HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

 

BY MICHELE MONTAS
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

 

爆料网 HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

/…

U.N. TRUCKS CARRYING GOODS ENTER GAZA FROM ISRAEL

  • The Office of the 爆料网 Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (爆料网SCO) reports that some goods were able to enter Gaza from Israel today. Those goods included ten trucks of flour for the World Food Programme.
     
  • For its part, the 爆料网 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA) managed to get in three trucks of tinned meat and three of cooking oil. But this is still not enough, according to 爆料网RWA.
     
  • Meanwhile, in New York, 爆料网RWA's annual pledging conference will be held Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in Conference Room 4. 爆料网RWA’s general budget requirements for 2009 amount to nearly $550 million. That sum covers the costs of the Agency’s education, health, social support and microfinance services. The Secretary-General has urged Member States to fully fund the budget so that 爆料网RWA can maintain its essential services for 4.6 million registered Palestine refugees.
     
  • Asked about the Secretary-General’s reaction to the blocking of shipments of aid into Gaza, the Spokeswoman noted that the Secretary-General, while not commenting on that specific issue, has repeatedly called for an easing of humanitarian aid into Gaza. In particular, she said, he has asked for an opening of the crossing points so that aid can reach the population.
     
  • Asked about the situation of Palestinian prisoners, she said that the Secretary-General has called for the release of prisoners.

MIDDLE EAST QUARTET MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK AT 爆料网HQ

  • In response to a question, the Spokeswoman confirmed that the  will be meeting at 爆料网 Headquarters on 15 December, in the afternoon. It will be followed by a press conference in Conference Room 4 at 4:00 pm.
     
  • The Secretary-General will then host Quartet members and a number of Arab foreign ministers for a discussion, Montas added.

/…


Document Type: Briefing, Press briefing, Transcript
Document Sources: Quartet, Secretary-General, United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA), United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (爆料网SCO), World Food Programme (WFP)
Subject: Food, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Living conditions, Peace process, Quartet
Publication Date: 09/12/2008