1

Today is the first day of the Frances presidency of the Security Council.

Sunday, September 2

No major events are scheduled.

Monday, September 3

Today is a holiday at UN headquarters.

The Secretary-General begins his visit to Sudan, Chad and Libya.

Under Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes will begin a week long visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The second round of consultations for the second Internet Governance Forum will take place in Geneva today. Participants will discuss the details of the substantive agenda and the programme of the four-day meeting to be held in Brazil from 12 to 15 November 2007.

Tuesday, September 4

The hearing ahead of the resumption of the trial of former Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, who is accused of recruiting child soldiers -- among other war crimes, will take place at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on Tuesday.

At 11 a.m. in Room 226, there will be a press conference by Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Chief of the Employment Trends Team at the International Labour Office (ILO), on the release of 5th edition of ILOs report entitled, Key Indicators of the Labour Market (KILM).

The guest at the noon briefing will be Richard Kinley, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), who will brief on the upcoming High-Level Session on Climate Change, to be held at the UN headquarters on 24 September 2007.

The International Communication Union (ITU) will launch its 2007 Report on Trends in telecommunication reforms in Geneva.

Wednesday, September 5

The two-day Sixtieth Annual DPI/NGO Conference will start today at Headquarters. The theme this year is "Climate Change: How it Impacts all of us."

At 11.15 a.m. in Room 226, Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and other Issues, will provide an update on the implementation of the Secretary-Generals good offices mandate in Myanmar.

At 12.30pm in Room 226, Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France will brief in his capacity as the Security Councils President for September, on the Councils programme of work for the month.

At 3 p.m. in Room 226, there will be a press conference by Major-General Claudio Graziano, Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), on the situation in Lebanon.

Thursday, September 6

The guest at the noon briefing will be Major-General Babacar Gaye, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), on the situation in the DRC.

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

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article