WORLD NEWS & EVENTS

UN: Conference to Negotiate Legally Binding Treaty Aimed at Banning Nuclear Weapons Considers Newly Revised Draft Set for Approval by Capitals

The Conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument with a view to prohibiting nuclear weapons resumed today, considering a newly revised draft treaty due to be sent to capitals for final approval.
Conference President Elayne Whyte Gómez (Costa Rica) said delegates had made significant progress on the revised draft over the past few days, reflecting the moral imperative to rid the world of nuclear weapons.  Noting that the negotiations had resulted in more points of convergence than differences, she said the draft instrument reflected the will of countries, as well as their wish to see the major nuclear-weapon States join the instrument.
“Nuclear disarmament is a long-term commitment,” she emphasized, adding that to reach that goal, delegates had sought to negotiate a treaty that would stand the test of time.  Part of that process entailed a complex quest for realistic provisions that would establish the existing political will in the form of a legal standard while remaining sufficiently flexible in adapting to possible future changes.  The revised draft instrument, available on the Conference’s website at www.un.org/disarmament/ptnw/index.html, contained revised articles and developed in greater detail the steps needed to dismantle nuclear-weapon programmes, the President added.
According to the revised indicative timetable, the Conference would hold plenary meetings on 5 and 6 July to address lingering procedural matters.  On 7 July, the Conference would consider the report of the Credentials Committee, take action on the draft instrument and adopt its procedural report.  (See Press Release DC/3718.)
As several speakers raised points of order, South Africa’s representative said every effort must be made to meet the deadline.
Algeria’s representative, concerned that the one-day turnaround time was not enough for Member States to approve the draft instrument, expressed support for the statement by his counterpart from South Africa.
Cuba’s representative emphasized that, with less than 72 hours left to conclude the treaty, now was the time to adopt the draft instrument, taking the positions of all delegations into account.
Also speaking were representatives of Austria and Chile.
The Conference will reconvene at 10 a.m. on 5 July to continue its work.
UN press release issued July 3rd
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/dc3719.doc.htm

Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Removes Three Entries From Its Sanctions List

On 3 July 2017, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities removed the names below from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.

Therefore, the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) no longer apply to the names set out below.

A.    Individuals associated with ISIL (Da-esh) and Al-Qaida

QDi.168 Name: 1: AHMAD 2: ZERFAOUI 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): احمد زرفاوي
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 15 Jul. 1963 POB: Chréa, Algeria Good quality a.k.a.: a) Abdullah b) Abdalla c) Smail d) Abu Khaoula e) Abu Cholder f) Nuhr Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Algeria Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 3 May 2004 (amended on 12 Apr. 2006, 7 Apr. 2008, 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Former member of The Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (QDe.014).  Confirmed to have died in northern Mali on 19 Sep. 2006.  Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 27 Jul. 2010.  INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: www.interpol.int/en/notice/search/un/4485781

QDi.169 Name: 1: DHOU 2: EL-AICH 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): ذو العيش
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 5 Aug. 1964 POB: Blida, Algeria Good quality a.k.a.: Abdel Hak Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Algeria Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 3 May 2004 (amended on 12 Apr. 2006, 7 Apr. 2008, 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Confirmed to have died in Chad on 8 Mar. 2004.  Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 27 Jul. 2010.  INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: www.interpol.int/en/notice/search/un/4474176

QDi.170 Name: 1: HACENE 2: ALLANE 3: na 4: na
Name (original script): حسن علاني
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 17 Jan. 1941 POB: Médéa, Algeria Good quality a.k.a.: a) Hassan the Old b) Al Sheikh Abdelhay c) Boulahia d) Abu al-Foutouh e) Cheib Ahcéne Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Algeria Passport no: na National identification no: na Address: na Listed on: 3 May 2004 (amended on 12 Apr. 2006, 7 Apr. 2008, 13 Dec. 2011) Other information: Confirmed to have died on 16 Apr. 2004 in northern Niger.  Review pursuant to Security Council resolution 1822 (2008) was concluded on 27 Jul. 2010. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: www.interpol.int/en/notice/search/un/1423686
The names of individuals and entities removed from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List pursuant to a decision by the Committee may be found in the “Press Releases” section on the Committee's website.  Other information about the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List may be found on the Committee's website at: www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/procedures-for-delisting.
The ISIL (Da’esh)and Al-Qaida Sanctions List is updated regularly on the basis of relevant information provided by Member States and international and regional organizations.  The List is accessible on the Committee’s website at the following URL:  www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list.
The Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List is also updated following all changes made to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.  An updated version of the Consolidated List is accessible via the following URL: www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/un-sc-consolidated-list.
UN press release issued July 3rd
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12901.doc.htm



NEWS NOTEBOOK

The worst July 4 that George Washington ever had — and how it led to a new nation (WP)
Soon after Gen. George Washington learned of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, he wrote a letter to an old friend. He described how his poorly trained Continental Army was already surrounded by the British military. And he said he’d been thinking of the anniversary “of the escape we had” with “grateful remembrance.”


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