Condemning latest attack, UN chief urges calm on Korean peninsula

23 November 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for restraint after today’s artillery attack by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Yeongpyeong Island, located near its coastline in the Yellow Sea and belonging to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
According to media reports, ROK authorities said their troops returned fire after the DPRK fired dozens of artillery shells at its island – killing two marines and wounding several people – and has placed its military on its highest non-wartime alert following the incident. Pyongyang has reportedly accused the ROK of firing first, while Seoul said it had been conducting exercises but directed shelling away from its northern neighbour.

The Secretary-General condemned the attack, which he described as “one of the gravest incidents since the end of the Korean War,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General insists that any differences should be resolved by peaceful means and dialogue,” the statement said, adding that Mr. Ban has conveyed his “utmost” concern to the President of the UN Security Council.

In July, the Council condemned the sinking of an ROK naval vessel that took place in March, in which 46 people died, stressing the need to prevent further attacks both against the East Asian nation and in the region. The findings of an international investigative report released by Seoul concluded that the vessel was hit by a torpedo launched by DPRK. [Read More!]

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UN officials welcome release of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

13 November 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations human rights chief welcomed the freeing on Saturday of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and urged the authorities in Myanmar to release all remaining political prisoners.

Ms. Suu Kyi, the head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been under house arrest for much of the past two decades. Her release comes one week after the South-east Asian nation held its first elections in 20 years.

“Her dignity and courage in the face of injustice have been an inspiration to many people around the world, including the Secretary-General, who has long advocated her freedom,” Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General expects that no further restrictions will be placed on her, and he urges the Myanmar authorities to build on today's action by releasing all remaining political prisoners.”

The statement also noted that it was “deeply regrettable” that Ms. Suu Kyi was effectively excluded from participating in the recent elections.

“Democracy and national reconciliation require that all citizens of Myanmar are free to participate as they wish in the political life of their country.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called Ms. Suu Kyi's release a “positive signal” that the Myanmar authorities are willing to move forward with the serious challenge of democratic transition.

“Clearly, Aung San Suu Kyi can make a major contribution to this process,” Ms. Pillay stated, adding that she remained “extremely disappointed” that the pro-democracy leader was not released before the elections.

The High Commissioner urged the authorities to now release the other 2,200 political prisoners as “a clear sign that the new Government intends to respect human rights and forge a new future for the country.”

視点　国際社会は民主化支援を

上智大学教授（ビルマ近現代史）　根本敬氏

　軍政の選挙目的は「軍が統制・監視できる議会制民主主義」を完成させることだ。

　選挙は、軍政の翼賛政党の連邦団結発展党（USDP）が優位に進めている。また、２年前に強硬に制定した新憲法下では、大統領は軍事に精通していることとし、国防相など重要３閣僚は軍の最高司令官が選ぶと定めている。議会は軍事色が強くなり、独自の活動は期待できない。

　資源外交を通じで関係を強めている中国やインド、東南アジア諸国連合（ASEAN）各国は、選挙を「一歩前進」とする。一方、米国や欧州連合（EU）諸国は批判し、結果を受け入れないだろう。日本はその中間の微妙な立場を取り、政府の途上国援助（ODA）も続け、世界から中途半端だと言われている。

　だが結局、国際社会は中長期的にはなし崩し的に現状を追認するしかなく、軍政の思惑通りに運ぶ可能性が高い。

　ビルマは天然ガスが豊富で、レアアース（希土類）もあるとされる。だが外貨は軍政ばかりに流れ、国内産業は育たず、中産階級も増えていない。そんな中で民主化を進めるのは大変な作業だ。

　国民は、今は行動を起こす時ではないと思っているのだろうが、民主化を求める人は多いはずだ。国連が働きかけを強めれば、軍政も無視できない。日本など世界各国は民主化や人権状況改善の必要性をしつこく言い続け、国民の思いを支えないといけない。（聞き手・中野渉）（朝日新聞2010年11月８日付国際４面14版）

日航、希望退職目標の達成困難　整理解雇の判断焦点に

2010年11月8日7時4分

　会社更生手続き中の日本航空が９日を期限に最終募集している希望退職で、応募者数が目標の270人を下回ることが避けられない見通しになった。日航や管財人の企業再生支援機構は、「整理解雇」に踏み切るかどうか今月中旬にも判断する。 [Read More!]