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United Nations Daily Highlights, 97-01-10United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSFriday, 10 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 expressed concern over the increase in tensions in Cyprus, Acting Spokesman for the Secretary- General Fred Eckhard said today. Mr. Annan believes that the events of the past week once again underline the inherent instability of the status quo and add urgency to the concerted efforts to achieve an overall political settlement through negotiations, the Spokesman said. The Secretary-General underscores the importance of carefully prepared, face-to-face talks between the leaders, the Spokesman said adding that Mr. Annan called upon the parties to respond positively to the various ideas the United Nations had put forward to reduce tension and avoid risk of confrontation on the island. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and reminded all sides that the United Nations Charter forbids the threat or use of force in situations such as this, according to the Spokesman. The Security Council, most recently in its resolution 1092 of 23 December 1996, has expressed grave concern about the excessive levels of military forces and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernised, including the introduction of sophisticated weaponry, the Spokesman said. As the Committee on Relations with the Host Country began consideration of an incident involving two New York City police officers and two diplomats from the permanent missions of Belarus and the Russian Federation, speakers called for a thorough investigation of the matter by the host country authorities. Committee Chairman Nicos Agathocleus of Cyprus said that the host country had promised that the Committee would be informed of the status of its investigation of the incident. Addressing the Committee, the representative of the Russian Federation, Sergey V. Lavrov said First Secretary Boris V. Obnossov of his Mission had been beaten by New York police officers and that his arm had been seriously injured, his glasses broken and clothes torn. He pointed out that the incident had taken place despite the fact the diplomat had produced his driver license and diplomatic identity card, adding that the Russian Federation expected explanations and apologies as well as compensation for the injuries the diplomat had suffered. The representative of Belarus, Alyaksandr Sychou said his Government had lodged a formal complaint to the host country authorities. The actions of the two police officers were a flagrant violation of diplomatic immunity and protection, he stated adding that, instead of an objective investigation, groundless charges had been made. The representative of the United States, Victor Marrero stated that a police report of the incident indicated that the police officers were citing a vehicle parked illegally when they were approached by two men yelling and cursing. He pointed out that the Russian Federation diplomat had walked unsteadily, slurred his speech and smelled of alcohol. Mr. Marrero suggested a meeting between the New York Police Department and the Permanent Representatives of the two missions as soon as possible. The first Rwandan war crimes trial today resumed at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, Acting Spokesman for the Secretary-General Fred Eckhard said. The first of 31 prosecution witnesses took the stand, where she was asked detailed questions for four hours, Mr. Eckhard added. According to the Spokesman, the witness gave a full description of what she had witnessed involving the accused, Jean-Paul Akayesu, a Rwandan Hutu and former mayor of the town of Taba. He is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity for inciting the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsi people in his district. There will be a cross-examination of the witness by the defence after a few days of break. With a 23 percent increase in births to teenagers predicted in sub- Saharan Africa during 1995-2020, health experts stress that there is an urgent need for policies and services to meet adolescent reproductive health needs. To this end, more than 300 policy makers, health care providers, researchers, young people, and others from throughout Africa will meet in Addis Ababa 20- 24 January for the African Forum on Adolescent Reproductive Health. Unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and unsafe abortion threaten the health and well-being of youth in the region, according to Belkis Giorgis of the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA). The Forum, titled "Preparing African Youth for the Next Millennium," will adopt guidelines for improving adolescent reproductive health. The Forum is the first to bring together experts and young people from the region in order to identify ways to address critical reproductive health issues. The sponsor is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Africa Division, with CEDPA. France has become a party to the 1970 UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention against illicit traffic in cultural property. "The adoption by France of this important treaty is a great step forward and must encourage other States to have a fresh look at its provisions," said UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor on presentation of the instruments of acceptance of the Convention by Francoise de Panafieu, France's Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Ambassador de Panafieu highlighted the importance of the UNESCO Convention in preserving cultural heritage for future generations and pledged France's commitment to encourage other European nations to join it. The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property 1970 signed in Paris on 14 November 1970 is the first and most important international legal instrument to combat theft, clandestine excavation and illegal export of cultural property. 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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