Wednesday, 14 January 2004
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UN report sees global economy surging in 2004

The global economy is expected to grow to more than three per cent this year. A new report out today by the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs says the world economy began accelerating in the last half of 2003 and will continue to strengthen in the coming months.
But it warns that while there will be strong growth in the short term, there could be mid-term perils caused by large imbalances in the US trade deficit and investment. UN Under Secretary-General for Economic Affairs Jose Antonio Ocampo says the robust growth is spurred by low interest rates and stimulative fiscal measures in the United States:

"Moreover, the recovery is widespread so that all regions of the world will experience a faster growth with the exception, I'd say, of CIS countries which were already in a process of rapid growth last year."

The report - World Economic Situation and Prospects 2004, says growth rates in developing countries are also picking up in the wake of expansion in the major economies.

US confirms UN request to send security assessment team to Baghdad

The United States says it's favourably disposed to the United Nations plans to send a small team of two military and two security experts to assess security in Baghdad. United States representative Ambassador John Negraponte confirmed receipt of a letter from the UN seeking American assistance in accommodating the officials when they arrive in Baghdad:

"I think it's a sign that the United Nations is taking a hard look at some of the practicalities of re-engaging in Iraq, so it's a step in that direction."

Council president welcomes UN decision to send security team to Baghdad

Meanwhile, Security Council president Ambassador Heraldo Munoz of Chile welcomed the UN's desire to go back to Iraq. He says it's an interesting signal:

"It's a welcome signal the security team has been sent because it indicates the willingness on the part of the secretary-general to deploy Un personnel by taking into account what the security environment would be and making it clear that the security risks that will be taken have to be commensurate with the role that the UN will play in the future so that I think this is a first positive step."

Annan calls for action to combat rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism

Secretary-General Kofi Anan has issued a strong call for action to address rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, warning that complacency in the face of intolerance amounts to complicity. The Secretary-General criticized those who remain silent in the face of bigotry, saying "such passivity must not be allowed to masquerade as tolerance.'
Mr. Annan said Islamophobia is one of the most disturbing manifestations of bigotry today:

"Since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, which were condemned throughout the Muslim world, many Muslims, particularly in the West, have found themselves the objects of suspicion, harassment and discrimination."

The Secretary-General also said too many people see Islam as monolithic and as intrinsically opposed to the West. He also pointed to anti-Semitism as "another dangerous hatred' that blights the world.
The comments came in the inaugural Robert Burns Memorial Lecture at UN Headquarters.

WHO conducts new cholera vaccine campaign in Mozambique

The UN health agency (WHO) is conducting a new campaign to minimize the devastation of a cholera outbreak. It's being done through mass vaccination with an oral cholera vaccine. The idea is being put to test in a demonstration project in Mozambique as part of an overall strategy to control the disease.
Dr. Claire-Lise Chaignat, is Coordinator of the Global task Force on Cholera Control at the World Health Organization. She tells UN Radio that WHO wants to see how the population is reacting - whether it's in favour of using an additional public health tool to control cholera:

"So we really want to know if this is acceptable by the population and how feasible it is from the logistic point of view as well. And then of course we want to know how we can reduce the incidence and impact of cholera in the population."

Dr. Chaignat says even though it's unlikely cholera -caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water - will ever be eliminated, there is now greater potential to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease in high risk populations.