HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MICHELE
MONTAS
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
U.N.
HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Tuesday, April
17, 2007
SITUATION IN DARFUR AT A CROSSROADS
On 16-17 April 2007, the
Secretary-General and the AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konaré met at
United Nations Headquarters for high-level consultations on
Darfur. Chairperson Konaré’s delegation included the African Union Envoy
for Darfur, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security,
Mr. Saïd Djinnit. The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Darfur, Mr. Jan
Eliasson, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Operations Mr.
Jean-Marie Guéhenno and other top UN officials also participated in the
consultations.
The Secretary-General and
Chairperson Konaré believe that the situation in and around Darfur is at a
crossroads. They expressed serious concern at the prevailing dire security
and humanitarian situation on the ground and continued attacks against
civilians and AMIS peacekeepers, as well as inter-tribal fighting and
incidents of aerial bombardments. They called for an immediate cessation of
hostilities in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Darfur and create
an environment conducive to political negotiations. They also urged all
parties to make the Ceasefire Commission an effective body and fully cooperate
with it. They expressed concern with the continued tensions between Sudan and
Chad and urged that all efforts should be made to normalize relations and stop
all cross-border activities.
The Secretary-General and
Chairperson Konaré reiterated the determination of the United Nations and the
African Union to jointly lead efforts to advance the political process and to
finalize plans for a strong peacekeeping operation which would be capable of
implementing the security aspects of the DPA and providing protection for the
civilian populations, in accordance with the conclusions of the 16 November
2006 Addis Ababa high-level meeting on Darfur, which were subsequently
endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United
Nations Security Council. They further called for strict implementation of
the Joint Communiqué on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur of
28 March 2007. They also stressed the importance of taking forward these
mutually reinforcing initiatives in a fully transparent manner in
collaboration with the Government of Sudan and other key stakeholders.
The Secretary-General and
Chairperson Konaré welcomed the broad support of the Security Council for the
work of the AU and UN Envoys for Darfur and called for a roadmap to be
elaborated by the Special Envoys as well as continued international support
for their efforts to move forward towards substantive negotiations. They
urged all movements to join the process in earnest under the joint AU-UN
leadership. They also welcomed the agreement of the Government of Sudan with
regard to the UN Heavy Support Package (HSP) for AMIS and reiterated the
determination of the UN and the AU to proceed expeditiously with the
implementation of the HSP and finalization of planning for the hybrid
operation. The AU and the UN expressed concern at the funding situation of
AMIS and appealed to donors to assist in finding a viable and sustained
solution to it, especially in the context of the expected deployment of the
hybrid operation.
The Secretary-General and
the AU Chairperson stressed the importance of taking forward political and
peacekeeping initiatives in the context of a comprehensive international
strategy to resolve the Darfur crisis, which would include proposals for
rehabilitation and economic development.
Asked whether China had
any role in the UN-AU agreement, the Spokeswoman said that the agreement was
one reached between the two parties: the African Union and the United Nations.
Asked whether Sudan may
have the power to veto helicopter crews, Montas affirmed that there has been a
deal reached, in which Sudan has accepted the heavy support package. What is
now being discussed, she said, is how to make that package a reality.
Asked about the
nationality of the troops coming into Darfur, the Spokeswoman noted that
Konaré had mentioned that priority would be given to African troops.
Asked about the timetable
for the deployment of the heavy support package, the Spokeswoman said that the
United Nations and African Union were fully aware of the urgent need for
deployment.
SUDAN AGREEMENTS MUST BE IMPLEMENTED
The Secretary-General
wrapped up his two-day meeting with African Union Chairman Alpha Oumar Konaré
on Darfur, and he spoke
to the press afterward to say that, although he is encouraged by the positive
signs from the Sudanese Government, the important thing now is to implement
these agreements into action.
He said that the African
Union and United Nations have agreed to move towards deploying a hybrid
operation in Darfur and to intensify their political process. They have also
instructed their special envoys, Salim Ahmed Salim and Jan Eliasson, to come
up with a more detailed and workable road map for the political process.
DARFUR: FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CAMP FOR DISPLACED
PERSONS
The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
says that a fire broke out yesterday in the market place at the Abu Shouk
internally displaced persons' camp in North Darfur. The fire destroyed around
100 shops, but no human casualties were reported, and local police say the
fire was started accidentally.
Meanwhile, in West Darfur,
four children were reportedly killed by unexploded ordnance over the weekend,
and the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) will investigate the incident.
BAN KI-MOON CONDEMNS DEADLY INCIDENTS IN
AFGHANISTAN
The Secretary-General was deeply
distressed to
learn of the fatal incident which occurred earlier this morning, when a United
Nations convoy was hit by a remote-controlled explosive device in Kandahar
city, resulting in the death of an Afghan driver and four Nepalese contractors
working with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The Secretary-General has also learned with
sadness of an explosion which took place at a school in Herat this morning, in
which at least four children were killed and four others wounded. He is
deeply concerned at the security situation throughout Afghanistan, which
results in increasing numbers of civilian casualties.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns such
despicable acts of violence against civilians and sends his profound
condolences to the bereaved families and respective governments of the victims
of today’s incidents.
Also available is a
statement from the UN Mission in Afghanistan, which says that intentional
attacks on civilians are a clear violation of international humanitarian law
and the UN will be pursuing full accountability for those who are behind this.
In response to questions
about the Nepalese, the Spokeswoman reiterated that they were contractors
working for the United Nations.
SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED BY VIRGINIA
SHOOTINGS
The Secretary-General was
asked today about the killings yesterday at the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute, and he said that the rampant killing of innocent civilians is
unacceptable, and he condemns it in the strongest terms.
The Secretary-General is
deeply saddened by the killings in Virginia. This tragic incident underscores
the common bonds of all humanity. We all grieve with the survivors and the
families of all victims. The Secretary-General hopes for a profound healing
process for the many individuals and communities affected.
Asked whether the
Secretary-General had any response to the killer being identified as a South
Korean, the Spokeswoman said that the Secretary-General condemned what has
happened, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator.
CLIMATE CHANGE POSES THREAT TO PEACE AND SECURITY
The Secretary-General this
morning addressed
the Security Council’s open debate on energy, security and climate. He noted
that the planet’s warming is unequivocal, its impact is clearly noticeable,
and it is beyond doubt that human activities have been contributing
considerably to it.
The Secretary-General
stressed that the issues of energy and climate change can have implications
for peace and security. Specifically, he said that when resources are scarce
-- whether energy, water or arable land -- our fragile ecosystems become
strained, as do the coping mechanisms of groups and individuals. This can lead
to a breakdown of established codes of conduct and even outright conflict, he
added.
Another possible
consequence of climate change was increased migration, he added, which could
deepen tensions and conflicts, particularly in regions with large numbers of
internally displaced persons and refugees.
Calling for early action
vis-à-vis climate change, the Secretary-General said the resources of civil
society and the private sector must be brought in and that the Security
Council has a role to play.
Also on the subject of the
Security Council, the Council will most likely hold consultations on Lebanon,
specifically on resolution 1701, following today’s open debate.
TOP U.N. OFFICIALS URGE GREATER ASSISTANCE FOR
IRAQI REFUGEES
The Secretary-General
delivered a video
message to the international conference on Iraq’s refugees and internally
displaced persons that began today in Geneva, telling the conference that, for
many fleeing Iraqis, resources are dwindling. Many will become destitute.
The Secretary-General
urged neighbouring countries to keep their borders open and uphold the
principle of no forced return, and he asked Iraq to work to create the
conditions for the safe return of Iraqis.
Under-Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes and High Commissioner for Refugees
Antonio Guterres laid
out the challenges being faced by the two million Iraqis who have left
their country, with as many as two million more internally displaced.
Holmes said that the key
point of the crisis, and of future humanitarian response, is the protection of
civilians. He said that we must find ways to operate inside Iraq despite the
terrible insecurity which dominates significant parts of the country.
Also, the World Health
Organization
says that the escalating violence and widespread insecurity are putting
severe pressures on the health of Iraqis. It notes that, on average, 100
people were killed daily in 2006.
LEBANON: U.N. LEGAL COUNSEL ARRIVES TO HELP
ESTABLISH TRIBUNAL
UN Legal Counsel Nicolas
Michel arrived in Beirut today, and told reporters at the airport that he has
come to
Lebanon with an open mind and an open heart, and is ready to engage in a
substantial dialogue as he assists the Lebanese on their way towards the
ratification of the agreement on the establishment of a tribunal of an
international character.
He said he would meet with
the whole spectrum of the main interlocutors involved, including the
President, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament.
Michel underscored that
the tribunal was requested by the legitimate Lebanese authorities and its
creation was unanimously supported by the first meeting of the country’s
national dialogue. Although it will take at least one year after the adoption
of its legal basis for the tribunal to become operational, he said, now is the
time for the adoption of that legal basis.
Asked whether Michel would
go to Syria, the Spokeswoman said that his focus was on his work in Lebanon.
PROSECUTOR RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON KOSOVO
PROTEST DEATHS
Turning now to Kosovo,
International Prosecutor Robert Dean today presented to the UN Mission his
interim
report regarding the deaths and serious wounding of protestors during last
February’s demonstration in Pristina.
The interim report states
that there is a substantial basis on which to conclude that Romanian gunners
attached to the Romanian Formed Police Unit were indeed responsible for the
four woundings – two of which were fatal. But there is not enough evidence
pointing to which specific Romanian gunners were responsible for firing the
wounding shots, and the evidence does not show at this time that the entire
group of Romanian gunners acted unlawfully.
The interim report does
add, however, that there is a reasonable suspicion that three of the shootings
constitute crimes under Kosovo law.
In light of the above, the
report says that the UN Mission, the UN, and the Government of Romania may
consider initiating appropriate procedures for compensation for the surviving
family members of those fatally shot and for those seriously wounded.
This report is not final.
The investigation is continuing.
U.N. REPORT NOTES PROGRESS IN ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS
TREATMENT
Countries in every part of
the world are making substantial progress in increasing access to HIV
treatment, but much more needs to be done to achieve the goal of universal
access by 2010. That is according to a
report released today by the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and UNICEF.
The report found that the
number of people in low and middle income countries with access to
anti-retroviral therapy for advanced HIV infection increased by more than 50
percent in 2006, to more than two million.
That number, however,
represents only 28 percent of those in need of treatment.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FACES DEEPENING
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
The World Food Programme (WFP)
is warning of
a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic. Hundreds of
thousands of people have been displaced by war and civil conflict and are in
urgent need of food assistance, WFP says, adding that the situation is getting
worse as a result of the violence spilling over from Darfur.
WFP is appealing for
increased international donor support so that it can provide urgent assistance
to almost a quarter million people.
In other news, WFP
said today
that a shortage of contributions has forced it to cut food rations for more
than a million Ugandans driven into camps from their homes during a 20-year
rebellion by the Lord’s Resistance Army.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO
DEPART FOR EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST:
Later today, the Secretary-General leaves for Italy, Switzerland, Qatar and
Syria. He should return by the middle of next week. Asked whether the
Secretary-General may pay any surprise visits to other countries, the
Spokeswoman said that he had said he would not, in response to a question from a
reporter today.
U.N. MISSION IN CÔTE
D’IVOIRE READY TO ASSIST IN DISMANTLING OF DEMILITARIZED ZONE:
In response to questions about the dismantling of
the demilitarized zone dividing Côte d'Ivoire, the Spokesperson said that the UN
Mission in that country (UNOCI)
had said that it supports this dismantling, as it is in line with the
Ouagadougou Agreement. The UN Mission also says it is ready to assist in this
process, upon request from the parties.
Office of the Spokesman for the
Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
