Secretary-General's press encounter upon arrival at UNHQ

While I was there I was also able to discuss with others the situation in Lebanon and Syria, and of course Iraq, and UN reform.

I will take your questions.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, the situation in the DRC seems to be getting worse and worse as we go on. How much are you concerned that MONUC doesn't have the resources, doesn't have the troops there, that the Security Council resolution bringing the force to 16,000 hasn't been fulfilled, and the French resolution giving more power to MONUC and extending the arms embargo really seems stalled at the moment?

SG: It is a very difficult and a complex operation. It's also a very large country and so the number of troops we have may not be adequate but we are doing the best we can with what we've got. The East in particular is very troublesome and is unsettled, as you can judge from the recent events and the attacks on our troops. We are doing whatever we can to contain the situation and also trying to work with the Government and the neighbouring governments to ensure that things do not get out of hand.

I hope, over time, well be able to strengthen the forces and that we will get the support from the [Security] Council.

Q: Can you give us a better sense of what did happen with the killing of 50 in the Ituri region? Is this a show of force by the United Nations? Is there a message in this? And also, human rights activists are saying that civilians were killed in this.

SG: From the reports I have received, the troops were attacked when they were on patrol and they responded robustly. And from the reports reaching us they did kill 50 or so militias. I do not have details of civilians killed, but by and large, most of the people who were involved were militia. I don't think there is a deliberate show of force; it was really an attempt to defend themselves, and a determination to fulfill their mandate as effectively as they can.

Q: Sir, on Syria, how soon would you like to see the Syrians withdraw from Lebanon, and how concerned [are you] that too quick a withdrawal by Syria from Lebanon may create a political vacuum which may rattle even Syria's adversaries, the Israelis?

SG: Obviously it's a situation one has to handle with care. I will be sending back Terje [Roed-]Larsen to the region to discuss the issue of withdrawal with the two governments concerned. My hope is that I will be able to report progress when I submit my next report in April. The Syrians have indicated that they are planning to withdraw the troops from Lebanon. Will it be completed by then? Will it be complete withdrawal, partial withdrawal? We will see when I submit my report in April, but we are engaging them.

As to the question of being careful not to precipitate a situation that could destabilize Lebanon or cause tensions, I think this is something that everyone is conscious of and it will have to be managed very carefully. I think in our discussions and in our attempt to see implementation of the Resolution [1559] we will bear that in mind.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, on the Congo again. Do the militia have ties with any neighbouring countries like Uganda, and if so, have you been in touch with them? And secondly, are you going to see Ambassador [William] Swing today, and what are you going to tell him?

SG: Well, I think we try to remain in touch with the neighbouring countries to ensure that they do not support activities across the [border] and do not take any steps that would destabilize the region. Obviously there have been concerns that some of these rebels may be working cross-border - Uganda-DRC; Rwanda-DRC; Burundi-DRC –so this is a situation that we have had under control and we monitor very carefully. I will be discussing the situation in the Congo with Mr. Swing, how the operations are going, and the changes that we plan, both in command and in other areas with him. Obviously he will brief me on the progress that is being made by the transitional government.

Q: Will you ask him for his resignation?

SG: That is not on my agenda.

Q: Do you believe that, in light of all that has happened in the DRC, that it might be time for a change, to turn the page and have a new SRSG?

SG: As I said, we are looking at changes in the Congo command and all that, and I will be going over all these issues with Mr. Swing, and if there are further changes we will announce it.

Q: Sir, on house matters. Carol Bellamy called on the UN to give a good example in the struggle for gender equality by appointing more women in top positions. What is your reaction to this?

SG: I agree with her. I agree with her, and we have been trying to do that and we have to try harder. She is absolutely right. Thank you.