United Nations Daily Highlights, 04-06-18

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY MARIE OKABE

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, June 18, 2004

ANNAN TO APPOINT JAN PRONK AS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN

In a letter to the

President of the

Security Council, the

Secretary-General has informed Council members of his intention to appoint Jan Pronk of the Netherlands, as his Special Representative for the

Sudan.

Pronk, a former Minister for Development Cooperation who has also served in senior UN positions, would also be the head of the peace support operation that may be authorized by the Security Council at the end of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudans People Liberation Movement, says the letter.

A response from the Council President is expected shortly.

CHAD: RACE AGAINST RAINS TO ASSIST REFUGEES FROM DARFUR, SUDAN

On Darfur, the

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),

says it has now transported more than 100,000 Sudanese refugees from the border into camps inside Chad. The movement continued as the rainy season, which would render the roads impassable, draws nearer.

UNHCR also says it now completed its latest airlift into Chad. So far this year, it has brought in 40 flights from Tanzania, Pakistan, Denmark, Germany and Gibraltar with over 1,700 metric tons of aid for the refugees in eastern Chad.

SECURITY COUNCIL SATISFIED BY PROGRESS MADE IN GUINEA-BISSAU

The

Security Council this morning is receiving a briefing on the situation in Guinea-Bissau from Tuliameni Kalomoh, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs.

Once consultations ended, the Council went into a formal meeting to adopt a Presidential Statement on Guinea-Bissau. The Security Council, in the statement, expressed its satisfaction regarding progress made by national authorities towards restoring constitutional order, and encourages all parties and the new government to faithfully adhere to the provisions of the Transition Charter.

In its consultations, the Council received an update from Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi on security conditions in

Afghanistan.

Council members will hold their monthly luncheon with the Secretary-General.

UN REFUGEE AGENCY OFFICE ATTACKED IN AFGHANISTAN

Several rocket-propelled grenades were fired on an office of

UNHCR in the city of Kandahar, in southern

Afghanistan, today.

The firing caused little, if any, damage and no casualties. The

UN Mission notes that the attack nevertheless is a matter of grave concern, as an attack on UN premises. An investigation is ongoing into the attack.

U.N. NUCLEAR AGENCY DEPLORES IRANS LACK OF FULL COOPERATION

The

Board of Governors of the

International Atomic Energy Agency today adopted a

resolution deploring the fact that, overall,

Irans cooperation with it hasnt been as full, timely and proactive as it should have been.

The resolution underlines that, with the passage of time, its becoming ever more important that Iran work proactively to enable the IAEA to gain a full understanding of Irans enrichment programme by providing all relevant information.

The resolution also calls on Iran to urgently take all necessary steps to help resolve all of the IAEAs outstanding questions.

ANNAN SAYS SOMALI LEADERS SHOW LACK OF VISION AND WILL

The

Secretary-General, in a

report that is out on the racks today, says that in large parts of Somalia, politicians, businessmen and faction leaders have charted out armed control over their fiefdoms. They continue to demonstrate a lack of vision and political will, he informs the

Security Council in the report.

He says that the active engagement of the Security Council, and the putting in place of the Arms Embargo Monitoring Group, could help to support peace and national reconciliation in Somalia. The report also notes the response by aid agencies to the humanitarian crises in the country.

DR CONGO REFUGEES CONTINUE TO ARRIVE IN BURUNDI

From Burundi,

UNHCR reports that refugees fleeing from the

Democratic Republic of Congo continue to cross the border into Burundi, where an estimated 25,000 have already sought safety since 9 June.

The sites where the Congolese refugees are being sheltered are too close to the border to become permanent. Saturday, UNHCR plans to start moving the refugees away from the border to transit sites further inland. The Government of Burundi has agreed in principle to provide additional land where Congolese refugees could be sheltered and consultations to this end are underway.

IRAQI REFUGEES CONTINUE TO RETURN HOME

Despite security concerns, refugees continue to return to

Iraq ahead of the June 30 hand-over of power to the Iraqi Interim Government.

While,

UNHCR is not encouraging Iraqis to return, it is facilitating convoys in cooperation with the Iraqi authorities for those who wish to go home. To date the total number of returnees to Iraq has reached 11,500 with most coming from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

UN-CIVIL SOCIETY REPORT DUE ON MONDAY

The Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relationships, headed by former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, will present its report on the ways the United Nations can build on its links with civil society next Monday.

Deputy Secretary-General

Louise Fréchette will open a briefing to Member States which will begin at 10:00 a.m., at which President Cardoso will introduce the panels report.

President Cardoso will also be the guest at the noon briefing, when he and two other panel members Kumi Naidoo of South Africa and Bagher Asadi of Iran will speak about the report.

OLYMPIC TORCH CEREMONY AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS TOMORROW

The Olympic Flame is expected to arrive Saturday at UN Headquarters for a special ceremony in honor of the Olympic Truce.

The Secretary-General will light a cauldron from the flame from the Olympic Torch in a ceremony that will take place, rain or shine, at 8:30 p.m.

Two young people

chosen by

UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, will bring the Olympic Flame to the United Nations.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNCTAD XI EXPECTED TO ADOPT THREE DOCUMENTS TODAY: Today is the last day of the

11th session of the

UN Conference on Trade and Development, currently underway in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Conference was expected today to adopt three documents. These are: a political declaration, an operational text and an annex on the partnerships that were created during the Conference.

UNICEF RECEIVES DONATION TO FIGHT FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION:

UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund, has

received a 1.8 million euro donation from the Italian government, aimed at putting an end to female genital mutilation and cutting. UNICEF says this procedure is still performed on some two million girls each year and that to date, there are more than 100 million women and girls who have suffered some form of it.

ANNAN HAD ARTICULATED MATTER ON PRINCIPLE ON PEACEKEEPER IMMUNITY: In response to a question on immunities for U.S. peacekeepers, the Spokeswoman noted that the

Secretary-General on Thursday had told reporters that, if a resolution exempting peacekeepers from International Criminal Court prosecutions should be adopted by the

Security Council, it would discredit the Security Council and the United Nations. She said he was articulating a matter of principle on that issue.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Saturday, June 19

At 8:30 p.m., the Olympic Torch is to make its way to the United Nations, for a special ceremony in honor of the Olympic Truce. The Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly will speak at the event.

Sunday, June 20

The Security Council mission to West Africa led by Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom is expected to depart on a mission from June 20-29. The mission is expected to include visits to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria.

World Refugee Day will be observed around the world, including a ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, featuring UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie.

Monday, June 21

The report of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relationships will be launched, in a meeting opened by the Deputy Secretary-General. The Chair of the Panel, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and other panel members will speak to the press at noon.

The Secretary-General will open a seminar on Confronting Anti-Semitism: Education for Tolerance and Understanding, which is part of a series of events to promote respect and understanding among peoples. Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel will give the keynote address to the daylong seminar, which takes place in Conference Room One.

Tuesday, June 22

The Security Council has scheduled an open debate on the role of civil society in post-conflict peace-building. The Secretary-General expects to address that meeting.

At 11:00 a.m., Professor John Ruggie of Harvard University will give a press conference on the upcoming Global Compact Leaders Summit.

Wednesday, June 23

The Security Council has scheduled an open briefing, followed by consultations, on the Middle East.

The Secretary-General will address the 100th commencement of Stuyvesant High School.

Thursday, June 24

The Secretary-General will address the Global Compact Leaders Summit, which will take place at UN Headquarters and will bring together representatives from governments, business and civil society to take stock of the Global Compact and chart its future course.

The Security Council will meet with countries that contribute troops to the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights.

At 10:00 a.m., Italys Deputy Foreign Minister, Mario Baccini, and the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Juan Somavia, will hold a press conference to discuss the Global Compact.

At 2:00 p.m., the President-elect of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández Reyna, will speak to the press.

Friday, June 25

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

Today is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking. The World Drug Report for 2004 will be launched at the noon briefing.

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162 -

press/media only

Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212)

963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org

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