HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY EDUARDO DEL BUEY, DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
MONDAY, 19 MARCH 2012
SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN INDONESIA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT
-
The Secretary-General has arrived in Jakarta at the start of his trip to Asia.
On Tuesday, he will hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and deliver a speech on peacekeeping at the Indonesia Peace and Security Centre.
- The Secretary-General is also expected to tour the centre, where peacekeepers are trained.
- In his speech he is expected to outline the challenges United Nations peacekeeping forces face and commend Indonesia for its long-standing role in peacekeeping.
- The Secretary-General will meet separately with the Foreign and Health Ministers and hold a town hall meeting with UN staff. He will also hold talks with Surin Pitsuwan, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
- The Secretary-General has a further day of engagements in Indonesia on Wednesday before travelling on to Malaysia, Singapore and the Republic of Korea.
ACHIEVEMENT OF PALESTINIAN STATE-BUILDING AT HEIGHTENED RISK – U.N. REPORT
- The Palestinian state-building achievement is at increased risk, resulting from increased financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority and the continued absence of a credible political horizon for a negotiated solution, the United Nations report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) has concluded.
- The report states that in the last six months the Palestinian Authority (PA) has continued to realize progress in a range of different areas, including, for example, the capacity of the security forces in the West Bank and in the provision of basic services, and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of Palestinian society. This deepening of institutional progress, the report observes, represents a further step forward in strengthening the institutions of a future Palestinian state.
- However, the Palestinian Authority continues to face an immediate challenge in meeting its funding gap required to help the Authority honour its obligations and avoid accruing further arrears.
- Similarly, the continued Palestinian divide and the unsustainable situation in Gaza, as highlighted once again in the recent upsurge of violence, represent fundamental challenges which must also be addressed. The report urges renewed momentum on the ground.
U.N. TEAM IN SYRIA TO ENHANCE JOINT SPECIAL ENVOY’S PROPOSAL
- Asked about a team of experts dispatched by Special Joint Envoy Kofi Annan, the Deputy Spokesperson confirmed that a team of people with expertise in political, peacekeeping and mediation had arrived in Syria.
- He added that the team was there to make progress on practical steps to enhance Mr. Annan’s proposal, including a monitoring mechanism.
- Del Buey said there was no scheduled visit to Syria by the Joint Special Envoy at this point, adding that his next trip would largely depend on progress made by the Syrian authorities in working with mission currently on the ground.
- He also noted that there were now two teams in Syria, one trying to find a political solution, and another assessing the humanitarian needs.
SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS RECEIVED RESIGNATION OF RESERVE INTERNATIONAL CO-JUDGE FOR CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL
- In response to a question, the Deputy Spokesperson confirmed that the Secretary-General had received Judge Kasper-Ansermet's resignation as reserve international Co-Investigating Judge of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
- He said the Secretary-General was grateful to Judge Kasper-Ansermet for his service as reserve Co-Investigating Judge at the ECCC.
- He also noted that the situation at the ECCC continues to be of serious concern and that the United Nations was examining it closely.
- Del Buey said he would not comment on the reasons for the judge’s resignation at this point of time.
United Nations, SA-1B15
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
