SPOKESPERSON’S DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
TUESDAY, 10 JANUARY 2012
SECRETARY-GENERAL SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ATTACK IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN
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The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack in the town of Jamrud in the northwest of Pakistan that left dozens of people dead and many wounded, including children. He extends his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and reiterates the continued solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Government of Pakistan in their continuing efforts to confront terrorism and extremism.
SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED BY TOP U.N. POLITICAL CHIEF, CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT ENVOY
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On Tuesday morning, Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe briefed the Security Council in closed consultations.
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In the afternoon, the Security Council will hold closed consultations on Children and Armed Conflict. Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, will brief Council members.
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Secretary-General will address the Economic and Social Council, or ECOSOC.
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He is expected to stress the instrumental role of ECOSOC in achieving the five global imperatives he set out last year, including sustainable development and supporting nations in transition.
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ECOSOC will elect its President and other members of its Bureau for 2012.
SOUTH SUDAN: U.N. HUMANITARIAN ASSESSMENT MISSION CONTINUING IN JONGLEI
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The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the assessment of the situation in South Sudan’s Jonglei state is continuing. A humanitarian team is in Pibor today to set up a response hub.
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The Office says that the areas that need to be accesses are extremely remote and can only be reached by air. Delivering aid by air is more expensive than by road and the Office is calling on donors to contribute to the appeal already launched for South Sudan. It is currently financed to about eight per cent.
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High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, who is wrapping up his visit to South Sudan on Tuesday, said that without international help the country would not be able to respond to the multiple crises it faces and could see a humanitarian disaster of enormous proportions.
LIBYAN GOVERNMENT, U.N. SIGN AGREEMENT
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The Libyan Government and the United Nations signed a Status of Mission Agreement in Tripoli on Tuesday.
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The agreement lays out the rights, responsibilities and procedures for both signatories, concerning the deployment, presence and safety of Mission operations and personnel.
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The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ian Martin, welcomed the speedy manner in which the agreement was reached. He said it underscored the strong collaboration and trust between Libyan authorities and the United Nations. Mr. Martin said the Mission and the UN system would continue to assist the Libyan Interim Government and Libyans in restoring public order, extending state authority and in promoting and protecting the human rights of all Libyans.
HAITI: U.N. MISSION URGES AUTHORITIES’ COOPERATION ON CASE INVOLVING MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
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Asked about the situation involving Uruguayan peacekeepers in Haiti, the Spokesperson said that the UN Mission (MINUSTAH) is actively engaged with Haitian authorities and is urging their cooperation to ensure judicial processes can be completed and that there is full accountability.
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It is up to troop-contributing countries to investigate and process complaints of misconduct by their troops. Zero tolerance policy means just that, but contributing countries have sovereign responsibility for personnel serving in peacekeeping missions. There must be accountability when allegations are made and people are found guilty.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
IRAN MUST PROVE NUCLEAR PROGRAMME IS ONLY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES: Asked about the International Atomic Energy Agency (
IAEA) report on Iran, the Spokesperson said it is up to the Iranian authorities to prove to the satisfaction of the international community that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes exclusively. The Secretary-General has observed that the international community does not seem to have been convinced by this.
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY STRAIT OF HORMUZ TENSIONS: Asked about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Spokesperson said the Secretary-General is concerned about tensions in the region. It is essential that tensions be defused and differences be resolved by peaceful means.
NO IMMUNITY FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS – U.N.: Asked about reports of the granting of immunity to certain Yemeni leaders, the Spokesperson said that the position of the United Nations is clear. There can be no immunity in cases where serious crimes under international humanitarian or human rights laws have occurred.
United Nations, SA-1B15
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
