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