United Nations Daily Highlights, 06-10-19

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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 STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, October 19, 2006

CRISIS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE CO-EXIST IN MIDDLE EAST

Alvaro de Soto, the UNs Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council that, in that region today, crisis and opportunity exist side-by-side, in a daily struggle for dominance over the fate of Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, and the region as a whole. At the heart of the conflict, he said, is the problem of Israel and Palestine, where a deadly crisis continues in Gaza.

De Soto told the Security Council, in its open meeting this morning, that since 25 June, Israeli operations have killed 295 Palestinians and injured 1,113 others, while indiscriminate rocket attacks by the Palestinians have injured 20 Israelis. Palestinian militant rocket fire should cease, as should Israeli military operations, he said.

He also drew attention to the political crisis of the

Palestinian Authority, which has for several months been governed by a President and a Prime Minister with divergent programmes, and has been polarized by deadly clashes between rival security forces.

The fragile balance between crisis and opportunity is also apparent in Lebanon, where momentum has been generated in the implementation of

Resolution 1701, but also where the countrys heavy political tensions remains a constant source of concern, de Soto added.

The Security Councils open meeting continued, with 20 other speakers inscribed.

Asked about reports that Israel may step up its military operations, the Spokesman said that de Soto in his briefing had called for a cessation of Israeli military operations.

Asked about the Secretary-General Kofi Annans report on

Resolution 1559, concerning Lebanon, the Spokesman said that it was expected that Council members would receive the report later today.

Asked about a report on the use of cluster bombs by Hezbollah, the Spokesman noted that the Secretary-General has called for a comprehensive look at the violations of human rights and international law which took place on all sides. The United Nations, he said, treats violations the same whether committed by Israel or by Hezbollah.

SUDAN AIR FORCE IS SAID TO HAVE BOMBED DARFUR TOWN

The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) says it has received reports that a government aircraft dropped an unconfirmed number of bombs near Birmaza in

North Darfur yesterday, leading to the death of an eight-year-old boy.

UNMIS has also received reports that two staff members from an international NGO were arrested in South Darfur two days ago for taking photographs without the required permit; and in West Darfur, armed bandits tried to break into an NGO compound in Nertiti.

And while on the topic of Darfur, a new UN assessment has found that despite the deteriorating security situation, overall malnutrition levels have mostly stabilized this year and food insecurity has improved slightly thanks to a stronger international response to the suffering there.

UNITED NATIONS WELCOMES AFRICAN UNION DECISIONS ON COTE DIVOIRE

Asked about the African Unions recent meeting on Cote dIvoire, the Spokesman said that the United Nations welcomed the important decisions adopted by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council on that matter.

The decisions taken by the AU Peace and Security Council, he noted, build upon the proposals developed by the Economic Community of West African States on 6 October, and could serve as a sound basis for the upcoming discussions of the Security Council, which is expected to take up Cote d'Ivoire on 25 October.

LOW-OXYGENATED UNDERSEA AREAS ON THE INCREASE

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the number of dead zones, or low-oxygenated areas in the worlds seas and oceans, may now be as high as 200.

Low levels of oxygen make survival difficult for fish, oysters and other marine creatures, as well as important habitats such as sea grass beds.

SPOKESMAN CLARIFIES U.N. POST-EMPLOYMENT RULES

In response to a question asked yesterday about a draft policy on post-employment restrictions, the Spokesman said the aim of the policy is outlined in the Secretary-Generals management reform proposals.

It is basically to ensure that staff who have responsibility for procurement, requisition or similar issues do not seek employment with companies they have done business with after they leave the United Nations.

ANNAN URGES SOMALIAS NEIGHBORS TO SHOW RESTRAINT

Asked about the Secretary-Generals reaction to reports that Ethiopia had admitted having troops in Somalia, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser continue to ask Somalia's neighbors to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further complicate the prospects for peace in Somalia.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNAN SUPPORTS SIX-PARTY TALKS ON NORTH KOREA: Asked whether the Secretary-General plans to travel to the Korean peninsula, the Spokesman said that he does not, and noted the Secretary-Generals continued support for the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue.

U.N. EXPECTS ACTION ON RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED IN NORTH KOREA: Asked about a UN special rapporteurs report on the human rights of disabled people in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Spokesman said that the report is clear and that the United Nations hopes that actions are taken to remedy the situation.

ANNAN HAS FILED U.N. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM: Asked whether the Secretary-General would make his financial disclosure form public, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General had already done all that is required of him and beyond by filling out the form.

FRANCE IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO U.N. PEACEKEEPING: Asked about the meeting between the Secretary-General and the French Defense Minister, the Spokesman noted that France works with the United Nations on a number of peacekeeping missions, notably Lebanon and Cote dIvoire.