United Nations Daily Highlights, 08-03-19

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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

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS MADE ON FIGHTING TERRORISM

The Security Council this morning began an open meeting on the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and received a briefing from Executive Director Mike Smith. He affirmed that all the elements of resolution 1373, passed following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, remain as relevant today as they did six and a half years ago.

Smith said that considerable progress has been made, with most countries in the world having criminalized terrorism and an almost unprecedented level of international exchange of information and cooperation to fight terrorism. Now, he says, the Counter-Terrorism Committee is spending more time evaluating how effective counter-terrorism efforts and law enforcement capabilities are.

U.N. ENVOY DISAPPOINTED FOLLOWING MYANMAR VISIT

Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, briefed the Security Council yesterday evening on his recent visit to

Myanmar, telling the Council that, while each of his previous visits produced a result that could be built upon, it is a source of disappointment that this latest visit did not yield any tangible outcome.

Gambari regretted that he was not able to meet the senior Government leadership and other parties, including the 88 Generation group and representatives of ethnic minority groups. Yet he did meet with senior officials involved in the referendum and elections, and also met twice with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The latest mission, Gambari said, confirmed that the principles of engagement that have guided UN efforts so far remain as broadly relevant as ever. He noted that only two years ago, high-level dialogue between the UN and Myanmar was non-existent, while only six months ago, there was no mechanism to promote dialogue between the Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He affirmed that he looks forward to continued dialogue and engagement.

BAN KI-MOON CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO FOLLOWING DEATH OF U.N. POLICE OFFICER

In a statement issued yesterday on Kosovo, the Secretary-General said that he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of UN Police officer Ihor Kynal of Ukraine, who died from injuries received during the recent violent clashes in Mitrovica. The Secretary-General called on all parties to refrain from violence, engage in a constructive dialogue, and work together to promote security and stability in Kosovo.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) reports that the situation in the north is calm today. Police officers including 40 from UNMIK and 80 from the Kosovo Police Service have already begun to return to work in north Mitrovica.

Asked about recent communications between Serbia and the Secretary-General on Kosovo, the Spokeswoman recalled that she had confirmed on Tuesday that the Secretary-General had received a letter from Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT IDENTIFIES UNDERLYING CAUSES OF RECENT VIOLENCE IN KENYA

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights today issued a report following a three week fact-finding mission to Kenya, which focused on the recent post-election violence there.

The report says that, while electoral irregularities were the primary spark behind the violence, a number of underlying causes including discrimination, poverty and disenfranchisement kept it going. The report suggests that greater accountability and an end to impunity, which is deeply entrenched in Kenya, will be vital in addressing those underlying problems and preventing further outbreaks. That will, in turn, reinforce the ongoing reconciliation process and power-sharing agreement.

The report concludes that consistent failure to act on the findings and recommendations of various State-commissioned inquiries have distanced Kenyan citizens from State institutions.

RECENT TALKS ON DARFUR POLITICAL PROCESS VERY CONSTRUCTIVE

The UN and African Union envoys for

Darfur, Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim, briefed the press in Geneva yesterday about the talks that they had held on Monday and Tuesday with representatives of Sudans neighbouring countries and with international partners to discuss the political process.

Eliasson said, We found the meeting very constructive, adding that it gave us new energy to push the political process forward.

He and Salim stressed that the conflict between Chad and Sudan has been a particular issue of concern, with normalization of relations between those countries believed to be crucial to achieve sustainable peace in Darfur.

WESTERN SAHARA TALKS CONCLUDE WITH COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS

Talks on Western Sahara under UN auspices wrapped up yesterday in Manhasset. Morocco and the Frente Polisario, as well as the neighboring states, Algeria and Mauritania, took part in this latest round of discussions.

The talks were led by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Peter van Walsum. In a communiqué issued yesterday afternoon, in agreement with the parties, the Personal Envoy said that the discussions focused on the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1754 and 1783, as well as administration, justice and resources.

The parties agreed to explore the establishment of family visits by land, which would be in addition to the existing programme by air. The parties also reiterated their commitment to continue the negotiations at Manhasset at a date to be agreed on in the future.

U.N. FORCE MARKS 30 YEARS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) today observed the 30th anniversary of its peacekeeping presence in southern

Lebanon.

Peacekeepers representing the 25 different national contingents that make up UNIFIL participated in a ceremony held to mark the occasion at the Mission headquarters in Naqoura. Speaking at the ceremony, Force Commander Major-General Claudio Graziano said that UNIFILs goal towards maintaining peace and stability in south Lebanon has never faltered, despite the many challenges.

Since 1978, 270 UNIFIL peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty -- twelve of them just during the last year. Graziano dedicated this day to recalling and honouring their memory.

Asked about reports that an Israeli ship entered Lebanese waters, the Spokeswoman said that the United Nations had a report that a ship coming from Israel entered the maritime area of operation without proper procedures, violating Lebanese territorial waters south of Naqoura on Monday morning. UNIFIL is investigating this incident and UNIFIL command has contacted the Israeli Defense Force on this issue.

Also, UNIFIL recorded 48 air violations undertaken by suspected Israeli Air Force aircraft on Monday, she added.

She noted, in response to further questions, that UNIFIL reports regularly to the Security Council on the air violations.

Asked about meetings held by Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, the Spokeswoman said that Roed-Larsen and the Secretary-General regularly discuss the meetings that Roed-Larsen has. She added that, contrary to one reporters question, there were at present no plans for a conference on Lebanon.

D.R. CONGO: CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR RETURN OF REFUGEES TO NORTH KATANGA

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo says conditions are right in the North Katanga region for the return of some 20,000 Congolese refugees from Tanzania and Zambia. The Mission came to that conclusion after an interdisciplinary team completed an assessment mission, during which they held meetings with Congolese and international security and humanitarian officers.

They also ascertained that all necessary steps have been taken to protect civilians and UN infrastructure and personnel, in particular in the town of Moba where flyers were circulated recently warning of violent anti-UN rallies.

U.N. IRAQ ENVOY VISITS ELECTORAL COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS IN BAGHDAD

Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Iraq, visited the headquarters of the Independent High Electoral Commission in Baghdad, and observed the process underway by the Commission to select 6,500 staff to work at 550 voter registration centers throughout Iraq.

De Mistura was provided with an update of preparations to hold governorate council elections by October 1. He said, Im pleased to see that efforts are underway to prepare for an update of the voter registry and elections, and urged the Commission to continue its efforts in a transparent and professional manner.

U.N. COMMITTED TO HELPING IRAQIS BUILD A PEACEFUL FUTURE

Asked about the role the Secretary-General is playing in Iraq five years after the start of the war there, the Spokeswoman said. Our focus is not at looking back, but rather at helping Iraqis build a peaceful future. She added that it is for the Government and people of Iraq to comment on their achievements of the past five years.

The United Nations has been doing all it can and it will continue to do so, working under Security Council resolutions, Montas said. She noted the help the United Nations has provided the Iraqis to hold two national elections and the drafting of the Constitution.

The United Nations, she added, has also worked to promote national reconciliation, regional dialogue, the International Compact, the protection of human rights and the provision of humanitarian, reconstruction and development assistance.

The Secretary-General is committed to seeing the United Nations doing more in support of the people of Iraq, as circumstances permit, Montas said.

ELECTORAL MONITORING TEAM WRAPS UP VISIT TO NEPAL

In Nepal, the United Nations Electoral Expert Monitoring Team (EEMT) has

concluded its fourth visit to the country, which took place from 317 March.

The five-member team, appointed by the Secretary-General and led by Dr. Rafael Lopez-Pintor, held talks with members of the Government, election officials, political parties, law enforcement, and the public in general, including leaders of womens, ethnic and traditionally marginalized groups and civil society.

In addition to its activities in Kathmandu, the team also visited several districts in the central and eastern Terai region.

In a separate development, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)

expresses its deep concern over the killing, in the Mid-Western region on 18 March, of Kamal Adhikari, who was a candidate for the Rastriya Jana Morcha party in next months elections.

Violence and threats against candidates represent a serious obstacle to the creation of a free and fair atmosphere for the election, and all efforts must be made to bring those responsible to justice, UNMIN says.

PEACEKEEPING EXPERTS CONDUCT ASSESSMENT MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE

A team of experts from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) arrived in Timor-Leste today for an 11-day visit to conduct an assessment on key areas of support provided by the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).

This assessment mission, planned while the United Nations was reviewing the mandate of UNMIT, is part of the overall support provided by the UN for the security sector in Timor-Leste.

The team is set to consult with political leaders, government officials, and key members of civil society, including both national and international organisations.

U.N. REPORT ON ASIA-PACIFIC REGION FINDS RAPID URBANIZATION AND GROWTH IN ENERGY USE

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is out with its latest statistical yearbook, which provides a detailed picture of major economic, social and environmental trends in the region.

The Yearbook finds that urbanization, especially in Southeast Asia, is taking place at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world. That, in turn, is driving up urban poverty, with more and more people living in slums without access to clean water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, energy consumption per capita in the region doubled between 1990 and 2004 and continues to grow at a pace unequalled elsewhere. That has resulted in improved social conditions but is also driving up emissions and putting tremendous strain on the environment.

WORLD WATER DAY TO BE MARKED WITH RECORD-SETTING EVENT

Saturday is World Water Day. The theme this year is sanitation, as part of the ongoing International Year of Sanitation 2008.

While the main events to mark the occasion are taking place in Geneva, here in New York the UN Development Programme and UNICEF are holding a special event at noon tomorrow at Columbus Circle. It will feature an international art installation called Sanitation is Dignity, as well as an attempt to set the record for the worlds longest line for a toilet.

Its part of an effort to draw attention to the 2.6 billion people who do not even have the luxury of lining up for access to improved sanitation.

In a message to mark the day, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, Achim Steiner,

stressed the importance of projects to combat sewage pollution and its effects on the worlds water supply.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

RAPE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST U.N. PEACEKEEPERS DROPPED: Asked about rape allegations made in South Africa against Indian officers currently serving in MONUC, the Spokeswoman said she understood that the complainant dropped the charges and they were released, and there is no further action pending against them in South Africa. If there were to be further action, it would be at the discretion of the Troop Contributing Country in question, she added.

FUNDING FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT POST A MATTER FOR THE ASSEMBLY TO DECIDE: Asked whether the General Assembly President should have a funded job as a UN official, the Spokeswoman said that was an issue for the General Assembly to consider.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONTINUES TO MONITOR THE SITUATION IN TIBET: Asked about the Secretary-Generals concerns about the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the Spokeswoman said he was monitoring the situation there.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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