Monthly Archives: September 2006
Violence, Insurgency Growing in Iraq, Bolton Tells UN
“Sectarian violence and insurgent attacks increased throughout Iraq over the past three months, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said in the most negative report an American envoy has given to the Security Council since the 2003 invasion.
“The insurgency remains potent and viable, although its visibility has been overshadowed by the increase in sectarian violence,” U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said in the latest quarterly report to the council. “The average number of weekly attacks increased 15 percent over the previous reporting period, and Iraqi casualties increased by 51 percent.” More
UN Inspectors Dispute Iran Report By House Panel
Washington Post: “U.N. inspectors investigating Iran’s nuclear program angrily complained to the Bush administration and to a Republican congressman yesterday about a recent House committee report on Iran’s capabilities, calling parts of the document “outrageous and dishonest” and offering evidence to refute its central claims.”
Annan: Mideast Leaders View Iraq War as Disaster
“U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said leaders of Middle Eastern nations believe the Iraq war has “been a real disaster” for the region.
His comments to reporters on Wednesday came after a two-week trip through the Middle East and on a day when separate bomb attacks killed at least 22 people in Baghdad.
“Honestly, most of the leaders I spoke to felt the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath has been a real disaster for them,” Annan said. “They believe it has destabilized the region.” More
The International Compact for Iraq
Amidst reports of growing political and security uncertainties in Iraq, the United Nations is still tending to the crucial and monumental task of bringing international donors to the table. Part of that effort includes the International Compact for Iraq, initiated by the UN at the request of the U.S. and Iraqi governments to spur political, economic, and social development.
Clooney will address UN about Darfur
“George Clooney takes his plea to stop the genocide in Darfur to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday. The actor, who visited Darfur in April with his father, Nick, will address the U.N. in a briefing organized by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. Clooney and Wiesel will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon after the briefing.” More
Air and Sea Traffic to Lebanon Returning to Normal
“With last week’s lifting of the Israeli air and sea blockade of Lebanon, the United Nations said today that air and sea traffic had begun returning to levels seen before the month-long conflict, while the UN food agency announced it would conduct a survey this month to assess reconstruction needs.
“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that, since the lifting of the Israeli blockade, air traffic is quickly resuming to pre-conflict levels [and] the lifting of the sea blockade has allowed commercial vessels to return as well,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.” More
-
-
The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
-
-
The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
-
The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
-
