Noon briefing of 4 February 2011

BAN KI-MOON CALLS FOR ORDERLY, PEACEFUL TRANSITION TOWARD FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN EGYPT

• The Secretary-General met with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Berlin today, and said afterwards that they had discussed cooperation between the United Nations and Germany to secure peace, advance human rights, promote sustainable development and achieve progress in disarmament and non-proliferation. They also discussed Egypt and other hotspots in North Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Iran, and the peace process in the Middle East.
  

• On Egypt, the Secretary-General said that he sincerely hoped that today’s demonstration will take place without violence from any side. Now is the time, he said, for Egyptians to begin a process of peaceful and orderly transition leading to free and fair elections, respecting the will of the Egyptian people expressed so far through their demonstrations. The United Nations stands ready assist in this process.
  

• Asked what President Mubarak should do now, the Secretary-General said that it is important for the Egyptian leadership to listen more attentively and carefully to what the genuine wishes of its people are.
  

• He also spoke at Humboldt University this morning.
  

• The Secretary-General has since travelled from Berlin to Munich, where he will attend the Munich Security Conference and a meeting of the Middle East Quartet on Saturday.
  

• Asked about proposals for the next Government of Egypt, the Spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General has repeatedly made clear that any such decision must be made by the people of Egypt. At the same time, Haq said, the Secretary-General has underscored that the time to begin this process is now.
  

• Asked whether the situation in Egypt was a threat to peace and security, the Spokesperson said that the determination of threats to international peace and security is normally to be made by the Security Council.
  

• Asked whether the United Nations would seek to mediate between the parties in Egypt, Haq said that any good offices role for the United Nations is based on an agreement by the parties for such a role.

HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES INVESTIGATION INTO EGYPT VIOLENCE

• The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said at a press conference in Geneva today that the recent violence in Egypt must stop. She said the authorities there must make a strong, clear and unequivocal call on the security and intelligence forces to stop undermining the security of the state.
  

• Ms. Pillay added that there must be an investigation into whether this violence was planned, and if so by whom. This investigation must be undertaken in a transparent and impartial manner. And she said that all journalists and human rights defenders who were arrested for practicing their professions must be released immediately and unconditionally. The authorities must order their security and intelligence forces to cease this extreme harassment at once.
  

• The High Commissioner also announced the return of her team of senior human rights experts from their visit to Tunisia, saying that the team has briefed her on their observations and findings. The team is currently finalizing a written report, based on which Ms. Pillay will decide on the best ways in which her Office can provide immediate and more long-term support and assistance to the Tunisian people on a range of human rights issues.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES FOR CHANGE OF STATUS QUO, FORMATION OF INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT IN MYANMAR

• The Secretary-General has taken note of the announcement by the newly convened Parliament of the Union of Myanmar of the election of the new President and Vice-Presidents of the Union Government.
  

• The Secretary-General hopes that this announcement marks the beginning of a change in the status quo. It represents an important opportunity for Myanmar. He hopes that it leads to the formation of a more inclusive civilian government that is broadly representative of all parties relevant to national reconciliation and more responsive to the aspirations of the people of Myanmar.
  

• The United Nations stands ready to work with the new Government and all other stakeholders in Myanmar towards greater democratization, development and stability.

U.N. ENVOY “DISAPPOINTED” BY SOMALI PARLIAMENT’S EXTENSION OF ITS MANDATE

• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, has voiced disappointment at the Somali parliament’s decision to extend its mandate by three years. Mr. Mahiga says the decision was taken in haste and without proper consultation.
  

• He deplores the fact that this development comes at a time when discussions were underway within the Somali executive on what happens after August 2011.
  

• Both Mr. Mahiga and the African Union and regional officials plan to meet with the Somali leadership as soon as possible to discuss the way forward. “The Somali people deserve and expect to see change,” Mahiga said.
  

• Meanwhile, at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured earlier this week during clashes near a hospital in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, according to the UN Refugee Agency, which says it is appalled by the loss of civilian lives and the complete disregard shown for their safety.
  

• This was the worst incident in Mogadishu so far this year, although sadly, the capital is no stranger to indiscriminate violence, the Agency stresses.
  

• For the hundreds of thousands of civilians in Mogadishu, the situation is intolerable, with violations of basic human rights occurring on a daily basis.
  

• The Agency again underlines the need for the various warring parties to do more to protect the civilian population.

U.N. MISSION IN SUDAN CONCERNED ABOUT FIGHTING AMONG SUDANESE FORCES IN MALAKAL

• In response to a question, the Spokesperson said that the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is concerned about the internal fighting within a Sudanese Armed Forces Joint Integrated Unit (SAF JIU) based in northern Malakal town that broke out on Thursday night, following a disagreement of some elements of the Joint Integrated Unit to redeploy to the north.
  

• Haq said that reports indicate that two Joint Integrated Unit soldiers were killed during the clashes and one civilian, a national staff member of the UN Refugee Agency, who was hit in the crossfire during the fighting, has died today while undergoing emergency operation in the UNMIS hospital in Malakal.
  

• He added that UNMIS is meeting with the Senior Sudanese Armed Forces Joint Monitoring Committee members and the local authorities to help to contain the clashes and to resolve the differences between the SAF JIU through a peaceful dialogue in order to ensure that security prevails in Malakal.

HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF TO VISIT ISRAEL, OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

• The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 6-11 February.
  

• During her visit, Ms. Pillay will meet officials at the highest level, including Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. She will also meet Israeli and Palestinian human rights defenders, the Palestinian Independent Commission on Human Rights, and UN agencies working on the ground.

MILITARY OPERATIONS DISPLACE THOUSANDS IN PAKISTAN

• Some 25,000 people in north-west Pakistan have been displaced by fresh military operations against insurgents in Mohmand, the UN Refugee Agency reports.
  

• Should the fighting intensify the Agency estimates that up to 90,000 people will be uprooted by the end of this month.
  

• It has set up two new camps, and many arriving at the sites have little more than the clothes on their backs.
  

• The Agency expresses concern at reports that some young and middle-aged men have had difficulty leaving the conflict zone. It urges authorities to ensure that any screening activities to identify militants do not prevent civilians from leaving the area for safety.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES CÔTE D’IVOIRE: The Security Council received a briefing this morning on the latest developments in Côte d’Ivoire by the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in that country, Choi Young-jin.

UNITED NATIONS HOPES FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THAILAND-CAMBODIA STANDOFF: The Spokesperson, in response to a question, said that the United Nations was aware of reports of fighting on the border between Thailand and Cambodia and reiterated that the United Nations hopes the situation there can be resolved peacefully.

PANEL TRIP TO SRI LANKA “NOT ESSENTIAL”: Asked about a visit by the Secretary-General’s advisory panel to Sri Lanka, the Spokesperson noted that the panel’s view is that travel to Sri Lanka is desirable, but not essential.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

This document is for planning purposes only and is current as of 12:07 Friday, 04 February, 2011.

5 – 11 FEBRUARY 2011

Saturday, 5 February

Today, the Secretary-General addresses the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany. He will also take part in a meeting of the Middle East Quartet.

Sunday, 6 February

Today, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will begin a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The visit will end on 11 February.

Monday, 7 February

This morning, the Security Council will hear a briefing and hold consultations on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Roger Meece, Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will speak to reporters at the Security Council stakeout after his briefing in the Council.

At 12:20 p.m., Alain Juppé, Defense Minister of France, will address reporters at the North Lawn Building (NLB) stakeout after his meeting with the Secretary-General.

The joint meeting of the Executive Boards of the UN Development Programme (UNDP)/UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) is taking place today in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber of the NLB.

Today, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances begins a week-long visit to Timor-Leste.

Today, United Nations Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights Cephas Lumina will begin a visit to Australia which will wrap up on 11 February.

Today, the 48^th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) begins in Vienna. Key agenda items for the session, which ends on 18 February, include the sustainable future use of outer space and possible dangers from asteroids.

Tuesday, 8 February

This morning, the Security Council will hear a briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations (EU).

At 11:15 a.m., at the German House, the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support will launch a ten-year impact study on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security in peacekeeping. Under-Secretary-General for Alain Le Roy will moderate a panel discussion.

At 11:30 a.m., Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will address the press at the Security Council stakeout.

Today, the 2011 first regular session of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board will begin in the ECOSOC Chamber in the NLB. It will end on 11 February.

Wednesday, 9 February

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

At 11:30 a.m., in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium, Amir Dossal, Special Envoy to the World Youth Peace Summit, will hold a press conference.

At 12:00 p.m., Margot Wallström, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, will be the guest at the Noon Briefing.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will meet with the Representatives of the two parties in New York.

Thursday, 10 February

At 10:00 a.m., the United Nations Department of Public Information will honour women of the Holocaust at the sixth annual observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust at a ceremony in the General Assembly Hall. The Secretary-General will deliver opening remarks at the event, which will be hosted by Under-Secretary-General Kiyo Akasaka.

Friday, 11 February

This morning, the Security Council will hold an open debate on the maintenance of international peace and security and the interdependence between security and development.