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United Nations Daily Highlights, 97-01-06United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSMonday, 6 January 1997This 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
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has announced new procedures designed to empower the heads of substantive departments of the Secretariat. According to a memorandum released today, it is his intention that those Departments will assume enhanced responsibilities and authority for their functional areas, ensuring that he is appropriately consulted and kept fully informed. The primary responsibilities of the Heads of Department would entail advising the Secretary-General on the formulation of relevant policies to be implemented under his guidance, Mr. Annan stated. He added that, while co-ordination between Departments must be a continuous process, there will be meetings of Heads of Department, which he intends to chair at least every other week. According to the procedures, Heads of Department are welcome to personally discuss or review with the Secretary-General issues or developments of importance whenever they consider this essential. In regard to meetings with high level representatives, Mr. Annan stated that the Executive Office of the Secretary-General will notify the Head of the Department within whose areas of responsibility the meeting falls and normally request him or her to participate in the meeting along with a note- taker. The lead Department will be responsible for providing the Secretary- General with a briefing note not to exceed 2 pages, at least two days prior to the meeting. Heads of Department will inform the Secretary- General selectively about the meetings they or other officials in their Departments hold with high level representatives, which raise issues of policy or other matters requiring the attention of the Secretary- General. A military aircraft bombed and rocketed targets in Kabul City yesterday 5 January, the Acting Spokesman for the Secretary-General Fred Eckhard said. During that attack, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) office was hit. As a result, a national WHO staff member was injured, and the office building and two vehicles were badly damaged, as were supplies of medical stores destined for the community, the Spokesman added. A woman and three children are reported killed, and a large number of persons have been injured, according to Mr. Eckhard. A total of 6,222 troops have been demobilised in Liberia, including 1,828 child soldiers and 24 women, according to Acting Spokesman for the Secretary-General Fred Eckhard. He said the pace of demobilisation continues to be disappointingly slow. A draft report on electoral assistance to Liberia is expected to be released at the end of this week, he added. A symposium entitled "Francois Mitterrand - Peace and Development - Tributes" will be held at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on 9 and 10 January to mark the first anniversary of the death of the former President of the French Republic. The symposium, under the patronage of French President Jacques Chirac, is organised by UNESCO and the Institut Francois Mitterrand. At the meeting, leading personalities from different parts of the world will offer personal tributes to the late President's contribution to peace and development. Those expected for the closing session include Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba; Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority; Mario Soares, former President of the Portuguese Republic; Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN Secretary-General; and Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister of Israel. A $5.7 million initiative by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) will promote agrarian reform in the Philippines and assist some 79 farming communities with agricultural extension services and with increasing productivity and access to markets. The action will also support development work in indigenous communities and help the government target donor resources toward social services for the poor. A poverty-monitoring system will be set up to provide nationwide data on incomes and living standards. 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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