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United Nations Daily Highlights 96-03-27United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSWednesday, 27 March 1996This document is prepared by the Central News Section of the Department of Public Information and is updated every week-day at approximately 6:00 PM. HEADLINES
The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that brought into force a mechanism to monitor sales or supplies to Iraq of dual-use items which could be used for the production or acquisition of banned weapons. The implementation of the mechanism --developed by the Sanctions Committee, the Special Commission and the Director General of the International Atomic and Energy Agency (IAEA)-- is part of the terms of the cease-fire arrangements arising from the Gulf War. The cease-fire resolution also calls for the Special Commission and the IAEA to monitor Iraq's compliance with its obligation not to reacquire banned capabilities. Iraq is banned from having nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as well as long-range ballistic missiles. The mechanism will be run by a joint unit set up in New York with experts from the Special Commission and the IAEA. Under the mechanism adopted, Iraq as well as the supplier States, will have to notify the joint unit of planned supplies of dual use. Also under the resolution, Iraq will be required to make detailed declarations about its intention to import a dual-use item before import occurs. On the other hand, the Government of the supplier company will have to notify the joint unit the intention to supply such items prior to export. In addition, the supplying Government will be required to provide details confirming the export of the item to Iraq once it takes place. Notifications by Iraq are to begin sixty days from the adoption of the resolution. States other than Iraq will need to provide notification at a date to be decided following consultations with members of the Security Council. On the fourth day of his five-day mission to China, Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali emphasized that no effort at reforming the United Nations can succeed as long as the primary concern of the Organization was mere survival. At a gathering organized by the United Nations Association of China, the Secretary-General outlined the various reforms he had undertaken since the beginning of his term. Attention was given to the UN's "largely effective" mechanism for keeping peace through consent and cooperation of the parties; impartiality of the peace-keeping forces; and non-use of force except in self-defence. He also cited the pioneering work of UN personnel in "micro-disarmament", the collection and disposal of small arms responsible for most of the deaths in today's conflicts. Mention of the dangerous task of mine clearance undertaken around the world by UN staff was also made. The Secretary-General told some 200 Chinese academics and representatives of UN agencies working in China, that the UN was a "unique instrument" in service of Member States. He drew attention to the UN's set of mechanisms for preventing conflict such as preventive diplomacy which can ease tensions and resolve problems before they erupt in war. Dr. Boutros-Ghali also met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Al- Sahaf, also visiting China. They held a constructive discussion on the status of the current negotiations on the implementation of the oil-for-food formula. There is substantial deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Tajikistan, particularly in the areas affected by the continued military confrontation, according to Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. In a report on the situation in Tajikistan, the Secretary-General said that over 600,000 people are at present in need of emergency food assistance. Their plight is compounded by severe energy shortages and a rapid increase of health related problems. The Secretary-General appealed for more donor support to respond to the situation. The Secretary-General also expressed serious concern about the continued violations of the cease-fire by both sides, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Tajik Opposition. He appealed to the leadership of the opposition to consider positively the proposal of the Government regarding the extension of the cease-fire agreement for the whole duration of the inter-Tajik negotiations. Also according to the report, the Special Envoy for Tajikistan, Piriz- Ballon will no longer perform such functions since he has assumed a post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay. The UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva, has called for an end to human rights violations in Burundi, a renewal of dialogue between warring parties, and the strengthening of human rights activities by the Government, the United Nations and the international community. The adopted resolution, submitted by Gabon on behalf of the Group of African States, followed a report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on human rights in Burundi, Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, citing a "serious deterioration" of the human rights situation in Burundi, and urging both the international community and the Government to initiate a series of measures to stop what he called "genocide by attrition." Jose Ayala Lasso, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Burundi was at a crossroads: one path perpetuated confrontation, feeding fear and the struggle for power, while another led to dialogue. Political dialogue was essential to break the deadlock of confrontation. Mr. Ayala Lasso said he hoped for an increase in the number of human rights observers from 5 to 35 this year. He also said two messages had emerged from the special segment: vigilance and hope. In a separate statement during a high-level Panel Discussion involving senior representatives of the Commission and the Government of Burundi, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter appealed via an audio link-up for renewed coordination of international efforts in behalf of Burundi, and urged the dispatch of additional human rights monitors to the country. The resolution urges the strengthening of the technical assistance programme established by the High Commissioner and the Centre for Human Rights in September 1994, as well as the strengthening of the Office of the Centre in Bujumbura. It urges the High Commissioner, in cooperation with the Government of Burundi, to increase the number of human rights observers deployed throughout Burundi to monitor human rights and prevent violations. It also urges States and international, governmental and non- governmental organizations to cooperate on initiatives to bring about Burundi's recovery and end violence. The cost of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) should not exceed $44,013,600 million for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, according to a report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). It also states that the amount of $23,519, 000 gross ($21,489,100 net) is to be assessed at the monthly rate of $1,959, 917 gross ($1,790,758 net), subject to the extension of the Force by the Security Council. A "Partnership for People in Cities" initiative has been launched in the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Deputy Mayors of a number of European cities as well as representatives of local authorities met, under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UN\ECE), to forge a common approach to their problems such as pollution, violence, drugs and housing. The meeting of mayors, the first of its kind, will encourage partnership in the development and implementation of new human settlements strategies. It is mainly expected to help cities with great concentration of people. The United Nations Population Division has announced the publication of an updated global population policy database entitled Global Population Policy Database, 1995 (GRIPP:1995). The biennial publication describes the GRIPP database, which contains information drawn from the Population Policy Data Bank maintained by the Population Division of the UN Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis (DESIPA). The policy topics covered in the publication include population growth, mortality, fertility, internal migration, immigration and emigration. For information purposes only - - not an official record From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgUnited Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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