News from the United Nations 4.3.08

Seven members of the United Nations mission in Nepal were killed in a helicopter crash. The UN workers were on a fact-finding mission investigating groups of Maoist rebels.  The group included four arms monitors, and three UN workers from the Nepal mission.  Three crew members were also killed.  The Secretary-General issued condolences to family members of the deceased.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan over the weekend.  Mr. Annan briefed Mr. Ban on the violence, and tentative truce, in Kenya.

The Security Council, in meetings through the weekend, voted in favor of more sanctions on Iran if Iran does not comply with IAEA regulations.  The sanctions would stiffen inspections of cargo going in to and out of Iran.

The General Assembly is expected to issue draft text of a resolution on terrorism soon.  The document, A-57-37, is the result of an adhoc committee convened with the intent to define terrorism.  The report is not a final definition, and must be voted on by members of the General Assembly before it is to take effect.

United Nations News 30.1.08

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will address the African Union Summit tomorrow. The Secretary General's agenda includes:
- Encouraging increased dialog between all parties in the Sudan, including tribal groups
- Increased discussion between North and South Sudan
- Talks with the government of Chad on potential assistance of the Sudanese humanitarian crisis
- Beginning a comprehensive peace agreement between all parties in Sudan
- The deterioration of the Kenyan government
- Continued deployment of the African Union

The government of Columbia ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, bringing the number of nations involved to 144. The United States ratified the treaty in 1996.

B. Lynn Pascoe, United Nations Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, issued a statement supporting Egypts attempts to work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Gaza, as well as it's efforts to provide humanitarian aide to Palestinians. As of Tuesday, border crossings with Israel remained closed. The UN reports that over 77 rockets and mortar have been fired into Israel by Gaza insurgents.

The Security Council will vote on Wednesday to extend the United Nations' mission in to Ethiopia.

United Nations Special Envoy to Nepal, Ian Martin, condemned bomb attacks in Nepal. He stated that violence and intimidation has no place in a country making a democratic transition.

- Dan Patterson