Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights,
the show about the government, policy and human rights. All right, welcome
back to Policy and Writes Here Depictions Media Radio. I'm your host, Michael
Kloks. We're gonna hear from the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Blair
and also Finance Minister Freeland as they're talking about new defense measures and budgets for
the Canadian forces. They will be reporting from a famous Canadian base in Ottawa
or Ontario, should I say. We're also gonna hear from the UN Press
floor as oncoming things. Of course, still with the efforts in Ukraine between
Ukraine and Russia, you've probably heard something about the there was a nuclear power
plant struck uh as one of the newer developments in the fighting that is actually
going on. We're going to hear from the UN Press for of course,
about Gaza, Iran and other issues around the world that are happening and should
be addressed with humanitarian efforts as well as peaceful efforts to try to bring more
peace and trust to our world. So, but let's some some other updates
here in Gaza. Israel has withdrawn its forces from Coniunis in southern Gaza at
their months of intense fighting, leaving much of the city in ruins, but
the Israeli troops far from stopping operations on the enclave, the military chief of
staff said. Israeli's Defense minister emphasized that troops will be prepared for new missions,
including Rafa, where about one point five million Palestinians are sheltering, and
there's also been talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo. They're hoping for significant
progress to yield from the talks, and the Egyptian State reported the negotiations aim
to achieve a cease fire and hostage release. In Ukraine, Ukrainian resident Zelensky
said his country will lose the war with Russia if the US doesn't supply more
aid. Zelensky, in a video conference on Sunday, pleated for more munitions
and warned that other states will be attacked if Ukraine is unable to sustain resistance.
Meanwhile, the zappor Hesia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, of course,
was damaged by a drone attack, and the International Atomic Energy Agency called
the strike a serious incident with potential to undermine the integrity of the reactor's containment
system, but the also did stress that the damage did not compromise NiCoT or
safety. In US Congress, the House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a luminic threat
to his speakership and mounting pressure to decide whether he will finally move ahead on
aid to Ukraine. Last week, the Republican representative Marjorie Green bluntly warm Johnson
that moving ahead with a package for Ukraine would be one of the most gregarious
things he could do, and the threat to force the House vote seeking his
ulster. The issue for Johnson remains that to aid to Ukraine will lead a
large number of Democratic votes, including from law makers aiming to include funding from
Israel in the package. Congress will confront a series of other major issues in
the coming week, including impeachment, a battle against Homeland Security Secretary Alexandro ma
Correz, and recovery efforts of the collapse Baltimore Bridge. The French just got
key and finally in Houston, Aboeing seven point thirty seven to eight hundred plane
operated by the Southwest Airlines return to safety to remember after losing an engine cover.
The FAA said they will investigate and which occurred during the incident occurred while
while takeoff. So this has been a string of mechanical issues that have been
plaguing the Boeing aircraft many different parts of the country. A lot of Boeing
incidents happening. So why don't we move forward and listen to what Justin Trudeau
and his Defense minister and Finance minister have to say about funding for Canadian defense
and Canadian forces as they continue to try to do their job around the world.
Twit Good morning everyone. It's wonderful to be here with all of you
at c f B Trenton, alongside my colleagues, the Prime Minister, Deputy
Prime Minister Freeland, Minister Blair, and of course General Air and Chief Exavier
are CIF Commander Lieutenant General Kenny and eight Wing Commander Colonel James Laspendonner j mekadeg
Vupali de nouvelle messio e Canadien de lasombs pei in prix ugeldui no pondo obizois
duprizan s didlavnier e la. As we invest in the future, we will
be there to support the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I'd like to
first of all thank the members of c A of the Royal of the c
AF here today for their service and commitment to Canada. Today's announcement is as
much about you as it is about ensuring that we have the tools that you
need to succeed. And now it is my pleasure to well come the Prime
Minister to the podium, Mister tremminez Avoula paroil Merciegenette for lent reductionist tressue de
Compagni de la vis Premier minist Christia Freeland, a ministre la de franse Ville
Blair USSI. I want to thank General Wayne Air and the members of eight
Wing and other cathemers at c f B Trenton for having us here today with
them. This Canadian Forces Base where we are today, c f B Trenton
was established in the time of peace between the First and Second World Wars.
It was farmland became an air base for the Royal Canadian Air Force. It
opened nearly a century ago and during the Second World War it became the largest
training center and unit of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. My grandfather James
Sinclair would have come through Trenton when he was a member of the RCAA on
his way to serve in North Africa. During the Second World War, people
came here from far and wide to train and fly people who went off to
war, people who fought to defend what Canada stands for, freedom, justice,
fairness and peace. A lot of people who didn't come home. They
were a generation that made immense sacrifices. We their children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren could live in peace. Service to country and to Canadian values defines who
we are. We've always known that we're the best country in the world,
so we understand our obligation to do our part. It's what we did in
World War I and World War II, where names like Vimy Ridge, Dieppe
and Juno Beach became part of Canadian lore, and it's what we did in
the decades that followed. It's why Cap Young Hill in Korea, Camp Nathan
Smith in Candorhar and Campa Dazzi in Latvia are so meaningful. Grass courage,
the bata called the Natristois the Canada a Ugmontes spons Alacri de Suez pross on
Ireland, Juno Roquebut, Prison de m Randa in Tronmen. Canadians are connected
to the world, and we've always punched above our weight. Today we live
in an increasingly complex and challenging time, So now more than ever, the
world needs more Canada, and the world needs more Canadians. And whereas in
the entirety of the twentieth century we sent our people out to the front lines
across the world, we are now on the front lines of new and evolving
threats. Technological advances and cyber attacks mean there are myriad ways for engagement that
go beyond traditional borders. Rising and disruptive powers like China and Russia mean NATO's
northern and western flank is the Canadian Arctic, and climate change is rapidly reshaping
Canada and reshaping are North Les Mambre de forts a rican a Jenson, depuell
priceu van Avon, while for it is Ragan Lglais, Polaire, Divos,
na guivat In, Vouin, na Vigabre, s pres exsibre Cetuto tremande Natristois.
The Northwest Passage could become the most efficient shipping route between Europe and Asia
by twenty fifty, that's just twenty six years away. Canadians are once again
called upon to meet the moment. Today we are announcing our next commitment to
our armed forces and to Canadians security. With the investments laid out in Our
North Strong and Free. It makes seventy three billion dollars worth of investments over
the next twenty years. Our North Strong and Free invests in new surveillance,
ca capabilities for land, sea, and air in the North. It leverages
Canada's world class technology, including in AI and quantum, so we can stay
ahead of the curve. It creates jobs, and importantly, it supports all
those of you who serve. This is about protecting our values, our sovereignty,
and our North. Indigenous peoples have long been in integral to Canada's identity
as a northern nation, but too often defense in the North has been entirely
separate from the people who've lived there for millennia. This must never again be
the case. Our investments in the North must serve both Canada's defense and the
well being and success of the Inuit, First Nations and Metis who've always been
its stewards. This is something I've heard directly from Inuit leadership and a crucial
piece of our work together to advance the Arctic and Northern Policy framework gis vous
presant de soissin pres Milia de da las Serventannuvre, la Vision Canada and mattiel
de defense conne applis norenald for relebre les portance strategic de la de monti a
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capacity down to nuvo material is only mam de Farsaradian, thevestism Conford trevestism substantial
con so no nucn the milk catars, the depens mna matir, the defense
Avi shuti as just u person the not prod enterior bread, the pidomel size
not for governorment mellow Canada's laban vo pocus defense depends a mature of the defense
A plus could double Avon thel vincisvestisman dog Martino contributional lot the modernis the reneforcil
Norada, quad presence down a region and the Pacific. And we are supporting
our friends in Ukraine as they push back against Putin Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion
is a direct attempt to fracture the foundations of democracy and our global rules based
order. It's an attempt to undermine the values and principles that previous generations fought
for, subsequent generations benefited from, and that we must secure for this generation
of Canadians and the next. This is why we are stepping up once again
to preserve and defend the rules based order that has allowed people around the world
to prosper for the better part of the last century. To stand up for
Canadian values like freedom, justice, fairness and peace, to keep Canada and
the world safer in a time of increasing difficulty. Now is the time to
do even more, and our government is answering the call with this investment.
Avant Ermine Gemri Madrisi directmn Uffamus de fort arme Canadian Lemonde chanche nenout Valdiann Chanchepin.
Every day you, as proud members of the Canadian Armed Forces, show
us what service to country, service to the values, ideals and people of
this country means. We need you. The world needs you to continue to
step up, and we will be there to give you the support and resources
and tools you need to match your courage and your convictions, Mercy Portusko Ruffette.
I will now turn it over to the Deputy Prime Minister, Christian good
morning today. It's worth reminding ourselves why Canada steps up, Why we devote
time and treasure to foreign policy and defense. Why we send Canadian soldiers,
sailors, aviators, diplomats, aid workers, intelligence officers, doctors, nurses,
medics and engineers into dangerous places even when Canadian soil is not directly at
risk. Force is of course always a last resort. Principled use of force,
together with our allies and governed by international law, is part of our
history and it must be part of our future. To have that capacity requires
a substantial investment which our government is making. Amentsre price les fort sermee canayen
cousissois or leturni u on novel coos en repondu a LaBelle de canayen e canayen
emetnan seer nore tour de fer norepar for nof arme. When I was in
Poland with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense in February, I had
the opportunity to meet members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are training members of
the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of Operation Unifier. They were amazing.
I was so moved and inspired by their dedication and their commitment to service,
to serving others and to serving Canada. Every day they are helping democracy triumph
over dictatorship. They are proud of their work, as we all should be.
So I want to take a moment to say to them, and to
all members of our Canadian armed forces, including the great people who are with
us here today, thank you Merciboku. We are here for you, just
as you are here for us every single day as a country. We are
so proud of you and we are tremendously grateful for your service. A une
book uh les bisuen a maquere de de France a de securite change les monts
pro denout forme duarve avoire, lessugi resource necessaireurite do Canada a sepopulacion. Canada's
national interest in investing in a capable, professional and robust military is clear.
If middle powers are not prepared to stand up for and, if necessary,
fight for peace and stability around the world, the rules of the game,
including international borders, will be left for the great powers to determine between themselves.
That would not be good for the world, and that most certainly not
be good for Canada and Canadians. We cannot be at the mercy of decisions
made without us in foreign capitals. We must be a strong and reliable partner
for our democratic allies. That is why we are making these necessary investments in
our military to place the Canadian Armed Forces on a stronger footing, with the
equipment, training and resources they need, with the equipment, training and resources
you need, and with the consistent, predictable funding needed to do difficult,
dangerous and absolutely essential work. Investing in our armed forces is an investment in
Canada's sovereignty, in our future prosperity. It is an investment in Canadians.
We are investing to protect democracy, freedom, peace and fairness for the next
generation of Canadians so they can enjoy the same security and prosperity that was bequeathed
to us by our parents and grandparents, often at a very very high price.
We owe young Canadians no less. Thank you, and over now to
our Minister of Defense, Thank you Christ. We'll take it. Thanks very
having. I don't think I'll need that. Good morning everyone, Monsieur de
Lemonde. One of the greatest responsibilities of every national government is to ensure the
security of their citizens, and for us, the responsibility to ensure the safety,
security and defensive Canada, for all Canadians is our primary rule. In
order to fulfill that role, we need people in uniform, We need partners,
and we need allies, and we need to invest significantly in our country's
defense. And over the past few years we have steadily increased our defense spending
through our twenty seventeen Defense policy Strong, Secure and Engaged, and our plan
to modernize nor D. But quite frankly, it has has been well articulated
by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. The world has changed and
continues to change, and we must do more. The changing threat environment is
one of the things that challenges most significantly. Climate change is disproportionately affecting our
Arctic, which is warming at four times the global average, and as the
polar ice cap melts, the Arctic is becoming more accessible and we are seeing
much greater Russian and Chinese activity in the region. Overseas, Russia is undermining
the international rules that has kept us all safe for nearly eighty years through its
illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and China is challenging these same rules in
the Indo Pacific, and at the same time, technology is rapidly changing,
with new missiles and other threats that have moving faster and are harder to detect.
And to meet this moment, we need to step up. We need
to invest more in our national defense, and today we are releasing our North
Strong and Free of renewed vision for Canada's defense. With the new investments that
we're announcing today, Canada will invest an additional eight point one billion dollars over
the next five years and approximately seventy three billion dollars over the next twenty years.
The investments, which will be in budget twenty twenty four, will bring
our defense spending to one point seventy six percent of GDP by twenty twenty nine
twenty thirty. This is a very significant and necessary step towards reaching our NATO
commitment of two percent of GDP, and by twenty thirty our government will have
almost tripled our defense budget from twenty fourteen fifteen. And through this policy,
we are committing to an ambitious program of investment that will leave Canadians safer and
more prosperous. Job number one is ensuring Canada's sovereignty here at home, specifically
in our Arctic and in our northern regions. And to get this done,
we are making a series of focused investments in the Arctic and for continental security,
and these will include a new fleet of earning early warning aircraft, a
new fleet of tactical helicopters, a network of infrastructure in the North, long
range missiles to deter threats to Canada, new maritime sensors and a satellite ground
station in the Arctic, and much more. There will be significant opportunities to
invest in multi use infrastructure that can support CALF operations and as at the same
time, contribute to the needs of territorial governments indigenous people in northern communities.
We will work with First Nations Meeting and Intuit in truth partnership and consultation,
and have the opportunity over the past few days to speak to all of our
northern premiers, the the leadership of the ITK and the AFN, and we
are absolutely committed to working collaboratively together to produce the best results for our northern
communities and for Canada's defense. We are also exploring options to renew and expand
our submarines with a new conventional fleet which will be capable of operating under the
ice. We're exploring options to protect our critical infrastructure with ground based air defenses.
And on top of this, we're also establishing a new cyber a CALF
Cyber Command to better integrate the CALF and Communications Security Establishment into a unifying team
to support Canadian interests. And I would point out that we have both the
Chief of Defense and the Chief of CSE here with us today, and as
we prioritize the defense of Canada, we are also investing in the capabilities that
we need to be a reliable NATO ally and to maintain a persistent presence in
the Indo Pacific. And this will include investments to extend the life of our
Class class our how investing nine point four billion dollars to build more artillery ammunition
in Canada, including a significant three hundred million dollar investment to help Canadian industry
tool up to create new production lines and to secure new supply chains. We
are exploring options with our industry to modernize our artillery weapons and to upgrade and
replace our tank and lab fleets. Defense policy is also industrial policy, and
today's announcement is intended to give our industry partners the certainty and clarity that they
have been very clear that they require to increase production and to support our troops.
Ramping up our production is vital because in fact, production is the turrets,
and it supports thousands of good jobs right across this country and to our
industry partners. We know that we need to do business differently, and that
is why we are launching a review of our defense procurement processes to get more
equipment delivered, faster and more efficiently for all Canadians. And as we proceed
with this work, we know that the world will continue to rapidly evolve and
to properly account for these changes. Were also committed to a regular cycle of
defense policy reviews and national security strategies every four years. And of course,
none of this work is possible without the extraordinary people who work in the Department
of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces, which is why we are going
to invest one hundred million dollars to improve childcare access for CALF members and an
additional three hundred million dollars to improve military housing. We will also be taking
measures to recruit and retain more members for the Canadian Armed Forces, including by
reforming some of our medical and security processes. And I want to provide all
of you with the assurances we will not compromise on the extraordinary and excellent standards
that you have always maintained. We just need to get more people in the
door, and to get more people in the uniforms faster. We will be
creating a number of innovations, including the introduction of a probationary period. We
need to attract and retain people from right across Canada and for them to feel
that they can make an extraordinary contribution and have an extraordinary career as members of
the Canadian military. Ultimately, this policy is about building a Canadian Armed Forces
ready to meet tomorrow's challenges, a military that's equipped to defend the Arctic and
to protect Canada's sovereignty from the new threats we are facing, and to fulfill
our obligations and to do our part to maintain Canada's place in keeping global peace.
This policy are North Strong and Free will give our troops the tools that
they need to defend Canada to preserve our values for which generations of Canadians have
fought before us. It will help Canada to defend the freedom and prosperity that
our parents have bequeathed to us, and it will ensure that the next generation
of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces members can count on a modern, reliable
tools to keep our country safe in a changing world. Thank you very much,
Bessie. Okay, before we move forward to the you and press floor,
Okay to arrest for meate in Nigeria after an Australian boy commits suicide.
The Australian police say the teenage victim had traded explicit energy images with a person
online before he began making threats and demanding money. After a global investigation,
the pair responsible for this work tracked down in Nigeria, where they will face
court. The police say this sextortion, particularly of young people, is dramatically
rising. Details of the boy's age and where he lived in South Wales,
Australia will not be released and the North House, Wales police described the alleged
extortions of the young males and they threatened to send the photos to the teenager's
friends and family if he did not pay them, which looks to be about
three hundred and thirty dollars, and that could be significant for a teenager and
moving forward. Elon Musk is under inquiry in Brazil. The Brazilian Supreme Court
judge has opened an inquiry into Musk. As a multi billion billionaire, said
he would reactivate accounts on social media platforms such as X formerly known as Twitter
that the judge ordered to be blocked must post it on the platform that the
re chitchens have been lifted because the court order was unconstitutional. He also called
for Justice Alexandra de Moores to resign or be impeached. If X fails to
comply with the order, they will be fined about nineteen thousand dollars a day
until they actually comply. In his decision, Justice Mores wrote that mister Musk
had launched a disinformation campaign against the Supreme Court, So why don't we listen
to what happened on the UN floor as other issues around the world have been
happening. You'll beat all right, good afternoon, happy Monday. That's a
such thing, A couple of programming notes for you. And I don't mean
to step on Monica's stones, but eleven o'clock President General Assembly will be here
to brief on sustainability week then at twelve thirty. Then I will have the
briefing at noon. At twelve thirty, the Deputy Secretary General I mean to
Mohammad will brief you on the Financing for Sustainable Development Report twenty twenty four.
The report is issued by the Secretary General's Interagency Task Force on Financing for Development,
the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and a whole host of
other agencies. So feel free to bring in some your lunch. As you
said, through three briefings tomorrow, you will have seen that. Over the
weekend we issued a statement in which the Secretary General said he's alarmed by the
forced entry of ecuador and security forces into the premises of the Embassy of Mexico
in Quito. In Ecuador. The Secretary General reaffirmed the cardinal principle of inviability
of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel, and he also emphasized that this principle
must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law. The Secretary General
also called for moderation and exhorted both governments to solve their differences through peaceful means.
And a quick update for you on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. First,
as you may have seen very late last week, our colleagues at OCHA
in the World Health Organization finally reached the Al Shifa Hospital after finally getting permissions
from the Israeli authorities to do so. Our colleagues OCHA reported that the hospital
had been destroyed and deserted. The World Health Organization said that shallow graves had
been dug just outside of the emergency department and other buildings. Also, a
new OCHA report which is currently online on access constraints in Gaza said that restrictions
and denials of planned aid movements by Israeli authorities continue to hamper the delivery of
life saving assistance. During the month of March, more than half of the
un coordinated food missions to high risk areas requiring coordination with Israeli authorities were either
denied or impeded. Meanwhile, there was just one primary route designated for access
by humanitarian workers between southern and northern Gaza, with only limited use of the
so called fence road on Gaza's eastern border. Thus far, despite these restrictions,
we and our partners continue to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and
wherever and whenever we can. Last week, seventeen health partners provided primary and
secondary health services to almost a quarter of a million people. The work is
also underway to expand medical service points between the western coastal areas of Rafa and
Darryl Bala. Meanwhile, several partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene provided
assistance to more than one hundred and thirty thousand people. Last week. They
distributed more than ten thousand cubic meters of clean water by truck and safely collected
and disposed of more than fifty two tons of solid waste. And in a
joint statement on the occasion of six months since the exchange of fire started across
the Blue Line, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Rowenka, and the
head of the UN Interim Force in Life been on unifil A, Lieutenant General
Aroldo Lazzaro, urgently appealed today to all sides to commit to a cessation of
hostilities under the framework of Security Council Resolution seventeen zero one and also to avail
of all avenues to avoid further escalation while there is still space for diplomacy.
Dozens of civilians have tragically lost their lives, while many more have lost their
homes and livelihoods. The statement said. Both officials underscored the importance of focusing
anew on the overarching objectives of a permanency, far and long term solution to
the conflict, saying that the United Nations stands ready to support such efforts.
And turning to Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the
emergency response in the capital continues despite ongoing in security. Since early March,
the World Food Program reached over five hundred thousand people, including for school feeding,
social protection and emergency activities across Haiti. It has also distributed some five
hundred thousand hot meals to over seventy six seventy six thousands internally displaced persons in
fifty seven sites in the Greater Porta Prince Metropolitan Area. Partners have also delivered
nearly four million leaders of drinking water to twenty nine displacement sites, benefiting more
than sixty thousand people. Also, UNICEF's Gender based Violence Response reach over four
thousand, five hundred people, including with psychosocial support and the dissemination of information
on risks and services to combat gender based violence in communities and sorry and for
its part, the UN Population Fund continues to provide services through two hot lines
for psycho Psycho excuse me for psychological support referral and case documentation. Also as
a reminder, the six and seventy four million dollar humanitarian response plan for eighty
is currently just under seven percent funded. And just to move to Ukraine,
I can tell you that the Secretary General shares with the International Atomic and Age
Monday is a difficult day. I can tell you that the Secretary General shares
the concern raised by Raphael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, regarding
the drone strikes that hit the side of Ukraine's Japparicia nuclear power plant. In
a statement released yesterday, mister Grossi said that this is a major escalation of
the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the nuclear power plant, adding that such
reckless attack significantly increase the risk of major nuclear incident and must cease immediately.
Also in Ukraine are Humanitarian Coordinator there Denise Brown condemned attacks that took place on
the fifth and sixth of April in the East and South of the country,
which impacted civilians and civilian infrastructure. Local authorities reported that dozens of civilian casualties
in the cities of Jepparitza and Kharkiv and their respected regions. Humanitarian organizations are
mobilized and provide hot meals, emergency repair materials and psychological support, complementing the
efforts of national and municipal organizations. Meanwhile, in the Donets region, attacks
on the fifth of April destroyed a facility run by the NGO Doctors without Borders
that took place in Pukorufsk in the do in the Donets region, and moving
on to South Udan where are peacekeepers there deployed at the temporary operating base in
Tambora in Western Equatoria Province, are intensifying the patrols in the area to protect
civilians in the area. The peacekeeping colleagues reported that these additional measures in view
of the recent escalations in intercommunal tensions and heightened insecurity in the area. The
mission also said that working with local authorities to support the population in resolving disputes
peacefully so they can continue going about their livelihoods without fear of displacement or violence
and turning to Southern Africa. In Zimbabwe are humanitarian colleagues say they are concerned
over the impact of drought on brought boy by al Nino, which last week
prompted the third country in the region, Zimbabwe, to declare state of emergency,
and that follows decisions taken by the Zambian and the governments of Malawi.
Authorities in Zimbabwe I say that more than two point seven million people in the
country are facing food insecurity as a result, despite the governments and the humanitarian
partner's investment in programs meant to head off the worst impacts of the drought.
The humanitarian community in Zimbabwe is also concerned that the scarcity and depletion of safe
order resources could lead to an uptick incommunable communicable diseases. We and our partners
stand ready to scale up life saving assistance in Zimbabwe but the need but we
need adequate funding to do so. A flash appeal for the humanitarian response to
the drought in the country is being finalized and will be launched soon. A
couple of senior personnel appartments to flag just to put on the record that on
Friday, the Secretary General appointed Julie Bishop of Australia as a Special Envoy on
Myanmar. She succeeds Noline Heiser Singapore, to whom the Secretary General is grateful
for her dedicated its service on that issue. Ms Bishop brings extensive political,
legal management and senior leadership experience to the role. She's held several high level
positions in the Australian government, including, as you will recall, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, and she is currently the Chancellor of Australia's National University. Also
today, the Development Coordination Office tells US that Secretary of journal is appointed Violette
Kakimoya of Uganda and Franco Jacob of France as Resident Coordinators in Burundi and Armenia
respectively. Now the host government has approved them. They start their new post
todaysk Moya brings more than twenty years of experience in development, peace building and
humanitarian programming. She was formerly the UN Resident Coordinator in Chad, Resident Coordinator
in Madagascar and served as Tree represented US for un FPA and Guinea Bissan Malawi.
Ms Jakov, for her part, brings over twenty years of experience in
humanitarian development work. She was previous previously the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia as
the UN and she also served as the UNUPS representative in Brussels and in South
Asia. Lastly, on Friday, we got some money, but we wanted
to save it for today. To test your knowledge. The planet Tatuine featured
in Star Wars franchise has scenes. What exactly we know? Yeah, you're
our only hope. Deji, thank you, that's soon. Keep that one,
Keep that one for next month. Uh. We want to thank our
friends in Tunis for their payment. That makes us takes us to ninety eight
states. We will hit the century mark for you cricket fans very soon.
I have a feeling you're cricket. Oh wait, he won Sorry Deshi,
I was gonna go to Anadik. Yeah but you yeah, we'll say,
we'll find you a cricket for for four days. Four days ago, Israeli
government decided that they are going to Rea to open the third border crossing areas
and to also increase the humanitarian aid delivery. Now it's been four days,
is there any update on the humanitarian delivery volumes or or point of entries.
Well, to our knowledge, no, No, eight trucks have passed through
the areas crossing. Yet at least U n coordinated or you went facilitated UH
trucks yesterday about uh on, what tells us that about one hundred and three
trucks entered the Gaza strip and that's sixty four via cream Shaloman already nine via
Rafa which has been I think roughly the same numbers as previously. So no
increase yet I don't none, at least through through errors. Thank you,
Steph. As you know today earlier today the Security Council revived the Palestinian application
for for you and membership. My question to you, I have two questions,
if you don't mind. The first question is does the Secretary General believe
that the State of Palestine meets the requirements an Article four? And then my
second question is does the Secretary General support the timeline? According to the President
of the Security Council, they're hoping to complete this process by end of this
month April. This process, as well as the judgment on the validity of
the membership, is strictly in the hands of the member states, and the
Secretary of General's no common to this point. Let's move on to Al Jaziabis.
Thank you, so more pictures and footage is coming out of a Schiffa
hospital. Last week you mentioned that who personnel we're able to visit. You
have an update on that and if they reported back on what they saw and
what the assessed on the ground. I mean, no more than what I
just reported to you, but that visibly, from what we've been told,
the situation is catastrophic, to say the least. Senior. Before then I
will go to the screen, Steph. More on the conflict on Mexico and
Ecuador. I've seen this statement, but today the Mexican Foreign Minister said that
she's sending a letter to the Scriptory General asking to act more than a statement,
and I send the issue to the humor Rest Council and the General Assembly.
Well, we will wait to see the letter from Missus Barsena and the
Secretary Journal will act upon it. And as always he is, you know,
should both uh, should both parties want it, He's always his good
offices as in anywhere are are available. But I think you saw from the
statement, I think his language was was very clear on the issue and the
need to protect embassy's diplomatic and consular premises in accordance with international law. Is
there a possibility that the UN acts against the the this unusual? Wellador,
listen, let's take a look at the letter. I think when you say
the UN acts, I think the question is which bit of the U n
A you referring to, whether one of the legislative bodies of the UN will
take action. I think we have to wait and see Margaret and then Stefano
and Julie Bishop on Myanmar. When will she start and where will she be
based? She will likely be based in Australias. This is not a full
time position. When she starts is not only a valley question from one I
should have asked myself to my colleagues. Uh Servakara Ratzep, thank you stephan
In. It is fair that Iran will target Israeli embassies around the world.
Has the Secretary General Guitaras spoken to the Iranians? Eze Guitarist worried that conflict
could across. As I've said a couple of times, the Secretary General spoke
to the Foreign Minister of Iran last week. We are very publicly concerned about
the risk of further escalation in the region. Mush Vik, thank you,
thank you, Stephny yes, sir, and I can see you. Yeah.
The Indian Foreign Minister has dismissed event calls by saying, I don't need
the event to tell me our elections should be free and fair. How do
you respond? I don't tend to. I don't tend to response to responses
of things that I've already that I've already said. So I'm not looking to
me. I'm just wondering if any member stage democratic rights have been challenged with
crackdown on opposition, attacks on media and minorities by the government, should not
that you were stand for this fundamental I think I said something very clear.
I'm not changing what I said. What I'm saying to you, I'm not
interested whether in many in cases as you know, I'm not interested in going
on a back and forth on having people comment on what I say, then
me commenting on what they said about my comments. So we stand by what
we said. Thank you, Miriam and then Linda, Thank you step On
the Special Envoy for Afghanistan. Is there any update? Is there any timeline
when the Second General is going to choose someone for the position? Uh?
Note the process is ongoing. As soon as there is a public update Miriam,
I hope to be able to share with you. Thank you, Linda,
thank you Steph. Regarding Iran, you mentioned that the SG had been
in contact last week. I was just wondering how how much discussion or how
prevalent is the discussion or meetings are they going on with the Iranian officials and
also what was the level of communication with the Iranian mission here in New York
between the Secretary and the Iranian missions just the top UN officials who deal with
Iran well, I mean, it depends on what issue. Just like any
other members state, we deal with the permanent missions here. Different departments deal
with in different entities in the UN deal with the governments depending on what they
wanted to talk about. I mean, on the Secretary General's you know,
has been in regular contact with the Iranian Foreign Minister. Whenever the Foreign Minister
comes to New York, he asks to see the Secretary in General. So
the contacts are continuing it at many different levels, Miss Sheer, I didn't
see anything over the weekend on the drone strikes on Zapparitia. Is the Secretary
General concerned about escalating tensions around Europe's largest nuclear plant with respect I think I
just expressed sorry, that's okay. That was almost a third item. I
read sorry so much. That's okay, that's okay. I can barely speak,
so I don't expect you to be able to listen fully. Abdelhahmid,
thank you, thank you for past and ja. After fairy eight years in
jail, he was supposed to be released in twenty twenty three, he was
diagnosed with fatal disease cancer, and after October seven he was neglected. He
was taken to hospital twice, and yet he was not released. So Israel
is not only not releasing his body to his family, but they stormed the
village when his family was receiving people to pay condolences and arrested somebody today.
Do you have any state? Are you aware of this development? Do you
have anything to say? I mean, I've seen the reports of his passing.
I think we, along with our human rights colleagues, have repeatedly expressed
our concern about the conditions of detention and number of prisoners, especially those who
are suffering a very serious health issues. Okay, deji Oh yeah. For
those of you can't see, Degi's wearing his lunar eclipse classes. Hi Steph,
look like extra I can I cannot see a thing here. Yeah,
there's a there's an eclipse today. Obviously is the Sector General going to see
it? And what does the astrologer told him? This? What what it
means? I'm not aware that Antonio Guteris uh regularly sees or has ever seen
an astrologer. Okay, I don't think it's in his personality. He's an
engineer. He is a fact based person. With all due respect to astrology,
it's not his his thing. I don't know if he'll be watching it.
I don't think this building is his best placed unless we moved it to
the Hudson. On that note, Monica or yours, thank you very much,
Seph. Good afternoon everyone. I have three notes for you today and
before we meet again tomorrow morning. Here So, the President of the General
Assembly, mister Denis francis Is, spoke this morning at the Plenary meeting on
Agenda Item sixty three use of the veto Member States. Heard remarks by the
Federation of Russia and the Republic of China on two vetos costs. During the
vote of a draft resolution on twenty second of March at the Secret Council owned
the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. In his speech
at the opening of the plenary meeting, President Dennis Francis expressed deep regret that
the General Assembly is meeting again on the Veto initiative due to the perennial inability
of the Secret Council to speak with one voice on matters of grave importance and
sensitivity in relation to the maintenance of international peace and security. The PGA breed
the rate his appeal for an end of the conflict, whilst recalling that the
violence has killed over thirty two thousand and five hundred Palestinians since the seventh of
October, the majority of them women and children. President Ennis Francis asked for
an immediate humanitarian cease fire and that all parties comply with their obligations under international
law. He also said that all hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released,
and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensued without conditions. As of this morning,
there were sixty two speakers inscribed on the list to deliver remarks. The meeting
will continue at three pm this afternoon until six pm, and over the weekend,
the PJA is to opposed of his social media accounts to mark the International
Day of Reflection of the General Side in Rwanda, Mister Francis said, and
I quote, this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the nineteen ninety five full
genocide against the Tutsus. Let us join the people of Rwanda in remembering this
dark chapter of history and ensuring that the victims are never forgotten. Let us
also take hope from the post General Side reconciliation Ruanda and strengthen our resolve to
never let the crime of genocide happen again. And tomorrow morning, President Dennis
Francis will be at NASDAQ market side to ring the opening bell to promote the
upcoming UN General Assembly Sustainability Week, which will take place here from fifteenth to
nineteenth April next week. President Francis will be received by Nasdaq's Executive Vice Chairman,
mister Edward Knight, who manages global government relations, and will be accompanied
by the members of his team. After bringing the belly Nasdak to sign the
start of the trading day there, the PJ will return here to his office
and meet you his press conference own Sustainability Week here at this very press briefing
room at eleven am. President Francis will deliver short opening remarks about five minutes
and answer your questions. The press conference will also be webcast live only when
web TV and only when YouTube channel. So, by the way, questions,
do you have any questions for? Should they here or on the screen?
So yeah, that Jay, How are you today? So what's the
position of PGA on the admission of Palastine as a member state of the UN.
The PJA supports the decision that member states that the side over this question
will make. So this is not for the PGA to make an opinion.
It's a decision by member states. Okay, but thank you so much and
good luck with the eclippers. Okay, I have a question, Monica.
Oh we are all being Yeah, we're always staying here for you. Go
ahead, it's good to see you. Yes, no, no, I
can't. I don't I don't have my phone. But go ahead, it's
nice to see it. In fact, that is, in fact took my
question that you did. Okay, go ahead, I want I have follow
up. Sure, But Resolution one eight one is a g A resolution and
resolutions called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. As you know, part
of Palestine. So doesn't the PGA feel that he is in power by that
resolution to express his opinion about the legality of independent Palestinians. Thank you,
thank you Abdulhams for this question. You know we were here before when the
pg spoke about the issue of true states living side by side in a peaceful
manner. When it comes to the meeting tomorrow that is taking place in the
Secret Council, as you know, this is a decision that member states will
make and the PJ has nothing to say about that. But thank you for
your question. I appreciate and I see you back here tomorrow at eleven am.
Thank you so much. Thank you for listening today. There is the
Bertziel Supreme Court trying to shut elon mush down. On the surface, we
might be looking at well, you know, it is the government trying to
bully people around and making unconstitutional actions. But elin Mus should look closer into
it and try to actually work with the government on that. And that's the
whole thing is we live in places where where this social media is active,
and it's also places where we have elections and that we can as people,
we can have an effect on what is happening in our world, and we
should be taking that time to voice our opinions and make them known to our
government officials, to those who are in leadership that we don't want to see
power abused. We want to see our social media and other tools use to
help and promote people so that we can rise above hatred, bring about more
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