20 March 1998
[EXCERPTS] UNITED NATIONS REPORT, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1998
-- Head of UN special group inspecting Iraqi presidential sites announces names of participating diplomats. "A WORLD OF NEWS FROM THE WORLD ORGANIZATION" Daily Highlights Thursday, 19 March 1998 This daily news round-up is prepared by the Central News Section of the Office of Communications and of Public Information at the United Nations. ........... -- -- -- Jayantha Dhanapala, the head of a United Nations group designated to inspect Iraqi presidential palaces, has announced the names of a number of participating diplomats. The group was set up under the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Iraq to inspect eight presidential sites. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Thursday, Mr. Dhanapala said he had received assurances from the Iraqi authorities that they would cooperate with inspectors and fully comply with the Memorandum. In order to begin implementing the Memorandum, Mr. Dhanapala had invited 60 countries to appoint two diplomats, preferably Arabic- speaking, who were familiar with the region and could leave on short notice. Twenty-eight countries submitted names, of which 20 diplomats had been alerted that they should report to Baghdad by early next week. The diplomats invited to participate in the initial round of visits to presidential sites are Cui Tiankai of China; Marcel Laugel of France; A. Kalugin of the Russian Federation; Simon Collis of the United Kingdom; Ryan Crocker of the United States; Josep Papp of Hungary; Gheoghe Tarlescu of Romania; Pietro Cordone of Italy; Saeed Saad of Sudan; E. Portella of Brazil; Babou Ousman Jobe of the Gambia; Alfred M. Moussotsi of Gabon; Roberto Garcia Moritan of Argentina; Michael Bell of Canada; Horst Holthoff of Germany; Andrej Zlebnik of Slovenia; Kim Woon-Nam of the Republic of Korea; Johan Nordenfelt of Sweden; Antonio Monteiro of Portugal; and a diplomat from Japan. -- -- -- -- -- -- The World Food Programme (WFP) has conducted a survey to assess the nutritional status of children and women in Iraq. The Spokesman of the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Coordination in Iraq, Eric Falt, said on Thursday that fifteen WFP international observers participated in the survey from 14 to 16 March. The Nutrition Assessment Survey, which coincided with the national polio vaccination campaign, was jointly organised by the United Nations Children's Fund and the Ministry of Health. Mr. Falt said that on average, the weight and height of 60 children under five were taken everyday in 87 health centres. That meant that the random sample of the survey was more than 15,000 children. In addition, the mothers with children under two years of age were also weighed to find out their own nutritional status. "It has long been thought that a large proportion of nursing mothers are under-nourished and/or anaemic" the Spokesman added. The result of the survey, which is expected to be published in April, will indicate the number and status of children suffering from malnutrition. It will also provide information on the nutritional status of nursing mothers, said Mr. Falt. -- -- --
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