Yearly Archives: 2006
Over 3,700 Civilians Killed in Iraq in October
“The number of Iraqi civilians killed in October reached a new high of 3,709, the influence of armed militias is growing, and torture continues to be rampant despite the Government’s commitment to address human rights abuses, according to the latest United Nations rights report on the strife-torn country.” More
Annan Gives Khartoum Two Days to Respond to the Addis Ababa Proposals
Yesterday, Andrew Natsios and Jean-Marie Guehenno told an audience at the Brookings Institution that the next six weeks were period of crucial importance to Darfur. Their remarks came three days after Sudanese representatives to peace talks held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia agreed in principle to a hybrid United Nations-African Union force for Darfur, but said they needed time to consult with their leaders in Khartoum.
UN Says 39.5 Million People Have HIV
“The global HIV epidemic is growing, leaving an estimated 39.5 million people worldwide infected with the deadly virus, the United Nations said Tuesday. AIDS has claimed 2.9 million lives this year and another 4.3 million people became infected with HIV, according to the U.N.’s AIDS epidemic update report, published on Tuesday. Spread of the disease was most noticeable in East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.” More
Natsios and Guehenno at Brookings: “Next Steps for Darfur”
This morning, Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios and Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno spoke at a Brookings Institution forum on the next steps for Darfur. Their remarks come at a critical time. Late last week, the Sudanese government and representatives of major international actors including the United Nations, the African Union, China, and the United States met in Addis Ababa to discuss the possibility of a hybrid UN-AU force for Darfur.
Annan Calls for Bioweapons Strategy
“Stressing that “the horror of biological weapons is shared by all,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called for a comprehensive strategy that will tackle the possibility of such arms falling into the hands of terrorists….
Mr. Annan noted that he had already proposed the convening of a forum that would bring together the various stakeholders – industry, science, public health, governments, and the public – to ensure that biotechnology’s advances continue to be used for the benefit of humanity while the risks are managed.” More
Experts: UN Climate Pact Unlikely Until After Bush
Reuters: “The United States is the biggest source of greenhouse gases, mainly from burning fossil fuels, and Bush’s decision to reject caps under the U.N.’s Kyoto Protocol discourages involvement by other big-polluting outsiders such as China and India.
After two weeks of talks, about 70 environment ministers in Nairobi agreed on Friday to a 2008 review of Kyoto as a possible prelude to deeper emission cuts by rich nations beyond 2012 and steps by developing countries to brake rising emissions….
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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