UN Aid Responds to Russia / Georgia Humanitarian Crisis

Various UN agencies are launching relief operations. In response to a request from Georgia, the World Food Program has launched a 10-day ration program designed to facilitate immediate relief to more than 2,000 displaced residents of the capitol Tbilisi. Relief efforts to people outside the capitol are underway, though they have been restricted by Russian bombing. The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees is sending relief efforts in an attempt to stockpile aid, and is preparing for continued violence. 20,000 blankets and other essentials are being flown from the UN Commission on Refugees stockpile in Dubai tonight- the second flight is planned for Wednesday. These flights will contain enough relief supplies for 30,000 people. There are reports that up to 80% of the population of the town of Gori has fled. (1:08)
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UN Security Council Reacts to Georgia / Russia Conflict

The Security Council met on Saturday and Sunday to discuss the situation in Georgia. The Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B Lynn Pascoe, has acknowledged that the UN had no first-hand information of the situation on the ground at that time. However Pascoe did state that the UN resident coordinator in Georgia has recommended that all UN personnel evacuate; at that moment, no international staff had actually left. The UN reports a military build-up in Abkhazia and bombings in the town of Gori, and as a result of the increased bombings, the UN has scaled down its operations to only essential functions. (0:55)
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Secretary-General Responds to Military Conflict in Georgia

Late on Saturday night the Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement on the current situation in Georgia, expressing his "alarm at the escalation of hostilities" between Georgia and Russia and voicing his concern that violence will spread beyond the South Ossetia zone of Georgia. He is particularly concerned about rising tensions in the Abkhazia region, urging "maximum restraint", as well as the safety and security of unarmed UN military observers. The Secretary-General is calling for an immediate halt to military actions, and urges both parties to work towards a peaceful settlement. (0:40)
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Full Statement From Georgia Regarding Violence in Ossetia

At the UN Security Council today Mr. Irakli Alasania, Representative to the United Nations from Georgia, justified Georgia's recent attack on a Russian tank convoy in the South Ossetia region. "Georgia as an responsible state has the obligation to protect our population," said Mr. Alasania. He then challenged Russia to "sit down at the negotiating table." (4:54)
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Georgia Expresses Desire For Diplomacy

Mr. Irakli Alasania expresses Georgian desire to have "direct contacts and negotiate" with Russia regarding the recent violence in South Ossetia. (0:19)
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Full Statement from the Russian Federation Regarding Georgia

Full statement from Mr. Vitaly Churkin regarding the recent flare-up in violence between Georgia and Russia. (3:40)
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Russia States Their "Diplomatic Goals" Regarding Georgia

Russia Responds to the United Nations Security Council's deliberations on Georgia. Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, Vitaly Churkin, states that Russia's role regarding Georgia is "purely diplomatic and political." (0:19)

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UN Security Council Holds Emergency Meetings on Georgia Violence

The United Nations is reporting that thousands of Georgian refugees are fleeing the area known as South Ossetia.  According to the UN, over two dozen people have been killed, and close to a thousand people have been forced to leave their homes.

The United Nations Security Council responded to the rapidly-changing situation in Georgia late last night.  The Council held emergency deliberations in response to Georgian aggression on Russian military convoys in the territory known as South Ossetia.  The Security Council created a draft statement, but it has as of yet not been adopted.

Georgia has expressed a strong independent spirit for more than two decades.  Fighting between Russian and Georgia broke out in 1991 over territorial disputes, and was sustained for 18 months.  A tentative cease-fire held until 2004, and intermittent periods of violence have flared up ever since.  The recent violence stems from claims by Georgia that a Russian tank convoy rolled through the Ossetia region, violating Georgia's sovereignty.  Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has called the Georgia's attacks as a "deep violation of international law."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concern about the violence.  According to the Spokesperson For the Secretary-General, the SG is currently being briefed on the situation in full.  Both Barack Obama and John McCain have called for the Russians to use restraint.  The Security Council will resume talks about Georgia this afternoon.

Listen to the Spokesperson For the Secretary-General Briefing on Georgia. (1:43)
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UN Security Council Votes 15 - 0 to Extend Mission in Iraq

In a vote that surprised no one, the United Nations Security Council voted today to extend the UN mission in Iraq by another 12 months.

Violence in Iraq is diminishing, and the country continues to seek regional support.  Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Al Bayati was pleased by the Security Council's vote, and expressed his desire to work with "all [regional] parties," and refused to eliminate Iran from a list of potential allies.

US Ambassador Zalmay Kahlilzad discusses the UN mandate extension.  (2:47)

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Israeli Defense Minister Meets With UN Secretary-General

Minister of Defense of Israel, H.E. Mr. Ehud Barak, discusses his brief meeting with United Nations Secretary-Generalregarding the "wider situation in the middle east," including the "changes, threats and opportunities" that face the security of Israel. (1:39)


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Bolton opposes talks with Iran

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says the United States’ policy for five years has been that it would not engage in diplomacy with Iran unless Iran halted its uranium enrichment program, suggesting that Iran is being made to believe that the White House will make concessions in an attempt to leave a foreign policy legacy. (1:04)
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Sudan's Ambassador on ICC Prosecutor's "Weak Performance"

Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, spoke briefly at the United Nations Security Council stakeout today about the indictment by International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Ambassador Mohamad criticized both the ICC's position, as well as Ocampo's statement as "weak," and stated that "vis-a-vie peace and security" in Darfur, the international community must reject the indictment.
(2:53)
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Sudan Ambassador: ICC Indictment Will Lead to "Disasterous Consqeuences"

Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, Sudan's ambassador to the United Nations, briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York today regarding the International Criminal Court's (ICC) indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.



Ambassador Mohamad repeatedly denounced the indictment by ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and rejected "in the strongest possible terms" the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

The ambassador strongly asserted that "we do not recognize the authority of the ICC" and that "we consider this move as an affront" to the sovereignty to Sudan.  He also claimed that the charges are politically motivated, stating  "[Ocampo] only wants to settle political scores."  When pressed on what specific political "scores" motivate Ocampo, ambassador Mohamed quickly changed the subject.

Regarding resolution of the Darfur crisis, the ambassador stated, "Darfur problems better be addressed by the Sudanese" and that international support should be "complimentary" to the efforts of the Sudanese government.

Ambassador Mohamed confidently expressed that the President's travel schedule would not be interrupted, and that the ambassador would be surprised if President Bashir did not attend the United Nations annual General Assembly meeting in September.

More Talk Radio News Sudan Coverage

Listen to the full audio of Sudanese Ambassador to the United Nations Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad's statement on the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir by the ICC. (16:39)

Soudbite audio below.
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South African Ambassador Kumalo on Zimbabwe

Permanent Representative to the United Nations for South Africa, Dumisani Kumalo, discusses the possibility of sanctions, as well as perceived progress made by various opposition parties in  Zimbabwe.  Ambassador Kumalo described the situation as "very, very encouraging," and that [the discussions] are a way for the various actors to negotiate.  (0:33)
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on G8, Climate Change, and Sudan

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York about his recent trip to Asia, including the G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan.



The SG traveled between his home nation of Korea, China, and Japan.  He expressed that all three nations are "rising" powers, and that their futures are interlinked.

Mr. Ban would not characterize the G8 summit as a success or failure, but did mention that he was pleased with apparent progress.  The Secretary-General noted that the United Nations and international community must focus on three specific areas of growth; climate change, food security, and development.  (Listen to audio.)  He applauded the G8 nations on their commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.  The SG also acknowledged a financial commitment by G8 nations of $10 billion to help food security, but reminded the nations that true food security requires $25 billion per year.  Regarding development, particularly in Africa, the SG was please by the eventual goal to recruit 1.5 million health care workers over the next several years.  Additionally, the G8 will work towards a donation of 100 insecticide-treated bed nets to help prevent Malaria.

In Sudan, the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible language the recent attack on United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). (Listen to audio.) According to the UN, the attack was perpetrated by approximately 200 members of the Janjaweed militia, and involved the use of "heavy arms" by forces on horseback and in SUVs.  Seven UNAMID members were killed, and another 22 were injured.  The SG reminded all involved parties to remember their commitments to peace and stability in the region.

During today's press conference, Mr. Ban also condemned violence surrounding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The SG indicated that all G8 members are "seriously engaged" in finding solutions to crisis.  The Security Council is currently deliberating on potentially sanctioning the government of Zimbabwe.

Finally, Mr. Ban addressed climate change.  He stressed that work towards improving the climate change crisis will greatly assist the UN's other two goals of food security and improved development in Africa. (Listen to audio.) Although there were no consensus agreements on short-term and mid-term reductions in carbon emissions, the Secretary-General was pleased at progress made by G8 nations.

All audio segments streaming and download below.

Video Report by Dan Patterson recorded after the Secretary-General's press conference:

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Fresh Attacks in Darfur on UN-AU Peacekeepers

Details are emerging of a fresh attack in North Darfur on a United Nations - African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) .   The ambush happened between the villages of Gusa Jamat and Wadah (see map below) at 2:45 local time and killed approximately seven peacekeepers, and wounded another 22 more.  The United Nations is reporting that "heavy weapons" were used, and that the scurmish lasted approxmately two hours.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attacks, and called for local and national actors to be mindful of previous commitments to the on-going peace process.  Mr. Ban also issued his condolences to the family members affected by the attack.


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Audio: A statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General regarding the attacks on UNAMID forces in North Darfur. Download. (1:33)
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UN Security Council Members Speak On Zimbabwe

Members of the United Nations Security Council spoke today regarding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The audio is linked below.

Current Security Council President, United States Ambassador Zalmay Kahlilzad described the current climate of Security Council discussion.  Ambassador Kahlizad also explained the difficulties, from a US perspective, of a consensus decision within the Security Council.  He described the need for both a carrot and a stick when dealing with current Zimbabwe President Mugabe.  Kahlilzad added that "we need to add pressure" to the current government.

The Permanent Representative from the United Kingdom, John Sawyers, discussed the range of views within the Security Council.  He emphasized, however, that there is a "widespread view that the Council cannot do nothing."

South African Permanent Representative Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo discussed how he cannot imagine sanctions as an effective stick when dealing with the brutality of Mugabe.  Representative Kumalo also explained that while the international community may see the Zimbabwe crisis as a threat to regional and gloal stability, the African Union disagrees.  The AU, according the Representative Kumalo, is affraid of an over-exertion of Security Council power.
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Radhika Coomaraswamy on Africa Children and Armed Conflict

Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, discusses her recent mission to Chad and the Central African Republic. Ms. Coomaraswamy's mission was to meet and work with the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic, as well as UN agencies and non-state actors to discuss the status of children in armed conflict. Ms. Coomaraswamy was pleased to report that Chad will release all children in detention, provide the United Nations with a list of names, and work to reintegrate them into their communities. (2:09)
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UN Security Council Headed to Africa, Including Somalia and Sudan

The United Nations Security Council will go to five nations in Africa, including Sudan and Somalia, over the next week. The press was briefed today about the pending trip by Ambassador Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso; Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France; Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa; and Ambassador John Sawers of the United Kingdom.

In Somalia, the Security Council will meet with the current government - including the President and Prime Minister, opposition parties, diplomatic community, and "civil society." Ambassador Kumalo indicated that "all the major players will be there," and that this is a "great opportunity for the Somalis."

Regarding the Sudan leg of the trip, the panel indicated that the Security Council will visit Khartoum in the North, as well as Juba and President Salva Kiir in the South. The Sudan leg will focus heavily on Darfur, as well as the progress made by the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Mr. Sawyers stated that it is "clear that UNAMID is building up it's capability," but that "there is more to be done."
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Mia Farrow on Darfur

Actress Mia Farrow gave remarks on Darfur to the press during a conference call today.  Farrow highlighted the now five-year-long genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, as well as the United Nations Security Council's upcoming trip to Sudan.  Farrow also discussed how the upcoming Olympic games in China can be used to raise awareness of the role the Chinese government plays in Darfur.  (7:20)
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