Noon briefing of 12 September 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

MONDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2011

NAIROBI: SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES SORROW WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF PIPELINE EXPLOSION

• The Secretary-General expressed his sorrow and sympathy with the families of the victims of the explosion of a petrol pipeline today in Nairobi, as well as with the Government and people of Kenya. He also wishes a full and speedy recovery to the survivors. The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people of Kenya at this difficult moment.

OUTGOING PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTED RELEVANCE OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

• The Secretary-General attended the closing of the 65th session of the General Assembly this morning and expressed his great appreciation for the outgoing President Joseph Deiss.

• Among other achievements, the Secretary-General said that Mr. Deiss highlighted the relevance of the General Assembly as the UN’s chief deliberative and representative body.

• This afternoon, the Secretary-General will also be hosting a luncheon in honour of the President of the General Assembly.

• The Secretary-General also paid a tribute to Harri Holkeri, President of the 55th session of the General Assembly, who passed away last month. He applauded Mr. Holkeri’s efforts in the Assembly, and as a Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo.

SIERRA LEONE PROGRESSING INTO A STABLE AND PEACEFUL COUNTRY, SAYS U.N. ENVOY

• The Security Council was briefed this morning by Michael von der Schulenburg, the Secretary-General’s Executive Representative for the UN Integrated Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).

• He noted that Sierra Leone celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence last April, and it is continuing its progress towards developing into a stable, peaceful and economically more viable country.

• The Representative commended the people of Sierra Leone for what has been achieved during the last nine years in consolidating peace and building a democratic society.

• But he cautioned that recent clashes and skirmishes between followers of the two main political parties and among followers of different groups remind us that there is still a considerable potential for conflict and violence.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY LOSS OF LIFE IN ZANZIBAR FERRY ACCIDENT

• Over the weekend, the Spokesperson’s Office issued a statement on the ferry that capsized off the Zanzibar coast, killing many of those onboard.

• The Secretary-General said he is profoundly saddened by this tragic loss of life and expressed his condolences to the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar and the families of the victims.

PAKISTAN: U.N. RELIEF ARM SAYS MORE THAN 5 MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINS

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that torrential monsoon rains have affected more than 5 million people in Pakistan, including communities still recovering from last year’s floods.

• The disaster has reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives, destroyed or damaged nearly one million homes, and flooded more than four million acres of land.

• To respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Badin district of Sindh, the UN Refugee Agency and its partners will begin delivering 3,400 tents on Tuesday.

• For its part, the World Food Programme (WFP) is moving rations to Badin for distribution starting early next week. Its stocks in Pakistan will allow the Programme to reach half a million people.

U.N. TAKING ALLEGATIONS IN HAITI SERIOUSLY

• In response to a question about the fact that a Haitian senator has put forward a bill that could limit the U.N.’s immunity to the scope of its mandate and that UN forces should be subject to the Haitian justice system, the Spokesperson replied that the Mission acts under a Security Council mandate and any adjustments would have to be made by the Security Council. He added that the allegations in Haiti are being looked into and are being taken seriously.
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY: The Spokesperson reiterated that the Secretary-General will hold his press conference on Thursday.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, SA-1B15

New York, NY 10017