UN Radio: Int. Community Must Be Engaged In Mid-East Peace Plan
UN calls for active engagement in Mid-East peace process
The peace process cannot be allowed to remain stalled. UN Under Secretary-general for Political Affairs Kieran
Pendergast says the international community must be actively engaged in assisting the Israelis and Palestinians to
fulfil their Road Map to peace. He says the environment remains dangerous for both parties with the threat of terrorism
hanging over the head of each Israeli.
"For their part, Palestinians continue to suffer from closures and Israeli military operations that kill and injure
civilians. In addition, settlement activity, the construction of the Separation barrier and the destruction and
appropriation of Palestinian property continue to cut deep into the landscape of the West Bank"
Mr. Pendergast urges the two sides to return to the road map, saying the new Palestinian government should begin
addressing Israeli concerns over security.
The road map was worked out by the United Nations, the United States, Russia and the European Union. . Security Council endorses Mid East Road Map
The UN Security Council has endorsed the road map proposed by the Quartet for a permanent two-state solution to the
Israeli Palestinian conflict. All members of the council voted in favour of the resolution. It calls on the parties to
fulfil their obligations under the road map in cooperation with the Quartet and to achieve the vision of two States
living side by side in peace and security. The council expresses its grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and
violent events in the Middle East. And it reiterates the demand for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence,
including all acts of terrorism, provocation, incitement and destruction.
WHO needs $300 million for health emergencies worldwide
The UN health agency (WHO), has called on donors to urgently invest in health services for millions of children, women
and men caught up in deadly crises.WHO says it needs more than $300 million to provide health services for up to 45
million people worldwide. Communications Officer Fadela Chaib says the problems are mixed.
"Some of them are suffering from natural disasters and a lot of them mainly in sub-Saharan countries are suffering from
HIV/AIDS epidemic which is putting them in a more vulnerable situation when it's mixed with malnutrition and famine" WHO
says globally at least one billion people are affected by crises.
Africans meet in Addis Ababa to examine how to fight poverty
The head of the International Labour Organisation has called for decisive steps in Africa's struggle to gain control of
its own destiny. ILO Director-General Dr. Juan Somavia says this would help realize the full potential of Africa's
people and natural resources and break out of the trap of widespread poverty. His comments come as African workers,
employers and labour ministers plan to gather in Addis Ababa next month to forge a new alliance for alleviating the
plight of the continent's people through the creation of better jobs. Dr. Somavia says the meeting comes at a time when
nations of the continent are creating institutions that promise a dynamic process of development founded on their own
collective endeavours.
Violations of arms embargo continue in Somalia: UN
A senior United Nations official has warned of continuing violations of the arms embargo against Somalia. Chairman of
the Security Council committee established to oversee the arms embargo Stefan Tafrov said the sanctions imposed back in
1992 have not been enforced effectively. He said failure to enforce the arms embargo threatens to undermine attempts to
find a political solution leading to the creation of an effective government. Mr. Tafrov said the present situation in
Somalia contributes to insecurity and instability in the neighbouring countries.
Cote d'Ivoire's humanitarian needs could outstrip ability of aid agencies The humanitarian needs of the population of Cote d'Ivoire outstrip the ability of aid organizations to respond.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), also warns that the situation could worsen unless
serious problems of protection are addressed.
UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard.
"In one example, the office said hundreds of non-native migrant farmers have been driven from their lands in an apparent
dispute over cocoa"
Humanitarian agencies have been prevented access to the area of concern.