United Nations Daily Highlights, 08-07-22

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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

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

BAN KI-MOON COMMENDS KARADZIC ARREST AS DECISIVE STEP TOWARD ENDING IMPUNITY

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was

heartened yesterday by the arrest of Radovan Karadzic, former President of the Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Secretary-General commends the Serbian authorities for this decisive step toward ending impunity for those indicted for serious violations of international humanitarian law during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

This is a historic moment for the victims, who have waited thirteen years for Mr. Karadzic to be brought to justice.

This important and timely arrest will enable the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to move closer to completing its mandate, and bring justice to the perpetrators and the victims of the serious international crimes committed.

Ending impunity is an essential element for achieving sustainable peace and justice in the region. While this is an important milestone, the work of the International Tribunal will not be complete until all fugitives have been arrested and tried.

Also in a

statement yesterday, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia also welcomed the arrest. Karadzic is charged by the Tribunal with genocide, complicity in genocide, extermination, murder, willful killing, persecutions, deportation, inhumane acts, and other crimes committed against Bosnian Muslim, Bosnian Croat and other non-Serb civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1992-1995 war. The first indictment against him was confirmed in July 1995.

The Tribunal welcomed the arrest, which it called a milestone in discharging its mandate, and said it looks forward to Karadzic's prompt transfer to The Hague to stand trial.

Asked whether the Secretary-General would call Serbian President Boris Tadic following the arrest, the Spokeswoman noted that the matter is no longer one for his intervention; rather, she said, Karadzics status, including his possible extradition, are to be dealt with between the Tribunal and the Government of Serbia. The Tribunal, she added, is an independent body.

UNITED NATIONS IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORT MEDIATION EFFORTS FOR ZIMBABWE

The Secretary-General

welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties in Zimbabwe, which provides a framework for formal talks to end the political crisis in the country. The Secretary-General commends the efforts of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and his mediation team in facilitating the signing of this agreement.

The United Nations is committed to support these mediation efforts through its participation in the recently-formed Reference Group.

The Secretary-General encourages all sides to engage, in good faith, in serious talks that would lead to a lasting solution to the political crisis and address the urgent economic and humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people. The Secretary-General also urges the enabling of humanitarian operations in order to allow the provision of assistance to those in dire need.

BAN KI-MOON CALLS FOR RESTRAINT BY CAMBODIA AND THAILAND ON BORDER ISSUE

The Secretary-General is closely

following the situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border near the Preah Vihear Temple. He is concerned about the current escalation of tensions between the two countries, including the buildup of troops.

The Secretary-General calls for restraint on both sides and hopes that this matter can be resolved peacefully and by diplomatic means in the context of the excellent relations that traditionally exist between the two countries.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES FIRST PRESIDENT OF NEPAL

The Secretary-General warmly

congratulates Dr. Ram Baran Yadav on his election as the first President of the Republic of Nepal.

He calls on all parties to cooperate in forming a new government which will carry forward Nepals peace process.

SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS PERIODIC MEETING ON THE MIDDLE EAST

The Security Council is holding its periodic meeting on the Middle East today.

Briefing Council members this morning, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe highlighted positive developments, including continuing indirect talks between Israel and Syria and the decline in violence in Gaza.

But he also expressed concern that Israeli forces have stepped up their military operations throughout the West Bank. Israeli raids could affect the efforts of Palestinian security forces to operate effectively in areas under their control, he warned.

Pascoe noted that the number of truckloads entering Gaza from Israel, through the Sufa and Karni crossings, increased following the ceasefire, when compared to the previous month.

But the continued lack of many raw materials and the ban on exports rule out any significant economic recovery. In addition, the amount of fuel in Gaza has remained substantially lower than actual needs.

On Lebanon, he said he was particularly heartened by the announcement of a national unity Government. At the same time, however, he expressed concern about security incidents in and around the northern city of Tripoli and their implications for Lebanons stability and security. He also urged Israel to cease its continued air violations, which have been recorded by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

U.N. SECURITY OFFICER ASSAULTED BY SUDANESE MILITARY PERSONNEL

UNAMID (African Union-United Nations operation in Darfur) reported that yesterday afternoon in El Fasher, a UN security officer was assaulted by military personnel of the Government of Sudan, and forced into a military vehicle and taken to the military intelligence office. He has been released and is undergoing treatment at a UNAMID hospital. The security officer had gone to the market to investigate a road accident.

UNAMID also reports that mission police conducted their first helicopter patrols over five camps housing displaced persons in Darfur.

The three-hour test flight on Sunday was part of a UNAMID police initiative to use helicopters as an additional means of transport to reach selected IDP camps as an alternative to long distance road patrols which have proved to be very risky to the unarmed Police Advisors.

Meanwhile, the Joint AU-UN Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada met today with the Governor (Wali) of North Darfur (Mohammed Osman Yousif Kibir) during which the latter reiterated the commitment of his Government to provide security and protection to UNAMID and affirmed his governments full support and cooperation in the facilitation of the full deployment of UNAMID.

The Governor also informed the Special Representative about the visit to Darfur tomorrow by the Sudanese President.

Also tomorrow, 250 Egyptian engineers are expected to arrive in El Fasher, according to UNAMID.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals response to a request from the African Union to call upon the International Criminal Court to suspend its proceedings against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the Spokeswoman reiterated that the Secretary-General does not make that decision. Any such request, she recalled, would need to come from the Security Council.

UNITED STATES UNDER AUGUST DEADLINE TO REPORT ON MEXICAN-NATIONALS ON DEATH ROW

Earlier today, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said that the United States has until 29 August to file its written observations on the request for interpretation submitted to the Court by Mexico regarding the 5 Mexican nationals held on death row in U.S. prisons.

Mexico brought the case against the US charging that its 5 nationals were not allowed Mexican consular services, in violation of international agreements signed by both parties.

The Court had earlier ruled that the US was in breach of its international obligations but some US authorities ignored the ICJ ruling on technical grounds, prompting Mexico to file a request for interpretation.

GABON, EQUATORIAL GUINEA MAKES PROGRESS ON TERRITORIAL DISPUTE

After a meeting organized by the United Nations, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea this morning said in a joint statement that they have made substantial progress toward a referral of their territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice.

Representatives from the two countries came together yesterday and today at the UN Office in Geneva to work on key documents for the planned joint submission to the ICJ. The parties have agreed to meet again on the margins of the General Assembly Debate in New York this September to finalize the documents.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: MYANMAR PROCESS SHOULD BE CREDIBLE AND INCLUSIVE

In response to questions, the Secretary-General takes note of the concerns enumerated in a letter dated 21 July 2008. The Secretary-General has clearly stated that Myanmars process should be a credible and inclusive one. His Special Envoy has also repeatedly stressed this point, including when he met with the representative of the National League for Democracy and others. His Special Envoy intends to further discuss these concerns in his next visit in August, during which he expects to meet with all stakeholders in Myanmar's political process.

Also on Myanmar, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, arrived in Myanmar today for a 3-day visit to assess progress in relief and recovery operations since his visit in late May.

Holmes visited several affected communities in the Ayeyarwady delta this morning and was able to see how agricultural and other activities were picking up during an extensive helicopter tour. He noted the significant progress has been made since his last visit. The focus now, he said, needs to be on reaching the most vulnerable communities in remote areas.

Tomorrow, Holmes will meet the humanitarian community and donors in Yangon. He is set to travel to the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, for consultations with the Government on Thursday.

Asked why fewer aid flights are going into Myanmar, the Spokeswoman stressed that aid deliveries were still continuing, although, now that the emergency phase is over, other options besides air are being used to transport that aid. She noted that maritime operations, among other means, were being used more.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY RESUMES RETURN OF DISPLACED PERSONS OF DR CONGO: Seven months after suspending its work for security reasons, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has resumed the assisted return of displaced persons to their homes in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some 2,500 displaced Congolese will be ferried across Lake Albert back to their homes in the town of Gobu, in the Ituri province. Another UNHCR operation will see in the coming weeks the return of some 7,000 people to the towns of Komanda and Bunia.

WORLD POSTAL UNION TO KICK OFF 24TH UNIVERSAL POSTAL CONGRESS IN GENEVA TOMORROW: The Universal Postal Union (UPU) says that email and the Internet, far from rendering postal services obsolete, have actually complemented them.Speaking to the press today in Switzerland, UPU Director General Edouard Dayan said that, in an era of online commerce, postal services have never played a more key role in commercial trade. Nevertheless, gaps remain between industrialized and developing countries, he noted. Three per cent of the worlds population still does not have access to basic postal services; that number rises as high as 12% in Africa. These and other topics will be taken up tomorrow, when the UPU begins its 24th Universal Postal Congress in Geneva. The Congress, which takes place once every four years, runs through 12 August.

AFGHAN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES A CONCERN: Asked about the recent deaths of civilians in U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General has repeatedly expressed his concern about civilian casualties in that country.

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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