United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-09-22

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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

Friday, September 22, 2006

SECURITY COUNCIL TAKES UP KOSOVO;

EXTENDS MANDATE OF U.N. MISSION IN SUDAN

The Security Council held a closed meeting on Kosovo this morning. During that meeting, it was briefed by Serbian President Boris Tadic.

The Council held consultations on Kosovo during which Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Special Envoy for the Kosovo status talks, briefed.

Also in consultations, the Security Council took up

Sudan and other matters. Following its consideration of Sudan, the Council adopted a resolution, extending the mandate of the UN Mission in Sudan until 8 October 2006.

Later this afternoon, the Council is expected to hold an Arria formula gathering on Kosovo, with the President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu, informally briefing Council members.

ISRAELI FORCES BEGIN WITHDRAWAL FROM AREAS ALONG BLUE LINE

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports today that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) started to withdraw from two

areas along the Blue Line: the area south of Naqoura, and the general area of Mays al Jabal.

UNIFILs Indian and Ghanaian Battalions are to set up checkpoints and conduct patrols today in order to confirm the Israeli withdrawal and coordinate the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces into the area tomorrow.

UNIFILs Force Commander, Major-General Alain Pellegrini, welcomed the continued Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon, saying, They have vacated most of the territory in the South. I expect the rest of the IDF troops to finalize their withdrawal by the end of the month.

Asked about reports that Israel was extracting water from the Wazani River, the Spokesman later told the correspondent that UNIFIL would go to the relevant area to ascertain the facts.

HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS REPORT BOMBARDMENT OF VILLAGES IN DARFUR

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is drawing attention to the continuing military campaign in

North Darfur.

According to UN human rights monitors in Sudan, the campaign against rebel movements in North Darfur that have not signed on to the peace agreement continued through the first two weeks of September, during which indiscriminate attacks on villages continue to result in civilian displacement and casualties.

Civilians in villages in North Darfur are being forced to flee due to indiscriminate aerial bombardment by government aircraft, they report. An estimated 400 new displaced persons arrived in a camp fleeing ongoing clashes that took place from September 9-10 in the locality of Tabarat. Some of the aerial bombardment is reported to be done by means of a white plane dropping its load of bombs from the back, a recurrent feature of the conflict in Darfur.

Sexual and gender-based violence also continues. The UN human rights monitors report that in Gereida, South Darfur, women remain vulnerable to attack by members of armed militia outside of towns and camps for internally displaced people. Human rights monitors documented a number of rape cases taking place in the last month.

Monitors also report that on 5 September, the court in a locality in North Darfur convicted a soldier of raping an 11-year old girl. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. The conviction shows that there can be action to stem sexual violence when there is the required will.

Asked about comments from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer that the Sudanese Government has been dismantling armoured personnel carriers and other equipment intended for the African Union Mission in Sudan, the Spokesman said that the United Nations intended to move more than 100 UN personnel, as well as communications equipment, to help bolster the AU Mission prior to the transition to a UN force.

He said that, as with any peacekeeping force, the United Nations in Sudan would have to work with the sovereign government, but it would expect all equipment that it delivers to be in one piece. He noted that UN personnel would accompany the equipment being transported to the African Union Mission.

D.R. CONGO INAUGURATES FIRST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN FOUR DECADES

In a statement issued this morning, the UN Special Representative for the

Democratic Republic of the Congo, William Lacy Swing, hailed the inauguration of the newly-elected Congolese National Assembly. This is the countrys first elected legislative body in more than four decades and the first democratic institution to be installed under the new Constitution.

In his statement, Special Representative Swing congratulated the Congolese people in particular and the elected members of the National Assembly for this remarkable achievement.

Swing said the new lawmakers, who owe their positions to the electorate, must play a key role in steering the country towards stability and economic recovery. He also reiterated the UNs commitment to assisting the Congolese people through this crucial an historic transition.

ANNAN: REFORM OF UNITED NATIONS FAR FROM FINISHED

The Secretary-General this morning addressed the 30th annual meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77 bloc of developing nations, telling them that, as he prepares to leave the United Nations, the task of UN reform is far from finished.

However, he said, he is convinced that, over the past 10 years, we have managed to make the United Nations more effective, more accountable and better coordinated than ever.

He also detailed the achievements that have resulted since last years World Summit.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONSIDERING RAPPORTEUR REPORTS

Earlier today in Geneva, the Human Rights Council concluded its discussion on the incitement to racial and religious hatred and the promotion of tolerance. At present, the Council is considering the reports of three UN-appointed independent experts namely, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, and the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders.

Before it concludes its meeting today, the Council is expected to take up the reports of: the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; the Independent Expert on the economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights; and the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights.

AL GORE TO BE NEXT GUEST IN SECRETARY-GENERALS LECTURE SERIES

The next guest in the Secretary-Generals lecture series will be former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore.

He will be at UN headquarters this coming Thursday to speak on the topic of Global Warming. As always, the lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

U.S. Senator John McCain has also been invited and has agreed to come and deliver a lecture in November.

The Secretary-General started the Lecture Series in June 2002 as part of a continuing effort to create a strengthened framework for dialogue and mutual understanding within the United Nations community. The Lectures cover topics at the forefront of the humanities and natural sciences. Previous lecturers include Nobel Laureates and other eminent persons.

Asked when and where the event would take place, the Spokesman said it would be held between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the ECOSOC Chamber.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CALLS ON G77 TO ACHIEVE WORLD SUMMIT AIMS

The Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly said today that the Assemblys fourth day of general debate continued this morning. Yesterday, the Assembly heard 32 speakers and by the end of today will have heard from 120 speakers (this includes 74 Heads of State or Government).

The President of the Assembly, Sheika Haya Rashed Al Halifia, this morning addressed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 and China. In her statement, Sheika Haya paid tribute to the Groups efforts in implementing the World Summit Outcome Document of 2005. Noting the importance she attached to achieving fuller implementation of the development goals during her presidency she called on the group to work with her to achieve this objective and to build on the achievements made in the areas of reform.

Our aim should be to reinforce multilateralism and achieve more effective cooperation between all Member States, developed and developing, she urged.

The President at the invitation of the Secretary-General also attended the 7th High-level meeting between the United Nations and regional organizations. At this forum the Assembly President said she believed that regional organizations play a valuable role in partnership with the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security. She thanked the Secretary-General for his vision and personal engagement in promoting this relationship which she said could be only enhanced by the establishment last year of a standing committee.

She noted the General Assembly has also played its part in nurturing the relationship between the UN and regional organizations. She expressed her conviction that for the partnership with regional organization to be more effective a deep sense of ownership needed to be cultivated through capacity building programmes that would support the work of regional and sub-regional organizations.

The President met this morning the President of Comoros, and was scheduled to meet the Ministers for Foreign Affairs Liechtenstein and of Switzerland later Friday. On 23 September, she will take part in an interactive discussion on women and political participation, economic empowerment and justice which will be hosted by the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNAN EXTENDS APPOINTMENTS OF COTE DIVOIRE ARMS EMBARGO EXPERTS: The Secretary-General has written to the Security Council to inform it of his decision to extend the appointment of the Group of Experts on Cote dIvoire the panel that is charged with monitoring the arms embargo until 15 December.

ANNAN HAS CALLED FOR RELIGIONS TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT: Asked about the Secretary-Generals views concerning insults to religion, the Spokesman said that was an issue of concern, in which the Secretary-General has stressed the need for people to act responsibly and treat religions with respect. The Secretary-General, he noted, had promoted the Alliance of Civilizations, an initiative that has strong support from Turkey and Spain, who would present the Secretary-General a report on the subject in Turkey later this fall.

ANNAN LOOKS FORWARD TO RESTORATION OF THAI DEMOCRACY: Asked about the suspension of political rights in Thailand, the Spokesman recalled the Secretary-Generals recent statement on Thailand and added that he looks forward to the restoration of full democracy in the country, with all that implies.

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY CONCERNED ABOUT DISPLACEMENT IN COLOMBIA: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is

concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Catatumbo region in north-eastern Colombia where increased violence is displacing people. UNHCR says the remote area has seen some of the worst violence and human rights violations in Colombias conflict, and the problem is made worse by the illegal cultivation of coca.

ASSESSMENT TEAM SENT TO NIGER FOLLOWING CHOLERA OUTBREAK: In Niger, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that UNICEF has sent medicines and the World Health Organization has sent an assessment team there, following heavy rains and flooding, which have led to an upsurge in cholera cases. Urgent needs in Niger include food, as well as sheets and covers that have been treated against mosquitoes.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD FOR IRAQ ISSUES AUDIT: The International Advisory and Monitoring Board for Iraq has put out the most recent audit of the Development Fund for Iraq. The audit was prepared by the firm Ernst and Young.

UNESCO AND BBC JOIN FORCES TO DISTRIBUTE SCIENCE PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS:

UNESCO and the BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation, have

agreed to work together to provide high-quality television programmes on science and technology to developing nations in Africa and Asia. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the BBC and UNESCO on 22 September, the Organization has acquired the rights for one year to 46 titles in the award-winning BBC Horizon series for distribution in 41 African and 9 Asian countries

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, September 25

The Security Council this morning is expected to hold a private meeting for troop-contributing countries of the UN Mission in Liberia. It is also scheduled to hold consultations on Liberia in the morning and a private meeting on Somalia in the afternoon.

Alan Doss, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Liberia, will be the guest at the noon briefing.

At 3:00 p.m. at UN Headquarters, more than 140 countries will attend a Darfur troop-contributing and police-contributing meeting.

In Geneva, the Human Rights Council will take up the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Miloon Kothari.

Also in Geneva, the World Intellectual Property Organizations Assemblies of Member States will open today and last through to 3 October.

Today International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will hold a public hearing on the work of the Court in The Hague for interested States.

Tuesday, September 26

The Security Council this morning is expected to hold a private meeting for troop-contributing countries of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is also scheduled to hold consultations on Ethiopia and Eritrea in the morning.

Craig Barrett, Chairman of the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development, will be the guest at the noon briefing.

Today International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will hold a public hearing on the work of the Court in The Hague for interested non-governmental organizations.

Wednesday, September 27

The Security Council this morning is expected to hold a private meeting for troop-contributing countries of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also scheduled to hold consultations on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the morning.

Thursday, September 28

The next lecture in the Secretary-Generals Lecture Series will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the ECOSOC Chamber. Former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore will speak on the topic of global warming. There will also be a question-and-answer session.

Immediately following the noon briefing, UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman will brief on the UNICEF report Progress for Children.

The Security Council will hold an open debate this morning on the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1276 Committee and the 1540 Committee.

Friday, September 29

This morning the Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing followed by consultations on the work of the International Independent Investigation Commission regarding the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The Council is also expected to adopt resolutions on the UN Missions in Liberia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as on the Sudan Panel of Experts.

Toby Lanzer, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic, will be the guest at the noon briefing.

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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