Wednesday, November 7 07

Addis Ababa has closed down relief efforts in Ethiopia's insurgent Ogaden region weeks ago, so the U.N. will establish a local humanitarian presence. Secretary General Moon's philosophy begins to come into view: i) with a challenge to Burmese military leaders for intransigence and the sidestepping of U.N. official visits; ii) then with announcement to re-vamp U.N. Department of Political Affairs (DPA) for rapid and proactive "crisis diplomacy"; iii) then finally with commitment to regional organizations as a key to resolving conflict in the long term. Command responsibility is once again the legal issue as former Serbian nationalist leader Vojislav Seselj faces life in prison at Hague criminal trial. Demise of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) deputy Otti is the likely outcome of International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant and strong local support for Ugandan justice. Stability in West Africa requires "regional collaboration". U.N. Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) continues to monitor last year's agreement, as former Maoist rebels and central regime wait for violence to re-ignite. Bhutto issues her ultimatum (1,2).