UN Radio: Iraq - Palestine - Congo - Timor Leste

UN Radio: Iraq Resolution – UN Iraq Rep – WHO Concerned At Security in Iraq – UNICEF Says Crisis In Iraq – Palestinian’s Living Conditions Worsen –1000s Flee Ethnic Killings In Congo - Timor-Leste Celebrates Independence…

Security Council meets on revised Iraq draft resolution

The UN Security Council is meeting behind closed doors Tuesday afternoon for more talks on a revised draft resolution to lift the economic sanctions on Iraq. The newest version of the draft, introduced to the Council on Monday includes what's been described as "concessions" to bolster the UN's role in post-war Iraq. United States Ambassador John Negroponte:

"We've said all along in our view the Secretary-General and his people in Iraq should play a vital role in the humanitarian area, in facilitating the return of a representative government in Iraq and in many other areas including protection of human rights."

Annan promises to move quickly to appoint Special Representative in Ira

qSecretary-General Kofi Annan will be called upon to appoint a "special representative for Iraq". Under the terms of a draft resolution circulating before the Security Council, the special representative's tasks will include working "intensively" with the occupying coalition partners - the United States and Britain - and with the Iraqi people for the reconstruction of their country. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General was asked how quickly he would be appointing the special representative:

"Well, once a resolution is passed, I will move quickly to appoint a special representative who would take up his job as soon as is practicable."

WHO concerned about Security Situation in Ira

qThe World Health Organization says the security situation in Iraq continues to be a major concern. WHO's Dr. David Navarro says the security situation is limiting the number of people the health agency can get into the country, making it difficult to assess the health needs of Iraqis and initiate action. At the same time he anticipates the situation getting better in the future:

"If we are describing a pretty bad situation now in the post-war environment, it is because firstly the security situation is not good; secondly, the infrastructure is not working; and thirdly government services have not been able to restart."

UNICEF says Iraq facing major humanitarian crisis

The UN children's agency (UNICEF) warns that Iraq is facing the prospect of a major crisis, unless urgent measures are taken for meeting the basic needs of its population. Executive Director Carol Bellamy says UNICEF is facing serious humanitarian challenges such as improving the appalling sanitary situation from which children are first to suffer and a resumption of work of the local schools. Ms. Bellamy says UNICEF wants more than 150 million dollars to ease the crisis.

Palestinians' living conditions getting worse: Larsen

In the Middle East, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Terje Roed- Larsen says the living conditions of Palestinians are getting worse and the terror and the bloodshed continue:

"In the Palestinian areas now we have about 50% unemployment rate; in Gaza alone 75 per cent of the population is living below the poverty level. These figures illustrate how horrible the situation is".

Mr. Larsen, however, says the appointment of a Palestinian Prime Minister is significant in that he's seen as a credible partner by both Jerusalem and Washington.

Thousands fleeing ethnic strife in DRC - UNHCR

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that nearly 20,000 people have fled to Uganda following ethnic clashes in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNHCR says there are growing fears that more refugees could be on their way to Uganda trying to tag on to Ugandan forces that have begun pulling out of the strife torn region. Humanitarian agencies staff have found an estimated 10,000 Congo refugees encamped on the northern shores of Lake Albert in Uganda. Another 9,000 were detected earlier on the southern shores of the border lake.

Timor-Leste Celebrates first Anniversary of Independence

The people of Timor-Leste celebrated the first anniversary of independence Tuesday. And to mark the occasion, the UN mission in the country UNMISET opened an exhibit with some 80 photos, slide shows and videos highlighting the partnership between the UN and the Timorese people.
President Xanana Gusmao said that as the UN mission entered its final year, the support and commitment of the UN to Timor-Leste well beyond the mandate made them confident of the future. The Timor-Leste government commemorated the first anniversary in a decentralized manner in all 13 districts with football matches and cultural activities.

© Scoop Media