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United Nations Daily Highlights 96-09-17United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSTuesday, September 17, 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
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has urged the international community to continue to promote a culture of peace. In a statement on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the Secretary-General said peace is "our common dream", adding that it is the goal of our daily labours here at the United Nations. The Secretary-General said while substantial progress has been achieved, peace remains far too remote for too many people. "We must never forget that peace is much more than the absence of conflict. We must show solidarity with those who are suffering or deprived. And we must be willing, in the face of inevitable obstacles and setbacks, to take risks for peace. The future well-being of humanity demands nothing less", the Secretary-General stated. The International Day of Peace is observed each year on the third Tuesday of September. Its observance coincides with the opening of the regular session of the General Assembly in New York. The General Assembly today began its 51st session. Ambassador Razali Ismail of Malaysia was elected President of the 51st session of General Assembly. In his statement, he expressed his appreciation at the confidence placed upon him, and he extended it to former president of the General Assembly, Diogo Freitas do Amaral of Portugal. He also said he was confident that with hard work, dedication and commitment, efforts will be rewarded with results that benefit humankind. The new president said in his statement that the United Nations as an organisation faces a financial crisis that threatens to cripple it. He added that the United Nations not only has to grapple with systematic problems, but faces even greater difficulties when its role and abilities are examined against the backdrop of global events and emerging trends. "This 51st General Assembly will be involved in selecting a Secretary- General. I am confident that the Assembly, representing the larger membership in cooperation with the Security Council, will play a constructive role and with wisdom and impartiality, determine a course of action that will protect and enhance the integrity of the institution of the United Nations," Assembly President said. Earlier, the General Assembly ended its 50th session. Former President of the General Assembly Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral of Portugal closing the 50th General Assembly session, wrapped up saying that he wished this General Assembly every success in its 51st session and conveyed to its president his best wishes. Freitas do Amaral told United Nations correspondents that the 50th anniversary commemorative session during which heads of State or heads of government committed themselves and their peoples to the United Nations and its ideals was a remarkable occasion. He also highlighted last week's adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, describing it as "a very important moment". Another important event, he pointed out, was the progress of the working groups on the reform of the United Nations. "On the whole, I think we have progressed a lot; delegations have engaged in very clear and hard work about reform. We have gained momentum for reform. The only thing I hope is that momentum will not be lost during the fifty-first session, so that we can conclude the effort that has been made during this year," he added. The General Assembly has extended the mandates of its working groups on the financial situation of the United Nations, the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council, an agenda for development and on the strengthening of the United Nations system. It deferred the consideration of other items such as the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the questions of Cyprus and the Comorian island of Mayotte, and the report of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Before the Assembly's decision that the high-level open-ended working group on the financial situation of the United Nations should continue its work, the representative of Ireland, Ambassador Michael Hoey, speaking on behalf of the European Union expressed regret that after almost two years of work, it has still not proved possible for the working group to agree upon any concrete measures for ameliorating the financial situation of the United Nations. He said that the failure to achieve any substantial progress during the 50th session is disappointing. "At the same time, the European Union is encouraged by the exchange of ideas and presentation of proposals on behalf of the vast majority of Member States which characterised the work of the high-level group during the 50th session. The European Union believes that considerable common ground is now evident on many of the key issues confronting the Group. In our view the stage has now been set for a productive and indeed decisive stage of the high-level group's work with member States working to reach agreement on those key elements which must form the basis for a comprehensive financial reform," the representative of Ireland added. Speaking on an agenda for development, the representative of Costa Rica Ambassador Fernando Berrocal-Soto, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, urged the developed countries to adopt a more open, flexible and collaborative approach, vis-a-vis the concerns and aspirations of developing countries. He added that the developing countries cannot imagine the United Nations without an agenda for development. The ninth round of talks on the Question of East Timor will take place in New York on 21 December, according to UN Spokesman Sylvana Foa. In the meantime, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General Ismat Kittani will lead discussions in New York between the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of the governments of Indonesia and Portugal. In his progress report on the Question of East Timor, Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said that as part of these efforts, he continues to consult with East Timorese personalities of various persuasions, the Spokesman said. "The Secretary-General says given the continued desire of the Governments of Indonesia and Portugal to find a negotiated settlement of the problem, I am confident that the talks being held under my auspices will lead to the achievement of a workable, long-term solution, which he says, is a task that is not easy," the UN Spokesman for the Secretary- General said. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has learned with deep concern about the accusations made by the Government of Zaire against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Spokesman for the Secretary- General said. The Government of Zaire accused the UNHCR of providing logistical support to armed groups infiltrating the country from Rwanda and Burundi with the deliberate intention of destabilizing it, according to Spokesman for the Secretary-General Sylvana Foa. Accusations carried on local television in Zaire have caused serious security problems for United Nations personnel working in the region. She added that the Secretary-General categorically rejects these allegations as completely unfounded and urges the Government of Zaire to take steps to clarify the situation. Members of the World Solar Commission of 15 Heads of State and Government have unanimously endorsed the draft Harare Declaration on Solar Energy and Development. The draft is expected to be officially adopted by leaders and delegates from more than 80 countries at the close of the World Solar Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). "The issues that are contained in the draft declaration are of critical concern to us all, not least among them is the need for the full involvement of all sectors of the economy in the development and utilisation of solar energy," said President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, the chairman of the UNESCO-created commission. UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor said the process should not be seen as a UNESCO programme but a programme of the international community as a whole, to be executed by a variety of actors. UNESCO Director-General spoke not only of the environmental benefits of renewable energy, but also its potential value in promoting a culture of peace and in improving health, education and quality of life in rural and remote areas. 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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