UN Radio: Peacekeepers Take Over From French in DRC
UN Peacekeepers Take Over From French in DRC
UN peacekeepers have taken over from the French-led European Force in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. The peacekeepers have been given a more robust mandate to enforce the peace. Spokeswoman for the UN Mission,
Patricia Tome, says this was a clear message in the town of Bunia, during the handover ceremony on Monday:
"First of all we have the means. We have attack helicopters, we have a big amount of weapons. We can use these weapons.
So the message to the population is very clear, that we are here to enforce peace, to stabilize, to secure, and to
protect the population."
The Blue Helmets are expected to be deployed beyond the borders of Bunia in two weeks.
UN Court Rejects Milosevic's Request for Two Years to Prepare for His Defence
The Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia today rejected former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's request
for two years to prepare for his defence. Mr. Milosevic, who has been on trial at the tribunal in The Hague since
February last year, faces war crimes charges for his involvement in the wars that broke up the former Yugoslavia in the
1990's. The presiding judge, Richard May, said there was absolutely no question in a criminal case for there to be a
break in the middle of two years. Jim Landale is the spokesman for the Court's registry:
"He said that the trial judges would consider what was a reasonable break and what help to be given to Mr. Milosevic to
help facilitate the preparation and presentation of his defence case. But he was clear that a two-year break is not on
the cards."
Mr. Milosevic is also charged with genocide, the gravest of war crimes.
Sudanese Refugees Flee to Eastern Chad
The number of Sudanese refugees fleeing to eastern Chad since April of this year has now reached some 65,000, according
to UNHCR. The refugees, many of them in poor health are fleeing fighting in the Darfur region of western Sudan. A truce
between the Khartoum government and southern rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement or Army is reported to
largely holding, while peace talks continue in Kenya. UNHCR says this leaves Darfur as Sudan's main battlefront.
Human Rights Expert is Disturbed by Reports of Aung San Suu Kyi Hunger Strike
The UN Human Rights Commission's Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, is deeply disturbed by reports
that Aung San Suu Kyi is on hunger strike. The Rapporteur says although restrictions on information make it impossible
to confirm this news, he remains gravely concerned about the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi in an undisclosed
location. He is also concerned about the impact of her confinement on her safety and health. The spokesman of the UN
Human Rights Commissioner, Jose Luis Diaz:
"He reiterates earlier appeals that he has made to the government of Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately and
unconditionally. He also underlined the government's responsibility for the protection of Aung San Suu Kyi and her
safety."
The Special Rapporteur repeats his calls for the release without delay of all other persons imprisoned for their
peaceful expression of their views.
UN Envoy Calls on Asia Not to Ignore HIV/AID
The Secretary-General's Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr. Nafis Sadik, today called on Asian leaders not to ignore
the threat of HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact. Speaking at the annual meeting of the UN Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Dr. Sadik said AIDS was no ordinary crisis and it must call forth an
extraordinary response. She added that people in Asia cannot continue to leave in a make believe world.
WHO Calls For Vaccination Against Influenza
The World Health Organization has called for the urgent vaccination of people at high risk of contracting influenza.
This is in part to prevent the disruption of health services and costly precautionary measures resulting form suspected
cases of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS. The agency says that while the influenza vaccine does not provide
protection from SARS, high vaccination coverage may reduce the number of pneumonia cases caused by influenza that might
raise suspicions of SARS.