Noon briefing of 21 April 2011

UNITED NATIONS CONFIRMS INTENTION TO RELEASE SRI LANKA PANEL OF EXPERTS REPORT

• In response to questions about the report of the Panel of Experts concerning Sri Lanka, the Spokesperson confirmed that it remains the United Nations’ intention to publish the report, in full and without amendment.
  

• “It is our intention to release it as soon as is possible, and we still would like to publish it simultaneously with a response by the Sri Lankan Government,” he said.
  

• “We are still trying to ascertain whether they are willing to avail themselves of this offer,” he added.
  

• Asked further about why the report has not been published yet, the Spokesperson said that the United Nations is in talks with the Sri Lankan Government, including through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, to see whether Sri Lanka would avail itself in good faith of the opportunity to respond to the report.
  

• He emphasized that the United Nations would issue the report in full. At the same time, it was allowing the involved Member State to exercise its own right to respond.
  

• Asked why the report had been written, Haq recalled that one of the key principles of the agreement reached in 2009 between the Secretary-General and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was to establish accountability. The Secretary-General named the Panel of Experts in 2010 in order to explore the issue of accountability regarding the Sri Lanka conflict, and the report is the result of the Panel’s work.
  

• Asked whether the Panel overstepped its mandate, the Spokesperson said the report would speak for itself. He added that the Secretary-General believed the Panel had performed its job conscientiously.
  

• Asked about leaks, Haq said that the United Nations has kept scrupulously to its word to keep the contents of the report confidential until it is released.

RENEWED VIOLENCE, PERSISTING STALEMATE IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS A SOURCE OF CONCERN

• B. Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council in an open meeting this morning that the persisting stalemate in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is of particular concern, given the institutional achievements of the Palestinian Authority and the evolving regional situation.
  

• He said that bold and decisive steps are needed to resolve this decades-long conflict, with vision, leadership and responsibility from all concerned. It is also important that any outbreaks of violence that could undermine political efforts are prevented, and that the parties refrain from provocative steps on the ground.
  

• Mr. Pascoe noted that recent weeks have seen the highest levels of violence in Gaza and Israel since Operation Cast Lead more than two years ago.
  

• In the context of media reports of potential flotillas, Mr. Pascoe reiterated the position of the United Nations that the appropriate way to meet needs in Gaza is through legitimate crossings. In this regard, he recalled the position of the Quartet, as expressed in its 21 June 2010 statement, that those wishing to deliver goods to Gaza do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via land crossings into Gaza.

BAN KI-MOON, IN MOSCOW, VISITS CENTRE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

• The Secretary-General is in Moscow, where he visited a centre for disabled children. He discussed the global problem of disability, at a time when about 10 per cent of the world’s people live with a disability, whether it is physical, emotional or sensory. And he emphasized that inclusive societies and inclusive education benefit everyone.
  

• Earlier today, he left Ukraine, where he spoke at the Kiev Institute of International Relations this morning. He discussed the question of nuclear safety, and also talked about the recent dispute in Côte d’Ivoire, noting that throughout the problems there, the international community stood firm on principle: that in a democracy, people have the right to choose their leaders. The power comes from the people.

U.N. MISSION IN COTE D’IVOIRE WARNS RECENT CLASHES COULD JEOPARDIZE PEACE

• The UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire, UNOCI, has deplored the ongoing fighting in the Yopougon and Abobo neighborhoods of Abidjan. The Mission says that these clashes could threaten efforts to restore peace.
  

• ONUCI says it is holding discussions with the parties to resolve the situation. The Mission has also reinforced its presence in Yopougon.
  

• On Wednesday, the UN Mission started joint patrols with the Republican Forces of Côte d’Ivoire to restore law and order in Abidjan.

DARFUR MEDIATOR ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO LEAVE POST

• In response to questions, the Spokesperson said that the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, Djibril Yipènè Bassolé, has informed the United Nations that he has decided to accept the offer of appointment as Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso.
  

• Once Mr. Bassolé's new appointment is confirmed, Haq said, the Secretary-General will consult Chairperson Jean Ping of the African Union Commission, the Government of Qatar, and other key partners to ensure that the recent progress in the negotiations in Doha can lead to an outcome document which will be discussed at the All Darfur Stakeholders Conference next month.

U.N. MISSION IN HAITI OFFERS NEW TEMPORARY BUILDING TO PARLIAMENT

• On Wednesday in Haiti, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Edmond Mulet, handed over the keys to the new temporary building which will house the Haitian Parliament. The Parliament was destroyed in the January 2010 earthquake.
  

• The UN Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, suggested this initiative to allow for the opening of the next parliamentary session on 27 April

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNESCO CHIEF CALLS FOR PROBE INTO KILLINGS OF LEADING BAHRAIN JOURNALISTS: The Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova today called for an investigation into the deaths of Karim Fakhrawi, a co-founder of Bahrain’s independent newspaper, Al-Wasat, and online writer Zakariya Rashid Hassan. Both journalists died in prison in Bahrain earlier this month.

U.N. OFFICIALS BRIEFED SECURITY COUNCIL ON YEMEN: Asked about UN action concerning Yemen, the Spokesperson noted that a senior UN official, Jamal Benomar, visited Yemen recently. Mr. Benomar and Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe briefed the Security Council on Yemen earlier this week.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

23 – 29 APRIL 2011

Monday, 25 April

This morning, the Security Council will hear a briefing on small arms.

Today is World Malaria Day.

Tuesday, 26 April

Today the Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution on the mandate of the Côte d’Ivoire Group of Experts.

Wednesday, 27 April

This morning the Security Council is expected to adopt resolution on the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

Thursday, 28 April

Today, the Security Council will hold consultations on Libya.

Friday, 29 April

There are no major events scheduled for today.