UN Radio: Annan Urges Unity In Wake of Iraq War

UN Radio: Annan Urges Unity In Wake of Iraq War at Millennium Goals Report Launch

Annan says Millennium Development Goals can be reached by 2015

A new report out today says there's good news concerning the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by world leaders three years ago. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a press conference Monday that if States
maintain and increase the momentum of the last three years, the goals can be reached by 2015.
The Millennium Development Goals are a series of ambitious targets agreed to in 2000, ranging from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of
HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education all by the year 2015.

Non-Governmental Organizations have vital role to play in effort to meet Millennium Development Goals:Deputy Secretary-General

Non-governmental organizations (NGO's) have vital roles to play in the massive global effort that is needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette told the annual DPI/NGO conference at UN Headquarters Monday, that NGO's can make an enormous contribution in helping to translate these global goals into concrete gains for people at the local level:

"The importance of NGO's in international affairs continues to grow. If we are to realize the vision of the Millennium declaration, we must build on the progress already made in strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and civil society."

The Deputy Secretary-General said the world needs the United Nations now as never before, not only to meet threats to international peace and security, but to meet the threats to human security.

Annan calls for radical reforms to cope with terror

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for radical reforms in the United Nations and other institutions to cope with war, terrorism, poverty and human rights. Responding to questions about the long, drawn out discussions on reform especially in the Security Council, the Secretary-General says he has sensed a desire by leaders around the world to move forward:

"I think in the current climate, lots of leaders have been concerned about the state of the international peace and security architecture and would want to see something about it. I think the Iraqi crisis brought this to the fore but in tackling at this time, I hope we would be much more creative and much more daring."

IAEA wants Iran to clarify all issues of its nuclear program

The head of the UN nuclear agency (IAEA) says Iran needs to clear up all outstanding issues, particularly those involving enriched uranium as soon as possible. Dr. Mohamed El Baradei says these include "a complete list of all imported equipment and components stated to have been contaminated with high enriched uranium particles". Spokesperson for the IAEA Melissa Flemming says Dr. ElBaradei also emphasized the critical areas of concern:

"Above all he said that it was absolutely urgent and essential that the IAEA continue its investigation but that the Iranians step up their cooperation. The other area that he emphasized were that the inspectors needed together with Iran to learn more about Iran's uranium enrichment programme."

Spokesperson Melissa Flemming says the IAEA also wants questions resolved about Iran having tested gas centrifuges that could be used to produce weapons-grade uranium.

Annan aims for key Iraq meeting on Saturday

Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he aims to meet key Security Council foreign ministers in Geneva on Saturday to discuss the situation in Iraq. Mr. Annan told a press conference that Iraq is of such importance that all States would have to find a way of working together to stabilise the country:

"I'm still hoping to have a meeting with the foreign ministers in Geneva on Saturday. There is one more phone call that I have to make later today to put everything on track."

The Secretary-General says countries have to listen to each other in the effort to internationalise the effort in Iraq.

Assassination attempt on Hamas spiritual leader condemned

The United Nations Secretary-General is greatly troubled by the intensifying cycle of violence, retaliation and revenge between the Israelis and
Palestinians. A United Nations spokesman says the Secretary-General in particular condemns Saturday's attempt by Israel to assassinate the Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmad Yassin.
He says not only are extra-judicial killings a violation of international humanitarian law, but the attack also involved the use of disproportionate
force in a densely populated civilian area.

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