Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
In a short while, I will be joined by Leonard Doyle, who is the Spokesperson and Head of Communications for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He will be here to brief you on new figures on migrant fatalities.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary‑General, as I think I have flagged yesterday, received the Harvard Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year award at a ceremony at Harvard University yesterday.
In his remarks accepting the prize, the Secretary‑General highlighted key global concerns such as the fight against Ebola, threats to human rights and the need for a new climate agreement in 2015. He said the world today faces threats to peaceful coexistence and to our physical existence on our one and only planet.
On human rights and genocide prevention, the Secretary‑General added that the United Nations must act with all its strength in real time, and not be reduced to lamenting much later what it could or would not do. He stressed the importance of his Human Rights up Front initiative, which calls on the UN to speak up on risks to human rights far earlier.
He also underscored the need for funding and more support for people affected by the crises in Iraq and Syria as winter settles over the region. His remarks are available online.
**Security Council
The Security Council held consultations this morning on Syria's chemical weapons programme. It heard an update from Sigrid Kaag, the Secretary‑General's Special Adviser on that topic. You will also recall that Ms. Kaag previously served as the Special Coordinator of the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]-UN Joint Mission to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons programme; that Mission ended its work in September.
**Somalia
From Somalia, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, UNSOM, has confirmed that a car bomb detonated this morning in the vicinity of a UN convoy travelling near Mogadishu International Airport.
The Mission says that there are no reports of injuries to UN staff but that there are reports of casualties among bystanders and security personnel.
The Mission is cooperating with the authorities as they investigate this morning's attack.
And we do expect a statement from the Secretary‑General on this attack shortly.
**Kenya
Speaking of statements, as you will have seen that yesterday, we issued a statement in which the Secretary‑General strongly condemned the horrific attack on civilian workers in Mandera, Kenya.
He said he hoped that those responsible will be brought swiftly to justice. And he reaffirmed the full support of the United Nations to Kenya's efforts to fight terrorism and to provide security to the population, consistent with international law and Kenya's human rights obligations.
**South Sudan
From South Sudan, the UN Mission in that country (UNMISS) received reports yesterday from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, otherwise known as IGAD, and their Monitoring and Verification Team of continuing heavy fighting between Government and opposition forces in Fangak County in Jonglei State. The fighting reportedly resulted in the displacement of approximately 4,000 civilians.
The Mission says that these hostilities represent the most sustained fighting to have taken place between the main parties since May.
UNMISS continues to provide protection and logistical support to the monitoring and verification teams that are deployed in South Sudan as part of the UN Mission's mandate.
On a separate incident, the Mission has also received reports of an attack last Friday in Western Equatoria State by suspected members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), in which a 13-year-old girl is reportedly missing. The UN Mission is looking into the incident.
**Lebanon
Turning to Lebanon, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, strongly condemned the attack on a Lebanese army patrol that took place yesterday in the north-eastern area of Ras Baalbeck, which killed six soldiers and wounded another. He expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and to the people and Government of Lebanon.
The Special Coordinator paid tribute to the determination and dedication shown by the Lebanese Army in their efforts to maintain security and stability, and to the sacrifices they have made as they seek to protect Lebanon.
**Humanitarian Policy Forum
Back here, the Deputy Secretary‑General, Jan Eliasson, spoke this morning at the start of the third Global Humanitarian Policy Forum, and he said that this year has been dominated by humanitarian crises in Syria, Iraq, the Central African Republic and South Sudan, which destroyed and disrupted the lives of millions of people.
He added that 2014 is not just a troubled year and a turbulent year. Regrettably, it is also a sign of things to come and a loud warning signal for all of us to seriously heed. All the evidence shows that humanitarian needs are now rising faster than our capacity to meet them, he said.
The Deputy Secretary‑General noted that over the past 10 years, the amount requested through humanitarian appeals has risen nearly 600 per cent, from $3 billion at the start of 2004 to $17.9 billion today.
He also discussed how the UN can best work with humanitarian partners and help them to work together, so that people's needs are met as quickly and efficiently as possible. His remarks are available online.
**Syria
Speaking of appeals, we have been talking here for a couple of days of the WFP's [World Food Programme] need for $64 million in order to feed Syrian refugees in the region for the month of December. Today, it launched an ambitious 72-hour campaign to raise $64 million so that it could then reinstate Syrian refugees' food vouchers in December.
The three-day campaign starting today asks members of the public to donate one US dollar towards WFP's food aid for Syrian Refugees.
The World Food Programme Executive Director, Ertharin Cousin, said that even one dollar can make a difference. She explained: “For you, it's a dollar; for them, it's a lifeline.”
Without WFP vouchers, many families will go hungry. But if funding arrives this month, the WFP will immediately resume assistance.
I see some of you on your computers here. Just go to wfp.org, you can probably give a dollar by the time I finish this briefing. We will see which ones of you actually donate. I will keep tabs.
**World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said today that this year, 2014, is on track to be one of the hottest, if not the hottest, on record.
This is largely due to record high global sea surface temperatures, while high sea temperatures contributed to exceptionally heavy rainfall and floods in many countries and extreme drought in others.
The Secretary‑General of WMO, Michel Jarraud, said that today's preliminary estimates for 2014 means that 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all occurred in the twenty-first century. He added that there is no standstill in global warming.
More information is available on the agency's website, and these findings come as climate change negotiations are underway in Lima, as I mentioned.
**Ebola
On Ebola, two videos aimed at raising funds and providing information and support to the people of West Africa against the virus will be launched today as part of the Official Draw of the Africa Cup of Nations which gets under way in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
These videos feature famous soccer players and British actor Idris Elba. They are the result of collaboration between the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You can watch them at www.WeAreAfricaUnited.org — but since we are all here, I would like to show one of them to you here, celebrating health workers as heroes, at the front line of the fight against Ebola. We can have a little video break. [Video is shown.]
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
Another initiative that I wanted to flag today is a live social media broadcast organized by the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, to mark the 15th anniversary of its presence in the country.
Tomorrow, December 4, at 9:30 a.m., New York time, Martin Kobler, Head of MONUSCO and the Secretary‑General’s Special Representative, will interact for one hour with Internet users via a live debate that will be video-streamed on the Mission’s social media outlets. You will also be able to watch it on our own UN webcast and Radio Okapi's website.
**Press Encounters
Looking at tomorrow, as I had mentioned, the Secretary‑General will present an advance copy of his synthesis report on the new sustainable development agenda to the General Assembly. That will be at 10 a.m., tomorrow.
At 11 a.m., he and the President of the General Assembly will take a few questions from you at the stakeout just outside the GA, which I think is known as the East Neck.
And at noon, we will have the Assistant Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs, Kyung-wha Kang, who will brief on her recent trip to South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Masood?
**Questions and Answers
Question: There are reports of Iran hitting ISIS, what do you call it…
Spokesman: Please use the microphone. That would be…
Question: It’s reported in the international press that the Iranian… United States claimed that the Iranian jets are pounding the ISIS positions inside Iraq. Does the Secretary‑General think it's a good thing for Iran to be involved like this?
Spokesman: We have no independent confirmation whether these strikes have actually happened. I know there is some debate as to whether or not they've happened. So I can't… I cannot comment.
Question: I mean, since… obviously it becomes a hypothetical question. If, in fact it is true, what do you think?
Spokesman: I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. Obviously, I think any military intervention inside Iraq would need to be done with the approval and coordination of the Iraqi authorities.
Question: On this Ebola thing, there is one reported case in Pakistan, Ebola. Have they contacted United Nations or WHO [World Health Organization] in that regard?
Spokesman: I have not heard of that. But I will check for you. Evelyn?
Question: Thank you. With Sigrid Kaag moving to a new post, who is going to brief the Security Council on Iraq's chemical weapons, or what's left of them, or chlorine? Is that going to be Angela Kane? Syria, yes — wrong country.
Spokesman: Yes. The Office of Disarmament Affairs, in the person of an Angela Kane, will take up the baton and work closely with the OPCW, and keep everyone informed. Yes, sir? Then we'll make it down the line.
Question: Thanks, I have two quick questions. First of all, as you know, the Secretary‑General has increased the number of women in peacekeeping panel, from three to six. Question is: Was it the direct response to the criticism of the NGOs [non-governmental organization])? And number two, tomorrow, there is going to be a non-governmental gathering that was advertised by its organizers, a Korean NGO, having a cultural world peace slide as the Organization… as the most interesting event at the UN this year. What does the Secretary‑General have to say about this most interesting thing?
Spokesman: I have no clue what you're talking about on your second part of your question. On the first part, yes, I think as we… as I announced earlier, I can't remember what today is, when we did what. But when we announced the additional members of the panel, it was clearly in response to concerns that was raised, that were raised about the gender balance, the presence of not enough women on the panel. The Secretary‑General listened to those concerns and made the adjustments that were needed. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure, thanks a lot. I want to ask about Mali, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. On Mali, maybe I missed some report, but yesterday, the President of the Security Council for December said a number of peacekeepers were injured in northern Mali. And so I'm wondering, one, is that true? Can you confirm that? And two, why is that not sort of… why are not serious injuries of peacekeepers kind of routinely announced from the podium?
Spokesman: When I get information — I just got some information on my way here. Yesterday afternoon, a vehicle detonated an explosive device or mine on the road near Kidal, wounding three peacekeepers, two of them seriously. The two seriously injured peacekeepers were evacuated to a UN-contracted hospital in Dakar. The third one remains in Gao. And obviously, the UN Mission condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to support Mali in achieving sustainable peace. The second question?
Question: And second, I wanted to know, Anna Tibaijuka used to be a UN official in Nairobi, of Habitat, is in a controversy in Tanzania, and has, I believe, been sacked for a corruption scandal. She said that Ban Ki‑moon has communicated with her and offered some support. It's a little unclear. Can you… has the Secretary‑General communicated with her?
Spokesman: There was no such communication.
Question: Okay. Thanks. Finally, if you don't mind, I'm going to ask really fast on Sri Lanka. You mentioned the Rights up Front initiative. So I wanted to ask, there has recently been published in a Sri Lankan publication, previously been censored or blocked by the Government, Lanka eNews, the detailed testimony of somebody saying in the final stage of the conflict, the presidential brother, Defence Minister Gotabya Rajapaksa, told Shavendra Silva, who was on the Secretary‑General’s senior advisory group, to kill all surrenderees. That's now been published. He said they're willing to put it into the thing in Geneva. What I wonder is, given the UN's role at that time in assuring people that were surrendering that they would be treated in compliance with international and humanitarian law, is the UN aware of this? What now is the response to it?
Spokesman: I have not seen that report. But I will take a look into it. Yes, sir?
Question: Thank you. Today, the GA observed the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Some of the Member State speakers sharply criticized the Third Committee and the UN’s broader dialogue on non-traditional families, notably same-sex and single-parent families. Does the SG have a statement or view on how the UN should address the rights of non-traditional families?
Spokesman: I think… thank you. [hears background noise] I love hearing myself, but not in slow motion. Obviously, the debates, the General Assembly is there for Member States to debate their position. The Secretary‑General is not going to go into detail and colour commentary on the debates. However, I think his position, the Secretary‑General's position on the issue of same-sex marriage of the benefits that need to be enjoyed across the board by everyone, and I think we've led by example in ensuring that all people who are in same-sex marriages in the UN receive the same benefits as others; also in terms of paternity leave and maternity leave for what you may call non-traditional families. I think the Secretary‑General has spoken loud and clear on the need for tolerance and acceptance for people whose way of lives may be different from others. Matthew Carpenter?
Question: Hi, I have question regarding the Syrian refugees who need $64 million. You said they're in danger of going hungry. Is this… does this mean they'll have a deficient amount of food or is there actually a danger of many of them will starve?
Spokesman: The issue is that WFP is not in a position to provide the vouchers it had been providing in order for them to purchase food, which obviously would put their ability to support themselves, to support their families at risk. That's really what we're talking about here. Yes, sir. Stefano?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Yesterday in Rome, there had been anti-Mafia arrest, and it looks like in the investigation, that one of the main business that was involved with that politician, also a local politician, was on the business of the immigrants — to provide for the immigrants for those people that arrive in Italy, then have to be taken care. Now, the United Nations has been saying for years now that this is, you know, the condition, the way the people are treated when they arrive is very important and just to discover that there is a bigger investigation that says that the Mafia was involved in making money out of how these people will be treated, do you have anything to say?
Spokesman: I hadn't heard these reports. I had not read the crime pages in the Italian papers this morning. But that being said, the issue of how refugees and migrants are treated is critical. They are, by definition, a very vulnerable group; often prey to criminal gangs and trafficking. And I think it's important that State institutions ensure that they are not abused and fight crime where it needs to be fought. Yes. Go ahead. Yes, please?
Question: Thank you. Secretary‑General’s Special Advisor for Cyprus, Mr. [Espen Barth] Eide was in Cyprus last week for five days, as far as I know. I didn't get any feedback from his visit. Will he come to talk to the Secretary‑General… when, if so, when? And is he going to write a report about the visit?
Spokesman: Those are all very valid, pertinent questions. I will try to get you answers to them. Go, please.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Pentagon said yesterday that Iranian Air Force joined air strike against ISIS in Iraq. Does UN have any comment on that?
Spokesman: No, I think as I said a bit earlier, we have no way to confirm whether those reports are true or not. The important thing is that, whatever military action is taken against ISIS in Iraq, it be done at the invitation, the full collaboration of the national Government and also be done in accordance with international humanitarian law in order to limit civilian casualties. Oleg?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. A number of small questions on the Ukraine: First of all, is there any reaction to the appointment of the new Government in the country?
Spokesman: No.
Question: The next one is that the Russian Federation presented a new so-called “white book” on the human rights violations in Ukraine. Are these documents considered by the human rights mission or do they send it to the Secretariat?
Spokesman: I have not seen them being sent to the Secretary‑General, but you should contact our colleagues in the Human Rights Office here, André-Michel {Essoungou] to find out.
Question: And the last small question. The parliament of Ukraine considers… there is this draft law, criminalizing communist ideology. What are the thoughts of Ban Ki-moon?
Spokesman: I appreciate you needed a quote for your professional reasons, but I will not get into commenting on draft laws circulating in parliament. At least today. Masood first?
Question: Yes, sir. Many you have seen this report, the latest report that Israeli gunships are attacking the Palestinian fishermen near the border of Gaza, and they have injured many. So the thing is that, why they're doing it, because they need livelihood, because Israeli blockade of Gaza has strangled the people’s livelihood. So does the Secretary‑General have anything to say? Because they were within the parameters of their…
Spokesman: I have not seen that specific report. I will take a look at it and see what our reaction may be. Yes, sir, then Evelyn?
Question: Stéphane, does the Secretary‑General have anything more to say regarding the continuous, some are saying, racial tensions in Ferguson, in Missouri, with the latest white Bosnian immigrant killed in St. Louis? Number two, also, I appreciate that you cannot read either criminal sites from Italian newspaper and know what is under the United Nations, especially the NGO front. This organization that I mentioned is apparently, as they're saying, involved in interfaith dialogue which would help the reunification of the two Koreas. Now can you remind us, what does the Secretary‑General think about — let me finish please with the question — thinks about the interfaith dialogue contribution, even in that reunification?
Spokesman: I'm not going to comment on an event which I know nothing about. I sometimes comment on things that I know nothing about, but I will not comment on this event because I really know nothing about it. I think the Secretary‑General's position on the situation in the Korean peninsula remains the same, is unchanged and has been oft stated. Evelyn? On Ferguson, I've not seen the reports of the attack you referred to. I think the Secretary‑General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights have spoken out on the situation in Ferguson, on the need for people to be allowed to demonstrate peacefully, and for the authorities to protect that right. Obviously, we would be encouraged by any dialogue at the civil society level to try to defuse the tensions that exist. Evelyn?
Question: Do you have anything new on IGAD having promised all sorts of strong action in South Sudan?
Spokesman: No. All I have from IGAD is the reports they've passed on of the fighting in Jonglei State. Matthew, and then we’ll go to Mr. Doyle.
Question: I want to ask about Yemen and Thailand. I heard your answer on Iraq — that all bombing should be done in full agreement with the Government. I wonder do you have the same position, does the Secretary‑General have the same position on bombing in Syria?
Spokesman: This is what I have. I have nothing to add to what I've said.
Question: So I wanted to ask on Yemen, this is to see whether you have a comment. There has been a bombing of the Iranian Ambassador's residence in Sana’a, killing two, for which Al‑Qaida has claimed credit.
Spokesman: Obviously, we would strongly condemn any such attack, including one on a diplomatic mission, which they need to be respected.
Question: On press freedom in Thailand, I wanted to ask you this: there is still martial law in the country. Recently, the Deputy Prime Minister has said that these laws restricting media, which are going after a television station called PBS, will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Since I know the Secretary‑General has had things to say when there was essentially a coup, what is the road forward? Is there any UN role in trying to bring back some form of democracy? And what does he say about the press restrictions?
Spokesman: I think on press restrictions, I will revert back to what I've often said, which is the need for the press to be allowed to work freely and unhindered, which is a basic right. On the road forward in Thailand, I would refer you back to the readout we issued following the Secretary‑General’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand on the side lines of the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Summit. That's it. Okay. One more, and then we'll turn to…
Question: A small question. When the Secretary‑General will be speaking to the press before the end of the year?
Spokesman: He will be speaking to the press on Thursday, taking a few questions. And then…
Question: Press conference?
Spokesman: I don’t think, there will not be a press conference before… it will be, as I said, it will be a stake-out in the GA. I don't believe we will have a full-blown press conference before the end of the year. But he will speak to you; there will be an opportunity for you to ask him for another more extended stake-out before the end of the year. But it will not be a full-blown press conference.
Question: There is going to be one by the end of the year?
Spokesman: What I said, this will be… guys, excuse me. Okay. Thank you. He will do a brief stake-out… Masood, please. Thank you. There will be a brief stake-out tomorrow after he presents the post-2015 synthesis report. We are trying to schedule, and will likely schedule, a bit longer stake-out before the end of the year. Before we turn… before the end of the year, which is before the end of the year. But there will not be a full-blown press conference before the end of the year.
Question: Why not?
Spokesman: He's not afraid of you. I think it's just a matter of scheduling and… scheduling.
Question: When was the last full-blown press conference? Whatever you said?
Spokesman: September. But I think the secretary…
Question: Isn't that a little bit a long time?
Spokesman: The Secretary‑General, I think, has done a number of stake-outs. And he's been available, and he's spoken to the press since then. Mr. Doyle. Where is Mr. Doyle? He's in the green room. I will get him in the green room.