FED: UN says no rules on what issues ANNAN can raise

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2000
FED: UN says no rules on what issues ANNAN can raise

United Nations Secretary-General KOFI ANNAN arrives in Darwin today at the start of
a visit to Australia.

While the visit is mainly to thank Australia for its role in helping to stabilise the
situation in East Timor, it is believed Mr ANNAN will raise the question of mandatory
sentencing with Northern Territory Chief Minister DENNIS BURKE at a meeting today.

Mr BURKE has warned that that it would be a breach of protocol for the UN chief to
bring up the issue at their meeting.

But a spokeswoman for the UN's Information Office in Sydney has denied that any discussion
on the issue would breach protocol.

Mr ANNAN is also expected to question whether human rights are being violated in the
NT, where jail terms are mandatory for adults who commit property offences.

Juveniles are also subject to automatic prison sentences for property offences after
the first offence.

AAP RTV cm/wz/rp/as/wz/as/msk

KEYWORD: MANDATORY BURKE (DARWIN)

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