UN Radio: ICC May Take Legal Action on Massacres

UN Radio: UN Peacekeeping Force to be Established for Third Phase Operations in Liberia

UN Peacekeeping Force to be Established for Third Phase Operations in Liberia

Secretary-General Kofi Annan says a UN peacekeeping force would be established to take over the operations in Liberia, along the lines of what was done in Sierra Leone.
The Secretary-General said this would be the third phase in keeping the peace in Liberia. The first phase calls for a vanguard force of between a thousand an 15-hundred troops from the Economic Community of West African States. The second phase would comprise logistical support from the United States. Meanwhile, Mr. Annan says, Liberian parties are participating in talks in Accra, Ghana, aimed at bringing peace to their country:

"The idea here is that they would also work on a transition government - a transitional government that would be in office for two years and help stabilise the situation, would begin to work on disarmament and prepare elections over the next two years." Lack of Security Hampering Access to More Than Half of Liberia

On the ground in Liberia, looting continues to be a problem in the capital Monrovia. The lack of security is preventing humanitarian agencies from having access to some 70 per cent of Liberia's territory. However, the UN food agency (WFP), and its partners are continuing food distribution to internally displaced persons in and around Monrovia.
Meanwhile, a seven member humanitarian assessment team that arrived in Monrovia Tuesday is now talking with humanitarian agencies to determine the security situation in preparation for the return of UN international staff to the country.

Turning the Tide On AIDS, TB and Malaria a Priority Second to None: Annan

Secretary-General Kofi Annan says total spending needs to rise to $10 billion a year by 2005 in order to mount an effective global response to HIV/AIDS alone. In a message to an international conference in support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Secretary-General warned that the biggest challenge is to ensure that substantial commitments are made, and new partnerships created to enable the Fund to play its role to the fullest:

"That support can take many forms: direct financial contributions, practical support for operations, mobilization within recipient countries."

The Secretary-General said that for the United Nations family, turning the tide on AIDS, TB and malaria is a priority second to none..

World Court may Investigate War Crimes in DRC

The chief prosecutor of the international war crimes tribunal said Wednesday he may investigate alleged war crimes from five years of strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina said up to 5-thousand civilians have been killed in ethnic strife in Congo's Ituri province since the court's jurisdiction began.
He said his first step would be to seek authorization from the court's judges to launch an investigation and to ask for more information from the United Nations and other organizations about events in the province. The International Criminal Court, which came into existence on 1 July 2002, has received nearly 500 complaints from 66 countries.

Annan Condemns Coup D'etat in Sao Tome and Principe

The Secretary-General has strongly condemned Wednesday's coup d'etat in Sao Tome and Principe.
UN Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, says the Secretary-General has called for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order and for the prompt release of government officials detained during the coup:

"The Secretary-General reiterates his firm condemnation of any attempts to seize power by force..

Troops toppled the government of the tiny nation off west Africa and said they intend to appoint new leaders who would rule the country during an unspecified period of transition.

Security Council Concerned over Continuing Insecurity in Central African Republic

Members of the Security Council have expressed their concern at the continuing insecurity and human rights violations in the Central African Republic. They stressed that the restructuring of the security forces and systematic disarmament are essential for restoring security. Council President, Ambassador Innocencio Arias of Spain, said the members noted with satisfaction that the authorities had opted for a consensual management of the transition period by involving all the political factions and other actors in civil society.

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