UN Radio: A Chaotic Iraq not in Anyone's Interest
Annan,Italian President Agree a Chaotic Iraq not in Anyone's Interest
The United Nations has always indicated that it's prepared to play its role in Iraq. But Secretary-general Kofi Annan
says the security situation has to be appropriate. Annan told reporters Monday that if the situation improves the UN is
ready to go back. Those comments come a day after the secretary-general met with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
for discussions on the situation in the Middle East.
"We've talked about the complicated situation in Iraq, and the need for the international community to pool their
efforts, working with the Iraqis and their neighbours in the region to stabilise Iraq. We are convinced that a chaotic
Iraq, in the middle f the Middle East, is not in anyone's interest."
On the Israeli-Palestinian situation, the Secretary-General maintained that the best solution is land for peace, and the
implementation of UN resolutions.
Annan Condemns Killing of UN Staff Member in Southern Afghanistan
Secretary-general Kofi Annan has condemned the killing of a staff member of the UN High Commissioner for Refugee
(UNHCR), in southern Afghanistan. A statement said the secretary-general was "distressed and angered to learn of the
cold-blooded killing" of UNHCR international staff Bettina Goislard, and the wounding of a national staff member. On
arrival at UN headquarters Monday, the secretary-general spoke to reporters about the incident
"I think it was a vicious attack on our colleague and to kill deliberately someone who was in Afghanistan to assist the
people is something that no one can excuse and whatever the cause cannot be justified."
The Secretary-General said the UN is taking measures to protect the staff and continue its operations as best as it
could.
UN Works to Ensure Responses to AIDS are Included in Peacekeeping Operations
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is implementing work plans addressing AIDS both within
peacekeeping missions and in host countries. Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot told the Security Council that UNAIDS has
also assisted the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in placing an AIDS policy adviser in major peacekeeping
operations. He said UNAIDS has taken action in conjunction with the department in implementing aspects of the Security
Council's resolution relating to peacekeeping forces.
"Second we are spearheading a wider response to AIDS among uniformed services. And third, we are expanding the response
to AIDS as a pre-eminent humanitarian and security challenge."
The Security Council is holding an open meeting on HIV/AIDS.
Progress Made in Fighting AIDS, But More Needs to be Done: Annan
Meanwhile, the secretary-general says some progress has been made but there's still a lot to be done. He says one should
not overlook the fact that HV/AIDS is a major global epidemic.
"We need to see more leaders speak out against the stigma and discrimination. We need to see leadership at all levels
from the president down to community leaders and we need to see a further decline in prices of medication but I think we
are making progress but we have a long way to go."
The Secretary-General says the Global Fund for AIDS itself is running out of money and needs a rapid injection of
additional resources. He says by the year 2005, it would need about $10 billion a year.
UNICEF Pleads for Help for Liberian Children
The UN children's agency (UNICEF), has warned that plans to get Liberian children into school could fail without more
international aid. Some 400-thousand children between five and 18 started classes in early November, but UNICEF said it
urgently needs $ 3 million to keep the programme going and then bring the number up to the initial target of
750-thousand children. UNICEF first appealed for the funds at the end of October, but so far there has been no response
from donors. The agency said that without this money, the Back To School Campaign will not be able to meet its promise
to the children of Liberia to realise their right to education.
World Food Programme Distributes Food to Displaced People in Monrovia
The UN food agency (WFP), has started distributing food to thousands of displaced Liberians in camps in and around the
capital Monrovia. Officials of the World Food Programme say distributions are taking place at a few camps at a time
because of limited personnel and logistics. WFP provides food to more than 350-thousand people in Liberia, including
special rations for 60-thousand malnourished children in Monrovia. The agency says food aid is vital to establishing
stability in the country.