BAN KI-MOON HIGHLIGHTS CRUCIAL ROLE OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBOURS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS

BAN KI-MOON HIGHLIGHTS CRUCIAL ROLE OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBOURS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS
New York, Nov 3 2007 5:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the vital role played by Iraq's neighbours and regional partners in securing peace and stability in the strife-torn nation which continues to face daunting challenges.

"Iraq today is faced with an exceptionally complex series of overlapping sectarian, political and ethnic challenges," Mr. Ban <" http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp">told the Expanded Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq, taking place in Istanbul.

He said that violence aimed at civilians and government officials continues to impede efforts to establish stability and hinders national dialogue. At the same time, increasing levels of displacement add to an already alarming humanitarian crisis.

"In the face of the unrelenting challenges and potential changes, neighbouring countries, and those in the region, remain vital for stability in Iraq," Mr. Ban stated.

While noting that it is the central responsibility of the Government of Iraq to advance national reconciliation and to create conditions for a more stable political and security situation, he added that Iraq's neighbours can reinforce the Government's efforts. "The magnitude of the challenges confronting the government requires a comprehensive approach embraced by all actors, regional and international."

"It is my hope that today we establish a basis for concrete action? aimed at building confidence and strengthening cooperation," said Mr. Ban. "The people of Iraq and the region expect and deserve this from our efforts."

In addition to promoting greater regional dialogue, the Istanbul meeting seeks to strengthen the work of the three working groups focusing on refugees and internally displaced persons, border security and energy that were established at the last ministerial meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Outlining the progress made so far, Mr. Ban said that the energy working group, which met in I
investment in Iraq's energy sector while allowing Iraq to outline infrastructure needs. Progress was made in reaching bilateral electricity agreements, discussing a regional electricity grid, and addressing many other areas of energy sector work, including the needs of the oil sector.

The working group on displaced Iraqis, which met in Amman, established procedures for cooperation between Iraq and refugee host countries and secured pledges of assistance.

"The Iraqi cabinet decision to provide financial assistance to refugee host countries, in accordance with the commitment made in Geneva last April, is a welcome and much needed development," said Mr. Ban. "Now it is time to finalize the delivery mechanism for this support so that vital assistance to the refugee population is bolstered immediately."

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that more than 4.4 million Iraqis have left their homes. Of these, some 2.2 million are displaced internally, while more than 2.2 million have fled to neighbouring States, particularly Syria and Jordan.

Mr. Ban said the border security working group that met in Damascus made important strides to outline cooperation in the exchange of security and intelligence information, developing enhanced communication at the borders, preventing incitement of violence, and even encouraging political participation inside Iraq. "The importance of these actions, particularly the need to secure both sides of the border, cannot be over emphasized," he stated.

The series of incidents along the border between Turkey and Iraq demonstrate the importance of continued strong engagement to address all concerns, the Secretary-General noted. "It is clearly unacceptable that Iraq's territory is used to mount cross-border attacks and we recognize Turkey's security concerns. The Governments of Iraq and Turkey must work hard to address this challenge and I am confident that a mutually acceptable solution can be found."

Mr. Ban pointed out that since the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting, the UN has been give
resolution 1770. "I welcome the establishment of the support mechanism with which we can enhance our support to the Government of Iraq, particularly in facilitating national and regional dialogue, as well as in humanitarian and development assistance."

At the conference, the Secretary-General held a series of bilateral meetings, including with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey and with Prime Minister al-Maliki of Iraq. He also met with the Foreign Ministers of France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Iran and Syria, as well as the United States Secretary of State and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

In addition to Iraq, bilateral discussions focused on related regional issues, the Middle East, Myanmar, Darfur, Lebanon and Somalia.

2007-11-03 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TOP UN ENVOY URGES SUDANESE PARTIES TO SECURE NORTH-SOUTH PEACE

TOP UN ENVOY URGES SUDANESE PARTIES TO SECURE NORTH-SOUTH PEACE
New York, Nov 3 2007 3:00PM
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan has stressed the vital need to successfully implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ending a 21-year civil war between the country's north and south.

During a two-day visit to Southern Sudan on 31 October and 1 November, Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, who also heads the UN Mission in Sudan (<http://www.unmis.org/>UNMIS), underscored the critical importance of adhering to the historic accord for sustainable peace, stability, and development throughout the whole of the country.

He also stressed the readiness of UNMIS to assist the two parties in achieving the objectives of the Agreement and in bringing its implementation process back on track, following a recent decision by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to suspend its participation in the Government of National Unity.

While in Juba, Mr. Qazi met First Vice-President of the Sudan and President of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir Mayardit, Vice-President of the GoSS Riek Machar, and Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga.

"I am grateful to His Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir for the thorough, frank, and clear views and ideas he shared with me on all issues discussed, in particular the implementation of the CPA, as well as on the role UNMIS could play to assist in expediting implementation of pending issues," Mr. Qazi said.

"I am looking forward to working closely with His Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir and with the leadership of the Government of National Unity and the GoSS to assist in ensuring that the objectives of the CPA are met."

Mr. Qazi also visited Bor, Jonglei State, and met with the Governor and senior officials of the State Government. He was briefed by Governor Philip Thon Leek on the situation in the State, including existing challenges in the areas of development and security, and on ways the UN could assist.

While in Juba and Bor, the Special Representative met w
was briefed on the world body's activities in Southern Sudan, including on achievements made and gaps to be met in support of the implementation of the CPA.

Mr. Qazi emphasized the key role played by UN field staff, particularly the national staff, in carrying out diverse and complex tasks in support of the Agreement. "The CPA is the backbone of durable peace and development in Sudan and our top priority is to do our best, in close cooperation with the parties, to ensure its successful implementation."

Diplomatic activity on Sudan has intensified in recent weeks with the convening of talks in Libya on ending the Darfur conflict, spearheaded by the UN Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, and his African Union counterpart, Salim A. Salim.

2007-11-03 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM THIS MONTH WILL BE WIDE-RANGING, SAYS UN OFFICIAL

INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM THIS MONTH WILL BE WIDE-RANGING, SAYS UN OFFICIAL
New York, Nov 2 2007 7:00PM
A meeting on Internet governance in Rio de Janeiro later this month will bring together participants from around the world to discuss issues ranging from open standards to child protection and child pornography, a senior United Nations official said today.

Speaking to the press in Geneva ahead of the second Internet Governance Forum meeting, to be held from 12-15 November, Markus Kummer, Executive Coordinator of the Forum Secretariat, said more than 1,500 participants had registered 10 days before the event was set to begin.

This turnout was a demonstration to the "richness and wealth" of the meeting, which would gather representatives of government, the private sector, civil society and the Internet community to address a wide range of issues concerning the Internet.

The issue of security had attracted most attention, Mr. Kummer said, with 19 out of 70 parallel events devoted to it, many of them focusing exclusively on child protection and the fight against child pornography.

He stressed that international cooperation was the key, citing the example of a British-run watchdog programme on Internet child pornography which resulted in the establishment of a self-regulation mechanism where consumers could alert the watchdog of any illicit content.

In close cooperation with the Internet industry, the watchdog in turn alerted Internet service providers and the police, and removed the content from the Internet. As a result, the United Kingdom had reduced locally-originated child pornography to zero.

The Forum was neither a decision-making body nor an intergovernmental meeting, Mr. Kummer said, but a setting where all participants attended as equals.

"The Forum is more than a talking shop. It is a gathering of interested people who care about the Internet and who can give direction… and prepare the decisions that will be taken into consideration by other organizations that do have the decision-making power."
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

LEBANON, MYANMAR, DARFUR AMONG HOTSPOTS ON SECURITY COUNCIL AGENDA - PRESIDENT

LEBANON, MYANMAR, DARFUR AMONG HOTSPOTS ON SECURITY COUNCIL AGENDA – PRESIDENT
New York, Nov 2 2007 7:00PM
Lebanon, Myanmar and the situation in the war-ravaged Darfur region of Sudan are among the top issues to be dealt with by the Security Council this month, its president said today.

Next week, the Council will consult on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's latest report on the implementation of resolution 1559 regarding Lebanon, which supports polling free from outside influence and calls for the withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces, the disbanding of all militias and the extension of Government control over the entire country.

At that meeting, the body will also be briefed by Mr. Ban's Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, Ambassador Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia, which holds the Council's rotating presidency this month, said at a <"http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2007/071102_Natalegawa.doc.htm">press briefing in New York.

Also concerning Lebanon, at the end of the month the Council will discuss the most recent report on resolution 1701, which ended last year's war in the country.

Mr. Natalegawa noted that the Council could take up the issue of Myanmar, which he described as "a subject matter that is of interest."

Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, is scheduled to begin a visit to the South-East Asian nation tomorrow.

"The Council will benefit from his insights and other qualities when he comes back to New York," Mr. Nagalegawa said.

On Africa, the body will take up matters regarding the Great Lakes region, Burundi and possibly Somalia.

Mr. Ban's Special Envoy Jan Eliasson plans to brief the Council towards the end of the month on progress made thus far in the landmark Darfur peace talks currently being held in Sirte, Libya.

The Council will also discuss issues pertaining to Europe, including the European Union Stabilization Force (EUFOR) whose authorization expires on 21 November. EUFOR – which took over from the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in 2004 – is mandated to ensure continued compliance with the Dayton Peace Agreement that in 1995 ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AT UN, FORMER FEMALE CHILD SOLDIERS CALL FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE SCOURGE

AT UN, FORMER FEMALE CHILD SOLDIERS CALL FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE SCOURGE
New York, Nov 2 2007 7:00PM
Five female former child soldiers from Uganda came to the United Nations today to draw attention on the plight of the some 250,000 boys and girls who currently being used as child soldiers around the world.

Jennifer Achora, 22, Milly Auma, 29, Nighty Acheng, 28, Sarah Ayero, 28, and Maurine Akello, 18 were each kidnapped by Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Now they lead "Empowering Hands," a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Gulu, Uganda. They work to reintegrate escaped and freed abductees soldiers into their communities, and have helped at least 1,000 former child soldiers.

"I went to the Lord's Resistance Army and suffered there," Ms. Akello said today at a meeting with Rachel Mayanja, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women. "Then I came back home and, fortunately, Empowering Hands came. I got a lot from the group – counselling and friends to share experiences with."

Empowering Hands was doing an extremely important job on the ground, she said, but it lacked the capacity to deal with the scale of the problem. Ms. Akello called on the UN to help the NGO extend its programmes by providing training and funding.

"We have gained a lot of hope from Empowering Hands and we hope others will gain in their lives," she said.

Ms. Achora said Empowering Hands was unique. "We are very young women, but the kind of work we are doing is enormous," she said. "Other organizations have tried, but failed to do this. One needs the right experience – to know the feelings of the people who have been through such things to speak to them."

The NGO trains abductees to counsel others – both former soldiers and those in the communities they return to – about their experiences. When women return home they face stigmatization and rejection because of what they endured. They often come back to find that their parents are gone and that they have responsibility, not only for their own children, but for the brothers and sisters that were left behind.

"You are now role models for other girls in Uganda and for girls all over the world," Ms. Mayanja told the five. "What you have experienced in going to be with you for the rest of your lives. But you have managed to turn your experiences into a positive thing for others. Violence again women is a worldwide problem – it is not just in Uganda. And we all have to join forces to fight this scourge.

"We should listen to the girls; we shouldn't dictate to them," she said. "We should listen to what to do about violence so that we may have peace."

Nearly a third of child soldiers in northern Uganda are female and women in conflict zones face gender-specific issues, such as rape and torture. Empowering Hands helps women who on average are aged between 20 and 25 and have been in the bush for six years. Many are kidnapped when they are still at school, yet they return to their communities with children of their own.

On 8 November, the five will meet with Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.

The event was sponsored by Glamour Magazine. To benefit their NGO, Glamour Magazine will launch the Women of the Year Fund Initiative, which will allow the magazine's 12 million readers to contribute to charities supported by the Fund. Empowering Hands will be the Fund's debut honouree.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON 'DISAPPOINTED' BY MYANMAR'S ATTEMPT TO END UN OFFICIAL'S SERVICE

BAN KI-MOON 'DISAPPOINTED' BY MYANMAR'S ATTEMPT TO END UN OFFICIAL'S SERVICE
New York, Nov 2 2007 6:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed disappointment over Myanmar's decision to call for an end to the service of the highest-ranking United Nations official in the South-East Asian nation.

Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a letter to the world body that it does not want UN Resident Coordinator Charles Petrie to continue his work in the country.

The letter, which was signed by the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, cited a statement released by the UN Country Team – headed by Mr. Petrie – on 24 October which referred to socio-economic issues in Myanmar.

Authorities "said that [Mr. Petrie] had acted beyond his capacity by issuing the Country Team statement on UN Day about the socio-economic situation in the country and the Government considered that inappropriate," the Secretary-General's spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

No time frame was given by Myanmar for Mr. Petrie to leave the country, and Ms. Montas stressed that "he has not been declared persona non grata."

According to a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm11253.doc.htm">statement, Mr. Ban "has full confidence in the United Nations Country Team and its leadership and appreciates their contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic and humanitarian conditions for the people of Myanmar."

The UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) also voiced its strong support for Mr. Petrie, "who has always abided by the principles and charter of the United Nations," and that it supports last month's statement made by the Country Team.

Ms. Montas noted that the Secretary-General also endorses the 24 October statement.

At a meeting this morning at the Istanbul airport, Mr. Ban gave instructions to Ibrahim Gambari, his Special Adviser, to convey his views directly to Myanmar's authorities when Mr. Gambari begins his visit to the country tomorrow.

Upon his arrival in Myanmar, the Special Adviser is scheduled to meet with Mr. Petrie.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT FOCUS OF DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S TRIP TO ETHIOPIA

AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT FOCUS OF DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S TRIP TO ETHIOPIA
New York, Nov 2 2007 6:00PM
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro is heading to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she will be participating in a regional meeting between the United Nations, the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (<"http://www.nepad.org/2005/files/home.php">NEPAD).

"It will be her first participation at a meeting of this type to emphasize the importance the UN attaches to regional cooperation and to the role played by regional commissions in promoting development," UN Spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

There will be a focus on post-conflict reconstruction in countries such as Burundi and Sierra Leone, which are already on the agenda of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, set up a year ago to help countries emerging from conflict avoid sliding back into war.

During the meeting, Ms. Migiro will have the opportunity to consult with the AU, NEPAD and the UN Economic Commission for Africa on the new Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) Africa Steering Group.

Launched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in September, the Steering Group is designed to boost Africa's efforts to achieve the MDGs – the set of ambitious targets the world has set itself for slashing poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and other social ills by 2015. Ms. Migiro chairs the Working Group for the initiative.

Earlier this year, the Deputy Secretary-General noted that despite faster growth and strengthened institutions, Africa remains off-track to meeting the MDGs, urging greater international support for the continent.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

EXPEDITING HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION IN BEST INTEREST OF UN, SAYS SENIOR OFFICIAL

EXPEDITING HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION IN BEST INTEREST OF UN, SAYS SENIOR OFFICIAL
New York, Nov 2 2007 5:00PM
A senior United Nations official tasked with overseeing the renovation of the world body's headquarters complex in New York has stressed that accelerating the project will ensure that it is done faster, within budget and with the least amount of disruption to the Organization.

The renovations under the current seven-year, $1.9 billion Capital Master Plan (CMP) are expected to make the main UN Headquarters buildings more energy efficient and eliminate safety and health risks.

Last month Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed accelerating the plan approved last year by the General Assembly, known as Strategy IV, to make the renovation "less risky, less expensive and faster" in the long run.

"The major advantage of the Accelerated Strategy IV is that the entire project will be completed in five years, rather than seven, thus reducing the disruption to the Organization and the operations of the Organization by two years," Michael Adlerstein, the Executive Director of the CMP, told reporters today.

The accelerated plan, which is currently being considered by the Assembly's Fifth Committee, will also deliver the project within the approved $1.876 billion budget.

Presently, the CMP is approximately $219 million over the approved budget, which Mr. Adlerstein pointed out is a projected estimate for the costs of the project, not funds expended. "The actual expenditures to date, representing less than 5 per cent of the total cost, are well within their budget."

Accelerated Strategy IV "will reduce the risks of further cost increases, and increase the opportunities for us to get back to the approved budget, and stay there," he stated.

The accelerated plan proposes to empty the entire Secretariat building in one phase instead of four, which will require more swing space. So far the UN has signed a lease for a swing space building in midtown Manhattan at 305 East 46th Street.

It also proposes to accelerate the work on the Assembly Building and the Conferencing Building into two rather than three phases, which will require a larger temporary conference building on the North Lawn.

"The increased cost of additional swing space and the larger temporary conference building will be more than offset by the lowered cost for the renovation itself," said Mr. Adlerstein.

The proposal is consistent with the plan approved by the General Assembly in June 2006, in that it allows for the Assembly and the conferencing functions to remain in the Headquarters compound, in a new, temporary building. The Secretary-General will also remain within the compound. The Library will move out, as planned, and the Library building will be used as swing space.

Accelerated Strategy IV is advantageous to the UN because it lowers risk in three categories, Mr. Adlerstein noted. Firstly, it lowers the risk of unanticipated escalation to the cost of construction; the longer the schedule, the higher the risk that inflation could unexpectedly exceed projections.

Also, the possibility of noise and other disturbances requiring the UN to request pauses in the construction schedule, causing significant cost increases, would be greatly diminished, as would the possibility of a construction-related accident in close proximity to occupants.

If the Accelerated Strategy IV is approved by the General Assembly, Mr. Adlerstein expected that the initial vacating of the Secretariat will start in late 2008 or early 2009, and that the entire project would be completed by 2013.

He added that the accelerated strategy will not change the design or appearance of the renovated UN. "We are proposing only a different way of phasing the project, while staying within the approved overall budget."

He noted that in the case of both the approved plan and the accelerated plan, "we are presently over budget, although somewhat less so in the accelerated plan. So we need to both accelerate the project and revisit the design."

The CMP, along with pre-construction manager Skanska USA, has started to undertake a value engineering exercise to find appropriate ways to reduce cost without compromising on the quality and sustainability of the completed project.

While the finished product will not look very different from the outside than it does now, the designs of many aspects of the project are being done in a way that will make the UN safer and a "role model for sustainability."

"Generally, it's going to look and feel and work very similarly to the way it works now."
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

PRESIDENT OF UN COURT SAYS IT HAS CLEARED BACKLOG OF CASES

PRESIDENT OF UN COURT SAYS IT HAS CLEARED BACKLOG OF CASES
New York, Nov 2 2007 5:00PM
The International Court of Justice (<"http://www.icj-cij.org/homepage/index.php?lang=en">ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has essentially cleared its backlog of cases, the Court's President has told the General Assembly.

<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/ga10652.doc.htm">Presenting the ICJ's annual report to the Assembly yesterday in New York, Judge Rosalyn Higgins said that countries that were considering bringing cases before the Court could be confident that it would respond promptly.

"Some occasional delay in bringing on the oral hearings" would now be the result of "the choice of the States to ask for a further written round and not of any backlog in the Court," she said.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, had previously set a goal of clearing its backlog of cases by 2008.

Judge Higgins said the ICJ, which is based in The Hague, had enjoyed a very productive year in the 12 months to 31 July, with three judgments rendered, another being prepared and hearings held on three other cases.

There are 11 cases now pending, including one that had been given to the Court in the year covered by the annual report.

The President also noted that hearings begin next week in the case between Malaysia and Singapore concerning the sovereignty of Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

HAITI: OVER 100 SRI LANKAN BLUE HELMETS REPATRIATED ON DISCIPLINARY GROUNDS - UN

HAITI: OVER 100 SRI LANKAN BLUE HELMETS REPATRIATED ON DISCIPLINARY GROUNDS – UN
New York, Nov 2 2007 4:00PM
The United Nations today announced that it will repatriate more than 100 Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/">MINUSTAH) on disciplinary grounds.

Out of a total of 950 members of the Sri Lankan battalion (SriBat), 108 will be repatriated tomorrow, 3 November, with the cooperation of Sri Lankan authorities and following the receipt of a preliminary report by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

The move comes in response to allegations which are "of a transactional sex nature," the Secretary-General's spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters, adding that "there is a question of some underage girls."

"The United Nations and Sri Lanka take this matter very seriously and reiterate their shared commitment to both the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to best practices in peacekeeping," she said in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm11254.doc.htm">statement.

"The United Nations and the Sri Lankan Government deeply regret any sexual exploitation and abuse that has occurred, despite their efforts to ensure the highest standards of conduct and discipline."

Among those to be repatriated will be the battalion's second-in-command and two company commanders, Ms. Montas said.

Those who are repatriated will be prosecuted in Sri Lanka and the UN will follow up on the procedures that are carried out against those soldiers, she said.

After hearing of allegations of abuse and exploitation incidents by SriBat in several locations in Haiti, MINUSTAH asked for an immediate investigation by OIOS and Sri Lanka dispatched a high-level national investigative team, which includes a female officer, according to the statement.

Currently, MINUSTAH, Sri Lanka and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) are assessing the situation and considering how to assist the victims, Ms. Montas said.

She noted that "Sri Lanka is a longstanding and important troop-contributing country with a history of dedicated service with UN peacekeeping missions."
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

FAMILIES RETURNING TO REFUGEE CAMP IN NORTHERN LEBANON, SAYS UN AGENCY

FAMILIES RETURNING TO REFUGEE CAMP IN NORTHERN LEBANON, SAYS UN AGENCY
New York, Nov 2 2007 4:00PM
The United Nations agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees reports that displaced families are now returning to the camp in northern Lebanon that was the scene of months of hostilities earlier this year between the national army and Fatah el-Islam gunmen.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (<"http://www.un.org/unrwa/english.html">UNRWA) has already constructed 56 temporary shelters, including connections for water and electricity, for the returnees to Nahr el-Bared camp, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told journalists today.

The agency has also helped 3,000 families with rental subsidies and temporary accommodation.

The families are returning two months after the Lebanese army fully seized control of Nahr el-Bared after intense combat with Fatah el-Islam between May and the beginning of September. During the fighting most of the camp's estimated population of 31,000 people were forced to flee to nearby camps and towns for safety.

UNRWA has appealed for $55 million to fund the first year of emergency assistance to the Nahr el-Bared refugees, with the money raised to be spent on providing shelter and support to host families, temporary jobs, infrastructure such as clean water and sanitation, and basic services, including health care, education and humanitarian assistance.

The appeal is designed to cover the emergency needs of the residents of the refugee camp, former and current, and to plan for the full and safe return of those displaced by the fighting.

Meanwhile, Ms. Montas said that UNRWA remains concerned that fuel deliveries via the Nahel Oz pipeline into the Gaza Strip have been reduced.

The agency has warned that if this move is not reversed, it could have dire consequences for the 1.4 million Palestinians inside Gaza.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RECENT MOVE BY NORTHERN UGANDAN REBEL GROUP

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RECENT MOVE BY NORTHERN UGANDAN REBEL GROUP
New York, Nov 2 2007 4:00PM
The recent official visit of a Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) delegation to the Ugandan capital could help spur an end to the rebel group's long-running conflict with Government forces in the north of the African country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm11255.doc.htm">statement released by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he hoped that the visit to Kampala, which has led to consultations between the LRA and the Government, "will create momentum towards a comprehensive settlement to this conflict, which has brought great suffering to the people of northern Uganda."

He called on regional and international players that have been assisting the peace process "to continue their crucial support until an acceptable solution is found."

Mr. Ban's Special Envoy on the issue, former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, will continue to cooperate with the mediation process led by the Government of Southern Sudan that is trying to facilitate discussions between all the parties.

The LRA signed a ceasefire with the Government last year, but Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told the General Assembly's annual high-level debate last month that the rebels were failing to meet any of their commitments under the deal. Many LRA fighters have been camped in Garamba National Park in the far northeast of the DRC, rather than assembling in Ri-Kwangba, southern Sudan, as previously agreed.

Since the civil war began in the mid-1980s, the LRA has become notorious for abducting as many as 25,000 children and using them as fighters and porters. The children were often subject to extreme violence shortly after abduction, with many girls allocated to officers in a form of institutional rape.

In October 2005 the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its first-ever arrest warrants against five senior members of the LRA: the leader Joseph Kony, and commanders Vincent Otti, Okot Odhiambo, Dominic Ongwen and Raska Lukwiya.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

ON PLANNED BRAZIL TRIP, BAN KI-MOON TO OBSERVE EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

ON PLANNED BRAZIL TRIP, BAN KI-MOON TO OBSERVE EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
New York, Nov 2 2007 4:00PM
As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon prepares to leave next week for an official visit to Latin America and Europe, his spokesperson today provided details on the itinerary, which includes a first-hand look at Government efforts to combat climate change and deforestation in Brazil.

Spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York that while in Argentina, Mr. Ban will have a joint meeting with President Nestor Kirchner, and the President Elect, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

In Chile, in addition to attending the Ibero-American Summit, he will unveil a commemorative plaque – together with Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet – in honor of a Spanish UN staff member who was murdered in 1976 in Chile.

"After leaving Chile's capital, he will head to Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, and Antarctica – for a trip that will allow him to learn more about one of his priority issues: climate change," Ms. Montas said.

"In Brazil, he will see firsthand the Government's efforts to confront climate change. By visiting an ethanol plant near Sao Paulo, he hopes to see how the use of biofuels has allowed Brazil to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions," she noted.

With his visit to Brazil's Amazon region, including the Tapajós National Forest, Mr. Ban will take stock of Brazil's recent achievements in fighting deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management.

The Secretary-General is also scheduled to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

On 17 November, Mr. Ban will visit Valencia, Spain, where the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be releasing its latest report. The IPCC was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Al Gore.

Mr. Ban's trip builds on his previous efforts to push for action ahead of a major climate change conference to be held in December in Bali, Indonesia, where delegates from across the world are expected to try to hammer out a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, which contains legally binding targets for reducing emissions but expires in 2012.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TWO CREW MEMBERS DEAD AFTER UN HELICOPTER CRASHES IN LIBERIA

TWO CREW MEMBERS DEAD AFTER UN HELICOPTER CRASHES IN LIBERIA
New York, Nov 2 2007 3:00PM
A United Nations helicopter crashed in Liberia today, killing two of the three crew members onboard, the world body's mission there confirmed, reporting that the third is missing and presumed dead.

The UN Mission in Liberia (<"http://www.unmil.org/index.asp">UNMIL) announced that a cargo helicopter flight from Ganta, Nimba County to Loguatuo, on the border between Liberian and Côte d'Ivoire, crashed at around 10.30 a.m. this morning.

"The cause of the crash is not yet known," the Mission said in a statement released following the incident.

A search-and-rescue mission organized by UNMIL that reached the site confirmed that two of the three crew members onboard were killed, while the other is missing. The crew members' names and nationalities are being withheld pending family notification.

The Mission's Aviation Safety personnel and the Liberian Civil Aviation authority are investigating the crash of the aircraft – an MI-8 operated by UT Air, which was under contract to UNMIL.

The Mission has grounded all its civilian MI-8 helicopters until further notice.

Established in 2003 to support Liberia's ceasefire and peace process, UNMIL currently has over 15,000 peacekeepers, and around 500 international civilian personnel, almost 1,000 local staff and 220 UN Volunteers.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON ARRIVES IN TURKEY FOR TALKS ON IRAQ

BAN KI-MOON ARRIVES IN TURKEY FOR TALKS ON IRAQ
New York, Nov 2 2007 3:00PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived today in Istanbul where he met with Turkish leaders ahead of a planned conference on Iraq bringing together the country's neighbours and other interested States.

The Secretary-General and his Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, travelled this morning to Ankara, where they met and had a working lunch with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

"They discussed the ministerial meeting on Iraq that the Secretary-General will attend in Istanbul tomorrow; the issue of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); Cyprus; and the Alliance for Civilizations," a UN spokesperson reported.

The Secretary-General then returned to Istanbul, where he is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with League of Arab States Secretary-General Amre Moussa and with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, she said.

Mr. Ban will address the Istanbul Expanded Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq tomorrow before returning over the weekend to New York.

The meeting will focus on ways to promote greater regional dialogue, a UN spokesperson reported earlier this week.

"The Secretary-General hopes the Istanbul meeting will be an important opportunity for the participants to find mutually acceptable solutions on issues of common concern," Marie Okabe said Tuesday.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN COURT TO START HEARINGS NEXT YEAR IN FRENCH-DJIBOUTIAN DISPUTE ON WITNESSES

UN COURT TO START HEARINGS NEXT YEAR IN FRENCH-DJIBOUTIAN DISPUTE ON WITNESSES
New York, Nov 2 2007 2:00PM
The International Court of Justice (<" http://www.icj-cij.org/presscom/index.php?pr=1949&pt=1&p1=6&p2=1&PHPSESSID=fc750b06ce89bfcedad81408b2b4ddda">ICJ) announced today that it will begin public hearings next January in a case between France and Djibouti over whether high-level figures in the African country, including its Head of State, can be summoned as witnesses as part of a French judicial investigation.

In a statement issued from its headquarters in The Hague, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations said the hearings will start on 21 January and a detailed schedule will be published later.

The dispute relates to an investigation by French judicial authorities into the circumstances surrounding the death of Bernard Borrel, a French judge, in Djibouti in 1995.

The ICJ agreed to hear the case in August last year after France formally consented to the Court's jurisdiction following an application filed by Djibouti in January that year, and the two sides have since filed written pleadings on the matter to ICJ.

Djibouti's application stated that France had violated its international obligations under two bilateral treaties – the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (signed in 1977) and the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (1986) – by not handing over information relating to its judicial investigation into Mr. Borrel's death.

The Horn of Africa nation also stated that France had breached its obligations by seeking to call as witnesses to the inquiry "certain internationally protected nationals of Djibouti, including the Head of State."
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN AGRICULTURE FUND UNVEILS MORE HELP FOR TSUNAMI-HIT INDIAN FISHING COMMUNITIES

UN AGRICULTURE FUND UNVEILS MORE HELP FOR TSUNAMI-HIT INDIAN FISHING COMMUNITIES
New York, Nov 2 2007 2:00PM
The United Nations agency dedicated to eliminating rural poverty and hunger has announced that it is stepping up its financial backing to coastal fishing communities in southern India still struggling to rebuild after the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.

In a press statement issued from its Rome headquarters, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (<"http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2007/46.htm">IFAD) said yesterday that it has loaned an extra $15 million to the Indian Government as part of a broader $68.5 million programme to improve conditions in Tamil Nadu state.

Under the programme, local fishing communities will have access to insurance services and social security, while destructive fishing gear and practices will be phased out and new technologies for packing, processing and selling fish will be introduced.

New fish auction halls, sheds, drying platforms and waste disposal facilities will also be built to assist about 50 village fish marketing associations sell their stocks and receive better prices.

IFAD added that training is being provided, mainly to young people, in skills such as house and boat-building to ensure there are job opportunities in fields other than fishing.

The deadly tsunami destroyed the livelihoods of an estimated 174,000 people in Tamil Nadu, which sits at the southern tip of India. While some communities have been able to recover, others – including scheduled castes and tribes, poor farmers, and women processors and sellers of fish – were hit particularly hard.

IFAD's country manager for India, Mattia Prayer-Galletti, noted that fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the region, with at least 1,000 people killed in Tamil Nadu each year.

"Insurance for the fishers themselves and their equipment makes them less vulnerable to disaster and increases their capacity to cope," he said.

The agreement for the additional loan was signed yesterday in Rome by IFAD President Lennart Båge and India's Ambassador to Italy, Rajiv Dogra. Aside from the IFAD contribution, commercial banks and insurance companies are providing almost $25 million, while local communities are providing $10.4 million and the Indian Government is giving $3.4 million.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

DIVERSITY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SCHOLARS' GATHERING

DIVERSITY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SCHOLARS' GATHERING
New York, Nov 2 2007 1:00PM
In the face of increasing intercultural and inter-religious tensions, it is necessary to remember that diversity is not a threat, but a virtue, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a gathering of scholars in Beijing today.

"It is time to explain that different religions, belief systems and cultural backgrounds are essential to the richness of the human experience," he said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2830">message at the opening of the three-day Beijing Forum delivered by his Special Adviser Joseph Verner Reed. "And it is time to stress that our common humanity is greater – far greater – than our outward differences."

In his travels as Secretary-General, Mr. Ban said that he has encountered a common longing for peace and desire for prosperity.

"But, all too often, I have discovered that people who aspire to the same things also suffer from the same prejudices," he said. "They fear that which is different from them: the other ethnicity, the other skin colour, the other cultural or linguistic tradition, and above all, the other religion."

Meeting such as the Beijing Forum can serve as a fountain of new ideas to overcome such prejudices and foster tolerance and understanding, he noted.

Mr. Ban pointed to the UN's own efforts to bridge the divide through the UN's <" http://www.unaoc.org">Alliance of Civilization, an initiative bringing leaders, institutions and civil society to try to reduce fear and suspicion and overcome prejudices and polarizations that have emerged between Islam and the West, especially in recent years.

"Together, we must seek to further the basic ideals of all the world's major religions," he told participants at the Forum. "We must build societies that respect individual beliefs and practices. And we must nurture communities where people of all faiths and nationalities coexist in peace."
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

GREATER GLOBAL PROTECTION NEEDED AGAINST 'PREDICTABLE' DISASTERS, SAYS UN AGENCY

GREATER GLOBAL PROTECTION NEEDED AGAINST 'PREDICTABLE' DISASTERS, SAYS UN AGENCY
New York, Nov 2 2007 1:00PM
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (<"http://www.unisdr.org">ISDR) today called on governments to better protect people against more "predictable" natural hazards, especially flooding, to reduce the risk and vulnerability of local populations.

After a week in which floods have brought death and destruction to the Caribbean region and to Mexico, the Director of the UN secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Salvano Briceño, said the world needed to find better ways to reduce the impact of these recurrent disasters.

"There are many inexpensive measures that can be systematically adopted in disaster-prone countries to reduce the impact of hazards," he said in a statement issued in Geneva, the headquarters of ISDR.

"Risk assessments, early warning systems, evacuation plans, education and land use planning are a few of the many cost effective and reliable non-structural ways to avoid floods becoming disasters," he said, pointing out that many measures are within the financial means of most communities.

Floods this year have already caused four times as much devastation as last year, affecting 140 million people. This week alone Tropical Storm Noël has killed at least 100 people across the Caribbean region while heavy rains have brought widespread inundations to Tabasco state in Mexico.

ISDR has stressed that floods are among the most predictable, expected and announced natural hazards, and noted that the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<"http://www.ipcc.ch">IPCC) report predicted that more frequent and intense tropical cyclones and hurricanes will occur because of climate change, bringing more flooding with them.

Around the world poor people are often most at risk because they do not have the means to adapt their living conditions either before or after floods, and have to live in high-risk areas such as floodplains, ravines and slopes, which are more prone to floods and landslides.
2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN-BACKED MEETING IN ASIA FORGES COMMITMENT TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

UN-BACKED MEETING IN ASIA FORGES COMMITMENT TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
New York, Nov 2 2007 8:00AM
Experts, advocates and activists meeting at a United Nations-backed meeting in Asia have called for efforts to reduce maternal deaths, enable young people to avoid HIV and make family planning more accessible on the continent.

"Too many governments remain shackled by external pressures, outmoded laws and regulatory structures undermining reproductive health," said participants in an Open Letter to Governments adopted at the end of the three-day conference in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday.

Participants also vowed to push for more resources, and to hold themselves accountable for their effective use.

Some 1,300 people from civil society and governments in 42 countries joined the Fourth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, one in an ongoing review series since governments pledged in 1994 to make reproductive health services accessible to everyone by 2005.

The United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) was part of the international steering committee and provided partial support for the meeting.

In an opening session subtitled, "An unfinished agenda," UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Purnima Mane noted that Asia continues to have "high rates of unintended pregnancies, high rates of maternal death and disability, increasing numbers of new HIV infections, and persistent and widespread violence against women and girls," despite the region's progress in reducing poverty.

The agency also presented a set of reports and led a discussion on the causes and likely consequences of and potential remedies for son preference and prenatal sex selection in China, India, Viet Nam and Nepal.

The next regional review will be held in China in 2009.

2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

NUMBER OF SOMALIS FLEEING DIPS AS SITUATION CALMS BUT FEAR PERSISTS -- UN

NUMBER OF SOMALIS FLEEING DIPS AS SITUATION CALMS BUT FEAR PERSISTS -- UN
New York, Nov 2 2007 8:00AM
After 90,000 people fled recent fighting in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, a lull has caused the outflow to slow, the United Nations refugee agency said today, while warning that conditions remain volatile and fear persists.

"The situation in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has calmed down since Tuesday reducing dramatically the number of civilians fleeing the city after some 90,000 fled an outbreak of violence over the last week," said Jennifer Pagonis, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), citing the latest figures collected by a network of the agency's local partners.

"The situation however, remains volatile and tense with people living in fear," she warned.

Today, no civilians were seen fleeing, except from an area around the livestock market in north Mogadishu, where insurgents reportedly attacked an Ethiopian base on Thursday night.

The latest fighting pitted Ethiopian troops, in Somalia to help the Transitional Federation Government (TFG), against insurgents. Weekend fighting was described as the worst in months.

Fighting earlier this year led to an exodus of nearly 400,000 people from Mogadishu, with only 125,000 returning so far. There are currently 450,000 people internally displaced after fleeing Mogadishu this year, bringing the total number of IDPs in Somalia to an estimated 850,000, UNHCR said today.

The UN refugee agency has delivered aid to 78,000 people in Afgooye this year and is preparing to carry out another distribution, Ms. Pagonis said.

2007-11-02 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BOSNIAN SERB'S 15-YEAR SENTENCE UPHELD BY UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL

BOSNIAN SERB'S 15-YEAR SENTENCE UPHELD BY UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL
New York, Nov 1 2007 6:00PM
The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (<"http://www.un.org/icty/">ICTY) has upheld a 15-year prison term for a former Bosnian Serb soldier who pleaded guilty to charges of torture and rape of Bosnian Muslims during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

The Tribunal's Appeals Chamber yesterday unanimously dismissed all grounds of appeal filed by Dragan Zelenovi&#263; against the Trial Chamber's sentencing judgment of April 2007 and thereby rejected his request to lower the sentence.

Mr. Zelenovi&#263;, who was also a former military policeman, came into the Tribunal's custody in June 2006 after several years on the run. In January 2007, he pleaded guilty
to three counts of torture and four counts of rape of Bosnian Muslim women and girls from the Foca municipality in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In total he was found guilty of personally committing nine rapes, four of which were gang rapes. Many involved torture.

Mr. Zelenovi&#263; will serve his prison term in one of the States which have concluded an agreement with the ICTY on enforcement of sentences. He is entitled to credit for the time he has already spent in detention since 22 August 2005.

This judgement concludes the last case before the Tribunal specifically focused on crimes committed in Foca after the take-over of the municipality by Serb forces in April 1992.

The Tribunal has previously convicted three persons for the rape, torture and enslavement of Bosnian Muslim women and girls and one person for the persecution, torture and murder of non-Serb men held in the KP Dom detention camp. Four other accused were transferred to Sarajevo for trial before the War Crimes Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN ENVOY CONTINUES FORGING AHEAD WITH HISTORIC DARFUR PEACE TALKS

UN ENVOY CONTINUES FORGING AHEAD WITH HISTORIC DARFUR PEACE TALKS
New York, Nov 1 2007 6:00PM
The top United Nations envoy for the war-ravaged Sudanese region of Darfur is continuing to hold meetings as part of the landmark peace talks in Sirte, Libya, to end the crisis which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced more than two million others to flee their homes.

Today, Jan Eliasson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Envoy for Darfur, met with Sudanese presidential adviser Nafie Ali Nafie in Sirte where they reviewed the progress made during the talks thus far.

Mr. Nafie told the Special Envoy that his Government will participate in the second of the three Sirte phases, which entails consultations in both Libya and elsewhere with all sides prior to the last stage set to take place next month.

Mr. Eliasson – who is co-chairing the Sirte talks with his African Union (AU) counterpart Salim Ahmed Salim – also conferred with representatives of the Darfur movements which welcomed the plan and took a unified position, according to Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

Following that meeting, the Special Envoy held talks with international observers and regional partners who also pledged their support to the AU-UN team in its upcoming mediation efforts.

Tomorrow, Mr. Eliasson will leave for Europe and then travel to New York where he is scheduled to brief the Security Council.

Tayé Brook Zerihoun will stay on in Sirte as the head of the UN team, along with the AU's Sam Ibok.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

MIGIRO: RULE OF LAW DRIVES WORK AND MISSION OF UN

MIGIRO: RULE OF LAW DRIVES WORK AND MISSION OF UN
New York, Nov 1 2007 6:00PM
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today underscored the central role played by the rule of law in the work of the United Nations.

Speaking at a panel discussion in New York focusing on the Security Council, Ms. Migiro defined the rule of law as "a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private – including the State itself – are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms."

In its work, the Council seeks a middle ground between the needs for peace and justice, with there being a consensus that one cannot exist without the other, she noted.

"But as experience has taught us, it is a consensus that cannot be taken for granted," she said. "That is why our focus on the rule of law calls for early interventions, so as to prevent situations where demands for justice become a subject for negotiations."

Noting that the UN's numerous rule of law activities are scattered across the Organization, Ms. Migiro said she is chairing the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group established by the Secretary-General.

The Group comprises the heads of eight UN departments and entities dealing with the issue, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<"http://www.ohchr.org/english/">OHCHR), the UN Office of Legal Affairs (<"http://untreaty.un.org/ola/">OLA), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/unodc/index.html">UNODC), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/">DPKO) and the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP).

"Promoting the rule of law will be an essential component of our common endeavour to build a more peaceful and more just world for all," the Deputy Secretary-General said.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON APPOINTS JAPAN'S CROWN PRINCE AS HONORARY PRESIDENT ON WATER INITIATIVE

BAN KI-MOON APPOINTS JAPAN'S CROWN PRINCE AS HONORARY PRESIDENT ON WATER INITIATIVE
New York, Nov 1 2007 5:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed the Crown Prince of Japan as Honorary President of his <"http://www.unsgab.org">Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, which aims to galvanize global action on these issues as part of international efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

The Crown Prince's appointment is effective today and was welcomed by Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands who serves as the body's Chair.

The Advisory Board was established in 2004 to advise the Secretary-General and raise awareness of water and sanitation issues.

It comprises eminent persons, technical experts and others with proven track records in inspiring people, effecting change in government and working with the media, private sector and civil society.

Members also serve in their individual capacities at the Secretary-General's request.

The first Chair of the Advisory Board was the late Ryutaro Hashimoto, former Japanese Prime Minister.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AS TENS OF THOUSANDS FLEE FIGHTING IN SOMALIA, UN OFFICIAL URGES ACCESS FOR RELIEF AID

AS TENS OF THOUSANDS FLEE FIGHTING IN SOMALIA, UN OFFICIAL URGES ACCESS FOR RELIEF AID
New York, Nov 1 2007 5:00PM
As crisis worsens in Somalia, where 88,000 people fled their homes in recent days adding to a total displaced population nearly ten times that amount, the top United Nations humanitarian official there today called on all parties to facilitate access by aid workers to civilians in need of assistance.

"It is high time for Somali leaders and representatives of all parties involved to do everything in your power to minimize the suffering of the civilians and facilitate humanitarian access," said Christian Balslev-Olesen, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, in an <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/AMMF-78JD64?OpenDocument&rc=1&cc=som">open letter.

He called on Somali leaders and all parties, including the Ethiopian forces, to respect the distinction between civilians and combatants, not target predominantly civilian structures, and ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations.

The Coordinator said the recent fighting comes at a time when the country is facing one of the worst humanitarian situations in years.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1080">OCHA) estimates that up to 88,000 people have fled Mogadishu this past weekend alone due to increased fighting – more than have left the Somali capital in the past four months.

There are now roughly 450,000 people who have been displaced by fighting this year, bringing to 800,000 the total displaced population in Somalia, according to OCHA.

Many of those fleeing are seeking protection in the town of Afgooye, where some 100,000 people have found temporary shelter and continue to be assisted by UN agencies.

This weekend's fighting is the latest among the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and other parties in the Horn of Africa nation, which has had no functioning central government since Muhammad Siad Barre's regime was toppled in 1991.

Mr. Balslev-Olesen expressed concerned about the safety and well-being of those remaining in Mogadishu, as their ordinary livelihoods have been disrupted and access to basic necessities and services is shrinking.

He noted that many humanitarian organizations are unable to reach all persons in need, with distributions prevented by insecurity and checkpoints and ad hoc "taxation."
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

GREECE AND FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MEET FOR UN-LED TALKS

GREECE AND FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MEET FOR UN-LED TALKS
New York, Nov 1 2007 5:00PM
Representatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia met today in another round of United Nations-led talks over the question of the official name of the latter country and related issues.

Representatives of the two countries met in New York at the initiative of the Secretary-General's Personal Representative Matthew Nimetz.

Greece was represented by Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was represented by Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov.

Mr. Nimetz "urged the Parties to consider all possibilities so that a solution to this dispute can be found within a reasonable time frame," according to a statement issued following the talks. "I believe a solution to an issue that divides two neighbouring countries is very much in the interests of both Parties and would also greatly contribute to regional peace and security."

He said he put forward "a draft framework for their consideration as a basis for an honourable and fair resolution" and urged Ambassadors Dimitrov and Vassilakis to bring these suggestions to their Governments for study.

"These discussions under the Secretary-General's auspices will continue in an effort to reach a resolution. I have indicated a willingness to go to Athens and Skopje in the near future to consult with the two Governments more intensively. Both Ambassador Dimitrov and Ambassador Vassilakis will discuss such a mission with their Governments."

Article 5 of the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, brokered by the UN, details the difference between the two countries regarding the official name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It also obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to try to reach agreement on their dispute.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

ABDUCTED CHILDREN FROM CHAD HAD FAMILY MEMBERS THERE, UN SAYS

ABDUCTED CHILDREN FROM CHAD HAD FAMILY MEMBERS THERE, UN SAYS
New York, Nov 1 2007 4:00PM
The vast majority of the 103 children abducted for adoption in France from eastern Chad had family in the country, according to United Nations agencies and their partners who are providing assistance and investigating the identities and places of origin of the group.

"During interviews with humanitarian staff, 91 children said they had been living with their family, consisting of at least one adult they considered to be their parent," according to joint statement issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4729fa172.html">UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_41630.html">UNICEF) and the non-governmental organization the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC).

Aid workers are currently talking to the remaining 12 children to determine their family situations. International humanitarian rules, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, forbid the transfer of children for adoption under such circumstances. When children are separated from their families during calamities, aid agencies work to reunite them, and do not assume they no longer have living relatives.

Some members of the NGO Children Rescue/Arche de Zoe have been arrested for attempting to take the 21 girls and 82 boys – the youngest being about a year old and the oldest about 10 – out of Chad.

Although tracing the children's background is a "painstaking undertaking" particularly in light of the number of children involved, their young age and the regional situation, the agencies aim to gather as much information quickly while attending to their psychological and emotional needs.

In a preliminary conclusion, UNHCR, UNICEF and ICRC said that 85 of the children are from villages near the cities of Adré and Tine on the Chadian side of its border with Sudan.

This information, which has been shared with the Chadian Government, must now be verified in these villages, and in the coming weeks, the agencies and their partners will continue efforts to find solutions for each child to rejoin their families and live their lives as children.

"The unusual circumstances surrounding the children's arrival in Abeché, required rapid action to ensure the protection of the children including the immediate provision of adequate shelter and other items," the statement said.

Along with other groups such as volunteers from the Chadian Red Cross, the three agencies are assisting the Chadian authorities by providing food, mattresses, blankets, soap, clothes, toys, hygiene articles, medicine and other supplies.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN, GOOGLE AND CISCO UNVEIL ONLINE TOOL IN BATTLE AGAINST GLOBAL POVERTY

UN, GOOGLE AND CISCO UNVEIL ONLINE TOOL IN BATTLE AGAINST GLOBAL POVERTY
New York, Nov 1 2007 4:00PM
The United Nations has teamed up with technology leaders Google and Cisco to launch a new online site to track global progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the set of ambitious targets the world has set itself for slashing poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and other social ills by 2015.

MDG Monitor is a web application that tracks real-time progress toward the Goals in a number of categories in nearly every country in the world.

In addition to featuring information on the MDGs, the new online resource will serve as an educational and advocacy platform with the most current data in areas such as public health, education and women's empowerment.

Launching the project today at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the MDG Monitor the "newest beacon in the fight against extreme poverty and inequality."

"Now, for the first time, all information on the MDGs is available in one place, for all who seek it, with a few simple clicks of the mouse," he stated. "The MDG Monitor will not only help measure progress towards the Goals, it will also identify gaps and pinpoint areas where additional efforts are required."

The Secretary-General noted that while the world is facing a "development emergency," it also has at its disposal the means to cut poverty in half in the span of a generation. But ultimately, achieving the MDGs is a matter of political will.

"There is no silver bullet, but the resources, knowledge and tools for achieving the Goals do exist," he stressed. "Having the tools to closely monitor data on the MDGs is one of the most important requirements for this endeavour to succeed."

Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said accurate data is vital to the campaign to achieve the MDGs.

The MDG Monitor fills an important gap, since information on progress toward the Goals was not, until now, readily and easily available in one place, he noted.

Highlighting the role played by Google and Cisco in this process, he said "we really need all hands on deck as we redouble our efforts, and partners like you are essential."

Among its features, MDG Monitor allows web surfers to use Google Earth to go anywhere on the planet and explore the places where work is being done to realize the MDGs, with access to country assessments and data collected by the UN worldwide.

The online tool enables more than 300 million Google Earth users to better understand the Goals and what it will take to achieve them through the MDG Monitor website (www.mdgmonitor.org).

"Google's collaboration with the UNDP represents a belief that the MDGs stand for basic and critical human progress," stated Michael T. Jones, Chief Technologist for Google Earth and Maps.

"We have multiple legs on our stool and that is one of the pillars that we take pride in," said Cisco Senior Vice President Carlos Dominguez.

Noting that the MDGs are "lofty goals and ones that are not easily attainable, and really requires a whole community and a global effort to attain," he stressed the crucial need for tools to monitor and analyze what works and which areas need additional support.

Agreed by world leaders from 189 countries in New York in 2000, the MDGs call for quantified, time-bound progress in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.
2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE MEETING PRODUCES ACTION PLAN

UN COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE MEETING PRODUCES ACTION PLAN
New York, Nov 1 2007 8:00AM
The Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has wrapped up a meeting in Nairobi with a plan for specific steps to boost border security.

A joint statement and action plan issued by the Committee and some three dozen international, regional and subregional organizations stated the participants' intention to share information on border control and security matters, giving due regard to confidentiality of information, by providing guidance material on regional policies, legal instruments, and best practices.

They also called for coordinated activities aimed at encouraging countries to develop plans and strategies to protect their borders and assistance to Members States with devising strategies and policies to counter the scourge.

The statement was adopted at the conclusion of the Committee's fifth special meeting with international, regional and subregional organizations, held from 29 to 31 October at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Previous gatherings were held in 2003 in New York and Washington, D.C., in 2004 in Vienna and in 2005 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The meeting's working sessions covered the various international standards and methods of ensuring the security of cargo, civil aviation and maritime transport; law enforcement and its role in safeguarding borders; and asylum and refugee protection issues.

Along with the Committee's Executive Directorate (CTED), the discussions were led by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

HAITI: UN AND GOVERNMENT JOIN FORCES TO PROVIDE RELIEF AFTER TROPICAL STORM NOËL

HAITI: UN AND GOVERNMENT JOIN FORCES TO PROVIDE RELIEF AFTER TROPICAL STORM NOËL
New York, Nov 1 2007 8:00AM
Responding to the damage caused when Tropical Storm Noël swept over Haiti on 29 and 30 October, blue helmets from the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) helped to evacuate thousands of people, distribute meals and provide medical assistance to those affected.

Persistent heavy rainfall and strong gusts of wind caused 18 deaths, 14 injured, two missing and rendered over 3,300 people homeless while destroying and damaging scores of homes, MINUSTAH said in a news release, citing official figures.

The Government of Haiti immediately began organizing the relief effort, with support from the mission, which helped evacuate thousands of people in Cité Soleil and elsewhere in the country who were threatened by rising waters.

Overall MINUSTAH helped evacuate 8,000 people, distributed 4,500 meals, and provided medical assistance to 280 patients, mostly in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Jacmel and Les Cayes.

"In these difficult circumstances MINUSTAH and the United Nations system reaffirm their total solidarity with the storm victims and remain ready to continue assisting the Haitian authorities with all the resources they have available," the mission said.

2007-11-01 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

ALMOST 88,000 SOMALIS DISPLACED DURING WEEKEND VIOLENCE IN MOGADISHU - UN

ALMOST 88,000 SOMALIS DISPLACED DURING WEEKEND VIOLENCE IN MOGADISHU – UN
New York, Oct 31 2007 7:00PM
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today that up to 88,000 people have fled Mogadishu this past weekend due to increased fighting – which is more than have left the Somali capital in the past four months.

"Increased fighting and a general decline in the security situation in the city are prompting this increased exodus," <"http://ochaonline.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1080">OCHA said in a press release, noting that entire districts have been emptied of inhabitants.

OCHA noted widespread fear among the population, as daily attacks become better-organized, various authorities issue evacuation orders and conduct house-to-house searches, and large-scale detentions continue.

The UN estimates that more than 400,000 civilians left the volatile capital after fighting earlier in the year. Including the latest waves of displacement and the some 350,000 long-term displaced, the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia now numbers more than 800,000. Overall, 1.5 million people in Somalia are in need of assistance and protection, marking a 50 per cent increase since the beginning of the year.

The deteriorating security situation has also hindered the work of aid agencies at a time when protection, water and food are the most immediate concerns.

"Respect for international humanitarian law in some parts of Somalia is negligible," said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes. "I am very concerned that national and international NGOs are now saying that they cannot respond effectively to the crisis because access and security are deteriorating dramatically even as needs are increasing.

"It is the responsibility of the Transitional Federal Authority, including all officials at all levels, to do all they can to facilitate the major humanitarian endeavour required to save lives and ease the suffering of Somalia's people," Mr. Holmes, who also serves as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stressed.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

LOW-COST TECHNOLOGIES COULD ENSURE SANITATION FOR ALL, SAYS SENIOR UN OFFICIAL

LOW-COST TECHNOLOGIES COULD ENSURE SANITATION FOR ALL, SAYS SENIOR UN OFFICIAL
New York, Oct 31 2007 7:00PM
With more than 2.6 billion people – 40 per cent of the world's population – lacking access to toilets and other sanitation facilities, the head of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (<"http://www.unhabitat.org/">UN-HABITAT) has urged governments to adopt low-cost technology to ensure adequate sanitation for all.

While the world has made significant progress in improving people's access to safe water, access to improved sanitation "lags far behind," UN-Habitat's Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka said in a message to the World Toilet Summit, which opened today in New Delhi, India.

She said this is particularly true in sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia and eastern Asia where the proportion of the urban population having access until recently was only 55 per cent, 67 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.

"Being deprived of adequate sanitation facilities is the most direct and dehumanizing consequence of poverty," Ms. Tibaijuka stated.

Lack of access to an adequate toilet not only violates the dignity of the urban poor, but also affects their health, she added, noting that the correlation between urban poverty and poor health is largely a result of inadequate sanitation facilities combined with inadequate or unsafe water supply.

She added that sanitation is beginning to be recognized as a national development priority that needs to be supported by adequate policies and budgetary allocations. "The mobilization of investment capital is critical so that water and sewerage utilities are able to upgrade and extend infrastructure and services to meet un-served populations."

Greater community involvement, particularly of women, in water and sanitation management combined with simple technology for easy maintenance can greatly facilitate cost recovery and help ensure equitable access, she added.

In 2000, world leaders committed themselves to reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015 (Millennium Development Goal 7, target 10). At the 2002, they added another target – to halve by 2015, the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation.

In addition, the UN has declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation to raise awareness of the importance of sanitation and its impact on achieving other global development targets.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TOP UN OFFICIALS LAUD ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION PROMOTING INTER-KOREAN PEACE

TOP UN OFFICIALS LAUD ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION PROMOTING INTER-KOREAN PEACE
New York, Oct 31 2007 7:00PM
Top United Nations officials today hailed the General Assembly's adoption of a resolution encouraging the consolidation of peace on the Korean peninsula and the laying of groundwork for reunification.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Assembly President Srgjan Kerim appealed to Member States to continue their support of the dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), following the Declaration this month by the two countries to bolster cooperation.

Welcoming the resolution, Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2828">noted that today is especially "auspicious" because exactly seven years ago, the Assembly passed a resolution following the historic June 2000 summit between the two Korean Peninsula nations.

"Today, as Secretary-General, I feel a much more personal obligation to do all I can to encourage and facilitate the continuing work for peace, security and reunification on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

This month's Declaration "will pave the way for a permanent peace regime and eventual reunification," he added.

Mr. Ban also expressed hope that the October Declaration will serve as a catalyst for progress in the six-party talks – involving the DPRK, China, Japan, ROK, Russia and the United States – on achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

The Assembly resolution "is also a clear recognition of the efforts of the people and leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to pursue through dialogue and peaceful means reconciliation between their two countries," Mr. Kerim said.

He also voiced optimism that the inter-Korean peace process will contribute to peace and security, not just on the Peninsula, but in the region and beyond.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN'S WESTERN SAHARA MISSION THROUGH APRIL 2008

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN'S WESTERN SAHARA MISSION THROUGH APRIL 2008
New York, Oct 31 2007 6:00PM
The Security Council today extended through next April the mandate of the United Nations mission in Western Sahara (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minurso/index.html">MINURSO), which has been in the Territory since 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Frente Polisario.

In a unanimously <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc9159.doc.htm">adopted resolution, the Council called on the parties "to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to engage in substantive negotiations."

In a bid to break the impasse, the UN sponsored talks between Morocco and the Frente Polisario in Manhasset, just outside New York, in June and again in August.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on Western Sahara, said the two sides held mutually exclusive positions that prevented them from seriously discussing each other's proposal during the talks.

Morocco holds that its sovereignty over Western Sahara should be recognized, while the Frente Polisario's position is that the Territory's final status should be decided in a referendum that includes independence as an option.

The Secretary-General's report also recommended a six-month extension of MINURSO's mandate, set to expire today. In adopting that proposal, the Council called on the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General "without preconditions and in good faith… with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations."

It also noted "the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect."
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

GENERAL ASSEMBLY URGES OBSERVANCE OF 'OLYMPIC TRUCE' DURING BEIJING GAMES

GENERAL ASSEMBLY URGES OBSERVANCE OF 'OLYMPIC TRUCE' DURING BEIJING GAMES
New York, Oct 31 2007 6:00PM
The United Nations General Assembly today urged all countries to observe the Olympic Truce during the 2008 Beijing Games – a move backed by its president, who advocated greater use of sport to promote peace and development.

In a <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/62/l.2">resolution adopted unanimously and sponsored by the vast majority of UN Member States, the Assembly also welcomed the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to galvanize actions to promote a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the Olympic Truce, a revived ancient Greek tradition known as <i>ekecheiria</i>.

It called on all Member States to cooperate with the IOC in its efforts to use sport as an instrument to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond the Olympic Games period.

Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said the 192-member body considers the concept of <i>ekecheiria</i> "to be an important part of promoting international understanding and maintaining peace."

He noted that the UN "works closely with the International Olympic Committee to develop strategic partnerships with the international sport community to promote education, health, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, environmental protection, peace and reconciliation."

The President praised examples including peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Liberia who use sport to bring previously warring factions together, while backing a call from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a more systematic follow-up by all Member States and UN bodies to "more effectively use sport as a tool" to achieve the global antipoverty targets collectively known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"If we are going to build a world with greater tolerance, mutual understanding and peace sport must continue to be used to channel energies away from aggression and self-destruction and into learning and self-respect," he said. "This is the essence of the Olympic ideal."
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

NEW UN OFFICE UTILIZING SPACE INFORMATION TO MITIGATE DISASTERS OPENS IN BONN

NEW UN OFFICE UTILIZING SPACE INFORMATION TO MITIGATE DISASTERS OPENS IN BONN
New York, Oct 31 2007 5:00PM
A new United Nations Outer Space Affairs (<"http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/index.html">UNOOSA) office tasked with utilizing space technologies to respond to all stages of disasters globally has opened in Bonn, Germany.

The new office – expected to be the first of several – aims to carry out the UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER).

Unlike other recent initiatives where space-based information is used for humanitarian and emergency response, UN-SPIDER is the first to employ the technologies to cover all stages of disaster, including the risk reduction phase which could significantly cut the loss of lives and property.

UN-SPIDER will provide universal access to all countries and interested organizations to space-based information and services on disaster management "and will have a considerable impact on the way space-based information is used in dealing with disasters around the world," said Franz Baumann, Deputy Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna.

The programme, established by the UN General Assembly last December, hopes to assist countries and organizations by acting as a gateway to space-based information for disaster management support and facilitate developing countries in their capacity-building and institutional strengthening efforts.

UN-SPIDER offices are also scheduled to open in Beijing and Geneva.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN ENVOY TO RETURN TO MYANMAR ON SATURDAY

UN ENVOY TO RETURN TO MYANMAR ON SATURDAY
New York, Oct 31 2007 5:00PM
United Nations Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari is set to arrive in Myanmar on Saturday, his second visit to the South-East Asian nation since authorities used force in responding to a wave of peaceful protests that began in August.

The 3 to 8 November visit follows Mr. Gambari's recently concluded tour of Myanmar's regional partners that included stops in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan.

During his upcoming visit, Mr. Gambari will follow up on his offer to facilitate implementation of the recommendations made to the Government during his last mission, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

These include immediate steps to address human rights concerns in the wake of the recent crisis and a framework for meaningful and time-bound dialogue between the Government and Aung San Suu Kyi as a necessary part of an inclusive national reconciliation process.

A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ms. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for four years, and has spent 11 years in detention since her party and its allies won the 1990 election with over 80 per cent of the Parliamentary seats.

The Special Adviser will also follow up on implementation of confidence-building measures, including the possibility of establishing a participatory constitutional review mechanism and a broad-based poverty alleviation commission.

"Mr. Gambari will consult with a broad range of representatives of Myanmar society, including all the groups which he was not able to see last time. He looks forward to the continued cooperation of the Myanmar government in this regard," Ms. Montas stated.

Prior to his arrival in Myanmar, Mr. Gambari will meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday in Istanbul, where they will discuss a substantive agenda and ways to facilitate the democratic process, including the release of detainees, she added.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

EXTENDING SUDAN MISSION, SECURITY COUNCIL URGES CONSOLIDATION OF NORTH-SOUTH PEACE

EXTENDING SUDAN MISSION, SECURITY COUNCIL URGES CONSOLIDATION OF NORTH-SOUTH PEACE
New York, Oct 31 2007 5:00PM
The Security Council today voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmis/">UNMIS) by six months, urging all parties to fully put into the practice the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ending a 21-year civil war between north and south Sudan.

In a resolution passed unanimously, the 15-member body underscored the "importance of full and expeditious implementation of all elements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement."

UNMIS was established by the Council in 2005 to support the accord between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

Successfully implementing the CPA is key to resolving the crisis in Darfur and to consolidating sustainable peace and stability in the region, the Council noted.

To this end, it urged the full deployment in Darfur of the hybrid UN-African Union (AU) peacekeeping force, set to become the world's largest, as well as the protection of aid workers.

Today's resolution also lauded the work of UNMIS, and voiced concern over restrictions and impediments placed on the movements of its personnel and material.

Such obstacles have an "adverse impact" on UNMIS' activities and on the "ability of the humanitarian community to reach affected persons," according to the resolution.

The Council also called for the sides to take measures to defuse tensions in the disputed Abyei region and to allow UNMIS unrestricted access to conduct monitoring and verification exercises in the region.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

FREE AND FAIR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS VITAL TO LEBANON'S FUTURE - BAN KI-MOON

FREE AND FAIR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS VITAL TO LEBANON'S FUTURE – BAN KI-MOON
New York, Oct 31 2007 3:00PM
Security conditions and political stalemate are combining to create a "climate of ongoing crisis" in Lebanon, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a new report, emphasizing the need to hold free and fair presidential elections next month without any foreign interference.

"There must not be a constitutional void at the level of the presidency, nor two rival governments," Mr. Ban warns in his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2007/629">report on the implementation of Security Council <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/res/1559(2004)">resolution 1559, adding that political dialogue must enable the election of a new president before the constitutional deadline of 24 November.

He notes that, for the first time since the end of the country's brutal civil war, the Lebanese people have the opportunity to conduct free and fair presidential elections, "according to Lebanese constitutional rules and without any foreign interference."

"Such an election would signify a major milestone on the road towards the full re-assertion by Lebanon of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence, as is the goal of resolution 1559" which was adopted by the Security Council in 2004.

Mr. Ban also expresses his concern at signs that most political parties in Lebanon are apparently preparing for the possible further deterioration of the situation by rearming in contravention to resolution 1559, which calls for their disbandment and disarmament.

Repeating his call on all Lebanese parties to immediately halt all efforts to re-arm and engage in weapons training, he stresses that a return to political dialogue is "absolutely imperative" and the only way to resolve pressing issues.

The Secretary-General states that security conditions have combined with the political stalemate to create "a climate of enduring crisis," hindering the State's ability to extend control over all of its territory and to ensure there are no weapons outside the Government's control.

He notes the recent challenge posed by the Fatah al-Islam group, calling it "a hostile militia that had engaged in terrorist acts in the country," and commends the Lebanese Government and Armed Forces for successfully weathering "a critical test on the road to a truly free and sovereign Lebanon."

Mr. Ban says that foreign involvement in Lebanon has only worsened the crisis. In that context, he reiterates his expectation "vis-à-vis the Syrian Arab Republic, in particular," adding that he expects to see that country's commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon reflected in "further tangible steps."
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON DISPATCHES SENIOR AIDE TO DR CONGO'S TROUBLED EASTERN REGION

BAN KI-MOON DISPATCHES SENIOR AIDE TO DR CONGO'S TROUBLED EASTERN REGION
New York, Oct 31 2007 2:00PM
Voicing concern about the ongoing crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where tens of thousands of people have been displaced by recent fighting, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced that his senior aide will travel to the country for talks with top officials.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2827">statement released by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban also cited the impact of the crisis on the region in announcing that Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios will leave this evening for a "special mission" to the region.

Mr. Menkerios previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC.

"Mr. Menkerios will consult with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and other leaders in the region, as well as the DRC's bilateral and multilateral partners, to find ways to resolve the immediate crisis and to address its underlying causes," spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

"In carrying out his mission, Mr. Menkerios will coordinate closely with the Secretary-General's Special Representative for the DRC and with international partners currently engaged in initiatives to help resolve the crisis," she added.

Meanwhile in Kinshasa, a spokesman for the UN Mission in the DRC (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/monuc/index.html">MONUC) estimated that some 200 children are currently serving among the Congolese Army troops deployed to fight dissident soldiers in the North Kivu province.

"Once more, MONUC recalls that the presence of children within all armed groups constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity," said Kemal Saiki, urging the Congolese military authorities to release the minors within their ranks and immediately stop their recruitment.

The Mission also praised the judicial and military leaders of the Bukavu region for their determined efforts to end the jailing of children by military jurisdictions. While unable to quantify the number of underage detainees released in Bukavu following the adoption of this decision, the Mission cited it as an example which should be followed by other Congolese jurisdictions, in particular that of the North Kivu province where accused child soldiers are frequently jailed.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), for its part, has begun a vast anti-measles immunization campaign that will benefit some 33,000 children.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN ANTI-DRUGS CONFERENCE OPENS IN KABUL

UN ANTI-DRUGS CONFERENCE OPENS IN KABUL
New York, Oct 31 2007 1:00PM
Stopping the flow of deadly drugs out of Afghanistan, where opium production has soared to record levels this year, is the focus of a two-day summit that kicked off today in Kabul, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The meeting, bringing together international counter-narcotics officials, is being held under the framework of the Paris Pact – an initiative launched in 2003 to <" http://www.unodc.org/unodc/press_release_2007_10_31.html">promote coordinated measures to counter drug trafficking in and from Afghanistan.

In addition to reviewing regional and global efforts to contain the Afghan narcotics threat, participants will also examine border security and cross-border cooperation, the smuggling of precursor chemicals into Afghanistan, and the threat posed by opium trafficking into China.

Earlier this year, UNODC reported that opium production in the war-torn nation, a $3-billion-a-year trade accounting for more than 90 per cent of the world's illegal output, had soared to "frightening" record levels this year. Production is concentrated mainly in the strife-torn south where the ousted Taliban, which once banned poppy cultivation, now profits from the drugs trade.

The amount of Afghan land used for growing opium is now larger than the combined total under coca cultivation in Latin America - Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. No other country has produced narcotics on such a deadly scale since China in the 19th century, the agency stated in its 2007 Annual Opium Survey.

"Afghan drugs pose a major threat to public health everywhere, because of higher deaths to overdoses, and to security to Afghan neighbours, because of drug money flowing into the funding of terrorism," UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa stated recently.

In light of the need for regional cooperation in the battle against opium production and trafficking, UNODC has promoted the establishment of a Central Asia Regional Information Centre and has brokered a Trilateral Initiative to improve counter-narcotics cooperation among Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

Mr. Costa noted that the drugs gain value at every border crossing because of the risks entailed by smuggling, pointing out that by the time the heroin hits the streets of Moscow, London or Paris, the value of the Afghan opium export could be worth up to 100 times more.

"While opium brings some revenue to Afghanistan, over 90 per cent of profits are made by international criminal gangs and terrorists networks," he said.
2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS LATEST MURDER OF IRAQI JOURNALIST

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS LATEST MURDER OF IRAQI JOURNALIST
New York, Oct 31 2007 9:00AM
Responding to the mounting death toll of media professionals in Iraq, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today condemned the killing of the latest victim: Shehab Mohammad al-Hiti, editor of a new Iraqi weekly, al-Youm.

Koïchiro Matsuura also condemned the murder of the unnamed chauffeur of a female correspondent of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty whose body was found in Iraq on 22 October. The correspondent has been missing since that date. The assassinated driver and the kidnapped journalist have not been named, to protect the safety of the journalist.

"Harassing, intimidating, kidnapping and killing journalists and those brave enough to work with them in extremely dangerous environments represents an attack on the human rights of entire societies," said Mr. Matsuura in a statement released at the agency's Paris headquarters.

"The people of Iraq, like all of us, have a fundamental and inalienable right to inform one another about events and discuss them. Violence cannot be allowed to take the place of freedom of speech," concluded Mr Matsuura, whose agency has a mandate to defend press freedom.

Mr al-Hiti, 27, was last seen alive on 28 October when he left his house to go to the office of al-Youm, which was launched earlier this month. His dead body was found later on that day in the Ur neighbourhood of Baghdad. He is the 122nd journalist killed in Iraq since March 2003, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The CPJ also reports that 42 media support staff have been killed in the country since the start of the war.

2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

DARFUR: UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPING FORCE LAUNCHES OPERATIONS IN EL FASHER

DARFUR: UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPING FORCE LAUNCHES OPERATIONS IN EL FASHER
New York, Oct 31 2007 9:00AM
The United Nations African Union hybrid peacekeeping operation for Darfur (UNAMID) today began operations at its El Fasher Headquarters in what the senior UN official there called a milestone for the strife-torn Sudanese region.

"It is a great day for the United Nations and the African Union, the day of UNAMID's launch, which was only an idea three months ago but now it is a profound reality," said Rodolphe Adada, the UN-AU Joint Special Representative for Darfur.

"I am pleased to say that with the cooperation of the Government of Sudan, we are one more step closer to embark on our peacekeeping mandate for the people of Darfur," he declared.

But Mr. Adada cautioned that more support is needed, saying UNAMID is "facing a lack of pledges for specialized units in areas such as aviation and land transport that should be arriving in Darfur as part of the heavy support package" to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), which has been on the ground in Darfur since 2004.

The UN and AU are currently conducting pre-deployment visits to some of the troop contributing countries to inspect the uniformed personnel and their equipment, according to the envoy.

"I have all the confidence that the remaining steps towards the final assumption of authority by UNAMID will be concluded before the end of this year so that we can start implementing our mandate in 2008 in full gear," he said.

Conflict in Darfur has killed more than 200,000 people and uprooted another 2.5 million. UN-AU mediated talks are currently underway in Sirte, Libya aimed at achieving a lasting political solution to the fighting, which began in 2003 and involves rebels, Government forces and allied militia known as the Janjaweed.

2007-10-31 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT NEEDS MORE COOPERATION FROM STATES, OFFICIAL SAYS

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT NEEDS MORE COOPERATION FROM STATES, OFFICIAL SAYS
New York, Oct 30 2007 6:00PM
A senior official from the International Criminal Court (ICC) briefing journalists at United Nations Headquarters in New York today called on countries to provide greater support for its work.

"The credibility of the Court in the future as well as its capacity to prevent the commission of further crimes depends on a clear and consistent position on the part of States parties manifesting concrete support for execution of the Court's decisions, public and diplomatic support, and respect for the judicial process," said <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en">ICC Registrar Bruno Cathala.

"We really believe that this cooperation has to increase in the next few months."

The Registrar welcomed recent backing it has received from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda and voiced hope that it would receive the same cooperation from other countries and international organizations.

He hailed the recent arrest of Germain Katanga, a Congolese militia leader facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity and recalled that another suspect from the DRC, Thomas Lubanga, is also in ICC custody.

Mr. Cathala pointed out that the Court has six arrest warrants still outstanding, four in connection with the conflict in Uganda and two relating to the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan. "Everything is ready to try these people; we are just awaiting the arrest of these six people," he said.

"Compliance with the Court's order is a legal obligation for States parties," he emphasized.

"This issue of cooperation is very important. The Court's contribution to achieving the aims of the Rome Statute depends not only on the activities of the Court itself but also on the extent of international cooperation provided by States and others in particular in the arrest and surrender of persons."

Adopted at a major diplomatic conference in the Italian capital in 1998, the Rome Statute currently has 105 parties.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN POLITICAL CHIEF TO ATTEND MIDDLE EAST QUARTET MEETING

UN POLITICAL CHIEF TO ATTEND MIDDLE EAST QUARTET MEETING
New York, Oct 30 2007 6:00PM
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs is heading to a meeting in Jerusalem on Thursday of the envoys of the Middle East Quartet, which brings together the UN, European Union, Russian Federation and United States, a spokesperson for the world body announced.

B. Lynn Pascoe, acting as the Secretary-General's Envoy to the Quartet, also plans to hold meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Ramallah and Jerusalem, Marie Okabe said.

Mr. Pascoe will also stop in Bahrain, where he plans to meet with the Foreign Minister and to hold discussions at the US Central Command regarding security conditions concerning the work of the United Nations in Iraq, she said.

In addition, he will accompany Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Istanbul, where they will attend an expanded ministerial meeting of Iraq and its neighbours.

In another development, the spokesperson today announced the appointment of Max Gaylard of Australia to serve as the acting Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

A senior UN official with extensive experience in humanitarian and development coordination, Mr. Gaylard will travel to the region this week to lead the UN country team in the occupied Palestinian territory, Ms. Okabe said.

Mr. Gaylard, the Director of Mine Action with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), has previously served as the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Somalia and as the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN ENVOY LAUDS PEACEFUL END TO CRISIS WITHIN SOMALI TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT

UN ENVOY LAUDS PEACEFUL END TO CRISIS WITHIN SOMALI TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
New York, Oct 30 2007 5:00PM
The United Nations envoy to Somalia today welcomed the peaceful conclusion of the crisis within the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and called on the country's leaders to overcome the challenges facing the war-torn nation.

Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, particularly acknowledged the "conciliatory tone and spirit" of the statements issued by both President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi during the official announcement of the latter's resignation, according to a press release issued by the UN Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS).

Calling on the TFG to continue to seek peaceful solutions to its internal differences, he encouraged "all leaders within and outside the country to overcome the pressing challenges facing their country." These include carrying out the key provisions of the Transitional Federal Charter and the conclusions of the National Reconciliation Congress, which was held in July and August in a bid to foster internal coherence in Somalia.

Mr. Ould-Abdallah also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation as a result of the continued violence in Mogadishu and the subsequent displacement of the civilian population. He urged all parties to immediately cease violence, and to facilitate unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The security situation in Mogadishu, which the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/472751d94.html">UNHCR) has called the worst in months, has caused some 36,000 more residents to flee their homes this weekend.

More people were preparing to flee Mogadishu this morning, even though the situation seemed to have calmed down after fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents engulfed the city, UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told reporters in Geneva.

"But as large numbers of people packed their belongings to leave Mogadishu, some families told UNHCR staff that they felt lost not knowing whether to stay in their homes, relocate to another part of the city, or leave the city altogether," she added.

The bulk of the internally displaced are fleeing to the town of Afgooye, where some 100,000 people have found temporary shelter and continue to be assisted by UNHCR.

The fighting over the past weekend is the latest upswing in violence among the TFG and other parties in the Horn of Africa nation, which has had no functioning central government since Muhammad Siad Barre's regime was toppled in 1991.

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro has warned that the protracted crisis and State failure in Somalia presents a challenge, not only to Somalis, but to the UN and the international community at large.

"The prolonged suffering of the population must push us to more effectively address the Somali crisis," Ms. Migiro said in an address to the opening of the third annual UN Advocacy Week of the World Council of Churches, which is focusing on the Horn of Africa during its meetings this week in New York.

Ms. Migiro stressed that the Council's focus on the sub-region is "fitting and timely," given that the Horn of Africa is where two of the UN's biggest security and humanitarian challenges are currently unfolding – Darfur and Somalia.

"In both places, conflicts continue to cause widespread suffering, abuse and displacement for millions of people – primarily women and children. And they have taken an unacceptable toll on people's lives and livelihoods for far too long," she stated, adding that the UN has been working to help the Somalis find a lasting political solution.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO VISIT LATIN AMERICA, ANTARCTICA AND EUROPE - SPOKESPERSON

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO VISIT LATIN AMERICA, ANTARCTICA AND EUROPE – SPOKESPERSON
New York, Oct 30 2007 5:00PM
Continuing his efforts to spotlight the issue of climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Latin America, Antarctica and Europe next week where in addition to making diplomatic contacts, he will see first-hand deforestation and other environmental problems caused by the phenomenon.

Mr. Ban's trip builds on his previous efforts to push for action ahead of a major climate change conference to be held in December in Bali, Indonesia, where delegates from across the world are expected to try to hammer out a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, which contains legally binding targets for reducing emissions.

The Secretary-General's journey to Latin America will also include an official visit to Buenos Aires, as well as Santiago, where he will attend the Ibero-American Summit before wrapping up with an official visit to Brasilia.

Environmental stops include Punta Arenas, Chile, whose residents live with a hole in the ozone layer; Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, where glaciers have been affected by climate change; Antarctica, where he will be briefed by scientists at research stations; and Brazil, where he plans to visit an ethanol plant, and meet researchers and indigenous groups in the country's Amazon region, Mr. Ban's spokesperson said.

The Secretary-General will also visit Valencia, Spain, on 17 November, where the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be releasing its latest report. The IPCC was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Al Gore.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AFRICA READY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT, UN SUMMIT TOLD

AFRICA READY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT, UN SUMMIT TOLD
New York, Oct 30 2007 5:00PM
As a two-day summit on improving Africa's information technology infrastructure wrapped up today in Rwanda, the head of the United Nations telecommunications agency reminded investors that Africa is "open for business and looking for partnerships."

The Connect Africa Summit, held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, brought together some 1,000 participants, including political leaders, executives of information and communication technology (ICT) companies and heads of development banks.

Hamadoun Touré, the Secretary General of the UN International Telecommunication Union (<"http://www.itu.int/newsroom/index.html">ITU) said that African leaders had committed themselves to creating the right regulatory environment, and private sector leaders had pledged to invest in the continent's ICT sector. "Companies are ready to invest and they know they can make money here."

Highlighting the impact of technology such as mobile phones, Mr. Touré said telecom companies were making profits, farmers were getting the information they need, and teachers were receiving educational aid. "Mobile phones even have an impact on democracy. During elections, people have used mobile phones to get election results fast and in a transparent manner."

The technologies to connect the whole of Africa are available, said Craig Barrett, the Chair of the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development and the Chairman of Intel Corporation. "What we are dealing with here is not a technology problem. The technology is ready to be delivered. It is a question of policies, of creating the right environment."

"This is not a technology issue but an implementation issue," Mr. Barrett said. "It is a question of taking existing technologies, existing models, and implementing them in Africa, as they have been implemented in other parts of the world."

"Africa needs cost-effective connectivity," he said, as it was currently saddled with the highest connectivity costs in the world. "All the universities of sub-Saharan Africa taken together pay $3 million per month in connectivity. This money could be used more effectively elsewhere."

Providing technology, connectivity and content was not a problem one company or one government alone could solve, Mr. Barrett said. "We need to work together –governments and the private sector," capitalizing on the fact that the cost of access and hardware continued to decrease.

"The technology is there, even the financial resources are there," said Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, who hosted the meeting. "We have to be decisive and make a political choice about how to tap into these possibilities. The right policies and choices have to be made.... for these technologies to become a part of the solution."

"The challenges are still significant, but let's not underestimate what has been accomplished, especially by the telecom industry," said Mohsen Khalil of the World Bank Group. Africa had jumped from 1 per cent to 20 per cent of telephone density within a few years. "We must now take this to the next level, and replicate the model of mobile telephony."

The challenges ahead included extending ICT access to the poor, assisting governments in utilizing ICT for services to the public and to business, and harmonizing the legal and regulatory environment in the continent, Mr. Khalil said.

Among the partnerships announced today at the Summit, the ITU and the African Development Bank (ADB) agreed to work together on interconnecting all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and on strengthening connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012.

ADB President Donald Kaberuka announced that the Bank had approved a $150 million loan for a pan-African cable, the East African Submarine Cable System, which would bring speedy and cheap bandwidth to at least 23 African countries. The system would run between South Africa and Sudan, with six landing points along the way, he said.

The Connect Africa Summit was attended by the Presidents of Burkina Faso, Burundi, Djibouti, Malawi and Senegal, together with 53 ICT ministers and 19 ICT companies, including Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Ericsson.

The event was organized by ITU, the African Union, the World Bank Group and the Global Alliance for ICT and Development, in partnership with the ADB, the African Telecommunication Union, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Global Digital Solidarity Fund.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON HEADS TO TURKEY THIS WEEK FOR MEETING ON IRAQ

BAN KI-MOON HEADS TO TURKEY THIS WEEK FOR MEETING ON IRAQ
New York, Oct 30 2007 5:00PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend a high-level diplomatic meeting on Iraq to be held later this week in Turkey, his spokesperson announced today.

The Istanbul Expanded Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq will focus on ways to promote greater regional dialogue, Marie Okabe told reporters in New York.

It will also serve to strengthen the work of the three regional working groups focusing on refugees and internally displaced persons, border security and energy that were established at the last ministerial meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

"The Secretary-General hopes the Istanbul meeting will be an important opportunity for the participants to find mutually acceptable solutions on issues of common concern," Ms. Okabe said.

The Istanbul gathering was anticipated by Mr. Ban, who convened a high-level meeting on Iraq in New York in September.

On that occasion, he urged greater international action to help the country and pledged the full support of the UN in this effort.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Secretary-General said he had proposed the establishment of a "support office" in Baghdad to facilitate coordination between Iraq and neighbouring governments.

The proposal was met with a "positive response," he said, anticipating that it would be finalized at a planned expanded ministerial meeting to be held in Istanbul.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON LAUDS GAINS MADE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN INTEGRATION, PEACE

BAN KI-MOON LAUDS GAINS MADE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN INTEGRATION, PEACE
New York, Oct 30 2007 4:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised Central Africa for its efforts towards integration and peace, but warned that the region still faces several hurdles.

In a message to the 13th conference of heads of State and of government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) underway in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, Mr. Ban said that "the progress which has been achieved so far in the process of integration of Central Africa, as well as in the promotion of peace is encouraging."

He also noted in his message delivered by his Special Representative for the Central African Republic, François Lonsény Fall that the "collective efforts" of ECCAS countries will promote a common market comprising over 120 million consumers, while the consolidation of peace would bolster socio-economic development for the sub-region as well as the entire African continent.

But at the same time, he acknowledged that Central Africa still faces obstacles in increasing prosperity and the well-being of the population, including the persistence of tension in zones such as eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic (CAR).

The proliferation of light weapons and small arms, the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the rise of human trafficking and cross-border insecurity are also impeding Central African integration, he said.

Mr. Ban welcomed the ongoing steps towards peace in Chad and CAR, adding that he hopes that "the effective implementation of the recommendations and decisions from these processes will reinforce national reconciliation, peacebuilding and reconstruction within these two countries of the sub-region of Central Africa."
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

DARFUR: UN, AFRICAN UNION ENVOYS URGE ALL PARTIES TO PRESS AHEAD FOR PEACE

DARFUR: UN, AFRICAN UNION ENVOYS URGE ALL PARTIES TO PRESS AHEAD FOR PEACE
New York, Oct 30 2007 4:00PM
Top envoys from the United Nations and the African Union chairing talks in Libya on the troubled Darfur region of Sudan today welcomed the Khartoum Government's unilateral declaration of a cessation of hostilities and called on all parties to the conflict to make a similar commitment without delay.

"The parties cannot talk and fight at the same time, without tragic consequences to the population of Darfur," said UN envoy Jan Eliasson and his AU counterpart, Salim Ahmed Salim, in a joint <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sudan/infocusnews.asp?NewsID=1178&sID=38">statement issued in Sirte. "It is critical that all parties do their utmost to improve the security and humanitarian conditions of the people in Darfur."

The talks, which opened on 27 October, mark "a turning point in the long search for a lasting political solution to the crisis in Darfur," the envoys said, calling the opening the first stage of a three-phased peace process.

The statement voices appreciation for the attendance of the Government of Sudan and of leading personalities and representatives of the movements, as well as representatives from civil society. But the envoys said they "regret that leaders of some of the movements chose not to attend the opening session and hope they will soon join the process."

This first phase of the talks included "two lively plenary debates where representatives from the Government of Sudan, the movements, civil society, including women, regional partners, and international observers exchanged views and discussed key issues pertaining to the peace process," said the envoys, welcoming the "constructive tone and spirit of the interventions during those discussions."

Closed meetings were then held with the parties, regional partners, and international observers, according to the statement.

The second phase will play out over the next few weeks as the envoys continue to engage in intensive discussions with the parties on the substantive issues to be addressed in the third stage of negotiations.

Declaring that the peace process is "irreversible," the statement says the conflict-affected Sudanese deserve no less. "We owe it to the people of Darfur to make every effort to end their suffering and allow them to live their lives in peace and dignity."

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, has also welcomed the peace talks in Sirte, emphasizing that peace can only be achieved through an inclusive political process supplemented by recovery and development programmes.

He told an Arab League Donor Conference in Khartoum that peace and stability in all of Sudan is crucial to resolve the humanitarian emergency in the war-ravaged and impoverished Darfur region where conflict has killed more than 200,000 people and uprooted 2.5 million more.

"Sustained peace throughout Sudan is the key to ending the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and to moving towards a more holistic goal of recovery and development throughout Sudan," Mr. Qazi said.

Noting that the Darfur humanitarian operation remains an "enormous challenge," he said the humanitarian community remains concerned about the suffering and insecurity in Darfur, where the population faces continued displacement and ongoing insecurity.

"A successful humanitarian response is dependent on widespread respect for the basic humanitarian principles of impartiality, humanity and independence of humanitarian actors, and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to these principles," he said.

Ameerah Haq, the Deputy Special Representative for Sudan and UN Humanitarian Coordinator, told participants that funding to meet humanitarian needs will surge from $650 million this year to $825 million next year.

She added that aid workers are worried about the insecurity in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly in South Darfur, as well as the proliferation of arms in camps and rising levels of violence.

Ms. Haq urged all parties to cease arming camp residents and to respect the principles of voluntary return and security camps as neutral humanitarian spaces.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN ONCE AGAIN CALLS FOR END TO UNITED STATES EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA

UN ONCE AGAIN CALLS FOR END TO UNITED STATES EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA
New York, Oct 30 2007 4:00PM
The United Nations General Assembly today once again urged an end to the commercial, economic and financial embargoes imposed on Cuba by the United States for nearly half a century.

For the 16th year in a row, the Assembly adopted a resolution – with an overwhelming 184 votes in favour – reiterating its call to all States to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures not conforming with their obligations to reaffirm freedom of trade and navigation.

Four States – Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, US – voted against the resolution, while the Federated States of Micronesia abstained.

The 192-member body also called on States to repeal or invalidate such laws and requested the Secretary-General to report on the matter at the Assembly's 63rd session.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque denounced the long-running blockade imposed on his country, calling it the main obstacle to the development and well-being of the Cuban people, and a "blatant, massive and systematic" violation of their rights.

"Anyone can understand the level of socio-economic development that Cuba would have attained had it not been subjected to this unrelenting and obsessive economic war," he told delegates.

The US has not only ignored, "with both arrogance and political blindness," the 15 resolutions adopted by the Assembly calling for the lifting of the blockade, but has over the last year adopted new measures, further tightening the sanctions, he added.

Reiterating that the embargo is a bilateral issue between his country and Cuba that should not come before the Assembly, US delegate Ronald Godard said that "Cuba's problems derive not from any decision of the United States but from the embargo on freedom that the Cuban regime has imposed on its own people."

Stating that the Cuban people are denied information, access to the outside world, the right to travel and opportunities to better their lives economically, he urged countries to oppose the Cuban government's embargo on freedom – "the real cause of the suffering of the Cuban people."

"Now more than ever we invite the Member States considering this resolution to reject the arguments of the Cuban government and focus on effecting a transition in Cuba that would restore its people's fundamental rights," he stated.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UNICEF SAYS CHILDREN NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF CHAD ARE IN GOOD HEALTH

UNICEF SAYS CHILDREN NEARLY TAKEN OUT OF CHAD ARE IN GOOD HEALTH
New York, Oct 30 2007 3:00PM
Following the attempt by a French non-governmental organization (NGO) to fly them out of Chad, the 103 children held in an orphanage appear to be in good health and are doing fairly well, the United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) reported today.

The agency has supplied food and games for the children, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said in New York.

UNICEF has also dispatched 10 staff members – including the Head of the Child Protection Unit – to Abeche where the children are and is training 40 staff members to care for the children.

Investigators are currently trying to determine where these children are from and whether they have living relatives. UNICEF emphasizes that all process involving the movement of children should be transparent, and that proper investigations should always take place to locate their relatives and to determine available options, such as children remaining with their parents, extended family or appropriate caregivers.

According to media reports, nine French aid workers with the organization Zoe's Ark will be charged with abduction and fraud by Chadian authorities.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

PROMOTING UN'S DEVELOPMENT WORK, NORWEGIAN CROWN PRINCE VISITS BURUNDI

PROMOTING UN'S DEVELOPMENT WORK, NORWEGIAN CROWN PRINCE VISITS BURUNDI
New York, Oct 30 2007 3:00PM
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP), today began a four-day visit to Burundi as part of his work to promote global antipoverty targets.

"I am here to learn more about your successes here, abut what you have achieved after the conflict," he told the press upon touching down in the Great Lakes region nation.

"I am most of all interested in meeting Burundian people and in learning more about how people live here, their hopes and dreams, their aspirations," the Crown Prince added.

His main objective as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, a position he has held since 2003, is to promote the Millennium Development Goals – eight targets to slash a host of social ills by 2015 – and he is scheduled to visit several humanitarian and development projects aiming to help vulnerable groups.

"With my hosts, I look forward on focusing on some areas where the Burundian Government and the United Nations are in partnership," the Crown Prince noted.

His programme includes stops at the Stamm Foundation, a national non-governmental organization (NGO) and partner of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), which seeks to provide humanitarian assistance and vocational training to orphans and street children, as well as a UN Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) schooling project for street children.

The Goodwill Ambassador will also visit the "Caisse cooperative d'épargne et de credit mutual," a microcredit project focusing on low-income women, and will attend a theatrical event to curb sexual violence.

In the south-eastern Ghiaro district bordering Tanzania, he will make a stop at the Mukazye seed centre, which is part of a UNDP reintegration and rehabilitation programme for war victims and aims to reduce poverty.

As Goodwill Ambassador, the Crown Prince has also visited Guatemala, Tanzania, Cambodia and Sierra Leone.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN EXPERTS FIND 'PROFOUND AND ENTRENCHED' RACIAL BIAS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

UN EXPERTS FIND 'PROFOUND AND ENTRENCHED' RACIAL BIAS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
New York, Oct 30 2007 1:00PM
Two independent United Nations human rights experts have called on the Dominican Republic to combat what they describe as a "profound and entrenched problem of racism and discrimination" against blacks in general – and Haitians in particular – in the Central American nation.

"While there is no official government policy of discrimination, there is nevertheless a profound and entrenched problem of racism and discrimination against such groups as Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and more generally against blacks within Dominican society," the experts <"http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/91FC4E39DEBE9CDCC12573840045D793?OpenDocument">said in a press release issued today in Geneva.

During their week-long visit to the Dominican Republic, the UN Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Doudou Diene, and the UN Independent Expert on minority issues, Gay McDougall, met with government officials, civil society, academics, students, political parties and members of the media.

The experts noted that while government representatives rejected even the possibility of racism in Dominican society, members of the community "all spoke emotionally of the reality of racism that they had experienced."

"When people in government refer to 'Haitians' it is as if they are a monolithic group, all of whom crossed the border yesterday and illegally," Ms. McDougall stated. "This is patently not the case."

She and Mr. Diene said they spoke with many individuals who described the problems faced by blacks, both Dominicans and Dominicans of Haitian descent, and witnessed first hand the fact that blacks "typically live in worse conditions, are employed in manual and low paid work and suffer a high degree of prejudice."

"Disturbing references are made to blacks as being 'pig feed,' ignorant or unhygienic, and many spoke of their daily experiences of racism, including by administrative officials in registration offices, on public transport and elsewhere," they stated.

In addition, the issue of documentation emerged as a major concern for Haitian migrants and those Dominicans of Haitian descent, many of whom reported that, because of their colour or their Haitian looks or name, it is impossible to obtain documents and they are left vulnerable to deportation or expulsion to Haiti, even as Dominican citizens with no connection whatsoever with that country.

The experts, who will present their findings to the UN <"http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil">Human Rights Council, called for a wide and inclusive debate on issues of racism and discrimination within the country.

"A cultural and ethical strategy is needed to uproot the very deep structures of discrimination and address the invisibility and silence of minority groups and others facing discrimination," Mr. Diene noted, highlighting the key role played by education and the media in that regard.

"The struggle against racism must be closely linked to building a multi-cultural society based on the principles of democracy, justice, equality and human rights for all," he added.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

ETHIOPIAN PASTORALISTS TO MEET IN UN-BACKED DEBATE

ETHIOPIAN PASTORALISTS TO MEET IN UN-BACKED DEBATE
New York, Oct 30 2007 12:00PM
More than 250 Ethiopian pastoralists in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region from over 17 different ethnic groups will gather at a five-day United Nations-sponsored debate and celebration next month aimed at promoting an exchange of ideas.

Participants at the event, to be held from 8-12 November in Nyangatom woreda in the South Omo zone, will discuss matters ranging from the rise of tourism, trade and economic diversification and the management and eradication of conflicts, to social change and the provision of basic services.

The pastoralists will also confer on changes in land use; the opening of new transport, communication and market links; the development of education; and bolstering participation in national affairs.

South Omo's pastoralist groups drew inspiration for this upcoming meeting from other gatherings both in Ethiopia and Kenya as a means to talk about how to adapt to rapid changes.

Also attending some of the events will be members of local and national administrations, development agencies, pastoralists from neighbouring groups, as well as representatives from the Government, UN, the donor community and non-governmental organizations.

The Pastoralist Communication Initiative – a unique initiative aiming to promote knowledge and communication for pastoralists and pastoralism in Ethiopia and Africa – of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/News/OCHANewsCentre/PressReleases2007/tabid/1120/Default.aspx">OCHA) is financially and logistically supporting the event.
2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

PERU: UN AGENCY HELPS 80,000 EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES

PERU: UN AGENCY HELPS 80,000 EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES
New York, Oct 30 2007 8:00AM
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is carrying out a project to help some 80,000 people in Peru affected by an earthquake which caused widespread death and destruction there in August.

The quake affected some 370,000 residents in the central coast of the country, exacerbating conditions caused by months of low temperatures which had resulted in loss of crops, cattle and other means of subsistence.

The $7 million, nine-month operation aims to prevent a deterioration of the nutritional status of the victims, especially children up to two years of age, women and the elderly. It also has a food-for-work component that will help affected residents reconstruct their homes and productive infrastructure, WFP said in a news release.

"Although many people continue to face precarious living and working conditions, food assistance is arriving for those who need it most," said Guy Gauvreau, WFP's Representative in Peru.

In the first hours after the earthquake, WFP began an immediate response operation which provided some $500,000 worth of assistance in the first two months to 25,000 people.

The new effort is funded by donors as well as the UN's own Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was set up to close the resource gap that can hamper emergency relief efforts in their early stages.

2007-10-30 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

IRANIAN COOPERATION AND TRANSPARENCY CRUCIAL, UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF SAYS

IRANIAN COOPERATION AND TRANSPARENCY CRUCIAL, UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF SAYS
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00PM
"Active cooperation and transparency" on Iran's part are key in resolving outstanding issues over the country's nuclear ambitions, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the General Assembly today.

"If the Agency were able to provide credible assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran's past and currently nuclear programme, this would go a long way towards building confidence, and could create the conditions for a comprehensive and durable solution," IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said at a General Assembly plenary meeting in New York.

"Such a solution would assure the international community about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme, while enabling Iran to make full use of nuclear technology for economic and social development."

He noted that Iran's agreement -- following repeated requests by the Security Council and the IAEA' Board of Governors -- on a work plan to get to the bottom of all unresolved verification issues is "an important step in the right direction."

Iran's nuclear programme has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that it had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Last December, the Security Council adopted a resolution banning trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to the country's enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. It tightened the measures in March, banning arms sales and expanding the freeze on assets.

"Contrary to the decisions of the Security Council, calling on Iran to take certain confidence building measures, Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities, and is continuing with its construction of the heavy water reactor at Arak," Mr. ElBaradei
regrettable."

The Director General also told the Assembly that in the face of a renewed interest in nuclear power worldwide, the role of the IAEA is "not so much to predict the future as to do its utmost to plan and prepare for it."

The resurgence of interest in nuclear power is driven by the steady rise in demand for energy, increased concerns regarding energy security and the challenges posed by climate change, he said.

At present, there are 439 operating nuclear power reactors in 30 countries which supply some 15 per cent of the world's electricity and the use of nuclear power has been primarily in industrialized countries.

"But in terms of new construction, the pattern is different: half of the 30 reactors now being built are in developing countries," he pointed out.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

CONGOLESE MILITIA LEADER IN NORTH KIVU SURRENDERS TO UN PEACEKEEPERS

CONGOLESE MILITIA LEADER IN NORTH KIVU SURRENDERS TO UN PEACEKEEPERS
New York, Oct 29 2007 7:00PM
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reports that a militia leader in the country's troubled North Kivu province has turned himself over to peacekeepers along with nearly 30 of his men.

Kibamba Kasereka, leader of the Forces patriotiques Mayi-Mayi, also known as Forces armées populaires de libération (FAPL), and 29 of his men surrendered to UN peacekeepers on Saturday morning in the town of Kisharo, in North Kivu province, the UN mission, known as <"http://www.monuc.org/Home.aspx?lang=en">MONUC, said in a press release.

There has been a recent flare-up of fighting in North Kivu province, where Government forces have been clashing with those loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda and other groups, resulting in a large number of refugees and displaced persons.

MONUC notes that the surrender is the result of a military operation by the Congolese Army and the strong pressure it placed on Kasereka and his militia.

The mission hopes the event "will be quickly followed by the surrender of many other fighters, as a step towards their integration into the national army, their demobilization or their repatriation, notably that of the negative forces with which Kasereka operated."

It calls on all remaining illegal armed elements to lay down their weapons and to join the process of integration into the national army.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the UN's Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the DRC voiced concern about ongoing grave violations, including arbitrary executions, rape, torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, including by members of the armed forces and police operating in a climate of impunity.

In North Kivu, clashes involving the forces of General Nkunda have been accompanied by rights abuses in conditions exacerbated by violations of humanitarian law which complicated efforts to provide relief aid to the affected population, said Titinga Fédéric Pacéré, in an address to the General Assembly's Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (Third) <"http://www0.un.org/ga/third/index.shtml">Committee.

He emphasized the widespread problem of sexual violence, with the worst cases in the Kivus and Equateur province. From 2005 to 2007, 287 cases of rape were referred to the authorities, while figures compiled from health centres indicated that close to 14,200 new cases of sexual violence were registered during the same period.

"This indicates that less than 1 per cent of rape victims have seen their cases referred to the justice system," he said, and of that small per cent, an even smaller number resulted in any punishment.

He called on the authorities to adopt a "zero-tolerance" approach to serious violations of human rights and to give priority to fighting the prevailing climate of impunity. He also called for the creation of an international tribunal specifically to deal with crimes in the DRC.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN AND AU ENVOYS PRESS FORWARD WITH LANDMARK DARFUR PEACE TALKS

UN AND AU ENVOYS PRESS FORWARD WITH LANDMARK DARFUR PEACE TALKS
New York, Oct 29 2007 7:00PM
The United Nations and African Union (AU) envoys chairing historic talks aimed at resolving the crisis in Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region today continued their substantive preparations in Sirte, Libya, in pressing ahead with the peace process.

The Secretary-General's Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and his AU counterpart Salim Ahmed Salim today met with representatives from the Sudanese Government, civil society, international partners and rebel groups, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

The topics addressed in their discussions included security and the sharing of wealth and power.

Preparations are also being made for a senior-level team to travel to Sudan to hold talks with those groups who are not attending the Sirte event.

Addressing the press yesterday, Mr. Eliasson stressed that despite the absence of several parties in Sirte, "I refuse to state that the peace process is interrupted. The train has left the station for the road to peace. The question is how many passengers will get on the train."

Despite all sides not being in attendance at the talks, Mr. Salim stated that these sides "have made it clear to us their commitment to the process, that they would want to take part in the process so it is a question of how we make sure that they take part in the process."

Since 2003, over 200,000 people have been killed and at least 2.2 million others forced to flee their homes in the violence-wracked Darfur region because of fighting among rebels, Government forces and allied militia known as the Janjaweed.

On the humanitarian front, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes today voiced strong concern over alleged forced relocations taking place in a camp for internally displaced persons (<"http://www.unhcr.org/protect/3b84c7e23.html">IDPs) in South Darfur.

"I am alarmed about the reports of forced relocation last night from Otash camp in Nyala, South Darfur, both about the manner in which the relocations were apparently carried out and the possibility that such action could contribute to more violence," he said.

Otash camp shelters over 60,000 IDPs, and during the incident, the new IDPs from Kalma camp, the largest in Darfur, were surrounded by the police. A team comprising personnel from the UN, the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) was denied access to the camp by the representative of the Humanitarian Aid Commission.

The team managed to enter the camp, and witnessed 10 vehicles with heavy machine guns surrounding a group of IDPs while eight large commercial trucks were being loaded with the belongings of IDP women and children. The police told the team that the people were being moved to Amakassara.

"While the United Nations notes the Government's concern about the security situation in the camps, it is imperative that any relocation be wholly voluntary, in agreement with the internally displaced," said Mr. Holmes, who also serves as Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"We have had many meetings with the Government of Sudan, stressing that any relocation should be voluntary and should adhere to the guiding principles of internal displacement," he added. "Given that security forces where threatening the displaced with sticks and rubber hoses at Otash camp, the involuntary nature of this relocation is clear, and is contrary to agreements with the Government."

Relocation is covered by the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UN, IOM and the Sudanese Government. IOM is concerned by the reported force relocation of IDPs from Otash camp and is preparing a formal statement following an investigation, expressing particular concern that they and other members of the international community were denied access to the IDPs during the relocation.

Meanwhile in Sudan, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=88&Body=Sudan&Body1=">Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, met with the country's President, Omar al-Bashir.

Mr. Qazi reiterated the UN's commitment to assist the parties in implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended a 21-year civil war between North and South Sudan. He emphasized that the CPA is the basis for sustainable peace and stability in the country, as well as a significant achievement for the Sudanese people.

Agreeing to the significance of the CPA, President Bashir voiced hope that the relationship between his Government and the UN would continue to be characterized by dialogue and direct consultations.

The Special Representative also noted that he plans to visit Juba in the coming days to meet with Salva Kiir, First-Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan.

In another development, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Sudan told a General Assembly committee that Darfur "remains a region where gross violations of human rights are perpetrated by all parties," including arbitrary arrest, torture, illegal taxation, extortion, forced displacement, killing and sexual violence.

"The conflict in Darfur has no military solution," Sima Samar told the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (Third) <"http://www0.un.org/ga/third/index.shtml">Committee. "Political solutions are urgently needed."

Also addressing the Committee, the Secretary-General's Representative on the human rights of IDPs, Walter Kälin, said he would visit Darfur in the Spring of 2008 at the invitation of the Government.

"The situation of roughly 2 million IDPs in Darfur remains one of the most serious in the world," he said, calling on all concerned to "take full advantage" of the peace talks, as well as the deployment of a hybrid AU-UN force, to create conditions to end violence against the displaced, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access, and to facilitate sustainable return.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

ASYLUM SEEKERS NEED MORE PROTECTION IN FACE OF COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES Â?“ UN EXPERT

ASYLUM SEEKERS NEED MORE PROTECTION IN FACE OF COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES Â?&#8220 UN EXPERT
New York, Oct 29 2007 7:00PM
Counter-terrorism measures in many parts of the globe disproportionately impact asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants, a United Nations independent human rights expert said in New York today.

â??Asylum-seekers with a well-founded fear of persecution may be the largest similarly situated group of persons in the world who are seriously and adversely affected by the post-2001 wave of new counter-terrorism measures,â? Martin Sheinin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, told the General Assembly committee dealing with social, humanitarian and cultural issues, known as the Third Committee.

Mr. Sheinin briefed the Committee on his latest report, which highlights the issues of pre-entry interception and screening measures; detention of asylum-seekers; exclusion from refugee or other protection status; the repatriation or resettlement of people detained for terrorism-related reasons; and bolstering international responsibility for protection.

â??Being able to access other countries to seek protection is key to a refugeeâ??s life and security, and a cornerstone of international protection,â? the Rapporteur said.

He also emphasized the issue of diplomatic assurances involving terrorism suspects being protected against torture.

â??Diplomatic assurances sought from a receiving State to the effect that a person will not be subjected to torture, or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment can never absolve the duty of the sending State to assess individually the existence of a â??real riskâ?? of such treatment,â? Mr. Sheinin noted.

That obligation to conduct individual assessments also pertains to the risk of persecution or of capital punishment, he said.

Regarding the release, repatriation and resettlement of detainees held for terrorism-related reasons worldwide, the Rapporteur said that he is â??encouraged
States plans to close down one of the most long-standing places of detention of terrorism suspects, the military detention facility at Guantánamo Bay.�

He urged the US to shut down the centre â??without delayâ? to allow for detainees to be tried for alleged crimes or released.

Additionally, Mr. Sheinin called for all States to prepare to receive for resettlement those being held at Guantánamo Bay for whom no criminal charges have been initiated.

He also recommended that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) take part in resettling Guantánamo detainees who claim to be in need of international protection after assessing each individual detaineeâ??s cases, and that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights utilize her good offices to facilitate resettlement in cases falling outside the scope of the Refugee Convention.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TOP UN OFFICIALS BACK SYSTEM-WIDE APPROACH ON ETHICS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

TOP UN OFFICIALS BACK SYSTEM-WIDE APPROACH ON ETHICS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
New York, Oct 29 2007 6:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and top officials from the funds and programmes of the United Nations system have agreed on the need for a system-wide approach on ethics and for the disclosure of information, as part of a process to render the entire system more effective and coherent in its business practices.

Mr. Ban believes that it is "crucially important for the UN system to uphold the highest ethical standards," according to a statement issued following a two-day meeting of the Chief Executives Board CEB of top officials from across the UN, which the Secretary-General chaired.

The statement adds that the UN and its funds and programmes "had agreed to establish one ethical code and one system of ethics within which they will all operate," and that specialized agencies had also expressed an interest in such an approach.

Mr. Ban is expected to issue a bulletin on the new system of ethics shortly.

At its meeting held from 26 to 27 October in New York, the (<"http://unsystemceb.org">CEB) – composed of the executive heads of all UN specialized agencies, funds and programmes as well as the <"http://www.worldbank.org">World Bank, International Monetary Fund (<"http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm">IMF), International Atomic Energy Agency (<"http://www.iaea.org">IAEA) and World Trade Organization – also discussed the disclosure of information contained in internal audit reports following intensive consultations among the UN system's internal auditors.

Member of the CEB – most of whom have their own governing bodies, made up of Member States, who decide whether to release internal audits – agreed to move toward the development of "a common policy for the disclosure of information that would also take into account the particularities among the various organizations," according to the statement.

Individual organizations would approach their respective governing bodies in this regard.

The need for a common ethics code among all UN entities has gained increased attention in recent months along with issues relating to whistleblower protection and the disclosure of information by various entities that make up the larger UN system.

Member States, at the <"http://www.un.org/ga/59/hl60_plenarymeeting.html">2005 World Summit, urged a scrupulous application of existing standards of conduct and the development of a system-wide code of ethics for all UN personnel.

Among its other decisions, the Board decided to establish a process for the evaluation of the "One UN" pilot projects, which would yield relevant and timely information from all stakeholders on lessons learned in order to enhance country-level coherence of operational activities for development.

It also agreed to work expeditiously towards the development of an agreed strategic approach by the UN system to support international commitments to meet the immense challenges presented by climate change.

On management issues, the CEB adopted an ambitious programme for the harmonization of UN system business practices in the areas of human resources, information and communication technology, and finance and budget.

Initiatives for the harmonization of practices related to procurement and legal matters will be added to the programme in coming months.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TOURISM PROMOTES INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

TOURISM PROMOTES INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS
New York, Oct 29 2007 6:00PM
Tourism can play a key role in advancing understanding among cultures, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <" http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2824">said today.

"In a global environment marked by rising intolerance and cross-cultural tensions, often exacerbated by the economic divide between nations, tourism can foster spiritual and cultural respect among and between peoples, while creating economic opportunities to benefit disadvantaged populations," he said in a message to the International Conference on Tourism, Religions and the Dialogue of Cultures.

The three-day Conference, which is taking place in Cordoba, Spain, has been convened by the UN World Tourism Organization (<" http://www.unwto.org/conferences/tc/en/tc.php?op=3">UNWTO), which became the world body's newest specialized agency in 2003.

"The universal longing for peace and mutual understanding, coupled with the legitimate aspiration for prosperity and economic development, are common values of humanity shared by all societies," Mr. Ban said.

Among those attending the event is Jorge Sampaio, the UN High Representative for the <"http://www.unaoc.org/index.php">Alliance of Civilizations, which brings together leaders, institutions and civil society to try to reduce fear and suspicion and overcome prejudices and polarizations that have emerged between Islam and the West, especially in recent years.

Also participating in the Conference is Federico Mayor Zaragoza, a former Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<" http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO).
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BAN KI-MOON URGES ISRAEL TO RECONSIDER MEASURE TO LIMIT FUEL/ELECTRICITY TO GAZA

BAN KI-MOON URGES ISRAEL TO RECONSIDER MEASURE TO LIMIT FUEL/ELECTRICITY TO GAZA
New York, Oct 29 2007 6:00PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his call for an end to rocket attacks against Israel while urging the country to reconsider the limitation of fuel and electricity supplies to residents of Gaza, pointing out that this is worsening the already serious humanitarian situation there.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the cessation of indiscriminate rocket attacks by Palestinian militants targeting Israel and strongly condemns these actions. However he also believes strongly that punitive measures taken by Israel which harm the well-being of the entire population of the Gaza Strip are unacceptable," a spokesperson for Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2825">statement.

"The limitation of fuel and electricity supplies deepens the humanitarian distress of the 1.4 million residents of Gaza, as does the reduction of the supply of essential commodities and the tightening of restrictions on movement and access," the spokesperson said, calling on Israel to reconsider its actions.

All concerned must "protect civilians and to meet their obligations under international law," the statement noted.

Last week, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes also condemned ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel while voicing concern that Israel was threatening to cut off electricity and fuel supplies if they continued.

"It did not appear to be an appropriate response to those rocket attacks to punish the population of Gaza," he said.

He called on Israel to lift its economic blockade on Gaza and relax its restrictions on humanitarian aid, in part to improve the chances of progress at Israeli-Palestinian talks scheduled to take place in the United States next month.

Given the conditions inside both Gaza and the West Bank, the population increasingly depends on outside aid to survive, he said.

"That is not a good situation for their livelihoods, their dignity and the possibility of their participating in any kind of peace process."

Also last week, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council about the humanitarian situation that Palestinians face and the potential impact of further Israeli restrictions.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS DIAMOND AND TRAVEL SANCTIONS ON CÔTE D'IVOIRE

SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS DIAMOND AND TRAVEL SANCTIONS ON CÔTE D'IVOIRE
New York, Oct 29 2007 6:00PM
The United Nations Security Council today <" http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc9158.doc.htm">renewed for another year a ban on diamonds and arms trade with Côte d'Ivoire as well as targeted sanctions restricting the travel of individuals.

By its unanimously adopted resolution today, the Council said it would review these measures once the parties have fully implemented the Ouagadougou political agreement which brokered an end to the conflict that had divided Côte d'Ivoire between a rebel-held north and Government-controlled south since 2002; and after the holding of open, free, fair and transparent presidential and legislative elections.

The Council reiterated its demand that all Ivorian parties provide unhindered access to the Group of Experts established to monitor sanctions against the country, and extended the mandate of that group for another year. It urged all the Ivorian parties to collaborate more actively with the Group of Experts and to provide it with the information and documentation it requests.

The Secretary-General was asked to communicate to the Security Council, through its sanctions committee, information gathered by the UN Mission in Côte d'Ivoire (<" http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unoci">UNOCI) and, where possible, reviewed by the Group of Experts, concerning the supply of arms and related materiel to the country.

The Council stressed that it is ready to impose targeted measures against persons who are determined to be a threat to the peace and national reconciliation process in Côte d'Ivoire as well as others undermining peace and threatening human rights there.

The move came despite an appeal by the President of Côte d'Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, who in September called for a partial lifting of the weapons embargo so that the country can "carry out its task of protecting people and goods."

He told the General Assembly on 26 September that sanctions remain on individuals who have "put heart and soul into seeking peace," and asked the UN to lift those measures as they applied to three individuals: Charles Goudé Ble, Eugène Djue and Kouakou Fofie.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TORTURE WIDELY PRACTICED IN SRI LANKA, SAYS UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT

TORTURE WIDELY PRACTICED IN SRI LANKA, SAYS UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT
New York, Oct 29 2007 5:00PM
An independent United Nations human rights expert said today that although Sri Lanka has measures in place to prevent torture, the brutal practice is widespread and "prone to become routine in the context of counter-terrorism operations."

"The high number of indictments for torture filed by the Attorney General's Office, the number of successful fundamental rights cases decided by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, as well as the high number of complaints that the National Human Rights Commission continues to receive on an almost daily basis indicates that torture is widely practiced in Sri Lanka," Manfred Nowak told the General Assembly committee dealing with social, humanitarian and cultural issues, known as the Third Committee.

"This practice is prone to become routine in the context of counter-terrorism operations," Mr. Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, added.

Mr. Nowak said that during the course of his visit to the country from 1 to 8 October, he received "numerous consistent and credible allegations" from detainees who reported that they were ill-treated by the police to extract confessions, or to obtain information in relation to other criminal offences. Similar allegations were received with respect to the army.

In an effort to criminalize torture and bring perpetrators to justice, the Government enacted the 1994 Torture Act. While the significant number of indictments filed under the Act was encouraging, Mr. Nowak decried the fact that only three people have so far been convicted.

"Given the high standards of proof applied by the Supreme Court in torture related cases, it is regrettable that the facts established do not trigger more convictions by criminal courts," he stated.

While the Government does not agree that torture is widely practiced, "I'm convinced and I think I have enough evidence for that," Mr. Nowak told reporters after his address to the committee.

He said he found "overwhelming evidence that torture is routine" at a detention facility run by the Terrorist Investigation Department at Boossa, near Galle.

In addition, "serious incidence of corporal punishment" was discovered at Bogambara, the main prison in Kandy, even though that practice was recently abolished by law. The Government has stated it will investigate those cases and dismiss those responsible. "In my opinion they should be dismissed and also brought to justice under Sri Lankan criminal law," Mr. Nowak said.

The Special Rapporteur also highlighted the problem of overcrowded prisons, one of the main reasons for which is the high number of pre-trial detainees in the prisons than actual convicted prisoners. There are some 28,000 people being held in prisons that have the capacity to hold 8,200.

Mr. Nowak added that the most serious allegations of human rights violations, including torture, relate to the ongoing conflict between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But he noted that he was not in a position to speak about that since he was not able to visit detention facilities in army camps or those run by the LTTE.

In addition to Sri Lanka, Mr. Nowak has visited Paraguay, Nigeria and Togo in the last year. He is scheduled to visit Indonesia next month and Equatorial Guinea and Iraq early next year.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

BURUNDI: UN EXPERT URGES AID TO HELP CONSOLIDATE PROGRESS

BURUNDI: UN EXPERT URGES AID TO HELP CONSOLIDATE PROGRESS
New York, Oct 29 2007 3:00PM
Despite the persistence of human rights violations in Burundi, an independent United Nations expert on the country has called on the international community to step up its support for the Government as it works to consolidate progress following over a dozen years of ethnic violence.

The people of Burundi need "to see the dividends of peace to justify the decision which they made in 2005 to abandon the bullet for the ballot," said Akich Okola, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Burundi, in an address to the General Assembly's Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (Third) <"http://www0.un.org/ga/third/index.shtml">Committee on Friday.

Tensions within the ruling Conseil National de Défense et de la Démocratie- Force de Défense et de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD) have fostered conditions that "had a negative impact on the human rights situation, and polarized Burundian society to a level that could constitute a threat to the peace process and stability of the national institutions," he said.

Despite the persistence of serious violations, including rapes, the overall human rights situation seems to have improved, the expert said, citing improved relations between the media and the State and few cases of abuses by military personnel.

But "arbitrary arrests have been increasing," he said, naming cases of "prolonged stay in police custody, detention in illegal places and lengthy pretrial detention."

He also called for action to achieve justice in the case of the 2006 massacre in Muyinga of over 30 civilian detainees by military authorities. "It is incumbent upon the people of Burundi and the international community to bring pressure to bear on the Government of Burundi to bring to justice all those involved in this massacre in order to stem the culture of impunity which has been so deeply ingrained in the politics of Burundi," he said.

The expert urged the Government to speed up the process of establishing a truth and reconciliation commission and a special tribunal. "The international community should support the Government in its efforts to reform the justice system in general and, more broadly, with humanitarian and development assistance," he said.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN-BACKED DRIVE AIMS TO BOOST BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATIONS WORLDWIDE

UN-BACKED DRIVE AIMS TO BOOST BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATIONS WORLDWIDE
New York, Oct 29 2007 2:00PM
A new initiative backed by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) aims to help countries know how many people are born and die each year and the main causes of their deaths – key information for well-functioning health systems.

The programme was launched today by the <"http://www.who.int/healthmetrics/en/index.html">Health Metrics Network, a global, WHO-hosted partnership established to address the lack of reliable health information in developing countries.

The lack of civil registration systems – by which governments keep track of births, deaths and marital status of their citizens – means that every year, almost 40 per cent – or 48 million – of 128 million births worldwide go unregistered.

The situation is even worse for death registration: globally, two-thirds – or 38 million – of 57 million deaths a year are not registered. In addition, WHO receives reliable cause-of-death statistics from only 31 of its 193 Member States.

According to WHO, governments cannot design effective public health policies or measure their impact when deaths go uncounted and the causes of death are not documented. Information on births and deaths by age, sex and cause is the "cornerstone of public health planning," the agency said.

"No single UN agency is responsible for ensuring that births and deaths are registered, so it has fallen between the cracks. That is why we have failed to establish, support, and sustain civil registration systems over the past 30 years in the developing world," WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said today at the Global Forum for Health Research in Beijing.

"Without the statistics that these systems produce, we can only have a partial view of the impact of $120 billion spent annually in official development aid."

The drive to encourage countries to improve civil registration is launched today with a series of papers published in the medical journal <"http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673607613105/abstract?isEOP=true">The Lancet, entitled "Who counts?" The papers show that most developing countries have rudimentary or non-existent civil registration systems. They also underscore the challenges of establishing civil registration, including new legislation and governance structures.

The Health Metrics Network has already started working with Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Syria to improve their civil registration systems, and three other countries are expected to be identified for assistance by the end of the year.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT TO BRING TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS TO MILLIONS IN AFRICA

UN PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT TO BRING TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS TO MILLIONS IN AFRICA
New York, Oct 29 2007 1:00PM
The United Nations telecommunications agency and technology giant Microsoft have <" http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/32.html">announced a new partnership to help bring the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) to millions in Africa, a key aim of a global summit that kicked off today in Rwanda.

As part of the partnership, announced today at the Connect Africa Summit, the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Microsoft will launch ITU Global View, a virtual earth-based online platform to showcase and track ICT-related development projects on the continent.

They also agreed to support programmes providing skills development and capacity building, particularly for young people, the delivery of relevant applications and services in Africa, and collaboration on cybersecurity.

The Connect Africa Summit brings together governments, industry, development banks and international organizations to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources required to expand the development of ICT infrastructure and ensure that it is used effectively to close the technology gaps throughout Africa.

"Connect Africa is a call to action for the private sector, and we are encouraged by the progress we have made together with Microsoft to broaden the scope of capacity building in Africa," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

Michael Rawding, Vice President, Unlimited Potential Group, Microsoft Corp., referring to the 1 billion people already connected to the Internet, stated that "bringing the benefits of technology to the next 5 billion people will require new approaches to development and new partnerships between international organizations, governments and the private sector."

The company is seeking – through its Unlimited Potential vision – to work with governments, organizations and industry partners to reach the next 1 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology by 2015.

The two-day Summit offers a venue for leaders from various sectors to focus on the crucial factors needed to advance ICT investment and boost growth in Africa, including the expansion of broadband infrastructure.

"This meeting illustrates the power and potential of public-private partnerships," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told delegates, noting that the Summit brings together the African Union, the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, African governments and the private sector to address the barriers to connectivity in the region.

In a <" http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2823">message delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang, Mr. Ban said that narrowing the digital divide is part and parcel of global efforts to achieve development for all.

He noted that information and communication technologies have much to contribute to the fight against poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy and environmental degradation – all key aspects of the global targets to be achieved by 2015 known as the Millennium Development Goals (<" http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals">MDGs).

The benefits offered by ICT must be made available to all segments of society, in urban and rural areas, and in all regions, especially in Africa, the one region not on track to meet the Goals by 2015, Mr. Ban stated, calling for redoubling efforts and forming a true partnership for development.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AMERICAN PHILANTHROPIST TO JOIN UN AGENCY'S BATTLE AGAINST GLOBAL HUNGER

AMERICAN PHILANTHROPIST TO JOIN UN AGENCY'S BATTLE AGAINST GLOBAL HUNGER
New York, Oct 29 2007 1:00PM
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has <" http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2680">announced the appointment of United States philanthropist and environmentalist Howard G. Buffett as the newest member of its cadre of well-known personalities known as Ambassadors against Hunger.

Mr. Buffett, a conservationist, businessman, photographer and farmer, has travelled throughout the world to document the challenges of the poor and the vulnerable with an emphasis on the environmental obstacles they face.

"He has a passion for meeting the needs of the hungry poor and for working with small farmers to break the cycle of hunger at its root," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, citing his work with the agency in Africa and Asia.

"WFP provides a unique combination of experience and skills to address some of the most difficult situations in the world," said Mr. Buffett, whose experience with the agency includes flying in helicopters delivering food to earthquake victims in Pakistan.

"From emergency relief to development assistance, WFP gives hope to many while saving lives everyday," he added.

Mr. Buffett has championed sustainable farming techniques in poor countries and has authored six books on conservation, wildlife, and the human condition, including "On the Edge: Balancing Earth's Resources."

Over the past 18 months, he has seen WFP in action and has met those the agency assists like small-scale farmers in Zambia, refugees in Kenya, and displaced populations in northern Uganda.

In taking up his new role, Mr. Buffett joins other WFP Ambassadors such as Brazilian football star Ronaldinho and American actress Drew Barrymore who use their talent and public persona to generate awareness and support for the agency.

A photo exhibit with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, featuring Mr. Buffett's photos on human trafficking, will open today at UN Headquarters in New York.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

PREFERENCE FOR SONS IN ASIA COULD HAVE SEVERE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES: UN AGENCY

PREFERENCE FOR SONS IN ASIA COULD HAVE SEVERE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES: UN AGENCY
New York, Oct 29 2007 1:00PM
Prenatal son selection in several Asian countries could result in severe social consequences – such as a surge in sexual violence and trafficking of women – in the coming years, <" http://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1057">according to new studies commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

As girls and women become outnumbered by men as a result of ultrasound or amniocentesis to determine the sex of foetuses and abort unwanted females, more males will be unable to find wives and pressures to conform and comply will increase, the reports noted.

"Sex ratio imbalances only lead to far-reaching imbalances in the society at large," UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said today in a statement delivered by Deputy Executive Director Purnima Mane at the Fourth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights held in Hyderabad, India.

"And in response, we must carry forward the message that every human being is born equal in dignity, worth and human rights."

Preference for sons is deeply rooted in many Asian countries for both cultural and economic reasons. If dowries must be paid, daughters could be viewed as a liability, and older parents typically rely on their sons for support and to perform last rights or ancestor worship.

The studies warn that unless Viet Nam and Nepal adopt response measures, they, too, will face problems similar to those of India and China, the countries with the most dramatic imbalance between the births of boys and girls.

In China, 120 males – and up to 130 in several provinces – were born for every 100 females in 2005, while in India, the 2001 census revealed that 108 males – and up to 120 in some northern and western areas – were born for every 100 females.

While in China, sex selection is more widespread in rural areas, in India it is more prevalent among better-off urban families.

"Viet Nam is in almost the same situation now as China was 10 years ago," the studies said, adding that the South-East Asian nation's sex ratio at birth could become gravely imbalanced within a decade.

Meanwhile in southern Nepal, researches found that most people are aware that they could access ultrasound clinics and abortion providers in India willing to defy laws prohibiting sex selection.

In both Viet Nam and Nepal, researchers interviewed officials and held focus groups, concluding that the preference for sons is pervasive, and that those who want to avoid bearing daughters could do so easily.

Currently in China, the "Care for Girls" programme which combines public education with practical steps such as bolstering support for older people could soon be rolled out nationally, and in India, civil society groups are making great efforts to raise public awareness and new laws are being codified to slash discriminatory inheritance rules and curb domestic violence.

Similar initiatives are necessary to stem the tide of the issue in both Viet Nam and Nepal, the studies said.
2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF UZBEK JOURNALIST IN KYRGYZSTAN

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF UZBEK JOURNALIST IN KYRGYZSTAN
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which works to promote press freedom globally, today condemned the recent murder of Uzbek journalist Alisher Saipov in Kyrgyzstan.

"The use of violence to silence a journalist is unacceptable, it runs counter to the basic human right of freedom of expression and tramples the democratic right of people to engage in free and informed debate," Koïchiro Matsuura.

The 26-year old victim was killed in the Kyrgyz city of Osh , near the Uzbek border, on 24 October. He was shot three times at close range by an unknown assailant who is reported to have used a silencer, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Mr. Saipov was the editor of independent Uzbek-language weekly Siyosat. He reported on Uzbekistan's political and social issues for Radio Free Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America, and the Central Asia news website Ferghana.

"Shedding more blood is not going to solve the issues besetting Uzbek society," Mr. Matsuura said.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN AGRICULTURE FUND ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT IN GABON

UN AGRICULTURE FUND ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT IN GABON
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today announced the launch of a new project aimed at helping farmers in Gabon diversify their incomes by developing and marketing new products from staple crops.

The agreement for the $5.7 million loan and $300,000 grant was signed in Rome today and will receive co-financing from the OPEC Fund for International Development, IFAD said.

"The Gabon economy has been heavily dependent on the oil and timber sectors for some time," said Abdoul Barry, IFAD's country programme manager for Gabon.

"This project will offer concrete opportunities to do that by helping small farmers and their organizations get better access to value chains for products with significant market potential," said Mr. Barry of the effort to help market products from crops like banana, cassava and peanut.

The project aims to directly benefit 28,000 farmers, half of whom are women and a third young people.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN REFUGEE AGENCY CLOSES CAMP IN MALAWI

UN REFUGEE AGENCY CLOSES CAMP IN MALAWI
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
One of Malawi's two refugee camps has officially closed after the United Nations refugee helped the remaining 660 refugees and asylum seekers there move north to the country's remaining refugee camp, acting in response to a Government request which cited security concerns.

"As of today, Luwani Refugee Camp is officially closed," said Kelvin Sentala, a protection field assistant with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) based in the capital, Lilongwe, who was in charge of the convoy that moved the residents out.

The convoy -- 16 trucks of luggage, nine with refugees and asylum seekers, an ambulance, a bus with 27 vulnerable individuals, two pickup trucks and two UNHCR escorting vehicles -- was timed to arrive in Dzaleka camp just before dark. The relocated refugees and asylum seekers will live in tents while building their new homes with material provided by UNHCR.

UNHCR provides food on the night of arrival, but the next morning refugees and asylum seekers were expected to use their own food, which was moved along with all their other belongings. The convoy on Thursday included the refugees' 120 goats, 45 pigs and 160 chickens.

The final movement to the recently expanded Dzaleka Refugee Camp, just north of the capital, brings to some 3,000 the number of refugees and asylum seekers who have been moved since the Government decided last April to close Luwani.

The closing of the camp, ordered by the Government on what it termed security grounds, has both positive and negative aspects. The consolidation of the population into one site near the capital will make UNHCR's provision of services easier.

But the agency warned that there will be no land available for agriculture at Dzaleka -- unlike Luwani where an irrigation project still under development could have made some refugees self-sufficient.

"The Government of Malawi -- in keeping with its reservations to the 1951 Convention regarding freedom of movement, work rights and nat
Henry Domzalski, UNHCR's acting Representative in Malawi.

With Malawi currently not permitting the local integration of refugees, UNHCR has looked for other solutions. Few have wanted to go home and for those who can neither repatriate nor locally integrate, UNHCR has aided resettlement to third countries. In 2006, some 500 refugees were resettled to Australia, Canada, Norway, and Sweden. So far this year, 44 people have been resettled in Australia.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

SECURITY COUNCIL COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE OPENS MEETING IN NAIROBI

SECURITY COUNCIL COUNTER-TERRORISM COMMITTEE OPENS MEETING IN NAIROBI
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
The Security Council's counter-terrorism committee and more than 70 international organizations and United Nations agencies are holding a three-day meeting starting today in Nairobi to examine ways that countries can better secure their borders against terrorists and how the UN can help in those efforts.

The meeting of the 15-member Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) is expected to focus on such issues as hindering the movement of terrorists across national boundaries, bolstering the ability of countries to detect illicit arms shipments and preventing the abuse of the refugee and asylum systems.

The talks are also expected to stress the need for stronger national efforts -- and greater bilateral and regional cooperation -- to deny safe haven to terrorists, improve border and customs controls and enhance information sharing.

Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, the current CTC chairman, told the meeting's opening that the mobility of terrorists means it is vital for the UN to work closely with international, regional and subregional organizations to combat the scourge.

"Of no lesser importance in combating terrorism is the respect for human rights and international law," Mr. Arias said. "The United Nations has reiterated that any measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all relevant obligations under international law, particularly human rights, humanitarian and refugee law."

Individual sessions during the meeting, which has the theme "Prevention of terrorist movement and effective border security," will focus on a range of issues, including aviation security, maritime security, cargo security and law enforcement.

The participating organizations at the Nairobi meeting include the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and INTERPOL, as well
the League of Arab States, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The CTC was established by the Security Council in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Its task is to monitor the implementation of a resolution from that year which calls on UN Member States to take steps to strengthen their capacity to counter terrorist activities.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

AS WINTER APPROACHES IN AFGHANISTAN, UN URGES END TO ATTACKS AGAINST AID CONVOYS

AS WINTER APPROACHES IN AFGHANISTAN, UN URGES END TO ATTACKS AGAINST AID CONVOYS
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
With the onset of winter in Afghanistan expected to cut remote regions off from aid deliveries, the United Nations Assistance Mission there (UNAMA) today called on warring factions to allow safe passage and access for humanitarian workers delivering relief aid.

"The next six weeks will be crucial for our humanitarian efforts," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tom Koenigs.

He said UN agencies are working to reach families most in need but efforts are being complicated by the security situation.

Insurgents and criminal gangs have killed or abducted 110 aid workers, and 55 humanitarian convoys have been looted this year, according to UNAMA.

"Those responsible for these attacks are pushing the most vulnerable people outside of our reach," said Mr. Koenigs. "Such attacks are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and they must stop. We need all parties to recognize that the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people must come first, above fighting and above politics."

The UN World Food Programme estimates that over 4 million Afghans need food assistance each year, while 400,000 people are seriously affected by natural disasters.

UN agencies and the Government of Afghanistan are currently moving essential food and medicine around the country before the winter weather conditions prevent access to remote regions.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN BLUE HELMETS HELP LEBANESE MINE VICTIMS

UN BLUE HELMETS HELP LEBANESE MINE VICTIMS
New York, Oct 29 2007 8:00AM
The Indian Battalion serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has helped scores of Lebanese victims of mines and cluster bombs to regain some mobility.

The progress resulted from a "Jaipur Foot" clinic organized last week by the Battalion at its base in Ebel Es Saqi, near Marjayoun in south-eastern Lebanon. The clinic involved specialists, flown in from India, providing free medical examinations and "Jaipur Foot" limb fittings to Lebanese nationals who had been injured in mine or cluster bomb explosions.

Developed and manufactured in Jaipur in India, the eponymous artificial limb costs much less than many other prosthetic limbs available on the market while maintaining high quality.

Peacekeepers from the Indian Battalion spent more than two months identifying suitable candidates for the artificial limbs.

The clinic is the third of its kind. In 2006, 22 people were treated at the inaugural "Jaipur Foot" clinic, and another 123 Lebanese patients were fitted with the artificial limbs at another "Jaipur Foot" clinic in April this year.

"In light of the positive response to the previous clinics, the Indian Battalion decided to hold another one," said Major Sumit Sharma of the Indian Battalion. The Member of Parliament for Saida, Ali Oseiran, was credited with securing funding for the project which received $10,000 from the financial institution FransaBank.

He added that the Indian Battalion hoped to hold more "Jaipur Foot" clinics in the future.

2007-10-29 00:00:00.000

___________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To listen to news and in-depth programmes from UN Radio go to: http://radio.un.org/

_______________________________

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/