United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-09-19

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: [email protected]

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

ANNAN OPENS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HIGHLIGHTING UNRESOLVED GLOBAL PROBLEMS

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today opened the 61st session of the General Assembly, telling the gathered world leaders that the three great challenges the world has faced during his 10 years at the helm of the United Nations an unjust world economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for human rights and the rule of law -- have not been resolved.

As a result, he warned, we face a world whose divisions threaten the very notion of an international community, upon which this institution stands.

In response, the Secretary-General said, I remain convinced that the only answer to this divided world must be a truly United Nations.

He said that as he travelled through the

Middle East over the past few weeks, he saw again the legitimacy and reach of the United Nations. Its indispensable role in securing the peace in Lebanon has reminded us all how powerful this Organization can be, when everyone wants it to succeed, he asserted.

The Secretary-General drew attention to the need to resolve the situation in the Middle East, saying that, although we might like to think of the Arab-Israeli conflict as just one regional conflict among many, it is not.

No other conflict carries such a powerful symbolic and emotional charge among people far removed from the battlefield, he said.

He also drew attention to the challenge

Darfur presents, where the continued spectacle of men, women and children driven from their homes by murder, rape and the burning of their villages makes a mockery of our claim, as an international community, to shield people from the worst abuses.

Reflecting on his decade in charge of the United Nations, the Secretary-General said, Its been difficult and challenging, but at times also thrillingly rewarding. And while I look forward to resting my shoulder from those stubborn rocks in the next phase of my life, I know I shall miss the mountain.

The Secretary-General also has a busy day of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

ANNAN: IRAQ AND ITS LEADERS ARE AT IMPORTANT CROSSROAD

The Secretary-General yesterday afternoon opened the High-Level Meeting on Iraq, telling the gathered foreign ministers and other senior officials that Iraq and its leaders are now at an important crossroads.

If they can address the needs and common interests of all Iraqis, the promise of peace and prosperity is still within reach, he said.

Speaking after the meeting, which brought together 14 foreign ministers among the officials from 31 countries and organizations, Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown said that there was a lot more that united the group than divided it.

He said the key development was that each of Iraqs neighbours made a commitment to help the Government in Iraq succeed and prevail over the internal insecurity challenges, and all of them condemned the terrorism that is occurring

ANNAN WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL DRUG PURCHASE FACILITY

The Secretary-General will address the official launch of the International Drug Purchase Facility, known as UNITAID, this afternoon at UN Headquarters.

He is expected to congratulate the Governments of France, Brazil, Chile, Norway, and the United Kingdom on their leadership in developing this life-saving initiative, which he will call a shining example of an innovative source of funding that can help us reach the Millennium Development Goals.

SOMALI REFUGEES CONTINUE TO FLEE TO KENYA

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

reports that Somali refugees are continuing to flee to Kenya. Yesterday, UNHCR transported 662 refugees who arrived in Kenya over the weekend to a UNHCR camp in the northern Kenyan town of Dadaab. Since last Wednesday, more than 3,400 Somalis have escaped growing tensions and fighting in their country and found refuge in neighbouring Kenya.

Also in Geneva today, UNHCR

issued its latest statistical report, which says that the downward trend in asylum applications in most industrialized countries continues unabated.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

COTE DIVOIRE MINI-SUMMIT TO PROCEED: Asked whether it was confirmed that President Laurent Gbagbo of Cote dIvoire would not show up for the mini-summit on Cote dIvoire that was scheduled later this week, the Spokesman said that the United Nations would wait and see whether he comes, although the indication was that he would not. The Spokesman added that the mini-summit would go ahead, and would deal with actions to be taken in the region. It would also address the question of governance before the 31 October deadline.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

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