UN Radio: WTO Annan Urges Eliminate Trade Barriers

UN Radio: Annan Urges Countries at WTO Cancun Meeting to Eliminate Trade Barriers

Annan Urges Countries at WTO Cancun Meeting to Eliminate Trade Barriers

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for the removal of trade barriers and subsidies in developed countries as quickly as possible. In a message to the ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization, in Cancun, Mexico, the Secretary-General said trade barriers and distortions could hurt a country's health, be it developed or developing. He urged trade ministers in Cancun to say "No!" to trade policies that aggravate poverty and "no!" to trade practices that undermine aid. Mr. Annan warned that if the result at Cancun is to be considered credible, then it must tackle the broader issue of trade in agricultural products.

Human Security Necessary to Complement State Security in a Globalised World: Sadako Ogata

People must have education, health and social safety nets to ensure security.
That according to the chair of the Advisory Board on Human Security. Sadako Ogata says human security is necessary to complement state security, especially in today's globalised world. She says human security has enormous implications for foreign policy, aid policies and civil society activities:

"In very simple terms, human security can be attained by two ways: that is top down from the government side, from the state side, but very much from the bottom up -- from people and community side and unless those are put together, there is no secure state or society."

Ms. Ogata, a former chief of the UN refugee agency, is attending this year's DPI/NGO conference on the theme Human Security and Dignity.

Annan Condemns Latest Terror Attacks by Suicide Bombers

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has condemned Tuesday's terror attacks by suicide bombers near Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem in which 15 people were killed and many others injured. United Nations Spokesman Fred Eckhard says the Secretary-General reiterates his conviction that peace and security in the region can only be achieved through political dialogue:

"The Secretary-General called on Palestinian militant groups to halt these despicable and indiscriminate actions, which not only spread death and misery but also harm the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people."

The Secretary-General insists that both sides fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.

Senior UN Humanitarian Official Calls for an End to Fighting among Liberians

The UN Special Humanitarian Coordinator in Monrovia Ross Mountain has called on combatants to cease fighting following reports of renewed violence in Kakata, 50 kilometres northeast of the capital. Mr. Mountain said the clash in Kakata between government militia and Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy seriously endangers the lives of war victims and those trying to help them. He noted that although fighting was not prolonged, preliminary reports indicate that as many as 3-thousand civilians fled the area. The instability comes as the humanitarian community had begun to make inroads into addressing some of the needs of Liberians who had fled recent fighting. Some 650 West African peacekeepers established a base in Kakata just after the clash.

UN Security Council Delays Vote on Lifting Libyan Sanctions

The UN Security Council has delayed a vote to lift sanctions against Libya until Friday. The vote - originally scheduled for Tuesday, was delayed after France claimed it would oppose the draft resolution in the absence of a fair compensation agreement for the relatives of those killed in the bombing of a French UTA aircraft in 1989. US Ambassador John Negroponte says he's satisfied that there is a strong commitment now to proceed to a vote on Friday:

"We are certainly very disappointed that the vote didn't take place … and our hearts go out to the families of the victims who have been waiting and suffering so patiently for the day to come when this vote takes place."

The Council agreed to give France a chance to win a settlement with Libya similar to the agreement with the families of victims of the Lockerbie bombing.

Secretary-General Recommends Extension of Mandate of UNMEE

The Security Council met in consultations Wednesday on Ethiopia and Eritrea and was briefed by the Special Representative Legwaila Legwaila. A new report by the Secretary-General notes that the time is approaching when Ethiopia and Eritrea may have to be more actively assisted in fulfilling both the letter and the spirit of the Algiers agreement and concluding the process without further delay. At the same time, the Secretary-General said the UN mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia must continue to carry out its essential mandate.

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