United Nations
Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy issued a call for the United Nations to play a greater role in maintaining peace in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are set to withdraw by July. Levy made the invitation during a visit to the United Nations, where he met with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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US and British governments agreed to provide limited assistance to the struggling UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone, where rebels are holding over 500 UN soldiers hostage and continuing to kill civilians. Despite appeals from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Clinton administration has offered only to transport 700 Bangladeshi
United Nations
The United States has been proclaiming its intention to become more involved in Africa's fate for over a year, with tangible signs including the deployment of a 11,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone and a $70 million contribution from the U.S. government. However, the
United Nations
Tensions in West Africa's Sierra Leone escalated as rebels captured at least 92 United Nations peacekeepers, sparking a humanitarian crisis. The latest number is a sharp increase from the initial 49 reported on Wednesday. Three battalions of peacekeepers, totaling 2,000, are scheduled to arrive in Sierra Leone
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The 63-page report, submitted by Secretary-General Annan, highlights the dire state of Iraq's oil industry under UN trade sanctions, warning that continued deterioration will jeopardize UN relief operations. Low oil prices, bureaucratic delays, and blocked contracts have undermined efforts to improve life for 22 million Iraqis living under
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Iraq has sold more than $20 billion worth of oil under a restricted sales program to meet its citizens' most urgent needs since December 1996, with an additional $13 billion raised in recent months. The influx of funds has enabled Iraq to meet essential needs, including food, medicines, and
United Nations
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in Bangkok, pledging to negotiate with Burma to lessen the refugee burden on Thailand. Annan expressed interest in the plight of 100,000 ethnic Karen refugees currently sheltered in Thai camps near the Burmese border. The meeting follows
United Nations
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced a seamless transition in East Timor to UNTAET, a welcome development in the region. Meanwhile, in Kosovo, U.S. and German peacekeeping forces faced protests from Serbs searching for weapons. In Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial was postponed, and in the Philippines,
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, one day after President Abdurrahman Wahid suspended former military chief Wiranto over his alleged involvement in atrocities in East Timor. Annan welcomed Wahid's move but stated that a global tribunal to try those responsible for the violence in East
United Nations
Philippine President Joseph Estrada received a visit from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who expressed his gratitude for the Philippines' active efforts in helping East Timor rebuild its economy. Annan thanked President Estrada for promising help for East Timor leaders Jose Ramos-Horta and Xanana Gusmao, and for hosting them
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The United Nations' oil-for-food program, intended to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, has only managed to meet 66 percent of their actual needs, according to Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammad Mehdi Salah. This shortfall is due in part to delays in approving contracts under the program, which allows
United Nations
Jordanian King Abdullah Bin Hussein arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on December 26 to perform Umra and engage in talks with King Fahd Ibn Abdul-Aziz on key regional issues. The discussions, set to center around enhancing bilateral cooperation and the Middle East peace process, particularly the Syrian-Israeli negotiations,
