Terror attacks underscore need for nuclear disarmament, UN official says Stunned by destruction at site of attack, Annan says all of UN is with New York Security Council urges Taliban to comply with texts ordering bin Laden handover In wake of terror attacks, General Assembly postpones annual high-level debate Annan welcomes statements by Palestinian and Israeli leaders, urges talks UN refugee agency reports continued exodus from Afghanistan's cities Chief of UN weapons inspectors for Iraq briefs Security Council Sierra Leone: Security Council urges end to human rights violations by rebels Annan welcomes resumption of inter-Korean dialogue Anti-mine efforts paying off but challenges remain - Annan East Timor: constitutional reports handed over to Constituent Assembly World foreign direct investment flows to drop this year: UN report Charged with genocide, father and son go on trial at UN tribunal for Rwanda Former child soldiers reunite with families in Sierra Leone, UN mission reports UN commemorates 40th anniversary of Dag Hammarskjöld's death UN health agency recommends flu vaccine composition for southern hemisphere Security Council members welcome increased Belgrade-UN dialogue in Kosovo Visiting firemen involved in rescue efforts, Annan offers solidarity and support In letter to Annan, Iran's President proposes global summit against terrorism Afghanistan: Annan deplores assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud Afghan civilians fleeing large cities, UN refugee agency reports Progress in nuclear disarmament more urgent following terror attacks: Annan Rebel group agrees to tripartite meeting with UN, Freetown: UN mission East Timor: President of pro-independence party elected as Assembly Speaker Ethiopia/Eritrea: UN mission investigates shooting in security zone Myanmar: UN agency set to assess country's actions on forced labour States must ensure that nobody dies of hunger, head of UN food agency says New substances may damage ozone layer, UN environment agency warns UN HOME NEWS ARCHIVES
				Wednesday, 19 September 2001 Terror attacks underscore need for nuclear disarmament, UN official says 19 September – The terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September underscore the need to cut the world's arsenal of nuclear weapons, according to the top United Nations disarmament official. "We need to be aware of the fact that this situation could have been much worse than it has been -- consider for example if weapons of mass destruction were used by these terrorists," said Under-Secretary-General Jayantha Dhanapala in response to questions from journalists during a just recorded World Chronicle television programme. Produced by UN TV, the 30-minute roundtable show will be distributed to broadcasters next week. "We need to eliminate weapons of mass destruction because they could fall into the hands of terrorists," Mr. Dhanapala said. "We don't want to give terrorists more tools than they have at the moment." The Under-Secretary-General also stressed the importance of international anti-terrorism treaties, which "set norms, and give us - civilized society - the moral right to act in the name of those laws." Concerning a possible response to the devastating terror attacks, Mr. Dhanapala noted that the UN Charter did not rule out the use of force. "We're not talking about an idealistic, utopian world where there are no weapons," he said of the Charter's vision, noting that Article 51 covers the right of countries to defend themselves, while Chapter VII deals with the right of defence in the collective interest of international peace and security. "Both of those obviously require weapons to be used." "Clearly, this is a matter which the Security Council ideally should look at," he stressed. "If you can identify the person or persons responsible for this dastardly act of terrorism, then there will be opportunities for action to be taken." Back to top Pataki, Annan and Giuliani at 'ground zero' Stunned by destruction at site of attack, Annan says all of UN is with New York 18 September – Expressing his shock at the magnitude of the destruction that he witnessed at the site of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said New Yorkers had the full support, sympathy and admiration of the UN. "Let's not forget, the UN is also a New York institution and all the Ambassadors and the staff are rooting for you just as their governments around the world are," said the Secretary-General. Speaking to reporters during a joint press encounter with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York State Governor George Pataki, the Secretary-General said the devastation was much more severe than he had imagined: "I don't think any of the television pictures or the pictures we have seen on the front of newspapers give you an idea of the magnitude and horror which is now here at 'ground zero' and the 5,000 people missing, each with his own story that we may never hear." Annan thanks rescue workers "I've been very happy to have the opportunity to tell the firemen and the policemen and all the health workers how much we admire and appreciate the work that they've done," said Mr. Annan. He also thanked the Mayor and Governor for their leadership and applauded "what they have done for this City and the way they have pulled all of us together." Giuliani, Annan embrace at attack site Mr. Annan stressed that the attack did not just target New York or the United States, but instead was a strike against the world. "That's why we all need to come together to fight" terrorism, he said. Asked what countries might do in response, the Secretary-General said governments and leaders wanted to defeat terrorism. "Some have voiced a word of caution that the horror has united us and our response should not divide us," he said, adding. "I don't think any one of them is going to give an inch for terrorism, but we need to stand together." Earlier in the day, Mr. Annan attended a Jewish religious service at a local temple, where he said last week's terrorist attacks against the United States must give rise to a shared sense of purpose, not divisiveness. "This tragedy has united us - we must not let it's aftermath divide us," Mr. Annan told the assembled gathering at Temple Emanu-el. "Let us take care not to blame an entire people, an entire region, or an entire religion for the unspeakable acts of a few individuals." The Secretary-General described the sense of shock and helplessness which followed last Tuesday's attacks. "We are astonished by the evil in our midst, stunned at the scale of the tragedy, dazed by the disregard for human life, overwhelmed by the wound that has been inflicted - on this city, on this country, on us all," he said. In the aftermath of such a calamity, he noted, "a service like this one - where people of many faiths come together in tolerance, togetherness and prayer - is not just welcome, it is vital." Mr. Annan also pointed out that the response had shown humanity's strengths, including "the nobility of the human spirit that this disaster has revealed; the extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice shown by the firemen, the police, the health workers and all the others who have given, or risked, their lives; the generosity and goodwill poured out by the entire community; and the solidarity expressed around the world by people of all nations and their governments." Back to top Amb. Jean-David Levitte Security Council urges Taliban to comply with texts ordering bin Laden handover 18 September – Members of the United Nations Security Council today said the Taliban must immediately comply with Council resolutions, especially those calling on the group to hand over indicted terrorist Usama bin Laden. Speaking to the press following closed-door consultations on the situation in Afghanistan, Council President Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France offered a succinct account of the Council's demands. "Today there is one, and only one, message the Security Council has for the Taliban: implement the resolutions of the Security Council, in particular resolution 1333, immediately and unconditionally," he said. Resolution 1333, adopted on 19 December 2000, tightened sanctions imposed by the Council against the Taliban after Mr. bin Laden was indicted in the United States for the bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam. The text demands the handover of bin Laden "to appropriate authorities in a country where he has been indicted or to appropriate authorities in a country where he will be returned to such a country, or to appropriate authorities in a country where he will be arrested and effectively brought to justice." The Council resolution also demanded that the Taliban act swiftly to close all terrorist training camps in territory under the group's control. Back to top In wake of terror attacks, General Assembly postpones annual high-level debate 18 September – One week after the devastating terrorist attacks against the United States, the United Nations General Assembly decided to postpone its annual high-level debate, a spokesman for the body's President said today. The decision came after General Assembly President Han Seung-soo of the Republic of Korea consulted today with the chairmen of regional groups, spokesman Jan Fischer told the press at UN Headquarters in New York. "It was understood that the general debate, which is scheduled to take place from Monday, 24 September to Friday, 5 October 2001, will be rescheduled to future dates," he said. "The new dates for the general debate will be announced as soon as possible" following consultations with the United States and other UN members, the spokesman said. In view of the postponement, the President plans to propose that on 24 September, the Assembly should begin considering the Secretary-General's annual report on the work of the Organization, according to Mr. Fischer. That proposal will be formally presented to the Assembly tomorrow. This opening of year's session, slated for 11 September, was postponed to the following day as a result of the terror attacks. When the Assembly convened on 12 September, it moved immediately to condemn the attacks and called for international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice. That same day, the Assembly also decided to postpone its special session on children, which was to have convened from 19 to 21 September with the expected participation of more than 70 heads of State or government. Back to top Annan welcomes statements by Palestinian and Israeli leaders, urges talks 18 September – The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today welcomed promises of restraint voiced by Palestinian and Israeli leaders and urged the two sides to resume their talks. The Secretary-General's reaction came after Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said he had ordered his security services to implement a ceasefire, a move that was followed by Israel deciding to halt its offensive military operations. "The Secretary-General hopes that these constructive steps will pave the way for the resumption of security cooperation between the two sides and that it will contribute to an early and productive meeting between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and President Arafat," a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement. "In the Secretary-General's view, the highest priority must be given to ending the current cycle of violence and resuming the peace process," the statement said. Earlier today, similar views were voiced by Terje Roed- Larsen, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Mr. Larsen welcomed the moves by Palestinian and Israeli authorities, and said the developments were a sign that the intensive diplomatic efforts by the European Union, the United States, the Russian Federation and the United Nations were starting to bear fruit. The envoy also called for today's words to be followed by actions by both sides, including a restart of security cooperation efforts between the Israelis and the Palestinians, with the resumption of political talks as the next step, including those planned to take place between President Arafat and Foreign Minister Peres. Back to top UN refugee agency reports continued exodus from Afghanistan's cities 18 September – Tens of thousands of residents of cities in Afghanistan are continuing to leave for rural areas throughout the mountainous country, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today. In a humanitarian update released from the agency's Geneva headquarters, UNHCR said residents were leaving the principal towns of Kandahar and Kabul, headed for villages. Officials of the Taliban are slowing the flow of people across the Pakistani border. "Taliban guards are reportedly allowing only Afghans bearing passports to reach the frontier, which severely limits the movement of people into Pakistan," UNHCR said. The situation in other parts of Afghanistan remains grim. "In Afghanistan's western city of Herat, the atmosphere is tense and residents are reportedly confused about developments in the country, where people are so impoverished that even radios and batteries are in short supply and television is banned." UNHCR is holding discussions with the Government of Pakistan in the hopes that it will allow some 5,000 Afghans at the Charman border crossing to enter the country. The agency is asking the authorities to allow any new arrivals to be sheltered in existing camps, where they have access to adequate water and other facilities. UNHCR has also sent thousands of tents to Pakistan as an emergency measure. The UN World Food Programme (WFP), meanwhile, says it has enough food in Afghanistan for two to three weeks, but the departure of staff from the country has hampered the distribution effort. Replenishing the stocks also presents a problem, as trucking companies are unwilling to enter Afghanistan. Back to top Chief of UN weapons inspectors for Iraq briefs Security Council 18 September – The chief of the United Nations office mandated to oversee the dismantling of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction today briefed the Security Council on the readiness of inspectors to begin their work in the country. Hans Blix, the Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), introduced UNMOVIC's latest report, which states that the Commission is prepared to implement its mandate in "an independent, effective and non-provocative manner." "The cooperation of Iraq with UNMOVIC, as demanded by the Security Council, would create the opportunity for it to build confidence, which no unilateral statements can provide, that it is fully complying with all relevant resolutions of the Security Council and thus opening the prospect of the lifting of sanctions," the report states. Meanwhile, the UN office overseeing the humanitarian effort in Iraq - called the "oil-for-food" programme because it allows Baghdad to use petroleum revenues to purchase relief aid - announced today that there has been no resolution to the issue of setting prices for Iraqi crude oil deliveries to the United States market this month. The Office of the Iraq Programme reported that last week, Iraq exported 13.6 million barrels of oil, earning an estimated €364 million (euros) or $336 million in revenue. The value of contracts placed on hold by the Security Council sanctions committee rose further to just over $4 billion, covering 1,529 contracts. During the past week, the Committee released from hold 17 contracts worth $46 million, but placed new "holds" on an additional 26 contracts valued at $176 million. Back to top Sierra Leone: Security Council urges end to human rights violations by rebels 18 September – The United Nations Security Council today demanded that armed rebels and other forces in Sierra Leone immediately cease attacking and violating the human rights of civilians, in particular women and children. In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council said it was deeply concerned about the abuses and attacks committed by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) and other armed groups and individuals, against the civilian population, and asked Secretary-General Kofi Annan to ensure that all human rights monitoring positions within the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) were filled. The Council particularly urged the RUF to step up its efforts to fulfil its commitments under the Abuja Ceasefire Agreement, by ensuring full liberty for the UN to deploy its troops. The group was also urged to ensure the free movement of persons, goods and humanitarian assistance, the safe movement of relief agencies, refugees and displaced persons and the immediate return of all seized weapons, ammunition and other equipment. Extending UNAMSIL's mandate through March 2002, the Council asked the Mission to continue to support returning refugees and displaced persons and urged the RUF to cooperate to that end in fulfilment of Abuja commitments. The resolution also emphasized the importance of a successful disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme to long-term stability in Sierra Leone and urged the RUF, CDF and other groups to continue their commitment to the programme. Expressing concern at the serious financial shortfall in the multi-donor Trust Fund for the demobilization programme, the Council urged international organizations and donor countries to support the efforts of the Sierra Leonean Government, and to provide additional funds for the wide range of urgently needed post-conflict activities, including humanitarian and rehabilitation requirements. The Council also emphasized the importance of free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections for the long-term stability of the country and took note of the Mission's readiness to provide support to facilitate a vote. Emphasizing that the development and extension of Sierra Leone's administrative capacities were essential to sustainable peace and to the holding of elections, the Council urged the Government to accelerate efforts to restore civil authority and basic country-wide public services. In a separate action, the Council adopted its report to the General Assembly covering the period from 16 June 2000 to 15 June 2001. Back to top Annan welcomes resumption of inter-Korean dialogue 18 September – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the resumption of ministerial talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. A spokesman for the Secretary-General said in a statement that Mr. Annan was particularly glad that the inter-Korean dialogue, held in Seoul from 15 to 18 September, agreed to continue the exchange visits between separated families, as well as to undertake practical steps in the economic and other fields. Encouraged by the renewed commitment of both countries to the Joint Declaration that had been signed by their two leaders on 15 June of last year, the Secretary-General urged the parties to persevere with its full implementation, including the dialogue at the highest level. Back to top Anti-mine efforts paying off but challenges remain - Annan 18 September – Thanks to an international effort to ban landmines, the production and use of such weapons is declining worldwide and more people are being made aware of mined areas, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to a meeting of States Parties to the United Nations landmine convention. "As you meet in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy that occurred in the United States a week ago today, this gathering takes on even greater significance," the Secretary-General said in a message to the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine-Ban Convention in Managua, Nicaragua. "Never has there been a greater need for the world to show unity and purpose against the forces of violence and destruction," Mr. Annan said in the message delivered on his behalf by Jayantha Dhanapala, UN Under Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs. Mr. Annan said the Mine-Ban Convention - formerly called the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction - was making a difference in the lives of people around the world. "More mines have been cleared, more victims assisted, more stockpiles destroyed, and more effective technologies for mine action have been developed," he said. "More men, women and especially children have been made aware of dangerous landmine zones." So far, 120 countries have ratified the treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention, or are in the process of doing so, the Secretary-General said, urging those that have not yet joined the treaty to do so as soon as possible. The UN chief also warned that challenges remained ahead, particularly in creating more effective coordination and mobilization of resources at the international level, and building better capacity for mine action programmes at the national and local levels. In response to those challenges, he said, the UN was developing a five-year mine action strategy to identify goals to be achieved, including an international instrument addressing unexploded ordnances, which were not originally a part of the Convention. Back to top East Timor: constitutional reports handed over to Constituent Assembly 18 September – The head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today handed over the Constitutional Commission reports to the newly elected Constituent Assembly, which will draft the country's first constitution. "The electorate has placed their trust in you, and the expectation of your people is high," UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello said as he handed over the documents. "They will no doubt be watching you closely to see how carefully you listen to, and reflect, their views in framing your nation's Constitution." "I have every faith that they selected their representatives well and that you will repay them for the faith they have placed in you," he added. According to UNTAET, the reports from each of the territory's districts contain input from some 38,000 East Timorese on what they would like to be considered by the Constituent Assembly when drafting the constitution. The Constituent Assembly today also elected two Deputy Speakers. Francisco Xavier do Amaral from Associação Social-Democrata Timorense (ASDT) and Arlindo Marçal from Partido Democrata Cristão (PDC) were elected with massive support from two-thirds of the Assembly. In its first formal session yesterday, Fretilin President Franscico Guterres, also known as "Lu-Olo," was elected Speaker of the 88-member Constituent Assembly with an overwhelming majority. In other news, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that it had helped more than 1,000 East Timorese refugees return to East Timor over the past week from the Atambua area of West Timor, the highest number in weeks. Among the refugees are supporters of anti-independence militia groups whose return to East Timor would have been unthinkable just months ago. UNHCR staff who handled the arrival on the East Timor side said those returning did not encounter problems. In a separate development, UNHCR last Saturday managed to arrange for the return of eight separated children from east Java to East Timor. The children were separated from their parents during the 1999 exodus of East Timorese to West Timor and subsequently placed in orphanages by the Indonesian Government. Their return is seen as a breakthrough, that could pave the way for the return of up to 1,200 separated children. The UN agency commended the Indonesian Government for its cooperation on the issue. Back to top World foreign direct investment flows to drop this year: UN report 18 September – World flows of foreign direct investment are likely to decline 40 per cent this year, to $760 billion, according to projections released today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Should the drop happen, it would represent the first decline since 1991 and the largest over the past three decades, UNCTAD said in a statement. However, the level of flows in 2001 is still expected to be higher than that in 1998 and also higher than the 1996-2000 average. The projections are included in UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2001, launched today in Geneva. This year's projected dip is the result of a recent decline in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, which account for the bulk of foreign direct investment. The significant increases in such flows in 1999 and 2000, by about 50 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, were caused by megadeals of mergers and acquisitions, as represented, for example, by the $200 billion acquisition of Mannesmann (Germany) by VodafoneAirTouch (United Kingdom) in 2000. The decline in mergers and acquisitions - both cross-border and domestic - is related to the slowdown in the world economy. The prices of shares, for example, which in 2000 were used to finance some 56 per cent of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, fell significantly, when measured in terms of the exchange of stocks. A lull in the consolidation processes in certain industries through mergers and acquisitions (e.g. telecommunications, automobiles) also plays a role. Foreign direct investment flows are expected to decrease significantly in developed countries, from $1.005 trillion in 2000 to an estimated $510 billion in 2001, or by 49 per cent. In the case of developing countries, the decline is estimated to be 6 per cent, from $240 billion to $225 billion. Decreases in foreign direct investment inflows are expected in both Latin America and developing Asia. As a result, the share of developing countries in world inflows may rise to 30 per cent, higher than the share attained in 1998. Inflows in Central and Eastern Europe are expected to remain stable in 2001, at $27 billion. Back to top Charged with genocide, father and son go on trial at UN tribunal for Rwanda 18 September – The joint trial of a Rwandan pastor and his son opened today in Tanzania at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which has charged the two men with committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes during the tragic events in Rwanda in 1994. In a statement issued in Arusha, the Tribunal said the trial of 77 year-old Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, former senior Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kibuye, and his son Gérard Ntakirutimana, 43, a former medical doctor, began with a statement by the Prosecutor that the two men were not helpless witnesses to genocide. In response, the counsel for the accused said the charges against them "made no sense." Leading the Prosecution team, Charles Adeogun-Phillips explained how the two allegedly betrayed their colleagues of Tutsi ethnicity to the killers, refused to provide sanctuary to those hunted, and participated in widespread murders of Tutsis in Kibuye. They jointly face five counts charging them with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Prosecution said witnesses would describe the accused as predators who delivered thousands to their deaths and actually committed murders themselves. "They will testify to their shock and bewilderment at the behaviour of people such as the accused persons in whom they had trusted and thought of as 'good Christians,'" Mr. Adeogun-Phillips said. Anticipating violence, the Tutsis decided to take the women and children and seek refuge at the Mugonero Church and Hospital complex, the Prosecutor said. However, the accused are alleged to have betrayed the Tutsis and participated in killing them in Mugonero, at Murambi Church and on the hills of Bisesero. Several witnesses would testify they believed that the elder Ntakirutimana would use his influence to protect them from attacks. Seven Tutsi pastors even wrote a letter to Mr. Ntakirutimana pleading for his intervention. "We wish to inform you that we have heard that tomorrow we will be killed with our families," the letter stated. "We therefore request you to intervene on our behalf and talk to the Mayor." However, the pastor's response was contained in a brief, heartless letter that stated "there is nothing I can do for you. All you can do is prepare to die, for your time has come." In opening statements for the two accused, the defence counsel for Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, and the defence counsel for Gérard Ntakirutimana, Edward Medvene of the California Bar, said the accused had not participated in any kind of violence and that they were "God-fearing people" who could not even contemplate carrying out the acts with which they were charged. Back to top Former child soldiers reunite with families in Sierra Leone, UN mission reports 18 September – More than a dozen former child soldiers have been reunited with their families in a northern town in Sierra Leone, according to the United Nations Mission in the country (UNAMSIL), which transported the children to their home district. In an emotionally charged ceremony held on Monday in the town of Kabala, in Koinadugu District, mothers wept and hugged their children, some of whom couldn't recognize their parents, as local musicians drummed and played traditional music. A total of 76 children, whose families had been traced to the district, were flown to Kabala in helicopters provided by UNAMSIL. Most of the children were demobilized last year and had been moved to Lungi and Port Loko when the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) attacked Lunsar and Makeni in May 2000. They had been under the care of Caritas-Makeni, a local children protection agency, where they received education, counselling and other psycho-social services, or with foster parents. The recent disarmament of Koinadugu District enabled Caritas to trace the children's families, the UN Mission said. Fifteen child ex-combatants were reunited with their families, and the process is expected to continue for a few more days. According to UNAMSIL's Child Protection Adviser, Bituin Gonzales, more families are expected to come from different chiefdoms within the district to identify their children. Some of the children are meeting their families and relatives for the first time in more than five years. Back to top Dag Hammarskjöld. UN commemorates 40th anniversary of Dag Hammarskjöld's death 18 September – To commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the death of the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UN today launched a web site and issued postage stamps honouring the memory of Dag Hammarskjöld, who died while on a peace mission in the Congo. The UN library in New York, which bears his name, launched a multimedia Web site highlighting the late Secretary-General's service to the Organization from 1953 to 1961. The site - at http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/dag/ - features a year-by-year narrative of events and reviews Mr. Hammarskjöld's legacy. It includes photographs, video and audio clips, a selection of quotes, speeches and writings, as well as transcripts from the Library's Oral History Project. The United Nations Postal Administration has issued three commemorative stamps, one in each of the currencies of the Postal Administration - Austrian schillings, Swiss francs and United States dollars. Olav S. Mathiesen, of Denmark, created the original artwork for the stamps. Back to top UN health agency recommends flu vaccine composition for southern hemisphere 18 September – The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today made public its recommended composition for next year's flu vaccine in the southern hemisphere. The recommendation was communicated to vaccine manufacturers following agreement by international experts this week at a WHO meeting in Cannes, France, the agency said in a statement. The decision was made possible by the coordinated work of more than 110 influenza laboratories and 4 WHO Collaborating Centres. According to WHO, about 200 million influenza vaccine doses are given globally every year, saving hundreds of thousands of lives and reducing illness in the most vulnerable - the elderly and people with underlying chronic disease. This year, the experts recommended the southern hemisphere vaccine contain an A/Moscow/10/99(H3N2)-like virus, an A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like virus and a B/Sichuan/379/99-like virus. The vaccine is intended for use from May to October 2002, the flu season in the southern hemisphere. The timing of the WHO recommendation is critical to allow sufficient time for companies to produce a novel vaccine before the next influenza season starts. Meanwhile in the northern hemisphere, where the flu infects an estimated 100 million people every year, many countries have already begun advertising for vaccination campaigns focusing on high risk groups. For instance, the United Kingdom aims at 65 per cent coverage in such groups, while the province of Ontario in Canada has gone one step further: aiming at universal coverage, it will give free vaccine to all its citizens who wish to be protected against influenza. WHO strongly recommends flu vaccination, which it calls "the most important measure" against the disease. In another development, WHO said the epidemic of Yellow Fever in Côte d'Ivoire's commercial capital, Abidjan, was continuing but had not started to accelerate. On 5 September, the agency had issued an urgent appeal for $2.9 million to cover the cost of a vaccination campaign in response to the epidemic. The agency also delivered vaccines to the city from an international stockpile. Back to top Security Council members welcome increased Belgrade-UN dialogue in Kosovo 17 September – Members of the Security Council have called for intensified dialogue between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the United Nations mission in Kosovo, and urged participation of all communities in the forthcoming Kosovo-wide elections. The call came in a press statement by the Council President, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France, which was released late Monday after the Council met in closed-door consultations to hear a briefing by Nebojsa Covic, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). The head of the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK), Hans Haekkerup, was also present at the meeting. Welcoming Mr. Covic's appointment as head of the Yugoslavia/Serbian joint coordination centre, as well as the increased cooperation between Belgrade and UNMIK, Council members stressed their support for all measures contributing to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 adopted in 1999. Council members stated that the 17 November elections in Kosovo should enhance the democratic process and called for "proper organization and adequate security." They also welcomed Belgrade's support for the registration of ethnic-Serbian electors in Kosovo. "The participation of Kosovo Serbs would allow the fullest representation of views," the statement stressed, calling for "all possible measures" to ensure participation of all communities in the elections, the return of refugees and displaced persons, and their participation in elections. Acknowledging the need to improve security and law enforcement, Council members welcomed the establishment of a new "Law and Order" branch, the adoption of legislation to combat organized crime, illegal weapons possession and terrorism, as well as enhanced efforts by the international security force, KFOR, to strictly control borders and boundaries. Back to top Kofi Annan, his wife Nane, visiting fire station Visiting firemen involved in rescue efforts, Annan offers solidarity and support 17 September – In the wake of last Tuesday's terrorist attack which has left hundreds of New York City fire fighters missing after they rushed to the scene to save victims, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today visited a firehouse located near the United Nations to convey his condolences and express admiration for their courage. "We just wanted to really come and offer our solidarity and our support," said Mr. Annan, who was accompanied by his wife, Nane. He recalled that during yesterday's service at St. Patrick's Cathedral "when they mentioned the fire fighters, the applause and the sentiment and the support was quite remarkable." "I know you've made great sacrifices - you've lost many of your men - but you should know that you have our support, and the support and admiration of people of the city and around the world," said the Secretary-General. "Everyone is rooting for you." One fire fighter, expressing appreciation for the outpouring of public support, said "Just a hug makes a big difference." Mrs. Annan responded by hugging him. "It's really very, very, very sad - our hearts are with you," said the Secretary-General. "You have our strong support, and I think I speak for the whole United Nations." Over the past few days, Mr. Annan also attended several services, including at the Park East Synagogue on Saturday, and a prayer service at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York on Friday afternoon. Speaking to reporters after Friday's service, he cautioned against blaming groups for the actions of individuals. "We should look for culprits, and punish them, but we should not make anyone guilty by association - by religion or by the region that he or she comes from." The Secretary-General condemned the "Islamophobia" which he said is beginning to pick up. "How would one kill in the name of a religion that professes peace, that professes God as God the Merciful?" he wondered. Back to top In letter to Annan, Iran's President proposes global summit against terrorism 17 September – Condemning the "alarming" terrorist attacks against the United States, the President of Iran Seyed Mohammad Khatami has proposed convening a global summit against terrorism, according to a document released today at United Nations Headquarters in New York. In a letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Iranian President stresses that the United Nations is the "appropriate framework to organize this struggle." The President proposes "comprehensive and inclusive negotiations" on global policies to eradicate terrorism, "followed, at the earliest possible time, by a global summit to register and demonstrate the highest international political will to uproot terrorism and adopt appropriate strategies and measures in this regard." The letter also warns that the recent attacks "should not be utilized to further stimulate chronic cultural and political misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices." Instead, he urges serious reflection on "how to dry up pretexts for terrorism." A solution to the "hideous and dangerous" problem of terrorism requires vision, serious political will, and the active participation of all people, according to the letter, which was sent on Sunday. Back to top Afghanistan: Annan deplores assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud 17 September – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he was saddened at the assassination of Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Vice President and Defence Minister of the Islamic State of Afghanistan. "This act of terrorism has eliminated a key Afghan leader who had repeatedly expressed his readiness to take part in negotiations towards a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan," the Secretary-General said in a statement issued by his spokesman in New York. According to the statement, both the method and the apparent involvement of non-Afghan elements in the assassination further complicate the efforts of the international community to end the conflict. Praising the slain leader, whose forces are battling the Taliban for control of the country, Mr. Annan said Commander Massoud was "an outstanding military strategist who made a crucial contribution to the preservation of the sovereignty of his country." Back to top Afghan civilians fleeing large cities, UN refugee agency reports 17 September – The United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today reported that civilians in Afghanistan were fleeing the country's large cities, with some of the displaced headed to small villages and others aiming to cross borders with Iran and Pakistan. In an update issued in Geneva, UNHCR said that large numbers of people were leaving the Afghan city of Kandahar, the major city in the south and the headquarters of the Taliban. Civilians are also reportedly fleeing Kabul and Jalalabad. While many of those leaving are said to be going to villages, "many others are headed for the Pakistan border, and possibly some for the Iranian border." Despite the fact that all borders with Afghanistan's neighbours are closed, some Afghans reportedly have managed to cross into Pakistan, UNHCR said. Iran has stated "categorically" that its border will remain closed, but Tehran has said it will assist in any cross-border aid operations that may be necessary. The humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan is described as critical, with the agency warning that the departure of international relief workers from the country will likely spell worsening conditions for millions of civilians who are "barely managing to survive." "The situation inside Afghanistan after three years of drought and more than 20 years of continually evolving conflict, as well as large-scale human rights abuses, is extremely fragile," UNHCR warned, saying it was "extremely worried" about the possibility of mass displacements and widespread deaths. "Already many people are reported to be too weak even to become displaced," UNHCR said. "They simply don't have the strength or the resources to move from their villages." In response, the agency is sending extra emergency staff to the region while drawing up contingency plans for numerous different scenarios. In addition, a crisis group has been formed involving the main UN agencies that will be working together in the event of a major emergency. Meanwhile, High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers was at UN Headquarters in New York today to raise awareness about the plight of the Afghan people. Speaking to reporters after conferring with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr. Lubbers said he would head tomorrow to Washington, D.C. "The policy-makers there I hope will be more aware of the humanitarian dimensions" of the situation in Afghanistan, he said. "The war against terrorism is a globally accepted principle, so I think there is no divide" between the aims of UNHCR and those engaged in the struggle, he said, responding to questions. He added that humanitarian consequences should still be taken into account in any planned actions. Back to top Progress in nuclear disarmament more urgent following terror attacks: Annan 17 September – Recent terrorist attacks against the United States heighten the need to cut the world's nuclear arsenals, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to the General Conference of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Making progress in the areas of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament is more important than ever in the aftermath of last week's appalling terrorist attack on the United States," Mr. Annan said in the statement delivered on his behalf by Steinar Bjornsson, Deputy Director of the UN Office at Vienna. The Secretary-General called particular attention to the need for safety measures to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials to illegal channels. "Looking to the future, it is evident that broad international cooperation is essential to upgrade the physical protection of nuclear material, to improve capabilities for intercepting and responding to illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, and to enhance the protection of facilities against terrorism and sabotage." Mr. Annan predicted that the Agency's role in tackling such matters would expand in the future. "The IAEA's mission is likely to grow and deepen in the decades ahead, and as you tackle this vast array of challenges, I wish you all success," he said. The weeklong IAEA General Conference opened on a sombre note with a moment of silence followed by a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir to honour the victims of the recent tragedy in the United States. Among other actions, States meeting at the Conference today approved the reappointment of Mohamed ElBaradei of Egypt to a second four-year term as IAEA Director-General. Dr. ElBaradei said he was grateful for the confidence placed in him to meet the challenges ahead. "I trust that through our work, we can move forward together to make our world a safer and more humane place," he said. Back to top Rebel group agrees to tripartite meeting with UN, Freetown: UN mission 17 September – The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) today said the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) had agreed to resume its participation in the tripartite meeting with the Sierra Leonean Government and the UN peacekeeping operation. UNAMSIL said in a statement that the meeting, which is aimed at furthering the peace process in Sierra Leone, was scheduled to take place tomorrow in Makeni. The RUF had boycotted the previously scheduled tripartite meeting earlier this month following the Government's announcement that it would hold elections in May 2002. In other news, UNAMSIL has begun deploying peacekeepers to the diamond-rich town of Tongo in the eastern district of Kenema, as part of its ongoing strategy to establish military presence throughout the country. On 14 September, an advance party of two companies comprising more than 300 UN troops from Zambia was deployed in the area, which until recently had been a stronghold of the RUF. The remaining peacekeepers are expected to arrive within a week's time. Back to top East Timor: President of pro-independence party elected as Assembly Speaker 17 September – In its first formal session today, East Timor's newly elected Constituent Assembly voted with an overwhelming majority for Fretilin President Franscico Guterres as its Speaker, according to the United Nations Transitional Administration in the territory (UNTAET). The 88-member Assembly decided that the position of Speaker should be a permanent one, and that an absolute majority - 45 votes or more - would be sufficient to elect the speaker. Mr. Guterres, also known as "Lu-Olo," was subsequently chosen in an open vote with 68 votes in favor, one against and 17 abstentions. Two Assembly members were absent from today's session. Due to delays in today's proceedings, the Constitutional Commission reports will be handed over to the Constituent Assembly by UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello tomorrow instead of today as planned. The reports from each of East Timor's districts contain input from tens of thousands of East Timorese on what they would like to be considered by the Constituent Assembly when drafting a Constitution. The members of the Assembly were sworn in on Saturday in the newly refurbished Constituent Assembly building, funded by the Government of Australia. Members now have 90 days to write and adopt a Constitution that will determine what type of political system East Timor will adopt. "It is up to you all to demonstrate that democracy in East Timor exists more than during infrequent elections but rather becomes part of the fabric of everyday life," Mr. Vieira de Mello said in a speech at the ceremony. "You answer to the people of East Timor each and every day you hold this office and you must make them proud." In other news, eight East Timorese children separated from their parents following the 1999 Popular Consultation returned today to their hometowns in Aileu, Viqueque and Manatuto districts from orphanages in Indonesia. The children had been placed in Java orphanages by the pro-integrationist Hati Foundation after being removed from their parents in West Timor refugee camps. They were escorted from Denpasar by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Another 116 East Timorese children are believed to be currently living in Java orphanages, and a further 1,000 in other Indonesian provinces. Since 1999, UNHCR and IOM have reunited more than 600 children with their parents in West Timor and East Timor. Back to top Ethiopia/Eritrea: UN mission investigates shooting in security zone 17 September – The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) today said it was investigating a recent shooting incident that occurred at a checkpoint within the Temporary Security Zone separating the two countries. In a statement, the UN peacekeeping operation said the shooting took place on 5 September at Limosin Waterpoint near Assab-Bure road in the eastern part of the zone. An Eritrean policeman was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital by an UNMEE ambulance. The Eritrean police said he was one of four people attacked at an observation post established by Asmara. The Eritrean authorities have attributed the shooting to the Ethiopian Armed Forces. Ongoing investigations by UNMEE have not yet identified the attackers. A previous shooting incident at the Limosin Waterpoint was reported on the night of 16 to 17 June. That attack, in which an Eritrean militiaman was killed, was also attributed by Eritrea to the Ethiopian Armed Forces. However, a thorough investigation by UNMEE was unable to identify the attackers. Ethiopia denies any involvement, the UN Mission said. Back to top Myanmar: UN agency set to assess country's actions on forced labour 17 September – A high-level team from the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) left for Myanmar today for a three-week assessment of the Government's actions concerning forced labour. In a statement issued in Geneva, the ILO said the team would spend the first few days in meetings in the capital, Yangon, before travelling to various places around the country to investigate the situation. "This is the first time that the ILO has had an opportunity to travel around the country to make its own direct assessment of the forced labour situation," the statement said, adding that the team's mandate was to assess the impact on that situation of legislative, executive and administrative measures announced by the Government in response to previous ILO action. The team's establishment, which was agreed in May and considered by the International Labour Conference at its June 2001 session, is a new and significant development which follows a series of steps taken by the ILO to secure compliance by Myanmar with its obligations under the agency's Convention No. 29, of 1930, on forced labour. Under the terms of the understanding reached with the Myanmar authorities in May, the team will have full discretion to establish a programme of such contacts and visits as it considers appropriate across the country. The Myanmar authorities have made a solemn commitment through the team to the international community that no action of any kind will be taken against persons or their families, or organizations that may contribute information to the team or assist it in its work, nor will the authorities seek to identify such persons, the ILO said. The team has itself also put in place certain precautionary measures as regards persons whom it may wish to contact. The team's report will be considered by the ILO Governing Body when it meets in Geneva in November. Back to top States must ensure that nobody dies of hunger, head of UN food agency says 17 September – The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today that undernourishment and starvation should not be considered less serious than blatant violations of other human rights. "The State has the obligation, as an instance of last resort, to ensure that nobody should die of hunger," FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said in a message to an international seminar in Rome. "The international community is called upon to assist those States that do not have the means to ensure minimum access to food for all their people through complementary measures." "The World Food Summit not only reaffirmed the right to adequate food, but also explicitly recognized the crucial link between food security and democracy and civil and political rights as part of the enabling environment that is necessary for the full enjoyment of the right to food," Mr. Diouf said in the statement that was delivered on his behalf by Hartwig de Haen, FAO Assistant Director-General. "It is well known that in the presence of hunger, the ability to exercise other human rights is severely hampered." According to FAO, there is enough wealth in the world to ensure a minimum standard of living for everyone and the international community should devote its joint efforts to enable the poor to enjoy a free and dignified life. Referring to numerous armed conflicts around the globe, the FAO chief said the deliberate starvation of civilians and the use of food as a method of warfare were forbidden under the Geneva Conventions and were an obvious violation of the right to food, as was blocking humanitarian assistance and failing to come to the assistance of people in dire need. "But the failure to address the silent undernourshment of millions of children and adults in peacetime should also be regarded as a violation of the right to food," he said. Warning that the scandal of hunger merited more outrage than it was getting - not only on moral grounds, but because it is a human rights violation on a massive scale - Mr. Diouf called on agencies and organizations dealing with humanitarian assistance and development to "urgently address and seek to redress violations of the right to food." Mr. Diouf 's message was delivered at the start of a three-day Jacques Maritain Seminar, which is being held under the patronage of the President of Italy and has the technical support of FAO. Back to top New substances may damage ozone layer, UN environment agency warns 17 September – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that a range of new chemicals appearing on the market to replace banned substances may have the potential to damage the Earth's ozone layer. In a statement issued over the weekend as the world observed International Ozone Day on 16 September, the Nairobi-based agency said the new substances - with names like n-propyl bromide and halon-1202 - are not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, the 1987 international treaty that lists ozone-depleting substances that are to be phased out. They are used in everything from fire extinguishers to cleaning fluids. The quantities being manufactured are at the moment believed to be small, but scientists at universities and institutes around the globe, along with UNEP researchers, are concerned that over the coming years they may be produced in ever increasing quantities. "UNEP estimates that the ozone layer and the ozone hole over Antarctica, which so far this September is extending over 24 million square kilometres, or an area about the size of North America, will recover by 2050," the statement said. According to the agency, this is as a result of the banning and phasing out of existing, long lived, ozone-depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). But the emergence of these new chemicals has triggered concern that this recovery date may be significantly delayed. "The Montreal Protocol has been a success story of which we can all be proud," says UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. "Ninety-six ozone-damaging chemicals have been banned or are being phased out and $1.3 billion have so far been contributed by developed countries to the Multilateral Fund to help developing countries implement the Protocol." That Fund was set up in the early 1990s to help developing States phase out listed substances. UNEP is urging countries to carry out immediate scientific assessments of the new chemicals and to ban those shown to have real ozone-depleting potential. "Governments, industry and organizations like UNEP must, based on sound science, work together to devise a long-term strategy so that we know in advance the ozone-depleting potential of future chemicals before they appear on the market," Mr. Toepfer said. Back to top |UN Newservice |UN Home Page |