Europe

In step forward, Kosovo Government takes over minority transportation from UN

31 August 2006
In a step forward towards fulfilling international goals for Kosovo, which the United Nations has administered since 1999, the world body has turned over responsibility for transportation services for minorities to the local Government.

UN Tribunal fines Croatian journalist for publishing confidential material

30 August 2006
The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has found a Croatian journalist guilty of contempt for publishing closed session transcripts and part of a witness statement.

Kosovo: UN official condemns grenade attack in Mitrovica

27 August 2006
A senior United Nations official in Kosovo has strongly condemned Saturday night's grenade attack in North Mitrovica, where nine civilians were injured when an explosive device was thrown at a local café bar.
FAO calls for improved efforts

Bird flu a threat to southern Balkans, Caucasus region, warns UN agency

21 August 2006
Despite successful efforts to contain the spread of the deadly H5N1 virus, avian flu poses a threat to a growing number of countries, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which says the Caucasus and southern Balkans are now considered “high-risk” areas.
UN aid in Lebanon

UN aid official calls for lifting of blockade on Lebanon to allow more assistance

18 August 2006
Israel’s continuing naval and air blockade of Lebanon should be lifted immediately to allow urgent assistance to reach the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who are returning to their homes, the United Nations deputy head of emergency relief said today, while also warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance from the conflict.

With UN support, construction of new housing units begins in Serbia

17 August 2006
Top government and civil society leaders have formally laid the first foundations of new homes under a housing and social integration programme for tens of thousands of war refugees and other vulnerable people in Serbia being supported by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).
UNHCR chief António Guterres

UN High Commissioner for Refugees starts trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia

15 August 2006
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today started a six-day visit to the southern Caucasus, an area that is host to over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

New head of UN Kosovo mission optimistic about a status settlement

15 August 2006
In his first public comments since being named Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative in Kosovo yesterday, the new envoy said he expects to be the last person to hold that position because he believes a resolution of the province’s final political status can soon be reached.

Annan hails 150th anniversary of demilitarization of Åland Islands

14 August 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has hailed the 150th anniversary of the Åland Islands, saying that the international community’s ability to avert a war between Finland and Sweden over the territory stands as a useful example of conflict resolution that should inspire approaches to current situations.

German official serving with UN Kosovo mission promoted to top post

14 August 2006
The Secretary-General has informed the Security Council of his plans to appoint Ambassador Joachim Rücker from Germany as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), effective 1 September.