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United Nations Daily Highlights, 97-07-30United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.orgDAILY HIGHLIGHTSWednesday, 30 July 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
The Security Council on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the establishment of the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH) with a mandate limited to a single four-month period, ending on 30 November 1997. Comprising some 250 civilian police and 50 military personnel who would form the headquarters of a security element, the Transition Mission would be charged with assisting the Government of Haiti by supporting and contributing to the professionalization of the Haitian National Police. In a unanimous resolution, the Council recognized that economic rehabilitation and reconstruction constituted the major task facing the Haitian Government and people and that significant international assistance was indispensable for sustainable development in Haiti. It stressed the commitment of the international community to a long- term programme of support for Haiti. The Council requested all States to make voluntary contributions to the trust fund established through an earlier Council resolution for the Haitian National Police, in particular for the recruitment and deployment of police advisers to assist the Haitian National Police. Welcoming the successful holding of recent elections in Liberia, the Security Council on Wednesday called on all parties in the country to abide by the results of the elections and to cooperate in the formation of a new government. The Council also called on the new government to protect the democratic system and to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms under the rule of law. In a Presidential statement read out by Council President Ambassador Peter Osvald of Sweden, the Council congratulated the people of Liberia on the courage and determination they had shown in proceeding with the elections under difficult circumstances. The Council welcomed the goodwill and cooperation demonstrated by the parties in the electoral process and expressed the hope that the successful holding of elections would encourage refugees to exercise their right of return. It called on the new government to fulfil its obligations under international law regarding returning refugees. Noting that the successful holding of elections represented a critical step towards economic development, the Council urged the international community to continue to provide support and assistance to Liberia through the period of reconstruction. Members of the Security Council have expressed their shock and outrage at Wednesday's bombing incident at the Mahani Yehuda market in Jerusalem during which some 18 people lost their lives and over 150 people were injured. In a statement read out to journalists at UN headquarters in New York, Council President Ambassador Peter Osvald of Sweden said Council members sent their deepest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in the tragedy. The Council members condemned terrorism and the individual or groups who sponsored and perpetrated the act. Noting that the bombing occurred just after the resumption of bilateral negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials had been announced, the Council members reiterated their support for the Middle East peace process and urged all parties to work for peace. Also on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was shocked and horrified by the carnage in Jerusalem. He appealed to all concerned to reject violence and pursue their aims through dialogue, at the negotiating table. "Violence of this kind can never advance the cause of peace. This is a crucial time in the quest for peace in the Middle East", Mr. Annan stated. The East Timor talks are set to resume in New York next week. The talks are scheduled for 4-8 August and would be chaired by the Secretary- General's Special Envoy Jamsheed Marker, a UN spokesman announced on Wednesday. Mr. Marker is expected to travel to South Africa, before next week's talks, to discuss the latest initiatives by President Nelson Mandela concerning East Timor. The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) of the General Assembly on Wednesday recommended that the Assembly authorize the Secretary-General to commit up to US$2.8 million gross for the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH), should the Assembly decide to extend the mandate of the Mission. The funds would be used to cover additional requirements for the period from 1 August to 31 December. Acting without a vote, the Committee also stated that, following procedures adopted by the Assembly, any related adjustments to the current 1996 - 1997 appropriations would be reflected in the context of the second performance report on the 1996 - 1997 United Nations regular budget, to be submitted to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. The MICIVIH is operated with the joint participation of the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS). Its responsibilities during its next mandate period would include supporting expected efforts at judicial reform. It would also contribute to institution-building and the strengthening of democracy through technical assistance. The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that the last truck- loads of relief food from a major food emergency operation were distributed earlier this week in Somalia. WFP said the hand-out of 335 tons of food in the Hiran region concludes WFP's goal of distributing nearly 4,000 tons of food packages over a two month period to 300,000 vulnerable Somalis in over 70 locations in several regions. WFP said it managed to distribute a total of 3,240 tons out of 3,900 tons of food aid during the two-month period. The 660 ton difference was due to the June killing of a Medecins Sans Frontieres doctor in the Baidoa/ Bey region, and the subsequent strong recommendation by the Somalia Aid Co- ordination Body to suspend all humanitarian and other assistance to that region. The June and July food aid distributions were targeted to reach people at their most critical moment - the months preceding the arrival of the main cereal harvest in August when food availability hits its lowest levels. 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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