United Nations Daily Highlights, 08-03-20

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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

Thursday, March 20, 2008

[The UN will be closed on Friday, March 21, 2008, for Good Friday. The noon briefings will resume on Monday, March 24, 2008.]

WEST DARFUR ATTACKS VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

According to a report issued today by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation with the United NationsAfrican Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),

attacks in January and February by militias and the Sudanese Armed Forces on four villages in West Darfur amount to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

The report adds that the scale of destruction of civilian property, including objects necessary for civilians survival, suggests that the damage was a deliberate and integral part of a military strategy.

The report also describes extensive looting during and after the attacks, and catalogues consistent and credible accounts of rape committed by armed uniformed men during and after the attack in the village of Sirba.

UNAMID human rights officers say they were unable to carry out their investigations in the Jebel Moon area as the Sudanese Government initially denied the UN access to that region. That was in breach of its obligation under the Status of Forces Agreement to allow UNAMID officials freedom of movement, according to the report.

The report adds that, as a result of the attacks, at least 115 people were killed, including the elderly and disabled, women and children. And more than 30,000 individuals were forcibly displaced. In addition, civilian homes, NGO clinics and offices, community centers, water structures, schools, food storage facilities, milling machines and shops were systematically looted, vandalized and in many cases burned to the ground sometimes with their occupants still inside.

In related news, the Deputy UN-African Union Joint Special Representative for Darfur, Henry Anyidoho, has

traveled to Silea, in West Darfur, to assess personally the security situation on the ground following recent violence there.

Anyidoho stressed that the UN-AU Joint Operation, UNAMID, would soon have a permanent presence in Silea to provide a secure environment and to allow uninterrupted access to humanitarian assistance. Currently, UNAMID conducts daily patrols from West Darfurs capital, El-Geneina, to the conflict-affected areas.

Anyidoho spoke to community elders in Silea, telling them that the protection of civilians is a priority and asserting, We will not abandon you.

In early February, when the latest of these attacks took place, the Secretary-General condemned them in the strongest possible terms and stressed that all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law.

MORE INTERNATIONAL STAFF NEEDED IN SOMALIA

The Security Council, in an open meeting today, heard a briefing on Somalia from the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah.

Ould-Abdallah congratulated the Somalis on the announcement by the Transitional Federal Government last week of a reconciliation strategy that involves local peacemaking inside the country and talks with the external opposition. He added that, for UN work to be truly credible, it needs to deploy many more international staff in Somalia, and he called for more engagement by the international community.

Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet also briefed the Council, discussing the work of a fact-finding mission that went to Somalia in January. He said that the security situation in many parts of Somalia, and particularly Mogadishu, remains complex, volatile and unpredictable. And he discussed four possible scenarios that could lead to the possibility of deploying a UN peacekeeping operation.

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATES OF AFGHANISTAN MISSION & COUNTER-TERRORISM OFFICE

The Security Council began the day by adopting resolutions that provide new mandates for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTED).

The Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Afghanistan by one year, until 23 March 2009, and also decided that the Mission, among other things, would lead international civilian efforts to provide political outreach, support reconciliation programmes and strengthen cooperation with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) at all levels.

The Council also decided that the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate will continue to operate as a special political mission until the end of 2010.

Following consultations on Somalia, the Security Council held consultations to receive a briefing from Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios on the situation in northern Uganda.

GUINEA-BISSAU ELECTIONS WILL BE A MAJOR BENCHMARK

The Secretary-Generals latest report on Guinea-Bissau and the work of the Peacebuilding Support Office there is available today. In it, he says that he is encouraged by the momentum generated by the UNs decision to place Guinea-Bissau on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission.

There has also been progress in the security sector reform process and in the governments effort to engage the international community to help it realize economic recovery.

The Secretary-General says that elections planned for this year will be a major benchmark for democratic governance in the country.

TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF POOR SANITATION HIGHLIGHTED ON WORLD WATER DAY

This Saturday is World Water Day. In a message to mark the occasion, the Secretary-General focuses on the terrible human toll resulting from the combination of poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water. Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of abysmal sanitation conditions that could easily be prevented, he notes. He calls on the international community, especially Governments, to do more, including through providing financial resources and transferring technology to countries in need.

Also as part of World Water Day, UNICEF and the World Health Organization today released preliminary data on the sanitation situation in Africa, which found that 62 per cent of Africans have no access to improved sanitation. They are among an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who have no access to a proper toilet.

To raise awareness about this issue, today in New York, at Columbus Circle, people are lining up to set the worlds record for the longest line for a toilet. The UN Development Programme and UNICEF are organizing this special event.

NEARLY 1 MILLION CENTRAL AFRICANS DONT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER

Nearly one million people in conflict-affected areas of the Central African Republic do not have

access to clean water. In parts of the countrys northeast, only one percent of the population has potable water.

In response, UNICEF is leading a water alliance of experts from 14 aid organizations. They will coordinate the repair and drilling of wells and boreholes, as well as the provision of water pumps.

The initiative is one of ten projects designed by UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to improve access to clean water and sanitary facilities across northern CAR this year. Only three projects have received funding to date, however. Any further delays could put them in jeopardy, because they must be carried out during the dry season, which usually ends in April.

UNICEF SENDS SCHOOL-IN-A-BOX KITS TO FLOOD-HIT ZAMBIA

As part of its emergency response to assist flood affected schools in Zambia, UNICEF has sent in 58 school-in-a-box kits containing everything needed supplies and materials for teachers and students whose families have been forced to flee their homes due to severe floods, to resume school.

Each kit contains supplies and learning materials for 100 children from grades 1 to 9, which includes all essential learning materials and equipment as well as supplies for a classroom including paper, pencils, chalkboards, and clocks.

The kits are to be distributed to over 40 community and government schools in flood damaged areas of Southern, Lusaka, and Western Provinces.

U.N. ENVOY REVIEWS LEBANON SITUATION WITH ARAB LEAGUE CHIEF

In response to later questions about Terje Roed-Larsen, the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy dealing with the implementation of resolution 1559, the Spokesperson said Larsen spoke on Wednesday by phone with Amre Moussa, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, to review the relevant aspects of the situation in Lebanon.

Roed-Larsen reiterated to the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States the UNs full support for the Arab League plan for Lebanon. Roed-Larsen commended Moussa for his sustained and energetic efforts in his leading role to resolve the stalemate of the Presidential elections

Roed-Larsen returned to New York on Monday to report to the Secretary-General after visiting several Arab capitals.

KOSOVO: RIOTERS MUST BE BLAMED FOR POLICEMANS DEATH, U.N. MISSION SAYS

Asked about complaints from Ukraines Interior Minister about the circumstances in which a Ukrainian UN police officer died in Kosovo, the Spokeswoman said that Deputy Special Representative Larry Rossin briefed the Ukrainian Minister on Wednesday afternoon for over one hour on the Monday operation and answered all his questions.

Montas said that the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) understands the concerns expressed, but it maintains that the operation was well planned and fully coordinated with KFOR.

According to UNMIK, she said, the blame for the death of the Ukrainian police officer lies solely with the rioters. The rioters used firearms and hand grenades against UN police officers who were just doing their duty.

In response to a question, the Spokeswoman said that she had confirmed on Wednesday that the Secretary-General received a letter on Tuesday from Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

The Secretary-General has taken note of Serbias request to carry out an investigation into the incidents, Montas said, and he is giving consideration to the matter.

Asked about reports that the United States would sell arms to Kosovo, the Spokeswoman said that she had seen media reports but no official information about this has been received.

Asked whether the UN had leaked a proposal submitted by a Serbian minister, she said it had not.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

INDIA TOP RECEIVER OF MIGRANT REMITTANCES IN 2007: The World Bank, in a new report released yesterday, says that India

received the largest amount of remittances from migrants last year, some $27 billion. It was followed, in order, by China, Mexico, the Philippines and France. The World Banks latest factbook on migration and remittances also says that the United States led all countries in receiving migrants in 2005, followed by Russia and Germany.

BAN KI-MOON RECOMMENDS THAT ESCROW MONEY GO TO IRAQ: Available today is a letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council, which recommends that $100 million from the UN Iraq Account can be released and transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq. A note by the Secretary-General provides an update on the Iraq Account and the processing of outstanding letters of credit.

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST PEACEKEEPERS: In response to questions about rape allegations made against three Indian UN peacekeepers who were on leave in South Africa, the Spokeswoman reiterated that the complainant had dropped all charges, and no charges were therefore filed.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

21 March 28 March 2008

Friday, March 21

UN Headquarters and most duty stations are closed for an official holiday (Good Friday).

In Nicosia, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat meet under UN auspices in the citys UN Protected Area.

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as well as the beginning of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

Saturday, March 22

Today is World Water Day.

Sunday, March 23

Today is World Meteorological Day.

Monday, March 24

Today is World Tuberculosis Day.

UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante, begins a five-day official visit to Guatemala aimed at examining issues affecting the human rights of migrants.

Tuesday, March 25

This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a debate on the Middle East.

From 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, the Secretary-General and the General Assembly President take part in an observance of the first annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The guest at the noon briefing is Jorge Sampaio, UN Special Envoy to Stop Tuberculosis and former President of Portugal, who will brief on the Global Tuberculosis Control Report 2008 and the upcoming HIV-TB Global Forum, to be held on 9 June 2008.

At 1.30 p.m. in Room S-226, there will be a press conference moderated by Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, with Harry Belafonte, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF; U.S. Congressman Donald Payne; and Ambassador Christopher Hackett of Barbados, on the occasion of the first annual International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

All day today and tomorrow in Conference Room 4, there will be a special event on The United Nations meets Web 2.0 and ICT EntrepreneursNew media, new entrepreneurs and new ICT opportunities in emerging markets.

Wednesday, March 26

This morning in the Security Council, a briefing, followed by consultations, on Guinea-Bissau is scheduled to take place.

At 10.15 a.m. in Conference Room 8, the Commission on AIDS in Asias report on Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an effective response will be handed over to the Secretary-General. Aat 11 a.m. in S-226, there will be a press conference by Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS; Professor C. Rangarajan, Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of India; and an individual living with HIV.

At 1.15 p.m. in Room S-226, there will be a press conference by Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, on the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008. [Both the press conference and survey are embargoed until 27 March; exact time TBC.]

From 1.15 to 2.30 p.m. in Conference Room 9, there will be a presentation of a toolkit for policymakers and practitioners on Integrating Gender in Security Sector Reform.

At 5.45 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium, there will be a panel discussion on Creating a culture of peace.

Thursday, March 27

This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the U.N. Mission in Nepal.

From 1.30 to 3.00 p.m. on the Concourse Level of the General Assembly Building GA-32, Ellen Sabin, author of The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism, discusses and signs copies of her book.

Friday, March 28

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Conference Room 4, a special event on Making globalization work for the least developed countries: Follow-up to the Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries (Istanbul, 9-11 July 2007) takes place.

At 3.45 p.m. in Room S-226, there will be a press conference by Abdou Diouf, Secretary-General of the International Organization of la Francophonie, following his meeting with the Secretary-General.

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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