UN Radio: SC Adopts U.S-sponsored Iraq Resolution

UN Radio: Security Council Adopts US-sponsored Resolution on Iraq

Security Council Adopts US-sponsored Resolution on Iraq

The Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution that outlines the political future of Iraq. Today's action followed intense negotiations and revision of the United States-sponsored draft. The resolution authorizes a multinational force to maintain security and stability in Iraq and urges other states to contribute to the force and to the reconstruction of Iraq. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan commended the members of the Security Council for reaching this agreement.

"As Secretary-General, I shall do my utmost to implement the mandate established by the Council, bearing in mind the constraints on building up the required capacity and my obligation to care for the safety and security of United Nations staff."

The Secretary-General said that although the UN has a skeleton presence on the ground, it is determined to continue helping the Iraqi people.

Iran Promises Cooperation with the IAEA

Iran has assured the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Mohammed ElBaradei that it will cooperate with the agency to clarify its nuclear programme. This followed a meeting between the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Hasani Rohani, and Dr. ElBaradei, whose visit to Iran ends today. The spokesman for the UN nuclear agency, Mark Gwozdecky, says Iran also expressed its willingness to sign an additional protocol to its safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

"And Dr. ElBaradei said that on October 18th, 19th a team of IAEA legal and technical experts will be visiting Iran with the objective of providing any necessary clarifications on the additional protocol."

Mr. Gwozdecky says IAEA inspectors will continue verification work in Iran over the next two weeks.

UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Warns Peace Process Is Under Stress

The Head of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, warned today that the peace process there is under severe stress. Ethiopia continues to object to last year's ruling by the boundary commission, which gave some of the contested territory to Eritrea. Ambassador Legwaila stressed today that the demarcation of the border is an integral part of the peace process, which he is overseeing in the area.

"And therefore if the boundary is not demarcated, although we have been successful in peacekeeping, we cannot leave this place saying that the peace process has been a success."

Ambassador Legwaila said the UN mission is waiting for the Demarcation Commission to start its work, or say it cannot do so for one reason or another.

The UN Confirms Two UN Flags Were Aboard First Chinese Space Mission

The United Nations announced today that two UN flags were provided for flight on China's first manned space mission. A UN spokesman said the flags were provided at the request of the Chinese government as a symbol of its firm commitment to use outer space for peaceful purposes and for the betterment of all human kind. The UN Secretary-General extended his warm congratulations to Yuhangyuan Yang Liwei and the people of China on the successful conclusion of the historic mission.

UNICEF Condemns Bloodshed in a School in Nepal

The UN Children's Fund said today it is shocked by reports of a military engagement in a school in Nepal that left a number of children dead and wounded. UNICEF's Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, said in Beijing that although the number of dead is not known, the fact that they occurred in a school sounds a new and deeply troubling note in the growing conflict in Nepal. UNICEF has called for a code of conduct between the warring parties to include: no weapons in schools, no recruitment of children, no political activities in schools, no harassment of teachers or pupils and no disruption of school activities.

Secretary-General Saddened by Death of Leader of Mauritania

The Secretary-General today said he was saddened to learn of the death of Moktar Ould Daddah of Mauritania who led Mauritania to independence.

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