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Wednesday, 07 July 2004
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IAEA Wants Dialogue on Broader Security Issues in the Middle East

There's been a call for a dialogue among Middle Eastern States to build understanding and ultimately some confidence and support for the overall peace process. The call comes from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Dr. Mohamed El Baradei, now visiting Israel to promote the idea of a nuclear-free Middle East.
He says peace and security are indivisible and there hasn't been a dialogue on broader security issues in the Middle East. And according to IAEA spokesman Mark Gwozdeki, Dr. El Baradei feels one is needed if there's going to be a peaceful solution:

"And in that discussion of broader security concerns, obviously the nuclear issue is an important one and in the Middle East, where we see a proliferation of nuclear proliferation challenges, it's all the more important."

Dr. El Baradei has so far had discussions on the challenges of proliferation in the Middle East.

Security Council Wants Sudan to Implement Agreement Signed with Secretary-General

The Security Council welcomed the agreement between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Sudanese Government and hopes that the Government would move to implement it as soon as possible. At a tele-conference briefing Wednesday by the Secretary-General, the Council was told that the important thing now is that the Government heeds its commitments. The representative of Germany Ambassador Gunter Pleuger says it's important that the Council keeps the pressure on the Sudanese Government:

"And for the Security Council we feel it is a matter of credibility to be ready to act now and we are in favour of the Security Council making sure that we are prepared to act."

The agreement calls on Sudan to, among other things, start immediately to disarm the Janjaweed militia and to resume political talks in the shortest
possible time.

Annan Urges Government, Rebels to End Darfur Conflict Peacefully

Secretary-General Kofi Anan has urged the Sudanese Government and rebel groups to work together to end the crisis in the Darfur region peacefully.

"I remind the government of its sacred duty to protect its citizens, and the rebel groups of their responsibility and duty to respect the ceasefire and work with the government to end the conflict peacefully."

Mr. Annan described the situation in Darfur as "horrific" and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the people.

Aid Agencies Report Outbreaks of Fighting in North Darfur

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies report that in north Darfur, there have been outbreaks of fighting between Sudanese Government forces and militia groups. In a general update of developments on the ground in Darfur, UN Spokesman Marie Okabe says some agencies further report that traveling members of their staff have been searched and looted by military officials on several occasions:

"Agencies also point out that the depletion of firewood around some camps is increasing the risk of insecurity among women who are forced to move further away from these areas to collect wood for cooking."

Also in north Dafur, humanitarian agencies have started providing the necessary assistance to displaced people who were relocated by the Sudanese Government prior to the visit of the Secretary-General.

Annan Convenes Mini-Summit on Cote d'Ivoire

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has arrived in Kenya at the start of a two-day visit. The Secretary-General told reporters that he looks forward to having discussions wit his team in Nairobi and with President Kibaki and the Kenyan Government. He said they will have time to discuss issues of common interest and some of the issues affecting the continent. Earlier, in Addis Ababa, the Secretary-General convened a mini-summit on Cote d'Ivoire. The meeting brought together the heads of government of nine states in the region who voiced their concern at the stalemate in Cote d'Ivoire. The leaders agreed to convene a high-level meeting of all Ivorian parties, including the president and prime minister, to be held in Accra, Ghana on 29 July.

AIDS Virus Continues to Outrun Efforts to Combat It: UN

The world is losing the race against the AIDS virus, which caused record numbers of infections and deaths around the globe. And according to the head of the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) Dr. Peter Piot, AIDS is truly a disease of our globalized world. He says whereas AIDS was largely a problem for sub-Saharan Africa, one out of every four new infections is occurring in Asia today, and the fastest growing epidemic is happening in Eastern Europe. Dr. Piot says "the virus is running faster than all of us."