United Nations Daily Highlights 96-09-25

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, September 25, 1996

HEADLINES

• The prosecution of war criminals, expansion of international trade and the increasing problem of drugs dominate General Assembly debate as States continue to highlight critical issues affecting the world.
• UN Secretary-General meets with President of Guatemala; tells him he has helped to create a climate in which UN efforts can prosper.
• UN Secretary-General receives Inter-Press Service News Agency 1996 International Achievement Award.
• Head of UN Special Mission to Afghanistan urges all factions involved in conflicts in Afghanistan to observe immediate ceasefire.
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledges need to prevent human rights violations against persons living with HIV/AIDS.

He told the General Assembly that war criminals for whom arrest warrants have been issued, deserve to be brought before the international tribunal in The Hague. Mr. Kinkel stressed that "there is a core of human rights which are common to us all and which are universally valid."

Echoing the views expressed by Germany, the President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic told the Assembly that when the issue of war crimes, like the ones committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, comes into question, every compromise was a shameful betrayal of justice. Stating that the main war criminals are still free, Mr. Izetbegovic said unpunished war criminals would continue to poison the world and ruin its institutions.

He said that the future government of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be constituted as a maximally representative government composed of all the relevant political factors in conformity with the results of the elections, while including the opposition from both sides.

The Assembly heard that vigorous expansion of international trade and investment, and rapid advance of science and technology have brought about closer economic ties between countries and regions. The Vice- Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Qian Qichen told the Assembly that those and other changes in the world scene have widened the prospects of international cooperation, thus accelerating the process of economic globalisation.

On the issue of Taiwan, Mr. Qian said there was but one China in the world, and Taiwan was an inalienable part of the sacred territory of China. "Peaceful reunification and one country, two systems, this is our unswerving guideline for settlement of the Taiwan question", Mr. Qian stated.

Highlighting the increasing problem of drugs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Herve De Charette told the Assembly that his country strongly supported the proposal to convene a special session of the General Assembly devoted to drugs in 1998. He noted that drugs are a formidable threat today because of the ravages they inflict on young people. "The producer and consumer countries must recognise their shared responsibility, " the Foreign Minister said.

Addressing the question of unilateralism within the domain of international trade, Mr. de Charette stressed that France and Europe did not accept that one country, even if it was the most powerful, was trying to regulate world trade by itself by means of decisions that have extra- territorial scope. "The World Trade Organisation (WTO) does not allow it, and no one should doubt the firmness of French and European reactions were such measures actually to be implemented," he said.

Dwelling on the issue of external debt, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Alfred B. Nzo said closer attention should be given to the need to address the external debt burden of the least developed countries, especially in Africa. Underscoring his country's concern at marginalisation, Mr. Nzo said problems associated with the debt burden and its servicing still persist and frustrate the rate at which Africa could extricate itself from the vicious cycle of poverty.

They discussed the role that the United Nations will play in helping the parties implement their agreement, the Spokesman for the Secretary- General stated. The Secretary-General assured President ArzŁ that UN work will be divided amongst all the different programmes, funds and agencies of the system.

"I am therefore once again urgently appealing to all the factions involved in the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan to observe immediate ceasefire, refrain from further use of military force to resolve their problems, and to begin earnestly and seriously negotiations for a lasting political settlement and peace in their country. My message is: Spare the lives of the innocent civilians who have already suffered enough from years of useless bloodshed," he indicated.

Dr. Holl also stated that he should also like to urge those countries with influence in Afghanistan to persuade the warring parties to abandon the course of war and cooperate with the United Nations in a genuine search for a sustainable resolution of the Afghan tragedy.

"You have succeeded, in the guidelines, in formulating a solid foundation of governing principles, based on universally recognized international human rights standards, which provide the framework for twelve practical strategies to be implemented by States in close cooperation with all sectors of society as a comprehensive rights-based response to the problem, " he said addressing the Consultation.

Mr. Ayala Lasso indicated that he was firmly committed to integrating HIV/AIDS-related issues throughout the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights/Centre for Human Rights. He noted as well the recommendation of the Consultation that the Commission established a thematic special rapporteur on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, and said he intended to raise funds for the restructuring and the activities of the HCHR/CHR, which include activities to coordinate HIV/AIDS-related issues within the United Nations human rights system.

From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

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