UN Radio: Putin Says United Nations Irreplacable

UN Radio: Russian President Says UN is Irreplaceable in Resolving Global Problems

Russian President Says UN is Irreplaceable in Resolving Global Problems

World Leaders continued today to express their views on global issues. The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin said United Nations instruments are irreplaceable in resolving global problems. In a wide-ranging address to the General Assembly, President Putin said the goals laid down in the UN Charter continue to serve as a steady and long-term foundation for the activities of the United Nations. He cited Iraq as a clear example of this. President Putin said despite strong differences on how to resolve the Iraqi crisis, the problem is now back on the United Nations agenda:

(Russian, followed by English interpretation)
"Here the position of Russia is consistent and clear: only direct participation of the United Nations in the reconstruction of Iraq will give its people and opportunity to independently decide their future. "

Prime Minister of Malaysia Calls For Abolition of Single Country Veto The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahatir Mohamad warned that a unipolar world, dominated by one democratic nation, is leading the world to economic chaos, political anarchy, uncertainty and fear. He said democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights require the powerful nations to demonstrate their commitment to all these noble ideals by restructuring the United Nations, in particular the abolition of the single veto power in the Security Council:

"This should be replaced with a modified veto where two veto powers, backed by three other members of the Security Council would be needed to block any United Nations resolution. But slowly, even this should be dismantled in favour of majority decisions in the Security Council. "

India Calls for Concerted Efforts Against International Terrorism

The Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, called for united action against international terrorism. He told the Assembly that the solidarity expressed after the September 11 terrorist attacks has not translated into coherent and effective action. He added that there is a lot the UN can do to carry forward the war against international terrorism:

"Multilateral mechanisms must be created to detect and choke off international financial flows to terrorists and terrorist organizations. A much better international system of information exchange and intelligence sharing needs to be devised to prevent terrorists from evading capture, simply by crossing national boundaries. "

UN Reduces International Staff in Iraq

The Secretary-General has ordered a temporary redeployment of UN international staff in Iraq. UN spokesman Fred Eckhard says 42 of them remain in Baghdad and 44 in the north of the country and those numbers can be expected to shrink further over the next few days:

"This is not an evacuation, just a further downsizing and the security situation in the country remains under constant review. Meanwhile, our essential humanitarian activities in Iraq continue, thanks to the efforts of our more than 4,000 national staff in the country."

FAO Appeals for $7.7 million to Help Ethiopia

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO has appealed for over $7 million to help the hungry people in Ethiopia. The money will be used for projects on animal, health, feed and fodder and to provide seeds for non-cereal crops. The agency says the funding of these projects is essential to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable farmers and pastoralists to make them more self-reliant. FAO says that more than 13 million people are now in need of emergency assistance in Ethiopia.

UNICEF Voices Grave Concern at Child Trafficking in Afghanistan

The UN Children's Fund has expressed grave concern over the reported abduction and trafficking of Afghan children to neighbouring countries. UNICEF says that children as young as four are being trafficked and called on the government to use its full weight of the law against those found responsible. The agency says the trafficking of children is against the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Afghanistan has ratified.

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