 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Monday, 25 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
United Nations Daily Highlights, 96-11-25United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSMonday, 25 November 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
Iraq has said that it agrees with the views of the United Nations Secretariat on the modalities of the implementation of the oil-for-food formula (Security Council resolution 986) and the Memorandum of Understanding, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Sylvana Foa announced today. The Spokesman added that the UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Ghali would submit an interim report on the situation to the Security Council, before the end of November 1996. Meanwhile, the representative of the United States to the UN, Ambassador Madeleine Albright welcomed the new development. She told UN correspondents that the United States was prepared to act positively. Coordinated action by all donors and agencies was required on an immediate basis, in order to work in partnership with the Rwandan Government on the implementation of its strategy for the reintegration of refugees, according to a communique issued in Geneva following informal consultations between major donors, international agencies and Rwandan authorities. The meeting was conducted against the backdrop of dramatic movements of returning refugees to Rwanda, as well as the continuing plights of hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons elsewhere in the region. Calling upon the Governments of the region and all parties involved in the conflict to respect their international obligations to provide humanitarian access to the refugees and internally displaced persons, the participants said they supported the Government of Rwanda in its work to reintegrate the refugees and to promote reconciliation and dialogue between all parties. Participants supported the convening of an international conference under the joint auspices of United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in order to address, within a global approach, the root causes of the conflict and solutions for the future. States must be honest about their human rights situations and be willing to accept constructive criticism from others, such as the Special Rapporteurs on human rights and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, according to the representative of the Marshall Islands. Addressing the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, the representative of the Marshall Islands said there could be no justification for the denial of basic human rights. She said that cultural or historical difference, lack of economic development or any other circumstances could never be used as an excuse to deny individuals the basic precepts of human dignity. Earlier, the Committee approved a draft resolution which would have the General Assembly recommend that the Secretary-General appoint for three years, a Special Representative on the impact of armed conflict on children, and ensure necessary resources for that mandate. The draft resolution also called for action to deal with the sexual exploitation of children and child labour. By the text, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for Human Rights would be encouraged to support the Special Representative and States and other institutions would be called on to make voluntary contributions. The chronic budget deficits experienced by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)continue to hamper continuation of its essential services to the Palestine refugee population, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General, Peter Hansen. He told the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee that if the Agency suffered deficits in the future, services would have to be cut outright. That might be viewed as part of a plan to withdraw the aid agency entirely, he added. The observer for Palestine stated that at a time when the Peace process faced serious setbacks, the living conditions of the Palestinian people had declined to unprecedented low levels, in part because of Israel's closing of the West Bank this year. That closure, he said, had also adversely affected the Agency's ability to function. Acts which adversely affected diplomatic and consular missions must be seen as seeking to harm an essential cornerstone of the international community, the representative of Ghana told the Sixth Committee (Legal), as it considered a report by the Secretary-General on measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives. The representative of Ireland, speaking for the European Union, said the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions was the most vital of the privileges and immunities granted to them, as it helped ensure they could function without hindrance. Welcoming the commitment of the United Nations to enhance its links with the media, broadcasters agreed to support the proclamation of World Television Day, to be observed on 21 November. According to the draft, introduced at the conclusion of the first United Nations World Television Forum in New York, the proposed World Television Day would be marked by global exchanges of television programmes focusing on such issues as peace and security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural exchange. The declaration would call for the UN World Television Forum to become an annual event. The draft calls on the UN, through its Department of Public Information (DPI) to act as a catalyst among communicators, strengthening its partnerships with key media groups, to ensure an outreach by the UN family and reinforcing its links to civil society. In closing remarks, the Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information and Chairman of the Forum, Samir Sanbar, stressed the importance of the forum as the world entered the twenty-first century. He expressed the hope that regular meetings of television broadcasters would be held and that future Forums would include the participation of broadcasting unions. The Governing Body of the International Labour Office, meeting in Geneva from 7 to 21 November has called on the Government of Nigeria to allow an ILO mission to visit that country. Acting at the request of the Workers' Group supported by several Governments, the Governing Body decided to make a pressing appeal to the Government of Nigeria, to authorise an ILO mission to examine questions related to past complaints and to visit without impediment, trade unionists held in detention in that country. 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 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.