UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) organized a panel of Israeli and Palestinian women rights activists through the membership of the International Women’s Commission. The International Women’s Commission is a global organization that fights for a just and sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine. The panel of women activists and experts will meet with the Security Council today to promote United Nations Resolution 1325, on women’s peace and security. Women have long held a strong role in conflict resolution and the panel of women from several prominent activist organizations based in the region will ask the Security Council to 1) put on the agenda of the monthly briefings the progress of women’s issues, 2) organize a thematic mission and visit women’s programs to see what women are doing in the region, 3) establish a monitoring mechanism for stability with the guidance of UNIFEM and UN organizations underscoring the experiences of women in both the Israeli and Palestinian territories.

Talk Radio News Service Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Ann Veneman, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). They speak about the biggest fundraising period for the fund, Trick or Treat for UNICEF, the goals of the fund, and the work in education, healthcare and feeding that the program does in Sudan and other underdeveloped places in the world. (4:39)

 

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Friends of Pakistanand United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice discuss the Bhutto Doctrine.  “People of Pakistan can rest assured that democracy does work and it is working”, the organization stated that the doctrine will delegate authority and allow for “regional ownership to the problems that Pakistan is having.”

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Secretary Rice added that the doctrine will help the region “more towards a more stable and prosperous Pakistan.”

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<a href=http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20080926RiceandFriendsofPakistanatGA.mp3>Listen to Audio File</a>

 

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Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, discusses strategies for reducing pollution and environmental waste in relation to the Millennium Development Goals.

“When we talk about the green economy,” Steiner said, “it’s not necessarily a mathametic definition we’re kooking at.” He when on to say that in the UN’s analysis, UNEP looks at “where are, in our economy, sectors emerging, jobs being created, investments being mobilized … and essentially restructuring our economy?”

Listen to Audio File (5:18)

 

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In contrast to US president George Bush’s failure to conduct a press encounter at this week’s United Nations General Assembly, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took questions from the media during an hour-long press conference yesterday at UN headquarters in New York.

During the conversation, which was at times confrontational, Ahmadinejad retained a sense of relaxed composure. Though he skirted issues such as detention of dissidents, media transparency, and nuclear threats to Israel, Ahmadinejad was willing to engage on multiple, controversial topics.

Ahmadinejad spoke of his country’s willingness to allow IAEA inspectors in to Iran, and denied the possibility that Iran would preemptively attack Israel, stating that “[the world] is entering a post-nuclear” era. The president also discussed his willingness to cooperate with the Iraqi government, cautioned the West about it’s excursion in Afghanistan, and warned of the hazards of continued violence in the Middle East.

Listen to Audio File (5:06), via translation

Listen to Entire Press Conference (59:10), via translation

 

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Israeli president Shimon Peres discusses the distraction of Iran, as well as Israel’s goals in relation to the General Assembly: peace, poverty, and handling the dangers of environment. “Our enemies are not the Iranians but [the Iranian] system of government is the enemy of everyone,” Peres said. Israel would not capitulate to “sensational and empty speeches.”

Listen to Audio File – (3:22)

 

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President George Bush at the UN General Assembly today stated that success in the developing world will come from the UN member states fulfilling promises made, and that “people in the developing world have the capacity to improve their own lives.”

On the importance of eliminating terrorism, the president said “the extremists find their most fertile recruiting grounds in societies trapped in chaos and despair … places where people see no prospect of a better life.”

“Success of these efforts must be measured by more than intentions, they must be measured by results”

Listen to Audio File (2:17) – Bush at the UN: Results Needed

 

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George Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the importance of confronting terrorism: “We must work closely to keep terrorist attacks from happening in the first place,” the president said, “we must actively challenge the conditions of tyranny and despair that allow terror and extremists to thrive”

Listen to Audio File (0:41) – Bush at the UN: Nations Must Continually Confront Terror

 

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United States president George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly this morning. Bush discussed the importance of “advancing the vision of freedom,” assisting developing nations, and sharing common goals.

Bush discussed the importance of pursuing those who spread terror. “We must not relent until our people are safe,” the president stated.

Listen to Audio File (3:04) – Bush on the UN’s Role in Fighting Terrorism at the General Assembly

 

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Miguel d’Escoto of Nicaragua, President of the 63rd session, opens the General Assembly with statements on African development needs.

Improving conditions in Africa “does not require new commitments,” but rather that [UN member states] remember commitments already made, the President said, “it is time to move from promises to concrete action.”

GA President d’Escoto Opening Remarks (2:44) – translation

GA President d’Escoto on UN Promise to Africa (1:22) – translation

 

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