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.

Good afternoon.

**Secretary-General — Energy

Just a few minutes ago, the Secretary-General spoke at the award ceremony for the UN Energy Grant.  Stressing that energy is a key priority for the United Nations, the Secretary-General explained how energy underpins our common efforts to achieve development objectives — from reducing extreme poverty to enhancing food security, and to powering essential health services; providing electricity for education.

Today, one person in five still lacks access to electricity and more than a third of the world’s population relies on wood, charcoal, animal and crop waste for cooking and heating.  The Secretary-General’s full remarks, as well as more information on the grant and the applicants are available online.  And just to remind you — the Secretary-General will also speak at the General Assembly for the closing of the meeting of the sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly.  And that takes place at 3 p.m. today.

**Press Conference Today

And then, in just a short while at 12:30 p.m., the President of the sixty-ninth [Session of the] General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, will be here to take your questions.

**Middle East

Meanwhile from the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said yesterday that he was particularly concerned by the provocations and violence in and around the Holy Sites of the Old City of Jerusalem.  He urged all to do their part in ensuring that visitors and worshippers demonstrate restraint and respect for the sanctity of the area.  Mr. Mladenov encouraged all to stand firmly against incitement and violence, especially during the sensitive period of Jewish High Holy Days and ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holidays.  And he also takes note of the statement by the Prime Minister of Israel that the status quo at the Holy Sites will be maintained.

**Yemen

And in answer to a number of questions that were raised over the weekend and this morning concerning the talks in Yemen, I can say that in light of the reservations expressed by the Government of Yemen, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, plans to return to Riyadh in order to have further consultations with the Government of Yemen, other Yemeni stakeholders and States in the region and address outstanding concerns.

It is his position and that of the Secretary-General that there is no military solution to the conflict.  All sides to the conflict must engage urgently, in good faith in the search for political solutions at the negotiating table with a view to bringing an end to the fighting in Yemen.  Every day that we let pass without a political solution leads to more death, suffering and destruction, at a time when more than 21 million Yemenis are in need humanitarian aid.

**Libya

And turning to Libya, the UN Support Mission for that country (UNSMIL) reported over the weekend that Libyan parties attending the UN-facilitated talks in Morocco have reached what it considers a consensus on the main points.  Speaking to the press yesterday in Morocco, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Bernardino León, said that the Libyan House of Representatives and the General National Congress are expected to vote on the negotiated text of the agreement. He hopes that the rest of the participants will endorse that text in the coming days — and more on UNSMIL’s website.

**Iraq

Turning to Iraq, Ján Kubiš, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General there, met yesterday with the country’s electoral commissioners and expressed the United Nations’ continuing commitment and support in promoting the professionalism, independence and impartiality of Iraq’s electoral institutions.  He also condemned acts of violence targeting electoral staff and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of dozens of electoral personnel who lost their lives in attacks perpetrated.

**Afghanistan

And in Afghanistan, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that five of its trucks have been lost following an attack on a convoy last Friday, in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province.  The convoy had delivered food to the most vulnerable people in Yawan district when it was stopped by unknown armed men on its return trip.  None of the drivers were harmed during the incident.  WFP regrets that its food distribution in the province has been put on hold until further notice.  An investigation into the incident is ongoing and WFP is closely monitoring the situation with all relevant parties.

**Refugees

And you will have seen that ahead of today’s European Council meeting of interior ministers, the UN refugee agency said that the recent successive announcements of different border control measures by a number of European countries only underline the urgency of establishing a comprehensive European response.  UNHCR [Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] says it is concerned that the combination of different, individual measures might create a situation where large numbers of refugees seeking refuge in Europe the protection they are entitled to receive in line with international law, will find themselves moving around in legal limbo.

**Human Rights

And on a related note, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, called on decision makers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, as well as Europe to take swift action to establish effective and principled migration governance.  He said that states have a sovereign right to secure their borders, to determine conditions of entry and stay in their territories.  But, they also have an obligation to respect international human rights law, refugee law and humanitarian law.   Speaking at the opening of the thirtieth session of the Human Rights Council, Zeid also said that after a year as High Commissioner, many colleagues in his Office, felt exhausted and angry — exhausted, because the system is barely able to cope given the resources available to it, while human misery accelerates.  And angry, because it seems that little that we say will change this, the High Commissioner said.

**Cameroon

And from Cameroon, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, completed this weekend a week-long visit to Yaoundé and the Far North region of the country to assess the humanitarian impact of the crisis in neighbouring Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin area.  The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that Cameroon’s Far North region hosts almost 200,000 forced migrants, including 80,000 internally displaced persons and over 57,000 Nigerian refugees who have fled the violence.

Lanzer said that there was concern that their lives are threatened by the lack of food and water, malnutrition and deadly epidemics such as cholera and measles.  Families that fled are relying on humanitarian assistance and the scarce resources of host communities that were already on the brink before the crisis. Mr. Lanzer warned that without timely humanitarian assistance, communities may take years to recover.  And he called on the international community to step up its support and match the generosity of the people and Government of Cameroon.

**Drought

And the FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization] today warned of a major crop losses in Central America due to El Niño.  Prolonged dry weather associated with the El Niño phenomenon has severely reduced this year’s cereal outputs in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, putting a large number of farmers in need of agricultural assistance.  This is the second consecutive year that the region's main season cereal harvest has been negatively impacted by severe dry weather — more information on the FAO’s website.

**Saudi Arabia

And over the weekend, the Secretary-General sent a letter to King Salman of Saudi Arabia to say that he was profoundly saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place on 11 September as worshippers gathered at Mecca’s Grand Mosque for Friday prayers.  He said that the loss of life of scores of pilgrims and workers is heart-wrenching.  His heartfelt condolences go to all those who lost loved ones in that accident.  Ms. Landry.

**Questions and Answers

Question:  On migration, there's… Hungary has a law that goes into effect tomorrow that would allow them to arrest migrants and imprisoned them.  I'm wondering if that's a violation of international humanitarian law.  And just, generally speaking, does the Secretary‑General has a view about how well or poorly Europe is handling the migration crisis?

Spokesman:  I think one of the points that's clearly needed — and that's exactly what the High Commissioner for Refugees said — is that we need to have comprehensive measures that apply throughout Europe.  A situation where different countries at different borders have different procedures creates chaos, both physical, as well as legal chaos.  It is clear that those who are on the move, whether they be refugees or migrants, have rights.  Countries also have responsibilities towards their own citizens in order to ensure national security.  But, it is clear that international law, especially as it relates to refugees, needs to be respected.  And more importantly, people, migrants, refugees, need to be treated with human dignity and I think that has been lacking in some places.

Question:  [Inaudible]?

Spokesman:  I haven't seen the particular, the details of the particular law, but I think I spoke in general case of what's going on in Europe.

Question:  Just to follow up on Carole's question, has he spoken to anyone from Hungary?  Has he called someone rather than general statements?

Spokesman:  The Secretary‑General last week made a series of phone calls to European leaders, which we gave you a readout of, including Viktor Orbán.  And I think his message to all of them was the same and along the lines I've given you. I think we… the need for human dignity is paramount.  We have seen some countries and, especially, I think what has been heart-warming civil society groups and individuals, reach out to migrants and refugees, but what is needed for the more longer term and medium term is for countries to put in place, especially in Europe right now, to kind of clear up the legal, the lack of legal clarity that we're seeing.  We're obviously looking forward to the conclusions of the EU [European Union] ministerial conference, and we're also very… we also recognize and are very grateful for the aid that many European countries have been giving to the refugees in the camps in Lebanon and in other places. Masood then…

Question:  Yes, Stéphane.  On this situation in Yemen, the… now it seems that the exiled President Hadi has put in conditions that unless those conditionalities are met he will not open talks under the United Nations auspices.  He has said it again and again.  But, the thing is… and under that tower Saudi Arabia country needs to attack the Houthis inside Sana’a.  What I'm asking you is this.  What… is… no matter… I mean, his visit… the Cheikh's visit to Riyadh, will that help in any way?

Spokesman:  Obviously, in light… I think, as I've just said, in light of the announcement made by the government of Yemen, the Secretary‑General's Special Envoy has returned to Riyadh or if he's not there right now, he's on his way there, for talks with the Government of Yemen and other stakeholders.  It is clear that there is no other solution but the political process.  And as I just said, every day that is wasted means more people die and less humanitarian aid is getting through.

Correspondent:  But, the thing is, what the Secretary‑General has been calling for is a ceasefire but all the… but the air power of the Saudis which is overwhelming is destroying Sana’a.

Spokesman:  I don't know what to add to what I've already said on the issue.  It is clear that our efforts will continue to try to bring the parties to the table.  Obviously, it's clear that some people have changed their mind, but we have not given up.  We have not changed our mind and we'll continue to try to bring them to the table.

 

Question:  Sure.  Two interrelated questions, South Sudan and rapes including in the Central African Republic.  In South Sudan, one, I was sort of waiting to have an update on, there's now reported fighting that's spread to Central Equatoria, [inaudible] Bakasura, Bentiu.  Does UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] have any reporting…?

Spokesman:  Obviously, the continued fighting in South Sudan remains of great concern to us, as well as the lack of adherence to the text that was signed by both parties.

Question:  All right.  There was an incident in which two international aid workers were apparently raped in Juba and went to the Tomping compound.  I wanted to ask what the UN did, because what I heard is that it was actually quite difficult for them to be admitted to this Level 2 hospital.  What's the UN doing about this?

Spokesman:  My understanding is that the two aid workers, who suffered huge trauma obviously were raped and our heart goes out to them, were admitted to UN hospital and were treated there.  I'm not aware of any difficulties.  I'm just aware that they were not UN staff members, that they were admitted to the UN hospital.

Correspondent:  And this was something… I'd wanted to ask you this on Friday or Mr. Ladsous, but I want to ask you, he… from this podium, he said, in discussing rapes, he said that peacekeepers there don't have enough recreation, that they don't have enough comfort.  He used… he said that he would… there's a… there's a… looking into getting them flights to get them fresh air, and although he did use the word, he's not excusing it.  I'm going to tell, many people saw this as basically a statement that somehow linking the rapes to a lack of other distractions…

Spokesman:  I think… I think it's a complete misinterpretation of what Mr. Ladsous said.  He stressed a number of times that there was no excuse...

Question:  Then what about the flights?  I'm sorry.

Spokesman:  I'm a little over‑caffeinated with me today so just bear with me.  He repeatedly said that there was no excuse for rape.  Okay.  That is clear.  That is UN policy, and I think that's everyone's policy.  There is no excuse for rape.  What he said in talking about the case of one contingent that had been deployed in basically a very hardship peacekeeping operation for more than three years.  When troops are not rotated, when troops don't have an opportunity to be rotated out for [rest and recuperation] and that's true for any armed forces, it creates the conditions where there can be all sorts of abuse or other things developing.  It is not an excuse for rape.  And I think it's clear that we have seen rape and horrendous sexual abuse by soldiers in many parts of the world.  Some of them come from very rich armies.  Some come from very poor armies.  There is no excuse.  What he was saying and I think people would agree with it, that three years for any contingent being stationed in very difficult circumstances is too long.

Correspondent:  I guess what I want to say, US military, an admiral in the Pacific was fired for comments exactly like that for which the person… the person excused himself and apologized… he said distraction, comfort.

Spokesman:  Matthew, Matthew.  I read what you wrote.  I'm aware of the other case.  I think they're complete… they're not comparable.

Question:  Where are the flights going?  Where are the [rest and recuperation] flights going?  Thailand?

Spokesman:  I will come back… Yes?

Question:  Yemeni officials are telling us that they have sent a letter to the Secretary‑General this weekend explaining what you call the reservation.  Some people calling it conditions.  Others calling it refusal, saying that all we asked is that the Houthis accept [resolution] 2216 (2015) and implementation of [resolution] 2216 (2015).  Isn't this the position of the Secretariat to accept United Nations resolutions under chapter 7 or any other chapter and to implement it?

Spokesman:  We're well aware of the resolutions that are passed a few metres from this briefing room.  What is clear is that we had received commitment to participate in those talks.  As I said, minds of certain people had changed.  The Special Envoy's back in Riyadh.  It is… I think we've been sitting here… well, you've been sitting here, I've been standing here, for weeks on end talking about this conflict, highlighting the destruction of many parts of Yemen, of civilian infrastructure, of the death and the suffering of the Yemeni people, and I think it is high time that the parties sit around the table.

Correspondent:  To discuss the implementation of [resolution] 2216 (2015).

Spokesman:  To discuss the political, the political process.  Obviously, the Security Council resolution is very much part of it.  What is important is that people get around the table.

Question:  Let me just follow up.  Would it be acceptable for the Secretariat that one party wants to exclude part of the resolution implementation, just…?

Spokesman:  It's not what's acceptable to the Secretariat or not acceptable to the Secretariat.  It's a matter of getting the parties to agree to sit around the table.  Yes, sir.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  I was a bit late, but has the Secretary‑General made a statement on the storming of Al‑Aqsa Mosque by Israeli troops?  And if…

Spokesman:  I think you… yes. We did mention that in the start of the briefing, a statement from his Special Envoy on the ground.

Correspondent:  I'm asking you…

Spokesman:  I'd refer you… literally I said it at beginning of the briefing.  Majeed.

[The Spokesman also later issued the following note to correspondents:  “The Secretary-General remains concerned by the latest escalation at the Holy Sites of the Old City of Jerusalem and other violence, including a stone throwing incident which resulted in the death of an Israeli man in East Jerusalem.  The Secretary-General has consistently reiterated the importance of respect for the religious freedom of all, and for worshippers of all faiths to have access to their holy sites.  These events once again underscored the importance of reaching a final status agreement through negotiations on all issues, including arrangements for the holy sites that are acceptable to all.”]

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  About the use of chemical weapon by ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham] in Iraq, there's US official… there's increasing reports of frequent use by Iraqi and Kurdish forces, and there's US official recently said that ISIS also manufacturing it in Iraq.  Does the Secretariat and the Secretary‑General think… do they, that there also should be an investigation of the use of chemical weapon?  Just like the one in Syria that…

Spokesman:  Obviously, we've, you know, we don't have any hard evidence of this.  I think the use of… the reported use of chemical weapons is obviously extremely troubling and is to be condemned.  Olga.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  About JIM on Syria, I'd like to know if we, if the investigative team will be announce so we can know the members from which country…

Spokesman:  Yes, as soon as we're ready to announce it, we will.  The work is now well under way to name the three people that will lead this team, and as soon as I have something to share with you, I will gladly share with you, Olga.

Question:  Second question: I s there any reaction of the Secretary‑General what happened in Egypt with tourists from Mexico?

Spokesman:  Obviously, I think it's an incident that's deeply regrettable.  The Secretary‑General sends his condolences to the Egyptian tourists' families — excuse me, the Mexican tourists and their families, and my understanding is the Egyptian authorities are investigating the case.  Dulcie?

Question:  Back to CAR [Central African Republic], you said the soldiers have been there for three years.  When did they first deploy?

Spokesman:  Well, these were soldiers that were part of the AU [African Union] mission.

Question:  Okay.  Also, is there a reason why they're not being rotated out?

Spokesman:  Well, I think it's also… a lot of it depends on the means of each troop contributor.  I think Mr. Ladsous highlighted the fact that some troop contributors from South Asia send in planes every six months to rotate people.  It's also a financial commitment.  But, I think three years in one place for any contingent is too long.  Yes, ma'am.  And then we'll go…

Question:  [Inaudible].  Thanks, Stéphane.  On Sri Lanka, given that HRC's [Human Rights Council’s] opening its sessions today and the fact that a letter was sent out this morning signed by various dignitaries including a former President of the UN General Assembly, does the Secretary‑General have a statement on where he stands vis‑à‑vis supporting an international process versus a domestic probe?

Spokesman:  I think the Secretary‑General's position on that has been expressed in the past.  And my understanding the investigation… the report will be coming out on Wednesday.  So, we should have more to say on that day. Yes.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  On the Secretary‑General's call with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the condolence call, did he take the time during that call to stress the plight of the migrant workers?

Spokesman:  It wasn't a call.  It was a letter.

Correspondent:  Oh, I'm sorry.  I misheard you.

Spokesman:  That's okay.  Presidente.

Question:  Yes.  Staffan de Mistura is supposed to come here after 20 September to brief the Security Council.  Do we know exactly the date?

Spokesman:  No, I do not know exactly the date.  But, we can check.  And I think he's… we're trying to figure out a way for him to talk to you guys, as well during the General Assembly madness.  Masood.

Question:  Yes.  On this situation in Egypt [inaudible] new Prime Minister, new Government is being called for and the continued incarceration of the journalist.  Does the Secretary‑General have anything to say about these developments in Egypt?

Spokesman:  Obviously, the first one you mentioned is internal to Egypt.  We have no comment.  I think, on the journalists, the Secretary‑General's position has been expressed and is unchanged.  Carole?

Question:  Do you know anything about a meeting on 29 September on South Sudan?

Spokesman:  No, in fact, it's a very valid question.  We'll try to get you the schedule of all the side events because there are many of them.  In fact, yes, there are a lot of sides.

Question:  [Inaudible]?

Spokesman:  What?  As soon as I can get them, I will share them with you. Yes, go ahead.

Question:  Follow‑up to the earlier question.  In the Secretary‑General's letter to King Salman of Saudi Arabia, did he mention the plight that migrant workers face in Saudi Arabia, many of whom have their passports confiscated and are working in unsafe conditions?

Spokesman:  The Secretary‑General's letter focused on the accident with the crane, which killed a large number of pilgrims who were there in advance of the Haj.

Question:  Yes, Stéphane.  Follow‑up on my question about the use of chemical weapon in Iraq.  A UN official told BBC that there has been at least four incidents of the use of gas… documented the use of mustard gas in both Iraq and Syria.  And there increased evidence of this, and we don't see any results of those investigations that was announced by the UN and… do you have anything more about this?

 

Spokesman:  I don't have anything more to say.  We can check with our colleagues in Iraq.  But, I don't have anything more to say.  I'm told that the Special Envoy, in fact, will be arriving in Riyadh tomorrow.  Mr. Lee.

Question:  Sure.  I wanted to… just one follow‑up on South Sudan.  I mean, there are various, as I'm sure you've seen, media reports of… that Riek Machar says he's been invited and is coming to New York.  Can you confirm?  Is he dissembling or has he been invited to the meeting on 29 September?

Spokesman:  I'll check.

Question:  Okay.  The other thing is I want to ask:  you were asked before about the VICE News staff, two of whom were released.  I wanted to know if you have any further thoughts on the third continued… the Dutch journalist that's now threatened with deportation, Frederike Geerdink, on the same…?

Spokesman:  I'm not aware of the situation with the Dutch journalist.  Obviously, we would hope, we'll try to get more details of what's going on with the VICE journalist.  But, we'd hoped that he would either be released or face an open and transparent judicial process.  Yes, go ahead.  Last question.  Then we'll go to the President of the GA.

Question:  Since you brought up the Haj, after the completion of the Haj, there will be 100,000 tents that will be empty and useless for the remainder of the year.  Has anyone from the UN reached out to the Saudis about taking in some of the Syrian refugees?

Spokesman:  I think, as I've said before, every country, whether it's in the region or further away, has… shares part of the global responsibility to help with the plight of refugees that we've seen.  Thank you.  The President of the General Assembly should be here shortly.  I'll look, see if he's in the back and if he's not, he'll be here shortly.