HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Tuesday, July
15, 2008
BAN KI-MOON
MEETS IN BERLIN WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in Berlin, where he
met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They discussed Sudan, Afghanistan,
the Middle East, Georgia/Abkhazia, Kosovo and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General had a bilateral
meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, with whom he discussed
Cyprus.
In Paris yesterday, the Secretary-General met
separately with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert, and he discussed with both all aspects of the Middle
East Peace Process. He commended both leaders for their continued commitment
to the peace process and discussed how to make vital progress in the period
ahead in the bilateral negotiations on the core issues, in implementation of
Phase One Road Map obligations, in addressing immediate concerns in Gaza and
solidifying the recent calm, and on the regional track between Israel and
Syria.
Speaking to reporters yesterday after meeting with
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, the Secretary-General said he saw
some encouraging developments in the situation in the Middle East in
general, including the election of a president and the formation of a unity
Government in Lebanon, the agreement between Lebanon and Syria to launch a
diplomatic process to establish diplomatic relations, and the indirect talks
between Syria and Israel through the auspices of Turkish Government.
DARFUR: PEACEKEEPERS CONDUCT PATROLS AND
HUMANITARIAN WORKERS DISTRIBUTE FOOD
The situation in Sudan was reported to be calm by both
UN missions in the country.
The United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
said that security patrols and humanitarian escorts by the peacekeepers, as
well as humanitarian activities continued as usual.
UNAMID forces today conducted 10 security and
confidence-building patrols throughout Darfur.
Humanitarian workers, meanwhile, continued their
operations such as food distribution to the most vulnerable, water support
provision of non-food items, health (i.e. treatment to rape victims) and the
protection of civilians.
In Khartoum, the UN mission in Sudan
(UNMIS) says it
continues to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement process working with
and alongside Sudanese partners. Emphasis is on helping sustain
humanitarian and other activities and supporting affected Sudanese.
UNMIS reports three protests today related to the
case presented
yesterday by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) --
one in Kassala, one in El Obeid and one in Khartoum. All were reported to be
peaceful. The rally in Khartoum took place outside UNDP premises.
No demonstrations were reported in Darfur today.
She later announced that the Secretary-General
latest
report on the deployment of UNAMID was issued.
Asked about the
consolidation of UN personnel in Sudan, the Spokeswoman said that the
temporary relocation of non-essential personnel out of Sudan began today,
and is expected to affect some 200 people. However, she said, all
peacekeeping operations continue on the ground, with the large UN presence
largely in place. That presence includes some 7,800 military personnel, more
than 1,600 civilian police and nearly some 1,800 civilian staff.
Asked about the reasons for
the relocation, she said that relocation measures were taken in response to
the deteriorating situation on the ground, detailed in the
Secretary-General’s most recent report on UNAMID, which was
issued today.
Okabe said that last week’s
attack on UN peacekeepers was the worst against UNAMID in the past six
months.
Asked whether last week’s
attack was linked to this week’s ICC announcement, the Spokeswoman said that
the investigation into the incident was ongoing. She noted that it had taken
place in a Government-controlled area.
Asked about UN relations
with the Sudanese authorities in light of the ICC procedure, the Spokeswoman
reiterated that a panel of ICC judges is currently considering the
prosecutor’s request. Meanwhile, the United Nations continues to operate in
line with its mandate, with two peacekeeping missions deployed in Sudan, as
well as a major humanitarian operation and support for the peace process.
Asked whether UN
peacekeepers would have to arrest indicted suspects, the Spokeswoman said
the question was hypothetical until indictments are issued. She said that
the peacekeeping mandate is spelled out in the resolutions of the Security
Council.
BAN KI-MOON HOPES REPORT ON TIMOR- LESTE
LEADS TO JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION
The Secretary-General
has taken note of the submission of the final report of the Commission
of Truth and Friendship to the Presidents of Indonesia and Timor-Leste and
the subsequent joint statement issued by the two Governments. He looks
forward to the early public release of the report and hopes that this
process will be the first step towards achieving justice and
reconciliation.
The Secretary-General welcomes the commitment by the
two Presidents to follow up action and encourages the Governments of
Indonesia and Timor-Leste to take concrete steps to ensure full
accountability, to end impunity and to provide reparations to victims in
accordance with international human rights standards and principles and in
line with the
recommendations of the Commission of Experts and the Secretary-General’s
report on Justice and Reconciliation for Timor-Leste.
The Secretary-General reiterates the availability of
the United Nations to extend its technical assistance in the implementation
of such measures.
Meanwhile, nearing the end of a three-year solar-energy
programme in Timor-Leste, the Department of Economic and Social Affair
says that solar energy can become a viable alternative energy source for
that country. According to DESA, the project to bring solar power to rural
communities, piloted in communities on Atauro Island and in Aleiu District,
has shown that solar can become a real energy option for rural communities.
It adds that with proper support, communities have the potential to manage
their energy needs in an affordable and sustainable way.
U.N. SPECIAL
ADVISOR GAMBARI LOOKS FORWARD TO RETURNING TO MYANMAR NEXT MONTH
In response to questions,
the Spokeswoman confirmed that the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser,
Ibrahim Gambari, received a letter of invitation to again visit Myanmar in
mid-August. This is consistent with the standing invitation extended to
Gambari by the Myanmar authorities; he was initially invited to visit in
late May, but that was overtaken by the cyclone that struck earlier.
Gambari looks forward to
returning to Myanmar on behalf of the Secretary-General. Discussions are
ongoing regarding the precise timing, programme and objectives of his visit.
Asked whether Gambari would
meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and with Senior General Than Shwe, the
Spokeswoman noted that the discussions on his programme continue. She noted
that Gambari has met with Aung San Suu Kyi on each of his visits, as well as
with Myanmar’s senior leaders on several occasions, and he looks forward to
continuing his dialogue with all concerned.
UNITED NATIONS CONCERNED OVER RAPID
DETERIORATION OF SECURITY IN SOMALIA
The UN’s Resident and Humanitarian
Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, today
expressed grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating security
situation for humanitarian workers in that country. He also expressed deep
concern over the unacceptable level of violence against Somali civilians.
Recent killings have brought the number of aid-related workers killed in
Somalia this year to 19. Bowden said it is intolerable that humanitarian
workers striving to save lives in one of the most difficult environments in
the world are being targeted and killed.
The Unted Nations, for its part, is urgently taking
measures to ensure the protection of its staff in Somalia while at the same
time allowing them to carry on with their vital humanitarian work.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP)
reports that gunmen in Somalia have killed an agent for a WFP-contracted
transport company. He was the fifth such staff member to be killed in
Somalia this year. WFP condemns the shootings, but says it is committed to
operating in Somalia, adding that more than two million people need aid in
that country because of drought and high food prices.
SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS CONSULTATIONS ON
U.N. MISSION IN CHAD AND CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
At 3:00 this afternoon, the
Security Council will hold consultations on the UN Mission in Chad and
the Central African Republic, known as
MINURCAT.
Council members last week received the
Secretary-General’s latest
report on MINURCAT, which expresses deep concerns about the repeated
rebel incursions into Chad. Meanwhile, the report says, the situation in the
northeastern part of the Central African Republic remains calm following the
signing of a peace agreement between the government and one of the main
rebel groups active in the region.
VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE CENTERS OPEN
IN IRAQ TODAY
The UN Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
congratulated the country’s Independent High Electoral Commission for the
successful opening today of 563 voter registration update centers throughout
Iraq. The centres provide an opportunity for all Iraqis to verify and update
their details so that they are registered to vote in elections.
All internally displaced persons and Iraqis are
encouraged to visit their local voter registration centre in the next 30
days so they can participate in the election process.
Also, Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s
Special Representative for Iraq, concluded a five-day visit to the Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG), which included discussions on the issue of
Disputed Internal Boundaries in Iraq. He described his visit as successful,
and reiterated that UNAMI will continue to consult with the Government of
Iraq and all stakeholders on this important issue, before and after the
completion of the United Nations' analysis of the relevant districts,
including options for the future of Kirkuk.
Asked whether the United
Nations was encouraging Iraqi refugees to return to their home country, the
Spokeswoman said that returns are a voluntary process.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORLD TRADE REPORT 2008 LAUNCHED TODAY:
The World Trade Organization (WTO) today
launched its annual World Trade Report.
This year’s report, entitled “Trade in a Globalizing
World,” looks at the gains from international trade and the challenges arising
from higher levels of integration.
It notes that international cooperation, including the
ongoing Doha Round, the opening of trade, actions to reduce trade costs, and the
implementation of multilateral agreements, can all contribute to enhanced
opportunities to gain from trade. To manage the risks arising from
globalization, WTO calls for a balance between open markets and complementary
domestic policies, along with international initiatives.
ICJ TO ISSUE
FINAL CLARIFICATION OF RULING ON MEXICANS IN U.S. PRISONS: Tomorrow, the
International Court of Justice is expected to issue a final clarification of its
ruling in a case brought by Mexico against the United States concerning certain
Mexican nationals being held on death row in U.S. prisons. The ICJ had earlier
ruled that the United States was in breach of international obligations for not
granting Mexican consular services to these prisoners. But after problems and
disagreements in implementing the earlier ruling, Mexico recently asked to
clarify it. The Court is scheduled to issue the Order at 9 a.m. New York time.
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONTINUES
DISCUSSING ZIMBABWE ISSUE WITH REGIONAL LEADERS:
Asked why the Secretary-General had issued a statement responding to remarks by
the Zimbabwean Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the Spokeswoman
said that the Secretary-General felt strongly about the issue and had not found
the remarks to be helpful. She noted that the Secretary-General has been
discussing Zimbabwe with regional leaders and had sent a senior official to the
region recently.
SELECTION PROCESS IS ONGOING
FOR NEW HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF APPOINTMENT:
Asked when the Secretary-General would brief the General Assembly on the next
High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Spokeswoman said that the selection
process on that appointment is ongoing.
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