Noon briefing of 26 November 2004

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, 26 November, 2004

ANNAN RETURNS TO NEW YORK; CONSIDERS RECONCILIATION TO BE ESSENTIAL FOR COTE D’IVOIRE

The Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has returned to New York, following a one-day official visit to Burkina Faso.
Following the Iraq conference in Sharm el Sheikh, the Secretary-General needed to follow up on pressing matters relating to the United Nations presence in Iraq.
Late Wednesday evening in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the Secretary-General met one on one with President Blaise Compaoré for close to forty-five minutes. He had told reporters earlier in the day that he would discuss Cote d’Ivoire with the President.
Asked in that press encounter if he had a message for the Ivoirian people in general, and President Laurent Gbago in particular, the Secretary-General said it is essential that they engage in a dialogue and reconciliation to save their country. “There is no military solution,” he said, “so they have to find a way live together.”
Asked what the pressing matters regarding Iraq were, the Spokesman cited the preparations for elections that are going ahead and the efforts to provide security for UN personnel in Iraq as factors that made the Secretary-General feel that he needed to return.
The Spokesman added that the United Nations now has 20 international electoral personnel in Iraq, up from eight, and that Fijian troops are being trained in the region for close protection of UN personnel.
The Spokesman also mentioned Sudan and Cote d’Ivoire as issues the Secretary-General was returning to deal with.

ANNAN CALLS FOR PARTIES TO CONFLICTS IN AFRICA TO LIVE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

Although the Secretary-General was not able to attend the Francophonie Summit in Burkina Faso, his Special Representative for the Great Lakes, Ibrahima Fall, was there and delivered a message on his behalf.
In the message, the Secretary-General called on the parties to conflicts in places from Cote d’Ivoire to Sudan to live up to their responsibilities with regard to their people.
He also said that indifference is unacceptable in the face of poverty and hunger. He drew attention to the importance of the September 2005 meeting that will take place in New York to review the progress since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME SUSPENDS FLIGHTS TO MAN, COTE D’IVOIRE, FOLLOWING GUNSHOTS

The UN Operation in Cote D’Ivoire (UNOCI) says that the World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended flights to Man, in the country’s west, until further notice, due to harassment of crew and passengers by armed elements of the Forces Nouvelle.
Yesterday afternoon, a series of gunshots were reportedly fired in the air when a WFP aircraft was about to land in Man.
UNOCI says an investigation is under way, and it condemns any aggressive behaviour directed towards UN Staff or property.
WFP is making the use of the relative calm throughout Cote d’Ivoire to re-stock its warehouses in the country’s north and west.

U.N. ENVOY URGES ALL PARTIES IN SUDAN TO FULFILL CEASE-FIRE COMMITMENTS

Jan Pronk, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan, today welcomed the meeting that took place yesterday in N’Djamena, Chad, of the Joint Commission reviewing the implementation of the 8 April humanitarian cease-fire agreement.
Pronk strongly urged the parties to see that their commitment to the cease-fire is translated into concrete action on the ground, by an immediate halt to hostilities.
He said that the recent attacks by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army in Tawila and Kalma Camp were acts of revenge that were “not acceptable. The Abuja Protocols were meant to be a fresh start.”
He called on the Sudanese Government to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from using aerial bombings against the rebels.

U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG COMPLETES ALMOST ALL OF VERIFICATION WORK IN IRAN

The Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, yesterday told reporters in Vienna that his Agency has completed its work verifying suspension activities in Iran, with one exception.
That exception, he said, is Iran’s request to exempt twenty centrifuges for research and development, without using nuclear materials.
He said that the IAEA was now in a position to say that declared materials in Iraq have not been diverted, although he added that the Agency has a lot of work to do regarding possible undeclared material or activity.
“This is usually a long-term process,” ElBaradei said. “We are on the right track, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT IRANIAN KURDISH REFUGEES NEAR FALLUJAH

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) remains extremely concerned about the fate of some 4,200 Iranian Kurdish refugees from the Al Tash camp, about 50 kilometres from Fallujah, in Iraq.
UNHCR reports that access to the camp is currently not possible because of poor security conditions.
Because of fighting last week, some 1,400 refugees fled Al Tash, and the police station in the camp is now unmanned. In addition to having no police protection, the remaining refugees will not have received their monthly food rations.

U.N. MIDDLE EAST ENVOY: LEBANESE AUTHORITIES AGREE ON NEED TO REVITALIZE PEACE PROCESS

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, yesterday met in Beirut with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Omar Karami, Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hamoud and other senior Lebanese officials.
Roed-Larsen emphasized that he and the Lebanese authorities saw eye to eye on the need to revitalize the peace process. Both sides also agreed that peace in the Middle East would be lasting only if it was comprehensive.
Today, Roed-Larsen concluded his visit by holding meetings with former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt.

SECURITY COUNCIL MISSION DISCUSSED DR CONGO WITH UGANDAN PRESIDENT

The Security Council wrapped up its mission to Central Africa with a visit to Uganda, where the Council delegation met yesterday afternoon with President Yoweri Museveni.
The Council mission, headed by Ambassador Jean Marc de la Sabliere of France, discussed the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo with the Ugandan President. Council members also expressed their concerns about northern Uganda.
The Council mission today headed back to New York, and the Security Council will discuss the trip to Central Africa in an open briefing scheduled for next Tuesday.
In New York, there are no meetings or consultations of the Security Council scheduled for today.

VOLCKER INQUIRY INFORMED OF DISCREPANCY ON COTECNA PAYMENTS

Asked about a media report that Kojo Annan, the Secretary-General’s son, had continued to receive payments from the Cotecna firm until early this year, the Spokesman confirmed that a journalist had inquired about that earlier this week.
The United Nations had no knowledge of it, however, he said. Kojo Annan’s confirmed that it was true that Kojo Annan received payments until February 2004, as part of an open-ended, no-compete contract with Cotecna.
The no-compete contract, he said in response to another question, is an arrangement in which a company can deal with a departing employee, who could set up a competing business, by making payments in exchange for that person agreeing not to compete with his former employer.
He said it was standard practice, calling it a “well-known device in the industry,” and asserted it was not fair to suggest that it was the same as having Kojo Annan on Cotecna’s payroll.
Kojo Annan’s lawyer added that the arrangement had been reported to the Independent Inquiry Committee headed by Paul Volcker.
The Spokesman said he could not explain the discrepancy between this information and the earlier impression that the United Nations had, that the no-compete contract had ended in 1999. The matter, Eckhard said, was now in Volcker’s hands.
Asked how the United Nations was informed earlier that the contract had ended in 1999, the Spokesman said that was information the United Nations had received from Cotecna. The Spokesman said he had reported the earlier, erroneous information in good faith, on the basis of what Cotecna had said in writing. The Secretary-General will leave it to Volcker to investigate the discrepancy.
In response to another question, he said that the Secretary-General only knew of the discrepancy when he was informed earlier this week.
Asked whether the Secretary-General had discussed the matter with his son, and what his views were, the Spokesman said that the conversations between Kofi and Kojo Annan were a private matter. He said that the Secretary-General should not be held responsible for his son’s actions, and it is up to Volcker to determine whether any wrongdoing has occurred.
Asked why the Secretary-General doesn’t ask his son to explain the discrepancy, the Spokesman said the matter is being investigated by a competent authority.
Told that the lawyer for Kojo Annan had not been making comments to the press, the Spokesman said the United Nations does not control what lawyers may or may not say. On the larger question of transparency, Eckhard said, the United Nations has made available all its documents and staff to the Volcker committee, adding, “That’s as transparent as we can be.”
Asked how the latest information affects the Volcker committee’s work, the Spokesman said he did not see how this would affect the work of “highly sophisticated” investigators. He said that the Secretary-General has said that, if anyone in his employee is found to be suspect, he will waive their immunity.
Kojo Annan, he replied following another question, does not have immunity, and appropriate channels can deal with his case.
The Spokesman declined to speculate about whether there was the appearance of a conflict of interest. He said that the inquiry committee could say whether any actions that they were investigating were illegal or unethical.
Asked whether the latest information would undermine the Secretary-General’s ability to run the United Nations, the Spokesman said that he did not see that it “stands in the way of his carrying out his normal duties here, and I haven't sense that any Member State thinks that it does.”

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

F.A.O. AND PEACE CORPS UNITE TO HELP RURAL POPULATIONS: The Food and Agriculture Organization and the United States Peace Corps signed an agreement to enhance their collaboration and optimize efforts to help improve the conditions of rural populations around the world. Specific areas of cooperation include food production, distribution and access, and support to the FAO Special Programme for Food Security activities in low-income food-deficit countries.

AFGHANISTAN’S OPIUM CULTIVATION INCREASES DRAMATICALLY: According to the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004, just released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, opium cultivation in Afghanistan grew by 64% in 2004, a statistic which promises increased trafficking and a steady supply of high-grade heroin for Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. With 131,000 hectares dedicated to opium farming, this year Afghanistan has established a double record -- the highest drug cultivation in the country’s history, and the largest in the world.

F.A.O. TO REVIEW ITS ACTIVITIES TO HELP MEET MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS: The Food and Agriculture Organization will carry out major review of its activities, to ensure that it is doing everything possible to help meet the Millennium Development Goals. Any changes will be in line in with reforms taking place across the UN system.

NO CONFIRMATION OF CLASHES ALONG DR CONGO BORDER WITH RWANDA: Asked about reports concerning possible strikes by the Rwandan Government against rebels based inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Spokesman said that the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) had heard rumors about incidents along the border, including of Rwandan infiltration into the DRC. He said that MONUC continues its reconnaissance patrols by road patrols and helicopters, and so far there has been no confirmation of any such activities. The Spokesman added that the Mission said on Wednesday that Rwanda’s threat to take military action in the DRC seriously threatens the transition process in that country and in the region.

PRESS CORPS TO RECEIVE BRIEFING ON HIGH-LEVEL PANEL REPORT NEXT WEEK: Asked about the report by the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, the Spokesman said that the press corps would receive background briefings, from a senior official knowledgeable about the Panel’s work, on Tuesday and Wednesday on the report’s contents. The report would be embargoed until 10:00 a.m., New York time, on Thursday, 2 December.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, November 29

The Security Council has scheduled a public meeting on Kosovo, and has also scheduled a formal meeting to consider a draft resolution on the UN Mission in Haiti.

At 11:00 a.m., Jose Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Joseph Chamie, Director of the UN Population Division; and Ian Kinniburgh, Director of the Office for Development Policy and Planning, will launch the UN World Economic and Social Survey for 2004 in a press conference.

At 12:30 p.m., Jean Ping, President of the General Assembly, will brief the press on his recent visit to North Korea and the latest developments in the General Assembly.

Tuesday, November 30

The Security Council has scheduled an open briefing by the head of the Security Council Mission to Central Africa, Ambassador Jean Marc de la Sabliere of France. It has also scheduled a vote on a draft resolution on the UN Mission in Burundi. This is the last day of the US Presidency of the Council.

At 10:00 a.m., a senior UN official will give a background briefing on the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.

At 12:30 p.m., Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator of the UN Development Programme, and Nadine Gordimer, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and Nobel Laureate, will be joined in a press conference by authors John Updike and Salman Rushdie in launching "Telling Tales", a collection of short stories by 21 of the world's leading authors for the benefit of victims of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

The UNEP Global Meeting of Regional Seas Programs will take place in Istanbul, Turkey through Friday.

Wednesday, December 1

The High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change is expected to turn over its report to the Secretary-General. At 10:00 a.m., a senior UN official will give a background briefing on the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.

Today is the first day of the Security Council Presidency of Ambassador Abdallah Baali of Algeria.

The commemoration of World AIDS Day will begin at 7:30 p.m. at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature musical performances by Mary Wilson of "The Supremes", the Sinikithemba Choir from South Africa and The Luciana Souza Quartet from Brazil, as well as the experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS from around the world. The Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address and Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, will open it.

Thursday, December 2

The Secretary-General will transmit the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change to the General Assembly. At 10:00 a.m., Anand Panyarachun, Chair of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, and Gro Harlem Brundtland, member of the Panel, will brief on the Panel's report.

The UNEP High-level Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on an Intergovernmental Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building will take place in Bali, Indonesia, through Saturday.

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