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United Nations Daily Highlights 96-07-24United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSWednesday, July 24, 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 has expressed grave concern at recent information on political developments in Burundi. In a statement issued by its President, Ambassador Alain Dejammet of France, the Council strongly condemned any attempt to overthrow the present legitimate Government by force or coup d'etat. Taking note of the letter from the Secretary-General urging the Council to respond to the situation in Burundi, the Security Council condemned the massacres of civilians including that of more than 300 women, children and elderly men in Bugandana commune in Gitega province. The Council stressed its full support for the efforts of former President Nyerere including the agreements of the Arusha regional Summit, and welcomed the full support of the Organisation Of African Unity (OAU) for those agreements. It emphasized the importance of the continued cooperation of the United Nations with the OAU, the European Union and other interested countries and organisations in coordination with former President Nyerere, aimed at achieving a comprehensive political dialogue. Underlining its commitment to follow events in Burundi closely, the Council reminded all Burundian parties of their responsibilities for restoring peace and stability in that country. The Council noted that it would consider the adoption of further measures should the parties fail to demonstrate the necessary political will for a peaceful solution to the crises. The international community should not accept another coup in Burundi and should make it clear that it will oppose any regime that comes to power as a result of such a coup, former Tanzanian President told UN Secretary- General Boutros-Ghali. Presently leading the peace efforts in the Great Lakes Region, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere told Dr Boutros-Ghali that he would call for international action to be taken and sanctions to be applied against Burundi. Calling for an emergency Summit on the deteriorating situation in Burundi, Mwalimu Nyerere said he is advising leaders in the region and asking them to meet immediately to take a position on the situation in Burundi. The UN Secretary-General has recommended a six month extension of the mandate of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 January 1997, also recommending that UNIFIL be kept at its present strength, UN Spokesman Sylvana Foa announced today. In a report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General said it is a matter of regret that the UN once again has cause to call on the parties concerned to respect the non-combatant status of civilians and UN peace keepers. Underscoring lack of cooperation, Dr Boutros-Ghali says despite the Security Council's call on the parties to cooperate fully with UNIFIL for the full implementation of its mandate, such cooperation has not been forth- coming and there has been no active political pressure on the parties to implement the Council's resolutions. "This leaves UNIFIL in the same difficult and dangerous situation in which it has been since the Israeli forces withdrew to the present lines in 1985. When either party is bent on confrontation, UNIFIL as a peace keeping force is powerless. Under the circumstance UNIFIL has done everything to limit violence and protect the civilian population," the Secretary-General said. More Member States have paid their regular budget assessments to date compared to the same period last year. Addressing the media following a meeting with the Security Council, Under- Secretary- General for Administration and Management, Joseph E. Connor said 80 Member States have met their Treaty obligations compared to 57 member states during the same period last year. Outstanding and unpaid assessed contributions to the regular budget, according to Mr Connor, amounts to $830 million of which 74% is owed by the United States. Outlining the financial position of the UN, Connor said the organisation is at a zero balance relative to regular budget cash. "The situation will prevail until the end of the year...the Organisation has had to borrow from peace-keeping funds to meet its regular budget cash needs," Connor said. He noted that as of 15 July, the United Nations was owed a total of $2.9 billion, including $1.1 billion for peace- keeping. A key element for the effective implementation of the decisions and commitments reached at UN conferences is the urgent mobilization and more effective use of resources for development, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali today told the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UN Spokesman Sylvana Foa said today. Dr. Boutros-Ghali stated that a historic opportunity has arisen for political mobilization in support of international cooperation for development based on genuine partnership, mutuality of interests and benefits among all countries. He noted that modern trends such as globalization engendered "an increasing number of problems" that require international cooperation. The development record showed both progress and setbacks and while several developing countries had become dynamic partners in the international economy, "some 100 countries, with a population of over 1.5 billion, have experienced a total failure of growth since 1980", he added. The Secretary-General noted that the United Nations was the only international organization uniquely positioned to undertake a leading role in formulated policies that will ensure peace-building and a continuity between peace- keeping, emergency assistance and development. He pointed out that "it is the collective responsibility of the international community to ensure that the United Nations system is equipped to show leadership in the pursuit of development". The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has today ended the largest repatriation and reintegration programme in African history, according to UN Spokesman Sylvana Foa. More than 1,500 projects were turned over to the government of Mozambique for incorporation into the country's long-term development plans, she added. Sergio Vieira de Mello, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner, handed over projects worth $80 million in ceremonies attended by Mozambique's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Leonardo Simeo and representatives of UN Agencies and non-governmental organizations. Vieira de Mello praised the generosity of the governments and peoples of neighbouring countries for their hospitality towards the more than 1.7 million Mozambican refugees who sought asylum in those countries. He also congratulated Mozambique for the peace and stability it has achieved so far and urged Mozambicans to continue to strive for development. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has approved the disbursement, by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, of $2.5 million to assist torture victims, through 96 projects around the world. The Fund, established by the General Assembly in 1981, aims at providing torture victims and their families with medical, psychological, social, legal and economic aid. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has recommended that the General Assembly adopt a United Nations declaration on crime and public security, by the terms of one of 19 texts acted upon by the Council on Tuesday, without a vote. The Council was considering the recommendation of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, respectively. By the draft declaration, States would pledge a range of crime control measures aimed at, among others, protecting all persons within their jurisdictions and securing their borders against smuggling and money laundering. The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission is to receive $100 million a month under the terms of Security Council Resolution 986 (1995). The sum should equip the Commission's Fund for the implementation of the "oil-for-food" resolution, specifically, paying out approved claims. To date, 2.6 million claims have been submitted to the Commission, at an asserted value of over $200 billion. 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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