2010-Jun-30

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HOLLYWOOD STAR VISITS AFGHANISTAN TO SHINE LIGHT ON UN DE-MINING CAMPAIGN

HOLLYWOOD STAR VISITS AFGHANISTAN TO SHINE LIGHT ON UN DE-MINING CAMPAIGN
New York, Jun 30 2010 8:10PM
The actor Jeremy Renner, who shot to fame playing a bomb disposal expert in the Academy Award-winning film <i>The Hurt Locker</i>, has wrapped up a five-day visit to Afghanistan to highlight the real-life efforts of the United Nations to remove landmines from the war-scarred country.

Mr. Renner, whose Afghan trip ended earlier this week, toured UN de-mining projects in Kabul, Bamyan and Bagram, took part in an education session with high school students, spoke with survivors of explosions and even ventured on to a minefield.

Afghanistan remains plagued by mines, despite the ongoing efforts of the UN Mine Action Service (<"http://www.mineaction.org/overview.asp?o=22">UNMAS) and the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA), as a result of decades of conflict.

Nearly 7,000 separate mines or other hazards are estimated to still exist, and last year and average of 40 people were killed or injured by landmines or other explosive remnants of war – a figure that represents a significant decrease on the numbers of previous years.

So far this year UN de-miners have cleared or cancelled 63 minefields and three battle areas, destroying more than 11,000 anti-personnel mines, over 400 anti-tank mines and nearly 400,000 explosive remnants of war in the process. Yet new hazards continue to be found each year.

The so-called Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty requires total clearance by a target date of 2013, but at this stage only 39 per cent of the hazards have been removed.

Mr. Renner said he saw first-hand the benefits of the UN's activities, particularly in former minefields where farmers are now growing wheat, potatoes or other crops.

"I'm a man of action and that's why I like what the United Nations is doing here, action – mine action. We are not just talking about it, but taking action to solve this problem," he said. "I'm here to be educated and then educate people about an issue that can be solved with the proper levels of funding."
Jun 30 2010 8:10PM
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SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MANDATE OF UN FORCE IN GOLAN HEIGHTS

SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWS MANDATE OF UN FORCE IN GOLAN HEIGHTS
New York, Jun 30 2010 7:10PM
The Security Council today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2010/sc9971.doc.htm">agreed to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (<"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/undof/">UNDOF), its peacekeeping operation in the Golan Heights, for another six months.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a resolution extending UNDOF – which was established in May 1974 following the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces after the 1973 war – through 31 December.

The vote follows a recent report to the Council by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in which he said the situation in the Middle East is tense and likely to remain so, until a comprehensive settlement covering the region's problems can be reached.

Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, read out a statement to the press on behalf of the 15-member panel in which he said the Council backed Mr. Ban's position.

In his report the Secretary-General urged Israel and Syria to resume peace negotiations as soon as possible. An earlier set of indirect talks that were initiated by Turkey were discontinued in 2008.

As of last month UNDOF was comprised of 1,043 troops from six countries and the operation is led by Major General Natalio Ecarma III of the Philippines.
Jun 30 2010 7:10PM
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TOP UN OFFICIALS DEBATE ROLE OF CULTURE IN WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

TOP UN OFFICIALS DEBATE ROLE OF CULTURE IN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
New York, Jun 30 2010 7:10PM
The role of culture in promoting the empowerment of women and upholding human rights was hotly debated today by senior United Nations officials, activists and academics as the UN Economic and Social Council (<"http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/">ECOSOC) meets in New York to push for women and girls to be at the forefront of efforts to achieve development targets.

"Laws are important, but they're not sufficient because often traditions are stronger than the implementation of laws," Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (<"http://www.unfpa.org/public/">UNFPA), told a televised debate conducted at UN Headquarters in New York.

She underscored the importance of working with communities to "access the positive values of human rights that any community would have."

With "value-loaded" issues such as reproductive health, adolescent sexuality and violence against women topping UNFPA's agenda, "we have to face that they are impacted by culture," which Ms. Obaid linked to identity.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/">UNESCO), acknowledged that "cultural diversity is an important aspect of what is happening in the world nowadays," but stressed that "it should never be an excuse to violate the rights of women."

Also speaking at today's debate, organized by UN Television and part of the <i>Face to Face</i> series, was Kavita N. Ramdas, who heads the non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Fund for Women.

Culture, she said, is not static, but rather, constantly changing as a result of internal and external factors.

"In almost every culture in the world, women have been held up as the vessels to hold and promote and move forward traditions," Ms. Ramdas said. "At the same time, culture is far too often used as a veil or as an excuse or the rug under which a series of ills – including violence, abuse and discrimination – are simply swept under."

Rounding out the panellists at the event was Kwame Anthony Appiah, professor at Princeton University, who underscored the dynamism and lack of homogeneity within cultures and questioned the reliance on culture as the answer to all problems.

"Very often, people say, 'it's our culture,' as if that's supposed to settle the question," he said. "First of all, it's not always clear what our culture is, but second, even if it is, it's up for change."

The focus of this year's high-level ECOSOC segment, which kicked off on Monday, "allows us to strengthen the links between gender equality, women's human rights and non-discrimination as a basis for progress in development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," said the body's President Hamidon Ali, referring to the eight goals that world leaders have agreed to try to realize before their 2015 deadline.

For his part, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told government ministers at the high-level segment opening that "until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals – peace, security, sustainable development – stand in jeopardy."

He noted that this year is a "landmark year for gender issues" with the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – which remains the most comprehensive global policy framework to achieve the goals of gender equality, development and peace – and the 10th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women and peace and security.
Jun 30 2010 7:10PM
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SECURITY MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR AFGHANISTAN IN THE COMING MONTHS, SAYS UN ENVOY

SECURITY MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR AFGHANISTAN IN THE COMING MONTHS, SAYS UN ENVOY
New York, Jun 30 2010 6:10PM
Security will be a major challenge in what is gearing up as a critical period for Afghanistan, which will be hosting a major international conference in the capital next month and holding parliamentary elections in September, the top United Nations envoy there said today.

"This is indeed a crucial year in Afghanistan," Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2010/sc9970.doc.htm">told the Security Council, which last week visited the country to assess for itself the progress made.

"It is a year in which we are all trying, together with the Afghan authorities and the Afghan people, to reach a form of stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan," he noted.

Earlier this month the Government hosted the Consultative Peace Jirga, which brought together 1,600 participants from across the nation and resulted in a communiqué endorsing President Hamid Karzai's initiative to convene a national dialogue on ways to restore peace.

On 20 July the Government will host the Kabul Conference, at which it is expected to present an Afghan-led plan for improving development, governance and security.

Mr. de Mistura said the main objective of the conference is to foster confidence in a "public contract between the Afghan Government and the Afghan people" and promote the delivery of social and economic improvements.

The international community, he said, will not be expected to bring new funds to the gathering but to re-align the resources which they have already allocated for Afghanistan with the country's own priorities.

<"http://unama.unmissions.org/default.aspx?/">UNAMA, for its part, had decided to adopt a "three-plus-one" strategy with a focus on support to elections, fostering national dialogue and encouraging regional engagement, while also focusing on aid coherence and coordination, he noted.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many foreign ministers are expected to attend the July meeting, which will be co-chaired by the UN and follows the London Conference held in January, during which the Government and its international partners jointly endorsed a strategy of transition to greater Afghan responsibility for the affairs of the country.

In his latest report on Afghanistan, Mr. Ban noted that although the country has witnessed a number of positive developments recently, the overall security situation has not improved and remains unstable despite the considerable growth and reform plans for the development of the Afghan National Security Forces.

"A comprehensive approach on security sector reform needs to be supported by effective governance and progressive advances in the political process, to counterbalance concentrated military efforts," he stated.

Mr. de Mistura, in an interview with the UN News Centre, said security should be a major focus for the Afghan Government, and added that another priority should be socio-economic development, particularly job creation and opportunities for young people who make up 40 per cent of the country's population.

"They need to feel that there is a future. Otherwise, they may be tempted to join the wrong side."

Despite the fact that overall security has not improved in recent months, Mr. de Mistura noted that the UN has a continuing presence, with almost 1,000 international staff and 6,000 national staff in 21 locations around the country.

"Our intention is to be, especially in this critical period, close to the Afghans in what is going to be a crucial year," he stated. "Of course, the challenge remains security during this critical period."
Jun 30 2010 6:10PM
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UN RELEASES PRACTICAL TOOLKIT ON HOW TO DETER SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WAR

UN RELEASES PRACTICAL TOOLKIT ON HOW TO DETER SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WAR
New York, Jun 30 2010 6:10PM
>From peacekeepers in Darfur escorting women and girls to prevent "firewood rapes" to blue helmets in Kosovo setting up an emergency hotline for at-risk communities and lone women, the United Nations launched today its first compilation of the best practices of its staff to prevent, deter and respond to the use of rape as a war tactic.

"This is practical information to move from words to deeds," the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, told the UN News Centre on the sidelines of the launch of the booklet, <i>Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence-An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice</i>.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for example, the peacekeeping mission known as <"http://monuc.unmissions.org/">MONUC has provided escorts for women to resume trading at the local markets, which has improved their sense of security and their economic development.

In Kosovo, peacekeepers noted that unannounced, random foot patrols and checkpoints kept perpetrators off balance, while in Liberia night patrols have been deployed around camps for the displaced.

"From the moment their boots touch the ground, tomorrow's peacekeepers will have a reference that explains this issue [prevention of sexual violence] in operational, not theoretical, terms," Ms. Wallström said of the plastic-covered booklet, which is designed to be easy to read.

Speaking on behalf of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Major General Abhijit Guha, Deputy Military Adviser to the Under-Secretary-General, said that the nature of conflict requires changes in peacekeeping practices.

"The Analytical Inventory is part of our efforts to adapt to the evolving requirements of peacekeeping and supports our new military guidelines on gender," he said.

The inventory includes a 10-item checklist of emerging elements of an effective response.

Items include consultations with all segments of community, particularly women, to hear what they need and how they move; enhanced training starting with the practical and moving to the theoretical; and role modelling to help leave a legacy of security for women and girls.

It also addresses potential ways to mitigate risk, such as working with civil society groups to provide fuel-efficient stoves in Somalia or Darfur to prevent women from having to walk far to collect biofuels. Such stoves would also support environmental sustainability and alleviate some related illnesses, which are part of the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) which world leaders hope to achieve by 2015.

Released by the UN Development Fund for Women (<"http://www.unifem.org/">UNIFEM), the Stop Rape Now campaign, UN Department of Peacekeeping (DPKO) and the Australian Government, the idea is for the booklet to be distributed to peacekeepers on the ground to be used for training and as an education tool.

"We have to work together as a UN family to move this forward. Stopping the use of rape in conflict areas is not just a matter of time. It requires pro-active measures, political will and military responsibility," Ms. Wallström told the UN News Centre.

"Acts of sexual violence on this scale are crimes against humanity. To say they cannot be stopped makes no sense. As someone said in today's launch – what other crime against humanity is inevitable?" she added.
Jun 30 2010 6:10PM
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MEETS ECUADORIAN LEADER ON FINAL LEG OF TRIP

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MEETS ECUADORIAN LEADER ON FINAL LEG OF TRIP
New York, Jun 30 2010 5:10PM
The global efforts to achieve the social and economic targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) were at the centre of talks today between General Assembly President Ali Treki and Ecuador's President Rafael Correa.

Mr. Treki and Mr. Correa discussed the high-level meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York in mid-September that will review progress made so far towards the MDGs, which have a target date of 2015. The Goals include the slashing of poverty, improvements to maternal health, overcoming environmental degradation and boosting school enrolment rates.

During today's talks, held in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, Mr. Treki stressed the importance of developing countries participating at the September gathering, which will also consider where resources and attention should be devoted in the next five years to try to attain the MDGs.

Mr. Treki and Mr. Correa also discussed UN reform, the conflict in the Middle East and ongoing issues regarding international peace and security, according to Mr. Treki's spokesperson Jean-Victor Nkolo.

The General Assembly President also met with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño Aroca and other senior Government officials while visiting the Andean country. On this trip Mr. Treki has already visited Venezuela and Cuba.
Jun 30 2010 5:10PM
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HAITI: BAN WELCOMES SETTING OF DATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

HAITI: BAN WELCOMES SETTING OF DATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL POLLS
New York, Jun 30 2010 5:10PM
Haitian President René Préval has set 28 November as the date for the people of the earthquake-devastated nation to vote for his successor, a move welcomed today by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Presidential decrees issued last Thursday and yesterday have also mandated that the Provisional Electoral Council organize legislative polls on that date.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4643">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called on the Haitian Government, the Provisional Electoral Council, political parties and all Haitians to "ensure that the upcoming elections are transparent and credible and serve to reinforce Haiti's democratic institutions as the country strives to recover from the worst humanitarian crisis in its history."

More than 200,000 people were killed in the 12 January earthquake, which left 1.3 million more homeless and destroyed countless buildings, including Government facilities, hospitals and schools.

"The Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations' commitment to provide comprehensive support to the Haitian authorities in the preparation and conduct of the elections," the statement said.

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (<"http://huwu.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/index.shtml">MINUSTAH) and the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) have already started providing security, logistical and technical assistance for the elections.

In his latest report to the Security Council on Haiti, Mr. Ban said that elections are central to the Government's vision for a renewed State, a vision he appealed to the international community to support.

In his statement today, he encouraged UN Member States – especially those taking part in the international task force supporting the polls – to provide the financial resources needed for elections as swiftly as possible.
Jun 30 2010 5:10PM
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EXPERIENCED LEGAL CAMPAIGNER TO HEAD UN-BACKED CRIME PROBE IN GUATEMALA

EXPERIENCED LEGAL CAMPAIGNER TO HEAD UN-BACKED CRIME PROBE IN GUATEMALA
New York, Jun 30 2010 4:10PM
A renowned Costa Rican advocate against organized crime has been chosen as the next head of the United Nations-backed commission charged with dismantling illegal armed groups and tackling impunity in Guatemala.

A UN spokesperson announced today that Francisco Dall'Anese Ruiz, the current Attorney-General of Costa Rica, will succeed Carlos Castresana at the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (known as CICIG).

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who made the appointment, thanked Mr. Castresana – who resigned earlier this month – for his "excellent work" heading CICIG since its inception two and a half years ago.

"The achievements of CICIG during that period have been praised by Guatemalan authorities, civil society and the international community alike," Mr. Ban said.

Since becoming Costa Rican Attorney-General in 2003, Mr. Dall'Anese has waged campaigns against narco-trafficking and organized crime, led major investigations against corruption and helped introduce prominent legislation against organized crime.

Mr. Dall'Anese has also served as an alternate magistrate in the Supreme Court, taught criminal law at university and co-authored numerous books and articles on criminal, judicial and procedural law. In 2005 he received a prize from the National Values Commission for his work against organized crime.

The UN and the Guatemalan Government set up CICIG as an independent body to support the public prosecutors' office, the national civilian police and other institutions to investigate a limited number of sensitive and difficult cases regarding illegal security groups and clandestine security organizations and also dismantle them.

Based in Guatemala City, the capital, the Commission seeks to bolster the rule of law and is permitted by its mandate to conduct independent investigations and help authorities bring representative cases to trial in national courts.
Jun 30 2010 4:10PM
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BAN TO VISIT JAMAICA TO PARTICIPATE IN CARIBBEAN REGIONAL SUMMIT

BAN TO VISIT JAMAICA TO PARTICIPATE IN CARIBBEAN REGIONAL SUMMIT
New York, Jun 30 2010 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Jamaica this weekend to attend a Caribbean summit and discuss regional efforts to try to achieve the social and economic targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs), the United Nations announced today.

The Thirty-First Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which is also known as CARICOM, is slated to begin in Montego Bay on Sunday.

Mr. Ban is expected to tell participants that the international community must act in concert in dealing with the impact of the global economic crisis, particularly its effects on the world's most vulnerable.

He will also discuss the MDGs, which have a target date of 2015, and the need for Caribbean countries to accelerate progress towards the goals, which include slashing poverty, improving maternal health, fighting environmental degradation and boosting school attendance rates.

In September the UN chief is hosting a high-level event at UN Headquarters in New York that is aimed at charting the progress so far towards the MDGs and determining where attention and resources should be devoted between now and 2015.

In his address to the CARICOM gathering, Mr. Ban is also set to discuss UN efforts to support Haiti in the aftermath of January's catastrophic earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people and left at least one million others homeless.

While visiting Jamaica Mr. Ban will also have bilateral meetings with various heads of Government from the Caribbean as well as representatives of regional organizations.
Jun 30 2010 4:10PM
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BP Oil Spill Response Update: EPA Releases First Round of Toxicity Testing Data for Eight Oil Dispersants

CONTACT:

press@epa.gov

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2010

 

EPA Releases First Round of Toxicity Testing Data for Eight Oil Dispersants

 

WASHINGTON —The US Environmental Protection Agency today released peer reviewed results from the first round of its own independent toxicity testing on eight oil dispersants. EPA conducted testing to ensure that decisions about ongoing dispersant use in the Gulf of Mexico continue to be grounded in the best available science.

 

EPA’s results indicated that none of the eight dispersants tested, including the product in use in the Gulf, displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity. While the dispersant products alone – not mixed with oil - have roughly the same impact on aquatic life, JD-2000 and Corexit 9500 were generally less toxic to small fish and JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD were least toxic to mysid shrimp.  While this is important information to have, additional testing is needed to further inform the use of dispersants.

 

"EPA is performing independent tests to determine the potential impacts of various dispersants. We will continue to conduct additional research before providing a final recommendation, " said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  "We want to ensure that every tool is available to mitigate the impact of the BP spill and protect our fragile wetlands.  But we continue to direct BP to use dispersants responsibly and in as limited an amount as possible." 

 

EPA continues to carefully monitor BP’s use of dispersant in the Gulf. Dispersants are generally less toxic than oil and can prevent some oil from impacting sensitive areas along the Gulf Coast. EPA believes BP should use as little dispersant as necessary and, on May 23, Administrator Jackson and then-Federal On-Scene Coordinator Rear Admiral Mary Landry directed BP to reduce dispersant usage by 75 percent from peak usage. EPA and the Coast Guard formalized that order in a directive to BP on May 26. Over the next month BP reduced dispersant use 68 percent from that peak.

 

Before directing BP to ramp down dispersant use, EPA directed BP to analyze potential alternative dispersants for toxicity and effectiveness. BP reported to EPA that they were unable to find a dispersant that is less toxic than Corexit 9500, the product currently in use. Following that, EPA began its own scientific testing of eight dispersant products on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule (NCP-PS). Those dispersant products are: Dispersit SPC 1000, Nokomis 3-F4, Nokomis 3-AA, ZI-400, SAF-RON Gold, Sea Brat #4, Corexit 9500 A and JD 2000. Today’s results represent the first stage of that effort.

 

EPA tested these eight products for endocrine disrupting activity and potential impacts on small fish and mysid shrimp. The testing found:

 

·         None of the eight dispersants tested displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity.

·         While all eight dispersants alone – not mixed with oil – showed roughly the same effects, JD-2000 and Corexit 9500 proved to be the least toxic to small fish, and JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD were the least toxic to the mysid shrimp.

 

The next phase of EPA’s testing will assess the acute toxicity of multiple concentrations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil alone and combinations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil with each of the eight dispersants for two test species.

 

To view the first round of test results please visit: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants

 

R232

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