DARFUR: UN, AFRICAN UNION ENVOYS HOLD FRESH TALKS WITH LEADERS OF REBEL GROUPS

DARFUR: UN, AFRICAN UNION ENVOYS HOLD FRESH TALKS WITH LEADERS OF REBEL GROUPS New York, Apr 19 2008 6:00PM The United Nations and African Union envoys spearheading efforts to devise a durable political settlement to the five-year conflict in Darfur have held several days of talks in the Sudanese region with representatives of the groups and movements that have not signed previous peace accords.

Jan Eliasson of the UN and Salim Ahmed Salim of the AU met with Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), in a rebel-controlled area of West Darfur yesterday.

A day earlier the two envoys -- accompanied by military officers from the hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force known as UNAMID -- held consultations in North Darfur state with members of the Abdul Wahid movement of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

Mr. Eliasson and Mr. Salim discussed the primacy of the political process and the urgent need to cut the level of violence, better protect civilians and ensure greater humanitarian access during the talks with the two groups.

Today the Special Envoys are scheduled to meet representatives of the Sudanese Government in Khartoum, the capital.

Mr. Eliasson and Mr. Salim have repeatedly reiterated their calls for the parties to the Darfur conflict, which have claimed more than 200,000 lives and displaced nearly 2.5 million others since 2003, to end all violence and prepare for substantive talks aimed at devising a durable peace.
The parties cannot fight and prepare for peace talks at the same time, the envoys have said, stressing that a reduction is violence is vital if progress is to be made on the political front.

2008-04-19 00:00:00.000

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DELEGATION FROM UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION BEGINS VISIT TO BURUNDI

DELEGATION FROM UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION BEGINS VISIT TO BURUNDI New York, Apr 19 2008 6:00PM A delegation from the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, set up to help prevent post-conflict countries from sliding back into war and misrule, travels today to Burundi on a six-day mission to examine how to help the struggling African nation move forward.

The eight-member delegation is expected to meet with Burundian Government officials, representatives of regional groups such as the African Union and the Conference on the Great Lakes Region, civil society, women's groups, the media, religious leaders, human rights advocates, members of the private sector and others.

In a statement the commission said the team aims to make a first-hand assessment of the situation on the ground by Burundi, where a comprehensive ceasefire agreement was signed in 2006 after years of civil war but sporadic fighting has continued.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement yesterday voicing concern over the latest developments after an outbreak of deadly fighting between Government forces and members of the rebel Palipehutu-FNL group in and around the capital, Bujumbura, this week.

The delegation is also hoping to review the preparations made so far by Burundi since the Peacebuilding Commission agreed to take on the country as one of its areas of focus.

2008-04-19 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN DEPLORES DEADLY FIGHTING AROUND BURUNDI'S CAPITAL

SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN DEPLORES DEADLY FIGHTING AROUND BURUNDI'S CAPITAL New York, Apr 18 2008 8:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concern at the deadly fighting between Government forces in Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL rebel group over the past two days in and around Bujumbura, the capital of the struggling African country.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns this armed confrontation, which inflicts unnecessary suffering on the civilian population and jeopardizes the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement," his spokesperson said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3105">statement issued late today.

Burundi's Government and Palipehutu-FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération), the last rebel hold-out group, signed the agreement in September 2006, and Mr. Ban warned in his most recent report on the situation that the two sides bore primary responsibility for ensuring that the accord is implemented.

The small country is attempting to rebuild, with the support of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), after a brutal civil war between its Hutu majority and Tutsi minority.

In today's statement the Secretary-General called for an immediate end to hostilities.

"He calls upon the Government and the Palipehutu-FNL immediately to take the steps agreed upon in the Facilitator's Programme of Action. He urges the Parties, supported by the Regional Initiative, the Facilitation and the Political Directorate, to resume dialogue and conclude the peace process for the benefit of all the people of Burundi."
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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HAITI FACING 'EXPLOSIVE SITUATION' BECAUSE OF FOOD CRISIS, UN OFFICIAL WARNS

HAITI FACING 'EXPLOSIVE SITUATION' BECAUSE OF FOOD CRISIS, UN OFFICIAL WARNS New York, Apr 18 2008 7:00PM Haiti will remain in an extremely precarious economic and humanitarian situation unless it receives an urgent injection of funds to widen emergency feeding operations, extend existing job programmes and jump-start agricultural activity, a senior United Nations official to the impoverished Caribbean country has warned.

Joël Boutroue, the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Haiti, told the UN News Centre in an interview that while the security situation had stabilized somewhat this week following recent deadly protests over sharp rise in the price of basic foods, daily living conditions are still dire for many Haitians.

"If we don't react very strongly, then we could find ourselves in a very difficult state," he said. "The level of poverty, combined with the lack of coping mechanisms for the poorest Haitians, means we have the potential for a very explosive situation."

In the past thousands of Haitians have fled their homeland because of economic or political problems, and the Coordinator said it was vital that the international community, as well as the Government and the country's civil society and private sector, work together to prevent a repeat.

He noted that the price of rice has fallen slightly from its peak and President René Préval has outlined to the nation a series of measures he hopes to introduce to alleviate the situation.

The Government, in consultation with the UN, is also devising a plan of action for tackling the crisis that has struck worldwide this year, but hit Haiti – already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere – particularly hard. A major international appeal is expected to launch within the next week.

Mr. Boutroue said Haiti has suffered especially because of its poor environment: few forests, infertile or low-quality soil, a lack of irrigation, polluted canals and waterways and a predominance of tiny farms means agricultural activity is limited.

The country also has few factories, unemployment is estimated at around 60 to 70 per cent and more than half the population lives on less than $1 a day.

Mr. Boutroue, who is also the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative in Haiti, called for a series of short- and long-term measures to bring Haiti back from the brink.

These include expanding the existing labour-intensive job programmes that focus particularly on rehabilitating the environment, such as the management of watersheds, so that more agricultural and other economic activity can take place.

It also includes widening the current targeted food distribution schemes, such as the communal kitchens in poor neighbourhoods and the school feeding operations. Earlier this week the UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?n=31">WFP) announced it will distribute an additional 8,000 tons of food to people in need.

Agriculture can also be jump-started, the envoy said, by providing – either free of charge or at a subsidized rate – fertilizers, seeds, tools and other equipment.

He stressed that many of these activities, including the UN feeding programmes, have the capacity to be expanded rapidly, but he added that a boost should also "inject some more dynamism" into the country and its Government ministries.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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KENYA FACING FOOD SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF RISING PRICES - UN AID OFFICIALS

KENYA FACING FOOD SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF RISING PRICES – UN AID OFFICIALS New York, Apr 18 2008 6:00PM Worries over a possible food shortage in Kenya – where tensions are still running high despite the recent announcement of a new power-sharing Government – are on the rise due to surging food prices worldwide, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1080">OCHA) said today.

Further complicating the situation in the East African nation is the fungi that have reportedly destroyed 5,600 hectares of rice in Central Province, where between 10 and 20 percent of the country's annual production is harvested.

Even during good years, Kenya is a net importer of rice, and this fungi problem results in the need for an even greater amount of imported rice to feed its people.

Rice prices have soared 75 per cent globally in the past two months, while the cost of wheat has risen a whopping 120 per cent in the last year, contributing to a food crisis worldwide.

The resulting food insecurity in Kenya has led to an escalation of tensions, with four internally displaced persons (IDPs) having been killed in the Rift Valley while attempting to make their way back to their farms.

Earlier this week, the East African nation's major parties agreed on a grand coalition Government following months of post-election violence in which 1,000 people were killed and more than 300,000 others forced to flee their homes.

Last week, OCHA launched a revised appeal for $189 million for Kenya.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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UN URGES GROUP OF EIGHT NATIONS TO STEP UP INVESTMENTS IN MATERNAL HEALTH

UN URGES GROUP OF EIGHT NATIONS TO STEP UP INVESTMENTS IN MATERNAL HEALTH New York, Apr 18 2008 6:00PM A United Nations-backed drive issued a call to the leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations today to fulfil their prior pledges to global health and to boost their investments to avert the deaths of more than 6 million mothers, newborns and children yearly.

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health – a coalition of some 240 countries and organizations, administered by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) – appealed for an further $10.2 billion annually to ensure universal coverage of basic services to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to curb child death and improve maternal health.

"We urge the G8 to step up funding and lead by example by saving and protecting lives," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Today's appeal, which was launched in Cape Town, South Africa, ahead of the G8 Summit to be hosted by Japan in July, also targets all donor governments and business leaders.

Recent data shows that donor aid for health averaged $7 per child and $12 per live birth in the 68 countries which account for 97 per cent of all maternal and child health deaths worldwide, far short of the $45 per person minimum needed to ensure access to basic health services.

The Partnership asked for a "reallocation of national resources to benefit women and children, especially in countries with significant economic prospects where resources can be mobilized."
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES IMMINENT CENSUS IN SUDAN TO BOLSTER NORTH-SOUTH PEACE

BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES IMMINENT CENSUS IN SUDAN TO BOLSTER NORTH-SOUTH PEACE New York, Apr 18 2008 6:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the intention of Sudan's Government of National Unity to proceed with a delayed national census as from 22 April in preparation for elections next year.

The census, earlier scheduled to run from 5 to 30 April, is an important milestone in implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended a decades-long civil war between the Government and rebels in southern Sudan, a conflict separate from the ongoing fighting in the Darfur region in the country's west.

"The Secretary-General expresses the hope that the census will not be further delayed, as it could have considerable political and financial implications," as <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3104">statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson said.

"The Sudanese people, with the assistance of the international community, have invested much in the preparation of the census and look forward to a full and peaceful enumeration process."

In February, Mr. Ban's Special Representative to Sudan Ashraf Qazi told the Security Council that implementation of the agreement ending 21 years of war, in which as many as 2 million people were killed and 4.5 million others displaced, remained on track despite being behind schedule.

He said overall security in the ceasefire zone remained relatively stable, but tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) actually increased along the current boundary between northern and southern Sudan.

He warned that while the working relationship between the two parties was relatively cordial, it suffered from a significant lack of trust and confidence.

The most recent UN report on implementing the agreement found that major challenges lie ahead, but praised the leaders of both sides for demonstrating a willingness to resolve their differences through dialogue.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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CYPRUS: UN-BACKED TECHNICAL COMMITTEES BEGIN WORK, SEEKING REUNIFICATION

CYPRUS: UN-BACKED TECHNICAL COMMITTEES BEGIN WORK, SEEKING REUNIFICATION New York, Apr 18 2008 5:00PM Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot working groups today launched sessions designed to pave the way for full-fledged negotiations under United Nations auspices on a comprehensive and durable settlement for the reunification of the Mediterranean island.

"As we have said before, the United Nations will do all that it can to help the two sides in their search for a sustainable and mutually acceptable solution," Special Representative of the Secretary-General Elizabeth Spehar told a news conference in Nicosia before the heads of the six working groups and seven technical committees began their meetings.

"We hope that concrete results can be achieved through this process over the coming weeks, that will provide a solid basis for the two leaders [Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat] to move forward and which will encourage the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to accompany and support the leaders in their negotiations," she added as she presided over the launch.

Yesterday, the Security Council in New York <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9303.doc.htm">welcomed the development. The 15-member body said the recent opening of the long-closed Ledra Street crossing between the two communities in Nicosia was an indication of the political will on both sides to tackle issues that have obstructed progress in the past, and called for more confidence-building measures to be introduced.

"The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the reunification of Cyprus based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and political equality," it said in a presidential statement.

The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unficyp/index.html">UNFICYP) has been in place since 1964 following the outbreak of inter-communal violence, entrusted with preventing a recurrence of fighting and contributing to a return to normal conditions and the maintenance of law and order.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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UN FOOD AGENCY FACES $750 MILLION SHORTFALL AS IT BIDS TO FEED WORLD'S HUNGRY

UN FOOD AGENCY FACES $750 MILLION SHORTFALL AS IT BIDS TO FEED WORLD'S HUNGRY New York, Apr 18 2008 5:00PM The recent drastic rise in food prices means the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) now needs more than $750 million to meet its commitment to feed the world's 73 million hungry people this year.

In late February, WFP announced that it required an additional $500 million, on top of its original appeal for this year of $2.9 billion, to carry out its efforts, but surging food prices have led <"http://www.wfp.org/english/?n=31">WFP to revise that figure upwards to $756 million.

The cost of rice in Thailand, for example, swelled from $460 per ton on 3 March to $780 five weeks later.

WFP warned that prices could rice even higher. "We are not looking at a picture anymore, we are watching a movie," the agency's Christiane Berthiaume told reporters in Geneva today. To date, $900 million has been received towards WFP's original appeal.

In a related development, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accepted an invitation from Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO), to attend a summit on the topic of food security in Rome.

He confirmed his attendance today at the start of the 30th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, noting that the UN agency has a crucial role to play in tackling the issue.

The three-day event, which will start on 3 June at FAO Headquarters, "must take place in a rational manner, without being clouded by emotions or left or right-wing ideologies," the President said. "We need scientific foundations so that people can discuss solutions to the crisis to offer to the world in years ahead."

Dr. Diouf said the upcoming summit will be a "golden opportunity to adopt policies, strategies and programmes that will enable us to face the major challenges currently confronting us which, aside from the price surges, include the question of agricultural production, especially in poor countries."
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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MADAGASCAR: UN HELP SOUGHT FOR OUTBREAK OF RIFT VALLEY FEVER

MADAGASCAR: UN HELP SOUGHT FOR OUTBREAK OF RIFT VALLEY FEVER New York, Apr 18 2008 4:00PM Health and agriculture ministry officials in Madagascar have asked two United Nations agencies for assistance as they fight a deadly outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic disease known as Rift Valley Fever (RVF).

Seventeen people are suspected to have died from the virus outbreak across five regions of the Indian Ocean island nation, according to local authorities, and a total of 418 cases are suspected this year, the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/en/">WHO) reported today. Laboratory tests by scientists have also confirmed at least 59 cases of human infection.

Officials in Madagascar have asked the WHO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to undertake a joint mission to the country to support their efforts to contain the outbreak.

Transmitted by mosquitoes, RVF is a dangerous disease that affects both livestock – including sheep, goats, cattle and camels – and humans, but is usually well-established in animal populations by the time the first human cases are observed.

Humans become infected through mosquito bites or direct contact with infected material and liquids such as animal blood during slaughtering, while the uncooked milk of infected animals can also pose a risk. No cases of human-to-human transmission have ever been reported.

While some infected people experience no detectable symptoms, others develop flu-like fever, muscle pain, headaches, joint pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and sensitivity to light. In more severe cases patients can also experience lesions in their eyes, neurological problems, liver impairment and haemorrhagic fever symptoms including widespread bleeding.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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VATICAN CITY AND UN HEADQUARTERS HAVE GEOGRAPHICAL SIMILARITIES, SAYS POPE

VATICAN CITY AND UN HEADQUARTERS HAVE GEOGRAPHICAL SIMILARITIES, SAYS POPE New York, Apr 18 2008 3:00PM Pope Benedict XVI drew a parallel between United Nations Headquarters in New York and the Vatican City today as two tiny geographical entities that are hubs with vast worldwide influence.

Vatican City is the world's smallest fully independent nation-state, with a total area of 110 acres surrounded by Rome and a population of some 800.

UN Headquarters is "international territory" under an agreement with the United States, stretching over some 18 acres between New York's East River and 1st Avenue, and 42nd and 48th Streets. It has no permanent residents although there is a bedroom attached to the Secretary-General's 38th floor office.

"Here, within a small space in the busy city of New York, is housed an Organization with a worldwide mission to promote peace and justice," the Pope told a meeting of UN staff during his Headquarters visit today.

"I am reminded of the similar contrast in scale between Vatican City State and the world in which the Church exercises her universal mission and apostolate."

The Roman Catholic Church has 1.13 billion followers, according to the Vatican's 2008 yearbook. The population of UN Member States is estimated at some 6.6 billion.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FROM DARFUR REMAIN ALONG VOLATILE BORDER - UN AGENCY

THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FROM DARFUR REMAIN ALONG VOLATILE BORDER – UN AGENCY New York, Apr 18 2008 3:00PM About 8,000 Sudanese remain scattered in a handful of villages along the volatile border with Chad, more than two months after a major round of fighting erupted in West Darfur, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4808a35d4.html">UNHCR) spokesperson Ron Redmond told journalists in Geneva that the agency has been able to transfer some 5,400 people to two camps it runs in eastern Chad, despite the logistical challenges posed by the continuing insecurity and the remoteness of the region.

"There has been sporadic military activity on the Darfur side of the border, and armed groups are often seen on the Chadian side," Mr. Redmond said. "On Sunday morning, a UNHCR team on the Chad side of the border witnessed aerial bombing on the Sudan side southeast of the Chadian border town of Birak."

Most of the transferred refugees – nine out of 10 are women and children – were taken to Kounoungou camp, which was recently expanded but has now reached its capacity of 18,900 residents. This week about 170 refugees were transferred to the camp at Mile, which is 20 kilometres south of Kounoungou. In total, there are 12 UNHCR-run camps in eastern Chad serving as home to roughly 250,000 people.

Mr. Redmond noted that most of the refugees had been living in the open since fighting flared in several towns and villages in the northern part of West Darfur state on 9 February.

When the Darfurians arrive at the camps, they are given medical examinations and any children are vaccinated. Families also receive tents and household kits for use as temporary shelter until the refugees can build sturdier mud-brick huts.

Nearly 2.5 million people have been displaced because of the conflict between Government forces, allied militiamen and rebels in Darfur that has raged since 2003, and more than 200,000 others have been killed.

Since the start of the year a hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping force (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamid/index.html">UNAMID) has been in place to try to quell the humanitarian suffering and violence.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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UN REVIEW OF FIRST GROUP OF COUNTRIES' HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS WRAPS UP

UN REVIEW OF FIRST GROUP OF COUNTRIES' HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS WRAPS UP New York, Apr 18 2008 3:00PM The United Nations <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">Human Rights Council has concluded its review of the first batch of countries as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – a new mechanism to examine the record of every UN Member State.

The mechanism's Working Group wrapped up its first session in Geneva today after evaluating the rights records of 16 nations: Bahrain, Ecuador, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, Finland, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, the Philippines, Algeria, Poland, the Netherlands, South Africa, the Czech Republic and Argentina.

"Having witnessed the energy which you have all displayed during this session, I have no doubt that we shall collectively rise to the occasion and achieve the primary goal of the UPR, which is the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground," said Council President Doru Romulus Copstea in a message delivered at the meeting's close by Vice President Boudewijn Van Eenennaam.

The Working Group's next session will be held from 5 to 19 May, during which 16 more Member States' records will be reviewed.

The UPR is one of the reforms which differentiate the Council from the Commission on Human Rights, which it succeeded in 2006.

Under the Review's work plans, 48 countries are scheduled to be reviewed each year, so that the UN's complete membership of 192 countries will be reviewed once every four years.

Last month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Council to ensure that all countries were scrutinized equally. "The Review must reaffirm that just as human rights are universal, so is our collective respect for them and our commitment to them," he <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/search_full.asp?statID=196">said.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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UNDP SOUNDS ALARM ON DANGER OF CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO CIVILIANS, DEVELOPMENT

UNDP SOUNDS ALARM ON DANGER OF CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO CIVILIANS, DEVELOPMENT New York, Apr 18 2008 2:00PM Urging the international community to adopt a comprehensive treaty banning the use of cluster munitions, the United Nations Development Programme (<"http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/2008/april/calls-for-adoption-of-cluster-munitions-treaty.en">UNDP) warned today in a new <"http://www.undp.org/cpr/documents/UNDP_clusterMunitions_2008.pdf">report that the deadly devices deal a blow to development.

"We are concerned about cluster munitions, both as a threat to the lives of innocent civilians and as a major obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," said UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert, referring to the eight anti-poverty targets.

The release of the report, entitled <i>Prohibiting Cluster Munitions: Our Chance to Protect Civilians</i>, comes on the eve of the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs.

Calling on governments to join efforts to establish a new global pact to ban cluster munitions, UNDP's Director of the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Kathleen Cravero characterized these weapons as insidious and observed that they pose "a long-term threat to the very lives and livelihoods of civilians."

Negotiations among nations to create such a treaty prohibiting the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of the devices kick off next month in Dublin, Ireland.

Without such an instrument, the proliferation of cluster munitions will remain unchecked, the UNDP report cautioned.

When launched, these weapons disperse many sub-munitions, over areas often spanning the size of four football fields, which are intended to explode upon impact but often do not and thus turning homes and communities into minefields.

Unexploded munitions are many times shaped like balls and are brightly coloured, putting children at risk. More than three decades after the end of the conflict in Viet Nam, children still account for over 60 per cent of cluster munitions casualties.

Worldwide, the devices have caused more than 13,000 confirmed injuries and deaths, mostly concentrated in Afghanistan, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon and Viet Nam.

But they also lead to food insecurity by contaminating farmland and by killing livestock, as well as causing heath and hygiene problems by cutting off access to shelter, water and sanitation.

Billions of cluster munitions are currently being stockpiled by over 70 countries around the world, UNDP reported.

"I know from the experience of my own country, Côte d'Ivoire, how terrible war can be for individuals, families and communities," said Didier Drogba, Chelsea football star and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. "For people who are injured or killed by unexploded cluster bombs, or who live in poverty because they cannot farm their land, it is as though the war never ended."
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT, STRESSING COMMON MISSION

BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES POPE BENEDICT, STRESSING COMMON MISSION New York, Apr 18 2008 2:00PM Welcoming a guest he invited to the United Nations a year ago, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed to Pope Benedict XVI today the fundamental goals that unite the world Organization and the Roman Catholic Church.

"Your Holiness, welcome to our common home," Mr. Ban told the smiling Pontiff as he introduced him to the 192-member Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York.

"In so many ways, our mission unites us with yours. You have spoken of the terrible challenge of poverty afflicting so much of the world's population, and how we cannot afford indifference and self-centred isolation. You have encouraged the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and called for progressive and agreed-upon nuclear disarmament.

"You have spelled out that those with greater power may not use it to violate the rights of others, and stated that peace is based on respect for the rights of all. You have spoken of water resources and climate change as matters of grave importance for the entire human family.

"You have called for an open and sincere dialogue, both within your Church and between religions and cultures, in search of the good of humankind. Finally, you have called for trust in, and commitment to, the United Nations."

Mr. Ban recalled that the Pope had underscored the UN ability to foster genuine dialogue and develop multilateral strategies to meet the manifold challenges of a complex and rapidly changing world, and he stressed the faith that motivates UN personnel.

"Whether we worship one God, many or none – we in the United Nations have to sustain and strengthen our faith every day. As demands on our Organization multiply, we need more and more of this precious commodity," he said.

"I am profoundly grateful to his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for bestowing some of his faith on us – and for placing his trust in us. He possesses both of these in abundance. May we be strengthened by his visit today."

General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim told Benedict his visit was a very powerful recognition of the validity and importance of international institutions, particularly of the UN.

"In a world full of controversies which can escalate into conflicts, violence and atrocities, the role of international institutions is without alternative. Effective multilateralism remains our goal, so as to achieve peace and stability on Earth," he said.

"Let me express my high appreciation for the valuable contribution of the Holy See to the work of the General Assembly and in particular for your important role in promoting social justice, providing education and alleviating poverty and hunger around the world."
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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GOAL OF UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION UNDER THREAT FROM LACK OF FUNDS, SAYS UN

GOAL OF UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION UNDER THREAT FROM LACK OF FUNDS, SAYS UN New York, Apr 18 2008 1:00PM The internationally agreed goal of universal primary education for every child by 2015 is at risk unless donors scale up aid for basic education, according to a new report published today by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO).

The report – prepared by the team that monitors progress towards the goal of "education for all," the pledge made by world leaders in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, in 1999 – found that while aid to basic education increased in 2006 to $5 billion, up from $3.7 billion in 2005, it remained below its 2004 level of $5.3 billion.

In addition, bilateral aid to basic education increased from $2.7 billion in 2005 to $3.9 billion in 2006, while commitments from multilateral agencies remained constant at $1.1 billion.

The data also showed that total official development assistance (ODA) decreased by 8.4 per cent last year, which probably means a corresponding reduction in aid to basic education.

UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said that the fact that aid to basic education increased in 2006 over the previous year was encouraging. However, the "general slowdown" in how much donors are committing to education was still a concern.

"This could carry serious consequences for educational progress in low-income countries," said Mr. Matsuura. "These countries need enough aid and predictable aid to support the rapid expansion of their education systems."

The overall increase in 2006, according to the report, was mainly due to increased contributions from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, whose combined aid to basic education rose by $1.3 billion.

Noting that some $11 billion a year is needed to achieve education for all in low-income countries, the report urged donors to step up their efforts, in particular by allocating at least 10 per cent of their sector aid to basic education.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE JOINS GLOBAL PATENT PACT - UN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGENCY

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE JOINS GLOBAL PATENT PACT – UN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGENCY New York, Apr 18 2008 1:00PM São Tomé and Príncipe has become the 139th State to accede to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the pact designed to stimulate innovation and promote economic activity worldwide, the United Nations agency that protects ownership of intellectual property announced today.

The Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (<"http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2008/article_0022.html">WIPO) said that São Tomé and Príncipe deposited its instrument of accession earlier this month, which means the treaty will enter into force for the country on 3 July. After that date, its nationals and residents will be able to file patent applications.

The number of PCT international applications filed each year continues to rise, WIPO has previously reported, with the overall figures almost doubling in the past two decades.

The treaty aims to provide patent applicants with a more streamlined process for filing and to give the public accelerated access to the latest technological information on inventions and other forms of intellectual property.
2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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UN EXPERTS WELCOME CANADA'S BACKING FOR INDIGENOUS RIGHTS DECLARATION

UN EXPERTS WELCOME CANADA'S BACKING FOR INDIGENOUS RIGHTS DECLARATION New York, Apr 18 2008 10:00AM A group of independent United Nations human rights experts has lauded the endorsement given to a landmark declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples by the House of Commons in Canada -- one of four States that voted against its adoption in the General Assembly last year.

In a statement issued today, the experts welcomed the motion adopted on 8 April by the House, regarding the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and relating to the call for Parliament and Government to fully implement its provisions.

"We are convinced that the standards and principles set forth in the Declaration will constitute a useful road-map for Canada's future laws and policies with regard to Aboriginal peoples, and will help improve their human rights situation," the experts said.

"The Legislature's commitment to put the provisions of the UN Declaration into practice is a powerful sign for indigenous peoples in Canada and in other countries," they added.

Adopted by the 192-member General Assembly last September, the Declaration outlines the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people and outlaws discrimination against them -- a move that followed more than two decades of debate.

Canada, along with Australia, New Zealand and the United States, voted against the non-binding text, which sets out rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues.

The action by Canada's House of Commons is among recent steps taken by States to give effect to the Declaration, the group stated, noting that Bolivia and Ecuador recently gave legal force to the Declaration by enacting legislation. Similar initiatives are being discussed in other countries.

The statement was signed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen; the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Miloon Kothari; the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Doudou Diène; and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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THOUSANDS OF POOR TIMORESE TO BENEFIT FROM UN-BACKED SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

THOUSANDS OF POOR TIMORESE TO BENEFIT FROM UN-BACKED SMALL BUSINESS LOANS New York, Apr 18 2008 9:00AM A new initiative launched today by the United Nations and the Government of Timor-Leste aims to provide small business loans to thousands of low-income people in the tiny nation, which is grappling with a number of challenges including widespread poverty and unemployment.

The $5 million INFUSE programme will provide access to finance for economically disadvantaged people in 13 districts across the country, which the UN helped shepherd to independence in 2002.

"Long-term and sustainable peace in Timor-Leste depends upon increasing peoples' access to finance," said Finn Reske-Nielsen, Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

He noted that the programme, administered by UNDP, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Ministry of Economy and Development, will provide loans to people who would otherwise fail to qualify, due to a lack of collateral.

"Linking the need for funds with a sound business proposal will assist development for some of those who most need it," Mr. Reske-Nielsen said.

Minister of Economy and Development Joao Goncalves added that INFUSE will work with existing financial service providers who will in turn increase their micro-loan portfolios and expand their reach.

Meanwhile, Prince Albert of Monaco arrived today in Timor-Leste, where he will be opening a maternity clinic built with funding provided by his Government in the regional town of Same.

2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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LACK OF COOPERATION PROMPTS UN TO CLOSE ANGOLA HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE

LACK OF COOPERATION PROMPTS UN TO CLOSE ANGOLA HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE New York, Apr 18 2008 9:00AM The United Nations announced today that it will close its human rights office in Angola, after authorities in the southern African nation decided not to sign an agreement that would have formally established the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the country.

OHCHR, which has had a presence in Angola since 2003, has been asked by the Government to cease its activities in the country by 31 May, according to a news release issued by the Geneva-based Office.

This came "after the authorities decided not to proceed any further with negotiations on establishing a formal Memorandum of Understanding similar to those under which OHCHR usually operates in other countries."

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said she "respected but regretted" the Government's decision.

"We look forward to examining any fresh initiatives the Government may suggest in line with its voluntary pledge to the Human Rights Council to increase its cooperation with my Office," Ms. Arbour said.

Over the past five years, OHCHR has been working to increase awareness of human rights in Angola, which was devastated by a 27-year civil war that finally ended in 2002.

In addition to helping to establish a national human rights institution, the Office also assisted the Ministry of Justice in the area of alternative mechanisms of justice, and promoted the inclusion of human rights education in primary and secondary schools.

OHCHR was also helping the Government in preparing its national reports to various human rights treaty bodies.

2008-04-18 00:00:00.000

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SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES SIGNS OF PROGRESS TOWARDS REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS

SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES SIGNS OF PROGRESS TOWARDS REUNIFICATION OF CYPRUS New York, Apr 17 2008 8:00PM Welcoming the recent agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, the Security Council today voiced hope that the two sides can build enough trust and momentum in their peace process to lead eventually to the reunification of Cyprus.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9303.doc.htm">presidential statement, Council members said they are encouraged by the imminent launch of the working groups and technical committees, which are designed to prepare for the ground for full-fledged negotiations under UN auspices on a comprehensive and durable settlement.

"The Security Council looks forward to the results of this preparatory process within the three-month timeline agreed by the two leaders, which it is hoped will build trust, momentum and a sense of common interest in the search for a just and lasting solution," Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said in the statement.

He also observed that the recent opening of the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia was an indication of the political will on both sides to tackle issues that have obstructed progress in the past, and called for more such confidence-building measures to be introduced.

"The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the reunification of Cyprus based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, and its willingness to support the efforts of the Secretary-General to this end."

The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unficyp/index.html">UNFICYP) has been in place on the Mediterranean island since 1964 following the outbreak of intercommunal violence, and it is tasked with preventing a recurrence of fighting, contributing to a return to normal conditions and the maintenance of law and order.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH GABONESE, BRITISH OFFICIALS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH GABONESE, BRITISH OFFICIALS New York, Apr 17 2008 7:00PM General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim has held talks today with senior Government ministers from Gabon on the United Kingdom, discussing issues ranging from peace and security in Africa to financing for development in poor countries.

Mr. Kerim met with Gabonese Foreign Minister Laure Olga Gondjout and they discussed yesterday's Security Council debate, which stressed the importance of greater cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union and the need for more funding of peacebuilding operations in Africa.

Mr. Kerim and Ms. Gondjout also discussed the global efforts to achieve the set of anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a statement released by the President's spokesperson.

During a separate meeting with Lord Mark Malloch Brown, the UK Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Mr. Kerim and his interlocutor discussed the MDGs, Council reform and overall re-shaping of the UN.

The two men also discussed other topics, including climate change and financing for development.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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UN MINE SERVICE CONSIDERS NEW WAYS TO CLEAR LAND MORE EFFECTIVELY

UN MINE SERVICE CONSIDERS NEW WAYS TO CLEAR LAND MORE EFFECTIVELY New York, Apr 17 2008 7:00PM The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) says it is considering the introduction of new and more efficient methods of checking land for mines that could drastically speed up the clearance of land in mine-affected regions for use by local communities.

Deminers currently use detectors to comb all land suspected of being hazardous, even when there is no credible evidence of landmines in the area. This process can be so slow that many countries affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war struggle to reach their targets of clearing land.

But John Flanagan, the officer-in-charge of UNMAS in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), yesterday told a conference on demining in Sibenik, Croatia, that a review of standard procedures would allow mine clearance equipment to be focused more on areas that actually do contain mines and explosive hazards.

"We're looking for ways to confirm that land is safe without necessarily going over every inch of it with a mine detector," he said. "Where there is a genuine threat, however, we will make sure all landmines and explosive remnants of war are removed before we tell a community that land is safe for their use."

A recent report by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining found that "general assessments and landmine impact surveys often overestimate the extent of land actually affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war."

Under the new procedures, landmine experts would consider a range of indicators before determining whether to send deminers into a suspected hazardous area.

The conference in Sibenik was jointly organized by the UN, the Croatian Mine Action Centre and the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mines Victims Assistance.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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NAMIBIAN FLOOD VICTIMS RECEIVE UN HELP IN HEALTH CARE, KINDERGARTENS

NAMIBIAN FLOOD VICTIMS RECEIVE UN HELP IN HEALTH CARE, KINDERGARTENS New York, Apr 17 2008 5:00PM Apart from helping the Namibian authorities to train health workers in critical steps to stem cholera outbreaks following widespread flooding, the United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) is now working to provide kindergartens for toddlers in relocation camps.

Over 71,000 people have been affected by the floods and more than 4,600 have moved into the camps, where they wait for basic supplies to reach them. Some 40 primary schools have been closed because they were either flooded or cut off by fast-flowing water.

There is now a need to provide young children in the camps with safe spaces where they can learn and play, UNICEF Namibia Child Protection Officer Celia Kaunatjike said in an update on the situation in the southern African country.

UNICEF is in the process of procuring tents and recreational kits for kindergartens that will be run by volunteers from among the camps' residents.

In partnership with other UN agencies and the Namibian Government, UNICEF is working to support residents of the flood-affected regions as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods. For now, many Namibians are simply waiting for the water to recede.

Since the floods struck last month, UNICEF has been helping the Government fight cholera, a bacterial disease marked by acute diarrhoea which is spread by contaminated water and can kill in less than a day, especially children. But the vast majority of patients can survive if they receive treatment in time – such as oral re-hydration salts to replace lost fluids, and in especially severe cases the intravenous administration of fluids.

At least 958 cases of cholera have been reported to the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services.

UNICEF recently assisted the Government in training the first group of activists, who will now be involved in training others to combat the disease. It is also supporting the Government and other partners in producing radio spots on cholera prevention, and in distributing water purification tablets, necessary in a region where flooding has exacerbated the already poor sanitation.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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NEW REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT VOWS TO STRIVE TO PROTECT WITNESSES

NEW REGISTRAR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT VOWS TO STRIVE TO PROTECT WITNESSES New York, Apr 17 2008 5:00PM Protecting witnesses will be a major challenge for the International Criminal Court as the tribunal prepares to conduct its first trial this year, the incoming ICC registrar said today.

Silvana Arbia, who was sworn in as registrar at a ceremony today at the <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/358.html">ICC seat in The Hague, said her office would "dedicate its energy to the first trial" – that of the former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.

Mr. Lubanga Dyilo faces war crimes charges, including that he recruited children to serve as soldiers in the armed wing of his militia, the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), which fought with Government forces in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2002-03.

Ms. Arbia described the trial, set to begin in June, as "the final and most visible result of the joint effort of all the organs of the court… One major challenge will continue to be the protection of witnesses. The systems we put in place have to be efficient and sustainable."

She added that the "first trial shall strive to be a model for national jurisdictions and also a positive benchmark for regions and States which have not yet accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC."

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern – namely genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is currently investigating cases in the DRC, Uganda, the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Darfur region of Sudan.

The registry is responsible for the overall administration and management of the tribunal and must ensure that witnesses are protected and that the rights of all accused are respected.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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THREAT OF FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN TAJIKISTAN PROMPTS UN HUMANITARIAN APPEAL

THREAT OF FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN TAJIKISTAN PROMPTS UN HUMANITARIAN APPEAL New York, Apr 17 2008 4:00PM The United Nations' humanitarian wing is urgently appealing for $1.4 million so that it can buy and pre-position emergency water, sanitation and cooking items for up to 1,500 households in Tajikistan, which faces the threat of floods and landslides after a severe winter across much of Central Asia.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) says the likelihood of floods and landslides in upcoming weeks remains high following weeks of heavy snow and intense rains.

OCHA is also reporting that Tajikistan could be hit by a locust infestation over more than 150,000 hectares of land because a combination of favourable weather conditions and incomplete spraying last year has led to a larger than normal amount of locusts' eggs developing to adult stage.

"The pest is developing quicker and earlier than usual and action is extremely time-sensitive," according to a <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MMAH-7DS5PB?OpenDocument&query=tajikistan">situation report issued by OCHA yesterday.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org">FAO) is calling for $500,000 to cover the cost of pesticides and equipment, warning that unless those funds are received within the next week, it may not be able to avert a major outbreak.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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UN MEMBER STATES ISSUED INVITATIONS TO UPCOMING IRAQ COMPACT MEETING

UN MEMBER STATES ISSUED INVITATIONS TO UPCOMING IRAQ COMPACT MEETING New York, Apr 17 2008 4:00PM Invitations to the upcoming high-level meeting of the International Compact for Iraq – to be held on 29 May in Stockholm, Sweden – have been issued to all UN Member States, as well as to several regional and international organizations and institutions.

These invitations to the talks on the five-year peace and development plan to help rebuild the war-torn nation were extended yesterday by both Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih and by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari.

Mr. Ban, who will co-chair the meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, encouraged Member States to take part.

Under the Compact, which was launched last May in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, the Government will work to meet basic needs, protect the rights of all citizens and ensure the optimal use of the country's resources for the common good.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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UN RIGHTS EXPERT URGES PROTECTION OF PALESTINIAN, ISRAELI CIVILIANS

UN RIGHTS EXPERT URGES PROTECTION OF PALESTINIAN, ISRAELI CIVILIANS New York, Apr 17 2008 4:00PM An independent United Nations human rights expert has called on the United Nations to do its utmost to protect the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis, after some two dozen people were reportedly killed in the latest round of violence to engulf the Gaza Strip and southern Israel.

"Surely it is not too much to ask of the Security Council, and if it cannot act, the Secretary-General, to protect human life," John Dugard, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights on the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said in a <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/8547BF048156F2D3C125742E00555289?opendocument">statement issued today.

Mr. Dugard, who reports to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, also called on the UN to play its role as international mediator to encourage dialogue among all the parties.

"It is the responsibility of the United Nations, as the ultimate guardian of human rights and international peace, to open lines of communication between Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, and to bring them to the negotiating table," the Special Rapporteur stated.

Yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his grave concern at the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel, urging all parties to the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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GROUP OF EIGHT NATIONS AND UN SEEK TO HARMONIZE COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORTS

GROUP OF EIGHT NATIONS AND UN SEEK TO HARMONIZE COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORTS New York, Apr 17 2008 3:01PM The senior United Nations counter-terrorism official is in Tokyo today for a meeting to discuss how the world body and the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations can better coordinate their efforts on the issue.

Mike Smith, Executive Director of the UN Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), is conferring with the G8's Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) on how the two bodies can improve their technical assistance in this field, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Established in 2003, CTAG aims to boost political will and promote the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373, which was adopted in the wake of the September 2001 attacks on the United States. It also calls on countries to adopt measures to enhance their ability to counter terrorist activities nationally, regionally and globally.

CTED was created as a special political mission in 2004 to assist the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee in monitoring 1373's implementation.

Following his talks with the G8 group, Mr. Smith will hold bilateral discussions with Japanese officials.

Earlier this week, he visited Beijing where he met with Chinese authorities, and will travel to Moscow following the Tokyo meeting for consultation with Russian officials.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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HAITI: UN INCREASES FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS FOLLOWING PROTESTS OVER HIGH PRICES

HAITI: UN INCREASES FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS FOLLOWING PROTESTS OVER HIGH PRICES New York, Apr 17 2008 3:00PM The United Nations is taking further action to confront food insecurity in Haiti with plans to distribute 8,000 more tons in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where rising prices have led to widespread protests, some of them violent.

The UN World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) will hand out the food in the coming days in the north, west and central regions, focusing on children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

The UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) will double its child feeding programme to combat malnutrition and spend some $1.6 million on water and sanitation in the northwest and the Artibonite regions.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian contingent of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/">MINUSTAH) is distributing 14 tons of food to more than 3,000 families in the poorest quarters of Port-au-Prince, the capital.

MINUSTAH and WFP also continue to support various projects aimed at creating jobs that, with a combined $2.3 million budget, already employ some 2,500 Haitians.

Set up in 2004 to help re-establish peace after an insurgency forced then president Jean-Bertrand Aristide to go into exile, the Mission also focuses on a host of humanitarian issues.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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UNESCO HEAD PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARTINIQUE POET OF 'LA NÉGRITUDE'

UNESCO HEAD PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARTINIQUE POET OF 'LA NÉGRITUDE' New York, Apr 17 2008 2:00PM The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) mourned the death today of Aimé Césaire, the Martinique poet and the founder of the artistic and cultural movement "la négritude."

"UNESCO has lost one of its most valuable friends," Koïchiro Matsuura, the agency's Director-General, told its Executive Board in Paris.

"We have all been marked by the universal import of Aimé Césaire's call for human dignity, watchfulness and responsibility."

Mr. Matsuura noted that the poet had tirelessly opposed colonialism and racism since the 1930s.

In 2004, Mr. Césaire was awarded UNESCO's Toussaint Louverture Prize in recognition of his commitment to equality among peoples and cultures and to the struggle against discrimination and exclusion.

Calling the poet a "voice of the voiceless," Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï of Benin, President of the UNESCO Executive Board, said that "a great <i>baobab</i> has fallen, as we say back home. This great poet and playwright of the French language was also a great humanist."
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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UN-BACKED TV SERIES PEELS BACK SILENCE SURROUNDING WORLDWIDE SEXUAL VIOLENCE

UN-BACKED TV SERIES PEELS BACK SILENCE SURROUNDING WORLDWIDE SEXUAL VIOLENCE New York, Apr 17 2008 1:00PM With one in three women worldwide suffering rape or attempted rape during her lifetime and at least one in three likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused, a United Nations-backed television series starting tomorrow will seek to peel away the silence surrounding these brutalities.

"Even where there is no war, women's bodies continue to be battlegrounds," says Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (<"https://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1118">UNFPA), which with other UN agencies provided information for "Women on the Frontline," the seven-part investigative series by BBC World to be broadcast to some 300 million households.
"Women and girls are at risk of violence when carrying out essential daily activities – within their homes, or while walking, taking public transport to work, collecting water or firewood. Demanding the end of violence against women is about protecting human rights and ensuring that women live in safety and dignity."

British singer Annie Lennox, presenting the series, stresses that violence against women threatens the lives of more young women than cancer, malaria or war. "It affects one in three women worldwide. It leaves women mentally scarred for life, and it is usually inflicted by a family member," she says.

Trafficking, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowry murder, "honour" killings and female infanticide are also part of the problem.

"The gaps in addressing violence against women are in terms of political will, resources and the strong involvement of men and boys in insisting on zero tolerance," says Joanne Sandler, acting Executive Director of the UN Development Fund for Women (<"http://www.unifem.org/news_events/story_detail.php?StoryID=673">UNIFEM).

"If we can't put an end to the pandemic of violence against women, we can't achieve any of the other agreed goals: development, equality or peace."

The seven films cover:<ul>
<li>Nepal, where thousands of women are trafficked each year; </li>
<li>Turkey, where killing in the name of honour continues; </li>
<li> Morocco, where women political activists who have survived torture and imprisonment testify before a Government truth and reconciliation commission; </li>
<li>Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where women bear the brunt of a 10-year war in eastern provinces; </li>
<li>Colombia, where women have been tortured in the shadow of a guerilla war; </li>
<li>Mauritania, where women who have been raped may go to prison; </li>
<li>and Austria, where, under a new law, perpetrators of domestic violence are forced to leave home. </li></ul>

"We found girls who said they had been raped and who were being sent to prison for the simple reason that there was no tangible proof of this violence," says Zeinabou Mint Taleb Moussa, a lawyer who heads the Mauritanian Association for Maternal and Child Health. "I would prefer them to go through the justice system or even better, I would prefer that the boys are arrested and the girls are recognized as victims."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, acknowledging the depth of the problem, launched a multi-year campaign eight weeks ago to eliminate the scourge and a number of UN agencies are involved in various aspects of the battle.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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AS TIMORESE LEADER RETURNS, UN ENVOY CALLS ON NATION TO 'PULL TOGETHER' FOR PEACE

AS TIMORESE LEADER RETURNS, UN ENVOY CALLS ON NATION TO 'PULL TOGETHER' FOR PEACE New York, Apr 17 2008 11:00AM Marking the return of President José Ramos-Horta from Australia, where he was recovering after being wounded in an assassination attempt two months ago, the top United Nations envoy to Timor-Leste today called on the leaders and people of the young nation to strengthen their commitment to ensuring lasting peace.

Atul Khare, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (<"http://www.unmiset.org/unmisetwebsite.nsf/MainFrame-EN.htm?OpenFrameset">UNMIT), greeted the President at the airport in the capital, Dili, and assured him of the UN's continued support as he resumes his duties.

"I look forward to continuing the UN's work with the President in promoting democratic governance, strengthening the rule of law, supporting the review and reform of the security sector, and furthering socio-economic development," said Mr. Khare.

"President Horta's return is an opportunity for Timorese society to pull together with renewed determination for the future of Timor-Leste," he added. "Sustained peace depends upon the commitment of everyone, including politicians, the security sector and the citizens of Timor-Leste."

The President was shot at his home on 11 February by rebel soldiers. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão came under fire in a separate attack on his motorcade but was not injured.

Ahead of Mr. Ramos-Horta's return, the UN announced strengthened security arrangements for the President on his arrival and afterwards, including checkpoints near his house and close protection by UN and Timorese police.
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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ATTACKS ON FOOD TRUCKS FORCE UN AGENCY TO CUT RATIONS IN DARFUR

ATTACKS ON FOOD TRUCKS FORCE UN AGENCY TO CUT RATIONS IN DARFUR New York, Apr 17 2008 10:00AM The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) <"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2819">said today that it will have to cut rations to the strife-torn Darfur region of Sudan by half because attacks on its trucks are preventing vital relief supplies from getting through.

So far this year 60 WFP-contracted trucks have been hijacked in Darfur – where the agency is feeding over two million internally displaced persons (<" http://www.unhcr.org/protect/3b84c7e23.html">IDPs) and refugees – with 39 trucks still missing and 26 drivers unaccounted for. One driver was killed in Darfur last month.

WFP's trucks should be delivering 1,800 metric tons of food daily around this time of year to supply warehouses ahead of the rainy season, due to begin next month. However, deliveries have dropped to less than 900 tons per day.

"Attacks on the WFP food pipeline are an attack on the most vulnerable people in Darfur," said the agency's Executive Director, Josette Sheeran.

In March, more than 2.4 million people in Darfur received WFP food assistance, which include cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, sugar and salt.

The number of those requiring assistance is expected to rise to some three million during the rainy season from May to September – also known as the pre-harvest 'hunger gap,' when last year's agricultural stocks are depleted and there is less access to food in the market.

Ms. Sheeran called on all parties to protect the access to food, stressed that with up to three million people depending on WFP for their survival in the upcoming rainy season, keeping the agency's supply line open is "a matter of life and death."

Kenro Oshidari, WFP Representative in Sudan, noted that the Sudanese Government does provide police escorts for convoys on the main routes, "but unfortunately the frequency is not enough to maintain the food pipeline."

"We're appealing to the rebel factions and their commanders who operate in other parts of Darfur to ensure security on the roads and to respect the neutrality of all people involved in the humanitarian effort," he said. "If the security situation on the roads improves, we will be able to restore the ration levels."
2008-04-17 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL ALARMED BY DAY OF DEADLY VIOLENCE IN GAZA AND ISRAEL

SECRETARY-GENERAL ALARMED BY DAY OF DEADLY VIOLENCE IN GAZA AND ISRAEL New York, Apr 16 2008 7:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed grave concern at the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel today that media reports say has left nearly two dozen people dead.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11517.doc.htm">statement, Mr. Ban's spokesperson said he "condemns the reported civilian casualties among Palestinians, including children, during Israeli military operations, and calls on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.

"The Secretary-General also reiterates his condemnation of rocket fire against Israeli civilian targets," the statement noted, adding that Mr. Ban was urging all parties to the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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STATUS QUO IN WESTERN SAHARA NEGOTIATIONS UNACCEPTABLE - LATEST UN REPORT

STATUS QUO IN WESTERN SAHARA NEGOTIATIONS UNACCEPTABLE – LATEST UN REPORT New York, Apr 16 2008 7:00PM Consolidating the status quo is not an acceptable outcome to the current process of negotiations over Western Sahara, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/251">report on the long-running dispute between Morocco and the Frente Polisario.

Mr. Ban writes that while he welcomes the two parties' commitment – outlined in a communiqué last month – to continue their negotiations, so far there was no sign of any breakthrough in the dispute.

"Momentum can only be maintained by trying to find a way out of the current political impasse through realism and a spirit of compromise from both parties," he states, in the first report issued since UN-led talks were held in Manhasset, New York, last month.

Mr. Ban recommends that the Security Council stress to both Morocco and the Frente Polisario that they enter into "a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations" without any preconditions.

He also voices concern about the humanitarian situation of the Western Saharan refugees, many of whom have been living in camps in the Tindouf area of neighbouring Algeria for years.

"I am particularly pleased that Morocco and the Frente Polisario have agreed at the talks held at Manhasset… to explore the establishment of family visits by land, in addition to the existing programme by air. This has the potential to significantly increase the number of beneficiaries able to visit their relatives from whom they have been separated for so long."

He also notes the recent progress made in clearing mines and explosive remnants of war in Western Sahara.

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

The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minurso/index.html">MINURSO) has been in place since 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between the two sides.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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UN HELPS WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES FIGHT SCOURGE OF ILLICIT WEAPONS

UN HELPS WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES FIGHT SCOURGE OF ILLICIT WEAPONS New York, Apr 16 2008 6:00PM A two-day United Nations conference seeking to help West and Central African nations bolster their abilities to identify and trace illicit small arms and light weapons kicks off tomorrow in Lomé, Togo.

Held by the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa – part of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs – the gathering will assist countries' efforts to implement the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Co-organized by Interpol, the workshop aims to identify actions States can take to adhere to the Instrument and familiarize government authorities with it.

Some 60 participants are expected to attend the event, which is supported by the European Union as well as Japan and Norway.

The meeting is part of a series targeted at promoting the Instrument and step up States' capacity to put it into practice.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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MORE THAN 120,000 ANGOLAN FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM UN-BACKED SCHEME

MORE THAN 120,000 ANGOLAN FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM UN-BACKED SCHEME New York, Apr 16 2008 6:00PM Some 126,000 farming families in Angola, one of the world's poorest countries, will benefit from a $49.5 million United Nations-backed agreement signed today to improve agricultural productivity and revitalize markets.

After almost three decades of war, peace in the southern African country has opened the way for reconstruction, but 68 per cent of Angolans live below the poverty line and 15 per cent of households live in extreme poverty.

"Angola could be a rich agricultural country, but the war and lack of investment have severely held back the sector," said Carla Ferreira, country programme manager for the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (<"http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/23.htm">IFAD), which fights rural poverty.

"However, we see a significant potential to increase agricultural production by expanding the average area that each farmer cultivates, increasing labour productivity and making markets more efficient. That is what this project is going to tackle," she added.

Under the agreement signed at IFAD's Rome headquarters by Angolan Ambassador to Italy Manuel Pedro Pacavira and IFAD President Lennart Båge, the market-oriented Smallholder Agriculture Project will be partly financed by an $8.2 million loan from the Fund.

The World Bank will contribute $30.1 million and Japan another $4 million. Angola will provide $4.1 million and other project participants the equivalent of $3 million.

A large proportion of beneficiaries consist of recently returned persons who have taken up farming. The project activities will begin in the province of Bié, and will later be expanded to Malanje and Huambo.

The project will help communities to identify needs for small-scale agricultural investments, which will be funded through matching grants. It will build the capacity of private-sector service providers and improve links with other development organizations. The project has a gender-sensitive design, and includes budgeting for childcare to enable women to attend training courses.

To improve farmers' skills and knowledge, the project will set up farmer field schools, hold workshops, exchange visits and study tours at both the municipal and provincial levels to share lessons in project implementation in the different target areas.

With this project, IFAD has provided a total of $44.3 million for five projects in Angola, directly benefiting 311,800 households.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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UN OFFICIALS IN DR CONGO VOICE SADNESS IN WAKE OF DEADLY PLANE CRASH IN GOMA

UN OFFICIALS IN DR CONGO VOICE SADNESS IN WAKE OF DEADLY PLANE CRASH IN GOMA New York, Apr 16 2008 5:00PM Senior United Nations officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have expressed their sorrow and sympathy to the many victims of yesterday's plane crash in the north-eastern city of Goma, which has killed dozens of people.

Alan Doss, the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the DRC and the head of the UN peacekeeping mission (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/monuc/index.html">MONUC) to the vast African country, pledged the continued involvement of the UN in rescue operations.

UN spokesperson Michele Montas told journalists that there are conflicting reports as to the number and identity of the victims from the crash, which took place about 2:45 p.m. as the Hewa Bora Airlines plane was attempting to take off from Goma, bound for the Congolese capital, Kinshasa.

MONUC reports that between 21 and 37 people have died, with the survivors including three UN staff members and one dependent of a UN worker. More than 100 others are injured.

But more than 70 people were reported to have been aboard the plane when it crashed into the densely populated Birere neighbourhood of Goma. It is not clear whether the victims were passengers or also included residents of Birere.

"It seems that the majority of deaths are from those that were in the houses which surround the airport, but we also heard that many passengers were able to exit alive from the plane," Ross Mountain, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative in the DRC, told a press conference in Kinshasa.

He said MONUC was working with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/News/tabid/1080/Default.aspx">OCHA), the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Congolese authorities to assist the victims and their families.

MONUC personnel securing the crash site have also located the plane's black box flight recorder, which Mr. Mountain said would be vital to the investigation into the cause of the disaster.

DRC has been plagued by an extremely poor aviation safety record, and just last Friday the European Union banned Hewa Bora Airlines from flying in its airspace because of safety issues.

"We hope that there will be fewer accidents in the future," Mr. Mountain said. "Unfortunately, there is much to repair in the country. It is necessary to look at how the regulations can be reinforced. It is a question of management of the planes, of maintenance for the airports. There's a lot of work to be done."
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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REUNIFICATION EFFORTS IN CYPRUS TO MOVE AHEAD THIS WEEK, UN SAYS

REUNIFICATION EFFORTS IN CYPRUS TO MOVE AHEAD THIS WEEK, UN SAYS New York, Apr 16 2008 5:00PM The drive to reunite the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus is set to take an important step forward this week with the start of substantive talks among new working groups, according to the United Nations mission on the Mediterranean island.

Representatives of the Greek Cypriot leader Demetrios Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have agreed on the agendas of six working groups and seven technical committees, and the heads of these bodies will kick off their work following a ceremony on Friday in the UN Protected Area in the capital Nicosia.

The leaders of the two sides decided on the creation of the groups and committees at a meeting on 21 March hosted by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Michael Møller.

Elizabeth Spehar, Acting Special Representative and head of the UN mission (<"http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1&tt=graphic&lang=l1">UNFICYP), will preside over Friday's event, which will also be addressed by George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, representatives of the heads of the two communities.

Yesterday, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council that he was optimistic that Cyprus could soon be reunified, but also cautioned that the upcoming negotiations between the two sides would not be easy.

"I think the entire world would be delighted to see Cyprus move forward on its negotiation," he told reporters after briefing the 15-member body. "We would like to see this settled as soon as possible."

Earlier this month, Mr. Pascoe visited the island, followed by stops in Athens and Ankara.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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TREE-PLANTING CAMPAIGN PART OF 'GREENING' EFFORT DURING UN RENOVATION

TREE-PLANTING CAMPAIGN PART OF 'GREENING' EFFORT DURING UN RENOVATION New York, Apr 16 2008 5:00PM The United Nations has announced it will plant 150 new trees in and around its New York Headquarters compound, during the landscaping phase of the five-year, $1.9 billion renovation designed to result in a more sustainable, modern, safe and efficient facility.

The Office of the Capital Master Plan (CMP), as the project is known, said the new trees will be planted on the North Lawn as well as in surrounding areas – in coordination with neighbourhood associations – following the completion of the renovation in 2013.

The plan, along with measures to lower energy use and save water, aim at a significant "greening" of the Headquarters compound, the Office stated in a news release.

"One of the primary objectives of the Capital Master Plan is to renovate the facilities, and the grounds, as a model of sustainability for the rest of the UN system, emphasizing the climate change initiatives championed by the Secretary-General," the Office stated. "These new trees, in the heart of NYC, will reinforce that objective."

Todd Forrest, Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections at the New York Botanical Garden, will work with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to assist the UN in selecting the appropriate species and locations to ensure that the proposed tree planting will serve not just as a greening programme, but also an opportunity to increase the diversity of trees in the Turtle Bay area.

Last month, the UN announced it had secured all necessary "swing space" for the temporary relocation of the 5,000 staff members that will be displaced during the overhaul.

Ground breaking for the construction of a temporary venue for international meetings, the most visible piece of the renovation plan, is scheduled for early May.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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KOREAN SUPPORT FOR THE UN NEEDED ON MANY FRONTS - SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN

KOREAN SUPPORT FOR THE UN NEEDED ON MANY FRONTS – SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN New York, Apr 16 2008 4:00PM The United Nations needs the support of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on many fronts as challenges multiply in the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last night.

Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11515.doc.htm">told the annual dinner in New York of the Korea Society that he hoped developing countries can benefit from the ROK's experience in becoming both a democracy and an economic powerhouse, and transforming from a receiving nation to a donor country.

He also asked the Republic to be even more generous in its official development assistance (ODA) to needy countries, stressing the importance of such assistance in achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) by 2015.

Mr. Ban called on the ROK to continue its "active and constructive role" in seeking the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through the six-parties talks involving China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, the ROK, Russia and the United States on efforts to dismantle the DPRK's nuclear weapons programme.

"As we move forward the task will become even more arduous," he said. "The United Nations and the international community will need to redouble their support. The best way to complement the six-party process is to build on progress achieved in the inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation over the past decade. I will do all I can to advance this work."

He also called for support for the DPRK's efforts to tackle the humanitarian needs of its most vulnerable citizens. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that the country, where 6.5 million people are already estimated to be suffering from food insecurity, faces a potential food crisis due to a low harvest resulting partly from last summer's heavy floods.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO HOLD MEETING ON EMERGING FOOD CRISIS

UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO HOLD MEETING ON EMERGING FOOD CRISIS New York, Apr 16 2008 4:00PM The President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has announced plans to hold a meeting of the Council early next month to discuss how to respond to the growing food crisis around the world.

Ambassador Léo Mérorès of Haiti, the current <"http://www.un.org/ecosoc/">ECOSOC President, made the decision after consultations with the Bureau of the Council and with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Earlier this week, Mr. Ban told a joint meeting of ECOSOC, the Bretton Woods financial institutions, the World Trade Organization (<"http://www.wto.org/">WTO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (<"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068">UNCTAD) that it was time for both short- and long-term measures to deal with the rising cost of basic foods.

"The rapidly escalating crisis of food availability around the world has reached emergency proportions," he said.

Public protests and tensions have already broken out in many countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco and Haiti, because of the surging cost of living.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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HOPES FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION IN DARFUR WILT UNDER MILITARY ACTION - UN REPORT

HOPES FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION IN DARFUR WILT UNDER MILITARY ACTION – UN REPORT New York, Apr 16 2008 3:00PM The prospect of negotiating a political solution to the Darfur crisis has become ever more remote as both the Sudanese Government and rebels appear determined to pursue a military solution, according to a United Nations <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/249">report released today.

At the same time the international community's failure to supply vital helicopters, transport and other logistical support is undermining the work of the seriously under-staffed African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamid/index.html">UNAMID) to pacify a region where five years of fighting have killed more than 200,000 people and driven nearly 2.5 million others from their homes.

"I am extremely disappointed in the lack of progress on all fronts," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in the report that covers the UNAMID's operations for the first three months of the year.

"The parties appear determined to pursue a military solution; the political process stalled; the deployment of UNAMID is progressing very slowly and continues to face many challenges; and the humanitarian situation is not improving."

Blaming the lack of a political commitment on all sides as the primary obstacle, Mr. Ban stresses that if they had mustered the necessary will, agreed to cease hostilities, cooperated with the deployment of UNAMID and moved towards negotiations, "we would by now have started to witness significant progress towards a lasting solution."

UNAMID was set up at the end of last year with a target strength of 26,000 military and police personnel to replace a seriously under-manned and under-equipped African Union (AU) mission, but at present only has some 10,600 in the field, 1,400 of them civilians.

"It is critical that the international community recognize its own central role in supporting the mission, so as to enable it to effectively implement its mandate and contribute to improving the lives of the civilians of Darfur," Mr. Ban writes. "In that respect, more must be done to secure the necessary aviation and logistical capacities for a full and effective deployment.

"Creative solutions must be found for those shortfalls, and they must be found quickly. I once again call on all Member States to pledge the necessary capabilities for UNAMID or to prevail upon other who may be on a position to do so."

He notes that although the Government agreed in principle to the Mission's right to conduct night flights, it continues to obstruct operations by restricting flying hours. UNAMID has also not been afforded complete general freedom of movement, particularly in areas of West Darfur affected by ongoing violence between the Government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Turning to the effect of the fighting on Darfurians, Mr. Ban stresses that Government military actions in West Darfur and the widespread use of force against civilians has resulted in indiscriminate killings and other grave human rights abuses. "JEM must also be held accountable for the role it has played in creating those circumstances," he says.

Calling the implications of the current security situation for Darfurians grave, he adds that attacks on food convoys and general violence are hindering the provision of humanitarian aid. Moreover, sexual and gender-based violence in and around camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) is high.

He concludes with a call to all parties to "urgently commit to a cessation of hostilities and to meaningfully engage in the political process led by the Special Envoys" – Jan Eliasson of the UN and Salim Ahmed Salim of the AU, who have been spearheading efforts to launch negotiations.
2008-04-16 00:00:00.000

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