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.
**Myanmar
Just to let you know: Christine [Schraner] Burgener, the Special Envoy for Myanmar, will brief the Security Council this afternoon. She may go to the stakeout afterward. We will keep you posted.
**Afghanistan
The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned yesterday’s suicide attack which killed and injured scores of civilians outside Kabul’s airport. The attack took place among a crowd which had gathered to greet First Vice‑President Abdul Rashid Dostum shortly after his convoy had left the area. The Secretary‑General’s Special Representative, Tadamichi Yamamoto, called it a senseless attack that served no purpose other than to spread terror and try to promote division. He added that, at a time when Afghans are exploring ways towards a much‑needed peace, we must not allow such attacks to deter our collective resolve to make progress on ending the conflict.
**Gaza
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Secretary‑General said he was gravely concerned over the dangerous escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel and deeply regretted the loss of life. It is imperative that all sides urgently step back from the brink of another devastating conflict. Yesterday, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jamie McGoldrick, warned that essential services are on the verge of shutting down in Gaza due to a lack of UN‑provided emergency fuel. He called on Israel to end restrictions preventing the import of fuel.
**Syria
On Syria, our humanitarian colleagues continue to remain deeply concerned for the safety and protection of people in south‑west Syria. Weeks of escalating hostilities have reportedly led to scores of civilian deaths and injuries, mass displacement and interrupted services. While overall numbers continue to fluctuate daily, an estimated 200,000 people reportedly remain displaced. The needs of both displaced people and returnees are severe and the United Nations continues to lack the sustained access to affected populations, particularly those in Quneitra Governorate. Some internally displaced people in that Governorate reportedly remain without shelter. About half of the population of the Governorate was already displaced from surrounding areas, even before the recent offensive, many for more than a year.
Also from Syria, the United Nations has received 422 Syrian citizens from southern Syria who are at risk and seeking asylum and solutions in Jordan, upon request of several Member States and authorized by the Government of Jordan. While in Jordan, UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees], in close collaboration with the involved Governments, is supporting the Syrian citizens’ temporary stay in anticipation of their onward relocation to third countries. UNHCR appreciates the generosity of the Jordanian Government and people for temporarily hosting them.
**South Sudan
UNHCR also said today they strongly condemn the attack on its compound in South Sudan’s north‑western town of Bunj, in which two UN staff were injured. Earlier today, UNHCR was informed of a demonstration demanding employment opportunities for the local community. The demonstrators forcefully entered UNHCR’s compound and looted its offices and residence. Ten other humanitarian agencies’ compounds, as well as the office of the Commission for Refugee Affairs, were attacked and looted. UNHCR appeals to the authorities to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers. The agency continues to engage with local authorities and representatives of the host community to stabilize the situation. UN peacekeepers were immediately deployed to support humanitarian organizations and re‑establish order. And I will stop there and take your questions, should there be any. James?
**Questions and Answers
Question: You have clearly seen the speech by President [Hassan] Rouhani and the tweet by President [Donald] Trump. How concerned is the UN about the escalating war of words between these two countries?
Spokesman: Yes, we’ve seen it. And at this point, we have no specific comment. Yes, sir?
Question: Stéphane, on this Gaza situation, I know you been… just read the Secretary‑General’s statement and the statement of the Secretary‑General’s representative, but has there been any movement in asking Israel or Israel has agreed to open the crossings which are strangulating the Gaza people?
Spokesman: We are… obviously, our colleagues in Jerusalem are in constant touch with the Israeli authorities, especially on humanitarian matters, and we have seen reports that Israel may reopen some of the commercial crossings tomorrow. We very much hope that happens.
Question: [Inaudible] at all, can you please tell us if at all when the subject raised by the United Nations…?
Spokesman: The issue of the humanitarian situation in Gaza is an issue that is raised constantly by our colleagues in Jerusalem with the Israeli authorities, with the Palestinian authorities, and also with leaders in Gaza. Yes, sir?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. You must have seen reports that United States diplomats are seeking… are in the process of seeking direct contacts with the Taliban. How does the United Nations view this shift in American policy after having failed to defeat the Taliban?
Spokesman: Well, I mean, I will leave the analysis to others. We always, as a matter of principle, are in support of issues… of dialogue. Yeah?
Question: Yeah, Stéphane. Thank you. Regarding the refugee status… situation in the south of Syria, south‑west of Syria, albeit Jordan prevented many refugees from entering, we have learned recently the so‑called White Helmets have been allowed to go into Israel and then to Jordan from that. Was the United Nations in any way involved in this process of evacuating the White Helmet people…?
Spokesman: No, we were not involved in this transfer. UNHCR has been… has received them in Jordan. And, as I say, they are very thankful to the generosity of the Jordanian people for hosting these 422 Syrian citizens coming from…
Correspondent: You are talking about 22, but the numbers…
Spokesman: 422.
Correspondent: 422.
Spokesman: Yeah.
Question: And they are mainly Syrian. Why this special treatment for Syrians? Is there any explanation for…?
Spokesman: There’s been… if you look over the last eight years, the generosity of Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and many other countries in hosting… bringing in Syrian civilians and giving… you know, providing them assistance as they seek refugee status or as they have refugee status, this is something that has been ongoing.
Question: Yeah, but the question is why the White Helmets are given special treatment?
Spokesman: I think you will have seen… you will see that there are a large population, millions of refugees… of Syrian refugees who have sought shelter in other countries. I will come back to you. I will come back to you. Philippe?
Question: Still on Syria and refugees, there is some discussion between US and Russia to bring back in Syria some refugees. Does UN has any role in this?
Spokesman: Look, I’m not aware that we have been involved in those direct talks. As a matter of principle, the return of people to their home should always be voluntary and done in dignity and in safety. It is up to people to… no one should be forced to return.
Question: Yeah. The… again, continue on the… on the same subject. Russia and Syria both accused White Helmet of involvement in fabricating chemical attacks. And then they are treated spec… given special treatment in evacuation, like no other organization. How… how does United Nations view such thing?
Spokesman: What UNHCR has done, which is what they always do, is they have received civilians, in this particular case 422 from southern Syria, who are at risk and are seeking asylum solutions in Jordan. That’s UNHCR’s role, and that’s what they’re doing, as they have done for millions of Syrians.
Correspondent: Well, there are… there’s ample evidence that White Helmets were fabricating videos, and this is…
Spokesman: I think what we are looking at are civilians who are at risk and who have sought shelter, and UNHCR is assisting them. Thank you. I will leave it to Mr. [Brenden] Varma. And it’s delightful to be back.