News from the United Nations 7.4.08

News from the UN 7.4.08

The United Nations has reported that over the weekend a French cruise ship was attacked by pirates off the Somali coast. Aboard the ship are approximately 22 French citizens, and 10 Ukrainians. The French are believed to have deployed a small, elite military group to conduct reconnaissance and rescue.

Though the UN says that such attacks are rare, the raid follows several months of attacks on various sea vessels in the region. While the motive for the attack remains unconfirmed, sources within the UN have speculated that the attack may be retribution the French offer to protect UN ships late last year.

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A report issued by the World Health Organization in Geneva titled ‘Climate Change Will Erode the Foundations of Health’ sates that “climate-sensitive impacts of human health are occuring today … [they] are providing a glimpse of the challenges public health will have to confront on a large scale.” Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, stated that though planetary warming is gradual, the extreme effects of global warming – storms, drought – will be “abrupt” and “extreme.”

The World Heath Organization is supporting research to assess the harmful effects of climate change.

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In a statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, the SG has called for a speedy resolution to the ongoing electoral conflict in Zimbabwe. The SG encourages transparency, responsibility, restraint, and calm as the matter resolves itself. Current law requires a run-off election if results are not determined within three weeks of the election.

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At the NATO summit, United States President George W. Bush stated that US troop numbers in Afghanistan will increase next year regardless as to what happens in Iraq. The US also urged the Afghan government to crack down on the growing drug trade.