HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
UN HEADQUARTERS,
NEW YORK
Thursday, April
3, 2008
BAN KI-MOON
PLEDGES U.N. COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN
Today, in Bucharest, Romania,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed
the high-level meeting on Afghanistan,
and he pledged
the UN's commitment to that country, vowing, "We shall not leave Afghanistan
as long as we are needed by the Afghan people."
He noted the signs of progress in the country, as well as
the obstacles that are still present, foremost among them the threat posed by
the continuing violence and militancy in various parts of the country. Another
obstacle, he said, is the constantly growing drug economy.
The Secretary-General acknowledged that the UN has not
been as effective as it needs to be in coordinating the international
community, adding that the new Security Council mandate will allow the UN to
take a more assertive role in coordination.
The Secretary-General began the day with a working
breakfast with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and met with other leaders
participating in the NATO summit over the course of the day.
The Secretary-General and the Afghan President discussed
the importance of today’s conference as a means of reaffirming the
international community’s long-term support for Afghanistan. The
Secretary-General and the President also discussed the latest audio message
from al-Qaeda, and both noted, contrary to that message, the contributions
that the United Nations has made to the Muslim world.
After visiting UN staff in Romania, the Secretary-General
then held bilateral meetings with the President of France, the Prime Ministers
of Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and
the Foreign Ministers of Canada and Germany, as well as the European Union
High Representative and the President of the European Commission. All those
meetings included discussions on the ways that the international community can
improve its assistance to the Afghan people.
In his meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister, the
Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for offering to host the 29 May
meeting of the
International Compact for Iraq.
Later today, the Secretary-General expects to meet with
the President of Romania, which will be the last of his bilaterals for the
day.
He will be back in New York tomorrow.
Okabe, in response to questions
about the Secretary-General's reported reaction to the Al Qaeda
message, said the
Secretary-General when he visited UN staff in Romania referred to it,
describing the “totally false and unacceptable accusation” that the United
Nations did not help the Muslim world.
In response to further
questions on security implications of the message,
the Deputy Spokesperson said the United Nations is constantly reviewing its
security arrangements around the globe.
CYPRUS: BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES OPENING OF
SYMBOLIC CROSSING POINT
The Secretary-General
welcomes today’s
opening of a crossing at Ledra Street in the old town of Nicosia. Since its
closure in 1963, Ledra Street has come to represent the division of Cyprus.
Its reopening today, after more than four decades, is the symbol of a new and
hopeful environment. As the Cypriots now embark on what will be a challenging
process towards renewed negotiations aimed at reunifying the island, the
United Nations is fully committed to help them succeed.
At today’s opening ceremony in Nicosia, Elizabeth Spehar,
the Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative in Cyprus, said we all
know that the opening of Ledra Street does not mean the Cyprus problem has
been solved. But the opening does give us a glimpse of what is possible, she
added. We have her full remarks upstairs.
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Mario César Sánchez Debernardi of
Peru has assumed his duties as Force Commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force in
Cyprus.
SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUDS ENTRY INTO FORCE
OF DISABILITIES TREATY
The Secretary-General
welcomes the
entry into force of the Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities
and its Optional Protocol.
The Secretary-General welcomes the 20th State depositing
a ratification or accession today, which triggers the entry into force of the
Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Protocol on 3
May 2008.
The Secretary-General congratulates the States that have
already ratified or acceded to the Convention for enabling the entry into
force only a year-and-a-half from its adoption by Member States on 13 December
2006.
It is estimated that there are at least 650 million
persons with disabilities worldwide, of whom approximately 80 percent live in
less-developed countries. The Convention, together with its Optional
Protocol, is deeply rooted in the firm commitment of the international
community to rectifying the egregious neglect and dehumanizing practices that
violate the human rights of persons with disabilities.
The Convention will be a powerful tool to eradicate the
obstacle faced by persons with disabilities: discrimination, segregation from
society, economic marginalization, and lack of opportunities for participation
in social, political and economic decision-making processes. It is a historic
moment in our quest for realization of the universal human rights for ALL
persons, creating a fully inclusive society for all.
Therefore, all States are called upon to ratify or accede
to this Convention without delay. They will have an opportunity to deposit
instruments of ratification or accession to this convention during this year’s
annual treaty event at the beginning of the sixty-third General Assembly
session.
INT'L TRIBUNAL
ACQUITS FORMER K.L.A. COMMANDER
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia today
acquitted Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj of all charges of war crimes
and crimes against humanity for alleged violations committed in Kosovo between
March and September 1998.
The third accused, Lahi Brahimaj was sentenced to six
years’ imprisonment for cruel treatment and torture of persons.
Haradinaj, Balaj and Brahimaj faced charges of
participation in a joint criminal enterprise whose aim was to consolidate the
Kosovo Liberation Army’s total control over an area of northwestern Kosovo by
the unlawful removal, mistreatment and murder of Serbian and Kosovar Roma
civilians, as well as Kosovar Albanian citizens who were perceived to have
been collaborating with Serbian forces.
U.N. MANDATE NOT SUITABLE TO ADDRESS ROOT
CAUSES
OF CONFLICT IN CHAD AND CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Available today is the Secretary-General’s latest
report on
the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).
In it, he says that Chad’s internal crisis, the situation
facing refugees and internally displaced persons in eastern Chad and the
Central African Republic, the tensions between Chad and the Sudan and the
situation in Darfur should be addressed simultaneously in a coordinated
effort.
He adds that while such an effort should take into
account the root causes of the internal conflicts and their regional aspects,
neither the UN Mission nor the European Force (EUFOR) is suitably mandated to
address these issues.
Noting the need for Chad and Sudan to reach a negotiated
and comprehensive settlement of their disputes, the Secretary-General says
that while the international community can assist them in settling their
differences, it is incumbent upon the parties to demonstrate the political
will and commitment to address the underlying challenges.
Constructive relationships between Chad and the Sudan, as
well as coordination in the activities of the UN Mission, EUFOR, the UN and
African Union Mission in Darfur, the UN Mission in Sudan and humanitarian
organizations operating in eastern Chad and Darfur, are essential to restore
peace and security and ensure the protection of refugees and IDPs in the
region.
As developments in eastern Chad have prompted the
Government of Chad to seek an increased involvement of its police force in
coverage of IDP sites, the Secretary-General intends to recommend that the
six-month review of the UN Mission and EUFOR, expected to be finalized in
September, look at this issue and develop recommendations.
UNITED NATIONS
IS WORKING HARD TO GET CAPABLE FORCE IN DARFUR
Asked about a
letter by the U.S. envoy for Darfur that 3,600 additional African peacekeepers
be deployed under the UN/AU umbrella by June, the Deputy Spokesperson
confirmed that the Secretary-General had received the letter and
replied that the United Nations is pleased that the United States is committed
to the rapid deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur
(UNAMID).
"We are working
hard with troop contributing countries and donors to get capable troops on the
ground. One of the challenges we face is that these troops will be going into
an extraordinarily difficult environment. They have to be ready for it," she
said.
She added, "Donors
like the US have a serious role to play in ensuring these troops - most of
them African - have the capabilities necessary. Donors can help procure
equipment and ensure that it can maintain it once the troops hit the ground.
Troops who are deployed before they are ready will put themselves at grave
risk and will, frankly, set the Mission back.
"We would also
call on concerned member states to help us fill critical gaps we still face --
particularly in aviation. We are short 2 tactical helicopters and 18 military
transport helicopters and also a military transport unit. These are all
essential if the force is going to have the effect we all want it to have."
CRIMINAL
NETWORK ACTED TOGETHER
TO KILL FORMER LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER
Available today is the latest
report of
the International Independent Investigation Commission.
In it, Commissioner Daniel Bellemare presents an overview
of progress made to date in the investigation into the killing of former
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He also underlines the complexity of the
investigation as he prepares for an effective handover of collected evidence
to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
In this 10th progress report, the Commissioner says that
his team has evidence that a network of individuals acted in concert to carry
out the killing of Hariri and that this criminal network, or parts of it, are
linked to some other cases of political assassination within the Commission’s
mandate. The Commission’s priority is now to determine the scope of the
network and the identity of its members.
HUMAN RIGHTS
MUST BE RESPECTED DURING NEPAL ELECTION PROCESS
In the run-up to the April 10 Constituent Assembly
election in Nepal, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
there is
urging all political parties, government and Nepalese people to abide by
the electoral Code of Conduct and ensure respect for human rights during the
election process.
Adding that the human rights relevant to the election
include the right to freedom from intimidation and discrimination, as well as
freedom of opinion and expression, OHCHR stresses that a sincere commitment by
the people to respect these rights will create an environment for a successful
and credible election.
The Office recommends a six-point measure to ensure
respect for human rights in order to help create a free and fair election,
including ensuring that voters are free to choose without fear and that
children do not participate in political activities that risk their safety.
URGENT EFFORTS NEEDED TO CLEAR LANDMINES
IN IRAQ
Ahead of tomorrow’s
International Day
for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, UNICEF and the UN
Development Programme are calling for urgent efforts in Iraq to clear
landmines, unexploded ordanance and other deadly remnants of war.
The agencies say that Iraqis live amidst one of the
greatest concentrations of such munitions in the world, with cluster bomb
remnants of particular concern. The contamination is so widespread that it is
hampering several development programmes, the agencies say.
The United Nations is helping Iraq with the clean-up, but
much more work is needed, particularly in central Iraq where funds and
capacity are limited.
MORE H.I.V.-POSITIVE KIDS & PREGNANT
WOMEN GETTING TREATMENT
UNAIDS, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization today
released their
second stock taking report on children and AIDS, which reviews progress since
the last such report in October 2005.
It finds that more HIV-positive children and pregnant
women are receiving treatment, but much more remains to be done. For example,
there was a 60 percent increase in the number of HIV-positive pregnant women
who received antriretrovirals to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus
to their children. But that still represents less than one in four
HIV-positive pregnant women.
Despite the gains in preventing mother-to-child
transmission, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot says much more must be
done to prevent HIV among young people. Of new HIV cases in those older than
15, 40 percent are among those under the age of 25.
But the report argues that achieving an AIDS-free
generation is still possible, through the scaling up of initiatives that have
proven effective.
NEW APPOINTMENT MADE IN HUMAN RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT
The Secretary-General has appointed Ms. Catherine Pollard
of Guyana as the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management.
Ms. Pollard succeeds Ms. Jan Beagle of New Zealand who was appointed Deputy
Director General of the UN Office in Geneva.
This appointment is a cornerstone of the
Secretary-General’s commitment to strengthen the Organization in the key area
of human resource management. Ms. Pollard brings to the Office of Human
Resources Management (OHRM) her demonstrated capacity to forge collaborative
partnerships with different groups of stakeholders in order to get the job
done.
She currently holds the position of Chief of Staff in the
Department of Peacekeeping Operations and has a proven track record in
financial, human resources and general administrative management.
Responding to further questions about the appointment,
the Deputy Spokesperson later said that the OHRM post had been advertised and
that Pollard was one of the candidates.
NEW DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
FOR NEPAL IS APPOINTED
The Secretary-General has appointed Ms. Aracelly Santana
of Ecuador as his Deputy Special Representative for Nepal and Deputy Head of
the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). Ms.
Santana succeeds Mr. Tamrat Samuel of Eritrea and will assume her new
functions on 21 April.
Ms. Santana is currently serving as Chief of Staff in
UNMIN and has served in a number of capacities since joining the United
Nations in 1980. She has been responsible for a number of active portfolios,
both in African and the Americas regions in the Department of Political
Affairs.
BAN KI-MOON TO MAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO
RUSSIA NEXT WEEK
The Secretary-General will embark on a three-day official
visit to the Russian Federation next week. This will be his first trip to the
Russian Federation since taking office as Secretary-General.
He is expected to meet with Russian Government leaders,
including President Vladimir Putin, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev, and
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
While in the Russian Federation, the Secretary-General
will also meet with the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and civil society
leaders, and he will speak at the Moscow State University. The
Secretary-General will also address the launch of the UN Global Compact's
Russia network.
OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
KOSOVO MISSION’S
LEADERSHIP REMAINS IN PLACE: Asked about
the status of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)’s
leadership, Okabe said UNMIK continues to operate in critical and evolving
conditions and that the mission's leadership remains in place to carry out the
UN's mandate under resolution 1244 (1999).
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL CHIEFS TO LEAVE DURING SUMMER:
Asked when the resignations of Louise Arbour, the High
Commissioner for Human Rights, and Nicholas Michel, the Under-Secretary General
for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel, would become effective, Okabe said that
both officials would be leaving the Organization during the summer.
**The guest at noon was Catherine Bragg, Assistant
Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief
Coordinator, who announced plans for the global commemoration of the
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, to be
observed tomorrow.
Office of the Spokesperson for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
