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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON BRIEFING

BY FARHAN HAQ
ACTING ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, 19 August 2005

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES BURUNDIANS ON ELECTION

• The Secretary-General congratulates the Burundian people on the election today of the first post-transitional President in Burundi, Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza. He would like to wish the President-elect every success as he faces the challenging tasks ahead, including continuing on the path of major reforms, consolidation of peace, national reconciliation, reconstruction and development.

• The Secretary-General would like to express his sincere appreciation to the Transitional Government of Burundi, which, under the wise leadership of both Presidents Pierre Buyoya and Domitien Ndayizeye has succeeded over the last four years under difficult conditions in stirring the country from violent conflict to this momentous day in the history of Burundi.

• The Secretary-General would also like to express his appreciation to regional leaders and the international community, who have and continue to play a major role in support of peace in Burundi

UNITED NATIONS MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF BAGHDAD BOMB

• Today is the second anniversary of the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, and the Secretary-General, in a message, says that no one has been held to account for this crime, in yet another appalling example of the impunity that so often follows assaults on UN personnel.

• The Secretary-General offered his renewed condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones of the 22 people who died in that attack, and paid tribute to all UN staff for “carrying on, shaken but undeterred, with our global mission of peace.” We have that statement upstairs.

• The Secretary-General also paid tribute to the staff as he accepted the Millennium Excellence Award in Accra, Ghana, today. He said, “We should all be thankful that so many people are prepared to take great risks for the cause of peace.”

• This morning at UN Headquarters in New York, the Deputy Secretary-General was among the participants at a ceremony in honor of those who lost their lives in Baghdad, and a minute of silence was also marked in their honor.

• Ashraf Qazi, head of the UN Mission in Iraq, also paid tribute to the fallen staff today, and pledged to work with the people and Government of Iraq to deliver on the UN’s mandate.

KOFI ANNAN TO VISIT NIGER

• Next Tuesday, the Secretary-General and Nane Annan will travel to Niger for a two-day visit, aimed at expressing solidarity with the government and the people of Niger as they deal with the humanitarian aftermath of accelerating desertification, prolonged drought, and repeated locust infestations.

• The Secretary-General wants to help focus international attention on the special developmental challenges faced by the countries of the Sahel, such as Niger, and the efforts that have been made to tackle these issues.

• As Niger’s President Mamadou Tandja is also the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Secretary-General will consult with him on a wide range of peace, security, and development issues confronting the sub-region.

• The Secretary-General will also visit a number of humanitarian field projects, along with the President.

• In Niamey, he will meet with the UN Country Team, local and international development officials, and Niger civil society groups.

ANNAN CONGRATULATES ISRAEL ON “FIRST STEP” TOWARDS PEACE

• The Spokesman’s Office issued a statement yesterday afternoon, in which the Secretary-General commends the courageous decision of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to carry through with the painful process of disengagement from the Gaza Strip and part of the northern West Bank.

• The Secretary-General hopes that both Palestinians and Israelis will exercise restraint in this challenging period. He condemns the terror attack of 17 August against Palestinian civilians, and sends his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Palestinian Authority.

• The Secretary-General believes that a successful disengagement should be the first step towards a resumption of the peace process, in accordance with the Road Map. He also notes that it is an important opportunity for the Palestinian Authority to demonstrate its commitment to peace and security by establishing the rule of law in Gaza following the withdrawal.

GUINEA-BISSAU: SECURITY COUNCIL LAUDS SUCCESSFUL ELECTION

• The Security Council this morning held a formal meeting on Guinea-Bissau following consultations on that country. At the meeting, the Council adopted a presidential statement, acknowledging with satisfaction Guinea-Bissau’s successful presidential elections.

• The Council also urged all parties to refrain from any actions that could jeopardize efforts towards peace and stability in the country.

• The Council then held consultations on Cote d'Ivoire, with a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hedi Annabi.

REFUGEE COMMISSIONER HEADS TO SUDAN, CHAD, KENYA

• The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees today reports that its High Commissioner, Antonio Guterres, will go to Sudan, Chad and Kenya starting next week, to visit refugees and check up on humanitarian work.

• The agency’s centers in those countries assist more than five million people who have been displaced by the 21-year-long civil war in Sudan.

• The agency also reports today that over the past week some 4,000 refugees from the Central African Republic have crossed the border into south Chad, fleeing two days of attacks by unidentified armed groups in their home country.

U.N. REACHES OUT TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) -- together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -- is assessing the situation in the southern part of the Central African Republic, following torrential rains and flooding.

• Meanwhile, the UN Country Team will be distributing medicine, water purification tablets, jerry cans, therapeutic biscuits, and petrol lamps to those in need.

NEPAL: U.N. REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights today said it has issued two reports on investigations into human rights violations in Nepal.

• One report details attacks on public buses in which civilians were killed. The agency blames the Communist Party for the attacks and faults the government for failing to take proper precautions. In the second report, the agency says it has been unable to identify the perpetrators in the murders of six people.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. SELECTS FIRM FOR PROCUREMENT REVIEW: The UN Controller, Warren Sach, reports that the firm of Deloitte Consulting LLP has been selected to review the UN’s procurement practices. The firm is to carry out a full financial and internal control review of the UN’s current procurement system. That review begins on Monday, 22 August, and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

ANNAN THANKS RETIRING REFUGEE OFFICIAL: The Secretary-General sends his best wishes to Kamel Morjane, sworn in today as the Defence Minister of Tunisia. The Secretary-General warmly thanks Mr. Morjane for his long and distinguished service to the United Nations, including as his Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees.

NEW REPORT ASSESSES PROGRESS ON MILLENNIUM GOALS: The World Health Organization (WHO) will launch its first report on health and the Millennium Development Goals, on Monday in Geneva. As well as assessing progress to date on the health goals, the report looks at why improvements in the health sector are happening so slowly and proposes steps to change the situation.

HELPLINE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS SET UP IN KOSOVO: The Victims’ Advocacy and Assistance Unit of the UN Mission in Kosovo and the Post and Telecommunication of Kosovo today signed an agreement to establish a toll-free Help Line for victims of gender based violence. The Help Line will ensure access to justice for victims of crime by offering them the opportunity to receive help from law enforcement authorities and will facilitate victims’ access to medical, legal and psychological services as well as other forms of support available.

U.N. FOOD AGENCY ASKS FOR RELEASE OF SOMALI RELIEF SHIP: The World Food Programme (WFP) is still to the transitional Federal Government of Somalia to press the hijackers a WFP-chartered ship to release its ten-man crew and cargo. This hijacking is now in its 54^th day.

U.N. UNVEILS TOOL TO PINPOINT FOOD INDONESIAN PROBLEMS: A new tool in the war on hunger has been developed for Indonesia and was today by that country’s Ministry of Agriculture and the World Food Programme. The “food Insecurity Atlas” highlights regions suffering chronic food insecurity, identifies underlying reasons for affliction, and offers guidance on strategies to help resole the problems.

ANNAN TO RECEIVE GHANAIAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: Asked whether it was appropriate for the Secretary-General to receive an award in Ghana in light of the recent controversies at the United Nations, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General had been given an award for excellence on the basis of his achievements. He noted that the Secretary-General continued to try to reform the way the United Nations works and that the United Nations was cooperating with Paul Volcker’s Independent Inquiry Committee on problems with the Oil-For-Food Program.

TONGA PAYS BUDGET DUES: Yesterday Tonga, with a payment of $17,795, became the 103^rd Member State to pay its dues in full to the regular budget.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Monday, August 22

The General Assembly debate on the draft outcome document prepared by Assembly President Jean Ping is scheduled to resume.

The World Health Organization will launch its first report on health and the Millennium Development Goals in Geneva.

Tuesday, August 23

The Secretary-General and Nane Annan will travel to Niger for a two-day visit, aimed at expressing solidarity with the government and the people of Niger as they deal with the humanitarian aftermath of accelerating desertification, prolonged drought, and repeated locust infestations.

The Security Council has scheduled an open debate on Afghanistan.

Wednesday, August 24

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

Thursday, August 25

The Security Council has scheduled consultations in the morning on Iraq, and in the afternoon on the work of the international commission of investigation for Lebanon.

At 11:00 am, Under-Secretary-General Jose Antonio Ocampo will brief on DESA's report on the World Social Situation 2005: The Inequality Predicament.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will launch its annual report, on its assistance to the Palestinian people.