HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
Thursday, October 11, 2007
[U.N. Headquarters will be closed tomorrow
for an official holiday, Eid al-Fitr.
The noon briefing will resume Monday, October 15, 2007 ]
MYANMAR: U.N.
ENVOY TO RETURN TO REGION
Following the
recent visit
to Myanmar by his Special Adviser, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
decided to dispatch Ibrahim Gambari back to the region over the weekend for
consultations with regional partners.
Mr. Gambari will begin his consultations in Thailand on
Monday before continuing to Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan, with
a view to returning to Myanmar shortly thereafter.
SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON MYANMAR
The Security Council
held consultations this morning on Georgia. It received a briefing on the work
of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
by the head of that mission, Jean Arnault, who presented the
Secretary-General’s recent
report on
Abkhazia.
The Security Council will also
continue its discussions on the draft Presidential Statement on Myanmar.
BAN KI-MOON IS CONCERNED BY RISING
TENSION
BETWEEN ETHIOPIA & ERITREA
The Secretary-General is
concerned about
the rising tensions between
Ethiopia and Eritrea,
including recent shooting incidents, as well as the building up of military
forces in the border area.
The Secretary-General calls upon Eritrea and Ethiopia to
exercise utmost restraint, maintain their commitment to the Algiers
Agreements, preserve the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), and
facilitate the implementation of the delimitation decision of the
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC).
The shooting incident referred to took place on 8
October, according to our Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
BAN KI-MOON
REPORTS ON WORK TO SET UP LEBANON TRIBUNAL
The Secretary-General today
sent a letter to
the President of the Security Council informing the Council of his intention
to appoint Judge Mohamed Amin El Mahdi, Judge Erik Møse and Mr. Nicolas Michel
as members of the selection panel for the Judges and Prosecutor of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon.
Pursuant to the document annexed to Security Council
resolution 1757 (2007), the Judges and the Prosecutor are to be appointed
by the Secretary-General upon the recommendation of a selection panel he has
established, after indicating his intentions to the Security Council. The
selection panel shall be composed of two judges, currently sitting on or
retired from an international tribunal, and the representative of the
Secretary-General.
Judges El Mahdi and Møse are distinguished jurists. Judge
El Mahdi, of Egypt, formerly served on the International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia. Judge Møse, of Norway, currently serves on the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Mr. Michel is the United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel.
The Secretary-General remains committed to establishing
the Tribunal in a timely manner, in keeping with resolution 1757 (2007).
He continues to believe that the Tribunal will contribute
to ending impunity in Lebanon for the crimes under its jurisdiction.
BAN KI-MOON
STRESSES DANGER OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN WASHINGTON
The Secretary-General is in Washington, D.C., where this
afternoon he will address business leaders at the US Chamber of Commerce.
He will tell the business leaders that there
is currently no greater danger to our planet than climate change, and will
discuss how innovative market mechanisms are one way of addressing climate
change.
Then this evening, the
Secretary-General will address the National Association of Evangelicals, which
is gathered in Washington this week to call on lawmakers to enact “prudent and
comprehensive climate legislation” to fight global warming. He will speak on
the related issues of climate change and the
Millennium Development Goals,
emphasizing the contributions of Christian activists in key spheres of the
UN's work, particularly with respect to humanitarian aid and social and
economic development.
The Secretary-General will also
speak at the Peace Corps Director’s Forum tomorrow before he returns to New
York.
IRAQ: CIVILIANS STILL TARGETED BY ARMED
GROUPS
The 11th Quarterly
Human Rights report issued by the UN
Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) says that civilians continue to be targeted by
armed groups through suicide bombings, abductions and extrajudicial
executions, and it warns that such systematic or widespread attacks against a
civilian population are tantamount to crimes against humanity.
While the security situation remains grave, the report
urges the government and state institutions to do more to ensure better
judicial oversight mechanisms for suspects arrested in the context of the
ongoing Baghdad Security Plan. It also calls on the authorities to immediately
address reports of torture in Iraqi Government facilities, as well as those of
Kurdistan Regional Government.
On the issue of military operations and allegations
involving foreign security companies, the report urges that all credible
allegations of unlawful killings by MNF forces be thoroughly, promptly and
impartially investigated, and appropriate action be taken.
The UN Mission also urges the US authorities to
investigate reports of deaths caused by privately hired contractors, and
establish effective mechanisms for holding them accountable whenever
circumstances surrounding the killings show no justifiable cause.
Asked whether the
Secretary-General intends to take further steps in dealing with the United
States about the private security contractors, the Spokeswoman said that UNAMI
urges US authorities to investigate allegations of civilian deaths caused by
privately hired contractors and establish effective mechanisms of
accountability.
Asked about the continuing
absence of death tolls from the UNAMI report, Okabe acknowledged that,
regrettably, the report does not include the casualty figures the Mission has
normally been reporting, based on official statistics. The Government of Iraq
has stopped making such figures available.
She said that the United
Nations will continue to speak with the Iraqi authorities and urge them to
resume providing information from the Ministry of Health and the Medico-Legal
Institute of Baghdad.
In response to further questions on the report, she
said one should look at the totality of the UNAMI report.
U.N.’S DARFUR ENVOY SAYS VICIOUS CIRCLE
OF VIOLENCE MUST END
UN Special Envoy for
Darfur Jan Eliasson and Senior Advisor to the African Union (AU) Special
Envoy Sam Ibok held today a joint press conference at UN Mission Headquarters
in Khartoum to brief on the recent activities of the AU-UN mediation in
preparation of the Darfur Talks set to start in Libya, on 27 October.
In his remarks, Eliasson indicated that he held a series
of meetings in Khartoum with a number of Government officials. He also
indicated that a meeting was held with representatives of the regional
partners, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, and Libya to finalize preparations for the
talks. He characterized the meeting as positive and successful in showing
strong unity in purpose.
Eliasson expressed deep concern at the security situation
on the ground and at recent military escalation. He stressed the need to end
what he called the vicious circle of violence and to ensure an environment
conducive to talks.
He stressed that the mediation is staying on course
regarding the political process and that the talks will start as scheduled. He
warned that any delay would be tragic as it would mean more bloodshed and that
any other alternative to negotiations is scary.
He expressed hope that the first outcome of the talks
would be to have a formal declaration of cessation of hostilities soon after
the negotiations start.
He underlined the keenness of the mediation to ensure
inclusiveness of the talks and indicated that invitations to participants from
the signatories and non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement, as well as
to representatives of the civil society will be sent in the course of the next
few days.
He expressed hope that non-signatory groups will decide
soon on their representation to the talks so that the mediation can establish
the list of participants to the talks by next week. He further hoped that the
talks will send a positive signal to the internally displaced persons and the
conflict-affected population on their expectations regarding security,
compensation, and land related-issues.
FIGHTING PREVENTS HUMANITARIAN
DELIVERIES IN D.R. CONGO
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) says there have been reports of rising numbers of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) over the last few days in North Kivu in the eastern part of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. UN convoys have tried to deliver food and
supplies to areas where the fighting is taking place, but many have been
forced to delay operations because of insecurity.
Several agencies have reached Mugunda, 15 kilometres from
Goma, where an assessment has been underway since Monday. IDPs are reporting
serious incidents, including pillaging, house demolitions, child recruitment
and rape.
Meanwhile, the number of reported rape cases in North
Kivu in September was more than 350, a 60% increase from the month before,
according to the working group on protection in Goma.
PREVENTING MASS ATROCITIES AMONG U.N.’S
MOST SACRED CALLINGS
Asked about the UN’s position concerning U.S. legislation
about the treatment of Armenians during World War I, the Spokeswoman declined
to comment on legislation that is still in the process of being considered by
a domestic legislative body.
She said that the UN membership
has not taken a position on mass killings of Armenian men, women and children
during World War I that occurred before the Organization came into existence.
Okabe noted the
Secretary-General’s
message to a UN University-International Crisis Group event on Wednesday,
where he said that “preventing mass atrocities is among the
international community's, and the United Nations', most sacred callings.”
To deal with that task in the future, the
Secretary-General said, “We must bring all our resources to bear: early
warning, technical assistance, peacemaking, diplomacy, and, if ultimately
necessary, military strength. And we must work with UN Member States to give
real meaning to the solemn promise that is the Responsibility to Protect.”
Asked about comments that the Secretary-General made in
that speech about appointing Edward Luck as a Special Adviser on the
Responsibility to Protect, the Spokeswoman said that she did not have a formal
announcement to make on that.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
U.N. RENOVATION
PLANNER TO BRIEF GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
Asked about a proposal to empty the entire UN
Headquarters building during the construction work under the
Capital Master Plan,
the Spokeswoman noted that the Executive Director of the Capital Master Plan had
told reporters that he was looking at all options to avoid delays in the
timetable for the Plan, and to avoid going over budget. The Director was
currently holding informal briefings with Member States, and is scheduled to
brief the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee on budgetary matters on 9 November.
He was willing to brief the press after that briefing.
REPORT ON EDUCATION BUDGETS PUBLISHED: The UN
Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has
published a new report stating that the education budgets of some individual
European countries outweigh all education spending across sub-Saharan Africa.
The report also adds that the United States is the single greatest investor in
education.
THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS
12 October – 19 October
[This document is for planning purposes
only and is subject to change]
Friday, October 12
The Secretary-General
continues his trip to Washington, D.C., where he is today addressing staff
members of the Peace Corps.
Today is Eid al-Fitr. U.N.
Headquarters, as well as most other duty stations, will be closed for an
official holiday.
Saturday, October 13
Today and tomorrow, the UN Environment Programme and Google
are leading an International Cleanup Weekend campaign, in which participants
across the globe will clean up their local parks, beaches, streets and
neighbourhoods.
Sunday, October 14
From today through Tuesday, the Deputy Secretary-General
will be in Oslo, Norway, to deliver a keynote address at the opening of a
conference on “New Images of Africa” and to attend a UN Development Programme
seminar on the Millennium Development Goals. On Wednesday, she will travel to
London, where she will address the Women Deliver Conference and meet with senior
British government officials.
Monday, October 15
At 10 a.m., the General Assembly plenary is scheduled to
take up its Fifth Committee’s report on the scale of assessments for the
apportionment of UN expenses, as well as the reports of the International
Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia.
This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to adopt
resolutions on the UN Missions in Haiti and Georgia, followed by a debate on
Afghanistan.
From today through 2 November in Geneva, the Human Rights
Committee is scheduled to hold its 91st session.
In Geneva, the UN Conference on Trade and Development is
scheduled to launch its World Investment Report 2007: Transnational
Corporations, Extractive Industries and Development.
Tuesday, October 16
At 10 a.m., the General Assembly plenary is scheduled to
hold elections for five new non-permanent members of the Security Council.
The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal
for the Former Yugoslavia is scheduled to render its judgment in the case
against Sefer Halilović, former Deputy Commander and Chief of Main Staff of the
Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Today is World Food Day. This year’s theme is “The Right
to Food.”
From today through 3 November, the 34th session of UNESCO’s
General Conference meets in Paris.
Wednesday, October 17
This morning, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a
debate on the Peacebuilding Commission Annual Report.
At 11 a.m., the Economic and Social Council is scheduled to
hold a meeting of its resumed substantive session of 2007, to consider
outstanding issues before the Council.
Today is the International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty. Beginning at 1 p.m. on the North Lawn, the Secretary-General will lead
a commemoration that will include the "Stand Up and Speak Out" event, in which
millions of people around the world will "stand up" to show their commitment to
eradicating poverty. The Award Ceremony for the winners of the International
Children's Art Competition on the theme "We can end poverty" is also scheduled
to take place.
The guests at the noon briefing are
Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary General on
Children and Armed Conflict; Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF; and
Ishmael Beah, youth activist and the author of ‘Long Way Gone’, who will brief
on the 10 years following the Graça Machel report on the impact of armed
conflict on children.
From 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. in Conference Room 6, there will be
a briefing on two reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and on the promotion of durable
peace in Africa. Prof. Firmino Mucavele, Chief Executive of the Secretariat of
the NEPAD, is scheduled to take part.
From 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. at the Church Center for the United
Nations, 777 First Avenue, there will be a panel discussion on "We Can End
Poverty: Children as Agents of Change".
Thursday, October 18
At
2 p.m. in Room 226, there will be a press conference by Prof. Firmino Mucavele,
Chief Executive of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD), on the implementation of NEPAD and on the promotion of
durable peace in Africa.
From 1.15 to 2.30 p.m. in Conference Room 6, there will be a panel discussion on
the recommendations of the UN study on violence against children.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, there will be an
event to launch the International Year of Potato (2008).
Today through Saturday in London, the Women Deliver Conference, co-sponsored by
the World Health Organization, will focus on creating the political will to save
the lives and improve the health of women, mothers and newborn babies around the
world.
Friday, October 19
This morning, the Security
Council is scheduled to hold a debate on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and
the Multi-National Force.
The guests at the noon briefing
are Dr. Arata Kochi, Director of the World Health Organization’s Global Malaria
Programme; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Health of Ethiopia; and
Raymond Chambers, Executive Director of ‘Malaria No More’, who will brief on the
Roll Back Malaria Initiative.
From 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. in
Conference Room 1, there will be a briefing on a “Special representative of the
Secretary-General on violence against children”.
Office of the Spokesperson for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
