United Nations Daily Highlights, 08-07-24

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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, July 24, 2008

BAN KI-MOON TO APPOINT NAVANETHEM PILLAY AS NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

The Secretary-General, following consultations with the President of the General Assembly and the Chairmen of the five regional groups of Member States, informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Ms. Navanethem Pillay of South Africa as the new UN

High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms. Pillay will replace Ms. Louise Arbour.

The Secretary-General is grateful for Ms. Arbours dedicated service to the UN and to human rights. He praises her untiring dedication and principled stewardship of the Organizations human rights programme.

Judge Pillays nomination is made at the end of an extensive selection process, which included consultations with Member States and with the broad-based NGO community.

The Secretary-General is committed to ensure that human rights remain high on the agenda of the Organization. He expects that the new High Commissioner will preserve the independence of her Office and will maintain effective working relations with the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. The Secretary-General is determined to fully support Ms. Pillay in carrying out her work, including with increased resources, as approved by the General Assembly.

Judge Pillay has outstanding credentials in human rights and justice. Since 2003, she has served as Judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC). In 1999 she as elected Judge President of the UN International Criminal Court Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which she joined in 1995.

BAN KI-MOON DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT PROPOSED ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN WEST BANK

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the announcement today of the initial approval by the Ministry of Defense of 20 residential units in the Israeli military post of Maskiyot in the West Bank. The Secretary-General has stressed many times before that settlement construction or expansion is contrary to international law and Israel's commitments under the Road Map and the Annapolis process. The Secretary-General urges Israel to heed the call of the Quartet to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001.

UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF GAZA RESIDENTS LIVING BELOW POVERTY LINE

The number of households in Gaza below the poverty line has reached an unprecedented high of nearly 52 per cent, according to a new

report by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

By contrast, household poverty levels in the West Bank fell to just over 19 per cent -- most likely due to the lifting of the international embargo on the Palestinian Authority.

The report adds that Israeli-imposed movement restrictions in the occupied Palestinian territory are the main barrier to economic recovery and development.

The Spokeswoman, in response to a question, reiterated that the Secretary-General has repeatedly called for increased access for the Palestinian population to goods and services. She noted that some crossing points have been opened, while others continue to face restrictions and closures.

MORE THAN 100 EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS ARRIVE IN DARFUR, WITH MORE TO COME

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

reports that 126 members of the Egyptian Engineering contingent began arriving in Darfur from Cairo today. They are joining 83 personnel already deployed in El Fasher as part of the advance team.

UNAMID is expecting to receive another 126 Egyptians in the next few days, so that the companys full strength will be 335 personnel.

The Egyptian Engineering Company has already been assigned the construction and maintenance of El Fasher airport. Upon completion, the project will have the greatest impact on the Missions deployment and on logistical and tactical support.

The Egyptian company is composed of an engineering platoon (de-mining), a construction platoon, an explosive ordinance disposal squadron, a special force squadron for protection, a road platoon capable of constructing four km of road per week, and a water desalination platoon capable of producing two cubic meters of pure water per hour.

UNAMID also reports today that the security situation has remained calm.

RWANDAN PEACEKEEPERS COMMENDED FOR WORK IN DARFUR MISSION

Asked about an indictment made against Gen. Karenzi Karake, the Deputy Force Commander of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Spokeswoman said she was aware of the indictment by the Spanish court, and it is a serious matter.

She recalled that the United Nations looked into these allegations during the appointment process and, at the time, the African Union and the United Nations decided to proceed with the appointment, since we did not want to change his candidacy on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations. However, Montas said, if any more information were to come to light, we would certainly review this case.

Since then, she noted, General Karenzi has played an exemplary role as the mission's Deputy Force Commander, and Rwandan forces make up the backbone of UNAMID's forces. The Rwandan contingent continues to play a strong role on the ground, even after it suffered five casualties during the 8 July attack.

Asked about communications received from Rwanda, Montas confirmed that the United Nations had received a note verbale from the Rwandan Mission to the United Nations.

MYANMARS GROUP OF FRIENDS SUPPORTS PLANNED VISIT BY SECRETARY-GENERALS ENVOY

The Secretary-General

convened on Wednesday afternoon a meeting of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar to discuss the upcoming visit of his Special Advisor, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, to the country.

The Group expressed strong support for the Secretary-Generals good offices efforts. Members of the Group also noted their expectations that Mr. Gambaris next visit would need to yield tangible progress on the issues of concern to the international community, particularly with regard to the resumption of dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Government, the credibility of the electoral process, and the regularization of engagement with the good offices of the Secretary-General.

MYANMAR: RELIEF COORDINATOR PRAISES PROGRESS IN POST-CYCLONE RELIEF AND RECOVERY

On his final day of a three-day mission in Myanmar, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, praised the significant progress of relief and recovery in the aftermath of

Cyclone Nargis, since his last visit two months ago.

Highlighting that access for relief workers in affected areas has been much improved, Holmes said that nearly everyone has been reached with some kind of assistance. He added however, that although people in some areas are beginning to resume regular activities, relief operations still have a long way to go, particularly in getting consistent help to remote villages in the southern part of the Delta.

Holmes calls on the Government of Myanmar to maintain progress in its flexible approach and cooperation.

He also strongly urges international donors to support generously through the Appeal, as the real needs are there and backed by the Post-Nargis Assessment report.

The US$1 billion in needs identified in the report is for relief as well as long-term recovery and development for the next 3 years.

Asked about comments attributed to Holmes on problems with the foreign exchange rate in Myanmar, the Spokeswoman said that Holmes has acknowledged that this is a serious issue. She said that there are losses implicit in the gap between the street rate and the official Foreign Exchange Certificate rate. Aid agencies and donors alike are concerned about this because fewer services can be purchased, Montas said.

The issue was raised by Holmes at a meeting with the Myanmar Government. They understood the problem and they will find a way to resolve it, though no further details have been given by the government at this time.

She added that any international agency must abide by the foreign exchange rules and regulations of a sovereign country.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES COTE DIVOIRE, MYANMAR

The

Security Council this morning is holding consultations to discuss the work of the

UN Mission in Cote dIvoire. They received a briefing from the Secretary-Generals Special Representative, Yong-jin Choi.

Then, at 3:00 this afternoon, the Council will hold consultations on Myanmar, with the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari, attending.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Council received an update on the work of the

UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean Marie Guéhenno, who will be the noon briefing guest next Tuesday.

UNDP SUPPORTS CREATION OF SOMALI FEMALE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) has supported the establishment of the countrys first association of female lawyers.

The Womens Lawyers Association in Somaliland has five members; they will soon be joined by 17 more women, who are set to graduate from the University of Hargeisas law faculty in September. UNDP has provided grants to help them attend the school. Until last year, there was only one practicing female lawyer in all of Somaliland.

UNDP also helped establish, and continues to provide support to, the Womens and Childrens Unit at the Hargeisa legal aid clinic, which provides free legal services.

KOSOVO JOURNALIST IS FINED FOR CONTEMPT OF U.N TRIBUNAL

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has

convicted Kosovo journalist Baton Haxhiu of contempt of Tribunal and fined him 7,000 Euros. This relates to the journalists revelation of information about a witness who testified under protective measures at the trial of former Kosovo leader Ramush Haradinaj. The Prosecution had sought a fine of 15,000 Euros.

Tribunal judges say the journalist revealed the information in a news article published in Kosovo while fully aware that he would be in violation of a court order. Two other Kosovo journalists are awaiting trial for similar offenses.

OUTSTANDING ANNOUNCEMENTS

OUTGOING U.N. LEGAL ADVISOR TO HOLD FINAL PRESS BRIEFING FRIDAY: The guest at the noon briefing on Friday will be UN Legal Counsel, Nicolas Michel. It will be his last press conference in his capacity as head of the Office of Legal Affairs, and he will speak about peace and justice issues.

U.N. DRUG OFFICE CLOSELY MONITORS AFGHANISTAN OPIUM TRADE: Asked about a media report accusing Afghan authorities of insufficient action against drug traffickers, the Spokeswoman noted that the

UN Office on Drugs and Crime has issued several reports on the opium trade in Afghanistan.

LETTER RECEIVED FROM FRENTE POLISARIO: Asked whether the Secretary-General has recently received a letter from the Frente Polisario, the Spokeswoman confirmed that the letter has been received.

LEBANON COORDINATOR WENT HOME FOR PERSONAL REASONS: Asked why Johan Verbeke, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, has not been visible enough on the ground, the Spokeswoman acknowledged that Verbeke, while remaining on the job, had to go back home for personal reasons.