Wednesday, 7 January 2004
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Security Council President Wants Strengthened Sanctions Against Al-Qaida

The UN Security Council will consider a new resolution to strengthen sanctions against the Al-Qaida terror network and Afghanistan's former Taliban regime. Council President Ambassador Heraldo Munoz of Chile says the resolution needs more teeth to fill the voids in the current sanctions regime:

"I think we can do that and I hope to have the consensus of the Security Council to strengthen that resolution because terrorism and Al-Qaida and the Taliban continue to be a menace not only in Afghanistan but as we know elsewhere."

Ambassador Munoz who is also chairman of the committee overseeing sanctions said many countries are not freezing assets or enforcing an arms embargo and travel ban on individuals and entities that are on the UN sanctions list for links to the two groups.

Afghan Elections Face Critical Challenges: Annan

A new report says the peace process in Afghanistan has reached a critical juncture. The report by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that ongoing violence is endangering hopes for a successful outcome to national elections planned for later this year. The Secretary-General said the process now faces critical challenges and Afghanistan and the international community would need to take further steps if the process is to be successfully concluded.
Mr. Annan noted that much of Afghanistan's south and southeast are now effectively off limits to both UN and other aid workers as well as officials from the central government.
He warned that the number of centres to register voters for the election was insufficient.

UNEP Says War in Iraq Devastating to the Environment

The war in Iraq and its aftermath have resulted in serious environmental problems, including those caused by depleted uranium weapons. A report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), says there are problems in Iraq that require immediate attention. These, it says, include environmental contamination exacerbated by military actions as well as looting of sites holding nuclear and toxic materials.
The report says Iraq also has long-standing environmental problems such as the destruction of the Mesopotamia Marshlands and pollution from the oil and chemical industries.
The report emphasizes the need for prompt measures to deal with the situation, including studying the effects on local residents and finding ways to minimize immediate environment-related threats to human health.

Annan Welcomes Participation of Force Nouvelles in Cote d'Ivoire Government of National Reconciliation

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed the participation of the Force Nouvelles in the meeting of the Cote d'Ivoire Council of ministers. It is the first time the group is attending since it suspended its participation in the government of national reconciliation in September 2003.
We have more from UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard:

"The Secretary-General hopes that the return of the Force Nouvelles to the government will give fresh impetus to the peace process. He urges all Ivoiran parties to abide by their commitment to implement the government's work programme and the Linas Marcoussis Agreement until the elections scheduled to be held in late 2005."

UNICEF Warns of Risk of Malnutrition in Northern Somalia

The UN children's agency (UNICEF) has warned that a drought currently affecting the Sool and Sanaag regions of northern Somalia is increasing the risk of malnutrition. The agency said the region has suffered four consecutive years of drought, resulting in large-scale food insecurity among pastoral populations. UNICEF's Emergency Officer for Somalia, Robert Mc Carthy, described the situation as fragile. He said the agency's planning is based on the assumption that children would be increasingly vulnerable to malnutrition and disease in the coming weeks. In response, UNICEF said it is launching a second phase of emergency interventions this week.

UN to Launch Flash Appeal For Iraf Relief and Reconstruction Efforts

The United Nations plans to launch a multi-million dollar flash appeal this week to help fund reconstruction and relief efforts in the earth-quake ravaged Iranian city of Bam. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said donor countries have already pledged more than $70 million in cash and kind. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Byers said the funds raised would be sufficient for just 90 days and would be divided between nine key areas, including food, water and reconstruction, with a main focus on health. UN Under Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs Jan Egeland is due to launch the appeal during a trip to Iran Thursday.