UN’s Ban Ki-moon says interfaith meeting will help improve religious divides in the Middle East

The Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, met with reporters today to review the month’s key activities and concerns of the Organization. There will be an Interfaith “Culture of Peace” meeting tomorrow and Thursday–to help promote and fight religious extremism, racism and hatred. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has brought this initiative to the UN.

The SG met with Abdullah and commended his country on the initiative. The objectives of the meeting are to converge the differences of opinion on interfaith groups within their countries and on their borders. There will be a number of bi-laterals attending tomorrow. The SG stated: “A number of initiatives have been made to a number of countries.  I sincerely hope this will be a very good start–and at the end of the meeting there will be a joint statement made by all parties involved.” The SG also discussed the Arab Peace Initiative with the King–as a cornerstone of the middle east peace process and said he counted on Abdullah’s leadership. “I hope that through meetings of high level dialogue, the whole world will be able to live in a society of tolerance and peace. We have to stop the demolition of houses and this interfaith meeting is quite encouraging. To see that at this social diplomatic gathering, leaders from the region will be able to provide further understanding by sitting down together.The goal remains clear to all–a two state solution and work of the Palestinian government to improve action on road map commitments including housing concerns. There are ongoing distressing situations in Gaza and civilians there should be insured access to humanitarian workers.”

There was some criticism by reporters that Saudi Arabia has a lot of its own internal injustices to face in regards to religious and human rights and questioned why the King was leading the initiative. The SG responded by stating this a step in many that he hoped several other member states from the region would sign onto.

The Global financial crisis continues to be at the forefront of concerns. This Saturday, the Secretary-General will attend a meeting with financial leaders in Washington DC with key messages in mind—we must alleviate the impact of the crisis on the worlds poorest- the sums being spent to mitigate the crisis are vastly higher than total amount for ODA (Overseas Development Assistance), and climate change should also be addressed through the theme of promoting “green” growth.

In Eastern Congo, the SG traveled to the Great Lakes region last week at attend the Nairobi summit calling on all armed groups in North Kivu to issue an immediate ceasefire. The heads of states touched on most relevant aspects of the situation. He stated “Everyone involved has a better sense of what needs to be done and the southern African leaders decision to provide immediate military and humanitarian aid is very helpful. We must stabilize the situation on the ground.”

At least 100,000 civilians are being cut off from food aid and assistance. Their situation has grown increasingly desperate. Sporadic fighting continues as does the targeting of civilians, looting, recruitment of child soldiers at schools and rape.

Afghanistan air strikes continue and civilian casualties have caused great alarm from the international community. There is an on-going necessity in protecting civilians–and UN emergency officials are now strengthening military and civilian coordination.

Later this month, the SG will travel to Doha to address financing for development. He explained the need for global solidarity is more important “than ever”  and “in crisis lies opportunity.”

When asked how would the SG compare and contrast relations with Bush and Obama? He stated” “As a matter of principle, the UN does not take a stand on individual member states’ domestic affairs. UN staff being “intergovernmental” do not take a stand as a matter of principle.  Nevertheless, he said the UN and US have shared responsibilities.  “Particularly, the US is one of the founding members and the world’s leading countries”  The SG plans to meet with President Bush and Ms. Rice before the end of their administration.

 

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