[29 August, 2007]

SECURITY COUNCIL READY TO SET UP UN PRESENCE IN CHAD, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

New York, Aug 27 2007 7:00PM The Security Council said today it is ready to establish a United Nations-mandated, multidimensional presence in eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic (CAR) to help protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid to thousands of people uprooted due to insecurity in the two countries and neighbouring Sudan. The Security Council reiterates its concern about the prevailing insecurity along the borders between the Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic and about the threat which this poses to the civilian population and the conduct of humanitarian operations," according to a statement read out by Ambassador Pascal Gayama of the Republic of Congo, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month. The 15-member body expressed its readiness to authorize the force for a period of 12 months, taking into account a revised plan submitted by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the position of the Governments of Chad and the CAR, which have both been beset by widespread population displacement because of clashes between rebels and Government forces... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/newsws

[20 August, 2007]

IN NEPAL, SENIOR UN OFFICIAL VOICES OPTIMISM ON POLITICAL PROCESS

New York, Aug 19 2007 11:00AM The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs in Kathmandu today voiced optimism about Nepal's upcoming elections and pledged the world body's full support for the process. Speaking at a press conference, B. Lynn Pascoe, said that "we feel very strongly that the process in Nepal is a very positive one, very optimistic that the process will move forward, and in talking with various groups I am even more optimistic than I was when I came." Mr. Pascoe, on a 24-hour visit to Nepal after meetings in Kyrgyzstan, underlined the importance of the election for a Constituent Assembly taking place on time, in November this year... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[06 August, 2007]

SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR GREATER COOPERATION TO ATTAIN LEBANESE-ISRAELI PEACE

New York, Aug 3 2007 7:00PM The Security Council today voiced grave concern at persistent reports that the arms embargo along the Lebanese-Syrian border has been breached, militias in Lebanon are re-arming and there have been increasing Israeli violations of Lebanese air space, and urged all sides to cooperate fully with the United Nations to achieve a permanent ceasefire. In a presidential statement read out by Ambassador Pascal Gayama of the Republic of Congo, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, the 15-member panel stressed the need to work for the region towards a long-term solution in line with the resolution ending last year's war between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hizbollah. The statement reaffirmed the Council's "full support for the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Lebanon" and condemned any attempts to destabilize the country... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[25 June, 2007]

SECURITY COUNCIL URGES GREATER PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT

New York, Jun 22 2007 7:00PM The United Nations Security Council today called for greater protection for civilians, who continue to account for the majority of casualties in situations of armed conflict. In a press statement following an open debate, the 15-member Council expressed its "grave concern" at the suffering of civilians and underscored that parties to armed conflict are primarily responsible for making efforts to ensure that civilians are protected. The statement, which was read out by Council President Ambassador Johan C. Verbeke of Belgium, noted that international humanitarian law obliges sides to shield civilians from harm, and "urged all concerned parties to allow full, safe and unimpeded access by humanitarian personnel to civilians in need of assistance in situations of armed conflict."... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[18 June, 2007]

UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN CYPRUS EXTENDED THROUGH MID-DECEMBER

New York, Jun 15 2007 3:00PM The Security Council today extended the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus through mid-December while noting the current stalemate on the issue. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council also reaffirmed that the "status quo is unacceptable, that time is not on the side of a settlement, and that negotiations on a final political solution to the Cyprus problem have been at an impasse for too long." The resolution referred to a July 2006 Agreement "stressing that a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, is both desirable and possible and should not be further delayed." In a report released earlier this month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended the extension of UNFICYP's mandate, and the Council today echoed his "firm belief that the responsibility of finding a solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves."... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[11 June, 2007]

UN REFUGEE AGENCY CONCERNED AT ATTACKS ON FOREIGNERS IN UKRAINE

New York, Jun 8 2007 8:00AM Reacting to reports of attacks on foreigners in Ukraine, the United Nations refugee agency today acknowledged steps taken by the Government to address the problem while urging action to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. "We are extremely concerned at what seems to be an increasing trend in the number and seriousness of racist attacks against asylum seekers, refugees and other foreigners in Ukraine," William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a press briefing in Geneva. He noted that "a number of incidents of police violence against people seeking protection in Ukraine have been reported." The agency cited the 3 June killing in Kiev of an Iraqi asylum seeker who was seeking protection in Ukraine. "The motives for this act are not yet known, and a police investigation is currently under way," said Mr. Spindler. ... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[04 June, 2007]

UN FOOD DISTRIBUTION RESUMES AFTER DEADLY ATTACK ON CONVOY IN UGANDA

New York, May 31 2007 6:00PM After suspending aid operations in northeastern Uganda earlier this week following a deadly attack, the Government and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that the agency will resume its aid operations in the area tomorrow. On Monday, Richard Achuka, 41, was shot in the neck and shoulder and died yesterday when the gunmen attacked four of the agency's trucks as they returned from delivering food to schools and other sites in northeastern Karamoja region of the country. Supply distribution to half a million people impacted by drought was halted on Tuesday. "Because we are keenly aware of the magnitude of the drought in Karamoja and the huge additional needs for relief assistance, WFP has agreed to resume its humanitarian work across the region from tomorrow (1 June)," said the agency's Uganda Country Director Tesema Negash. Ugandan authorities have assured WFP that security will be bolstered... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[28 May, 2007]

DEADLY ATTACKS IN SOUTH DARFUR SPARK UN CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INQUIRY

New York, May 18 2007 6:00PM The United Nations human rights chief today called for an immediate independent probe into the involvement of Sudanese Government security forces in deadly attacks this year against a series of villages in the violence-wracked Darfur region. At least 100 people were killed and thousands more displaced in the area known as Bulbul, close to the South Darfur state capital, Nyala, during the large-scale attacks that took place between January and March. Many houses were burned and their contents looted. The violence results from a long-simmering dispute over land between the Rizeigat Abbala, who are largely pastoralists, and the Tarjum, a mainly agricultural and cattle herding tribe. Members of both groups describe themselves as Arabs and have been pro-Government in the wider Darfur conflict... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[28 May, 2007]

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS KILLING OF SOMALI RADIO JOURNALISTS

New York, May 24 2007 8:00AM The Director-General of UNESCO, today condemned the killing of two Somali radio journalists Abshir Ali Gabre and Ahmed Hassan Mahad in Middle Shabelle province on 16 May and called for improved safety of journalists in the country. "I condemn the killing of Abshir Ali Gabre and Ahmed Hassan Mahad," Mr. Matsuura said in a statement released in Paris, where UNESCO is headquartered. He called on "all responsible Somalis in a position of authority to be mindful of the safety of journalists whose professional activity is essential for dialogue and conflict resolution." Journalists, Mr. Matsuura said, "must be able to exercise their profession safely, in view of the fact that press freedom is an extension of the basic human right of freedom of expression and a pillar of democracy and good governance." ... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

[16 May, 2007]

IRAQ: UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF JOURNALISTS NEAR KIRKUK

New York, May 15 2007 9:00AM The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the murder of three journalists of the Al-Raad media company and their driver earlier this month near Rashad in northern Iraq... He said the killings of media professionals in Iraq are unprecedented. "Never in history have so many journalists been murdered. Attacks against journalists constitute attacks against fundamental liberties." Mr. Matsuura repeated his call for the authorities to "take urgent measures to put a stop to these violent acts and to provide better protection for media personnel."... For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

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