Press conference at the World Conference Against Racism

SG: Thank you. I've had a chance to say a few things since I got here. First of all, I am delighted to be back in South Africa and what better place to discuss how to overcome racism, discrimination, and intolerance. I believe the UN Conference on Racism has given the world an opportunity to face the issues of racism and discrimination squarely. Two issues threaten consensus -- the Middle East and compensation for slavery. I have made my views clear in my statement yesterday. I think the delegations are making genuine and serious efforts to find a compromise language, clean up the text, and come up with the text that will speak to every community, every government and every group that feels discriminated against and hopefully with a concrete plan of action that can be helpful to governments, NGOs, and societies when they return home. Let me now take your questions.

Q: Your Excellency, I'm from Channel Two News, Israel. And I wonder if you don't feel that adapting the suggested language against Israel will taint the UN as impartial mediator or even monitor in the Israel/Palestinian conflicts.

SG:I think the important thing here is that the documents and declarations that come out of this conference should be fair. I think there are attempts being made that that is the case. And in fact, there is lots of discussion going on as I indicated about the text as it now stands. And I would hope that the text will be cleaned up. The question of Zionism versus racism is dead. The UN rescinded that a decade ago and I don't think anyone should want to open it here or anywhere else. And I think the delegations understand that and those who don't are beginning to get that very clearly. And I would hope we would come up with a document that everyone will find acceptable.

Q: I'm Mr. Frank for One Voice Germany. I want to know, Mr. Secretary, if you want to have all specific references to Israel removed from the declaration.

SG: I think we are here to focus on victims of racism. We are here to insure that the current racist behavior, trafficking of human beings and all that are put to an end. We are here to encourage governments to take measures to protect the people against racism. And obviously, the situation in the Middle East is not the only one. There are other situations where people feel, where people are hurting. And I would hope that we would come up with a language, whether in a generic form or whatever, that will speak to every situation and will respond to the feelings and the pain of the people, that vulnerable people are feeling around the world.

Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary-General. Your speech yesterday made specific reference to the fact that where historical wrongs can be traced to companies or individuals they should be held so accountable. Can you tell us more exactly what you mean by that and why in particular you were referring to companies? Thank you.

SG: I referred to, I was referring to succession in the sense that in my statement I indicated that in some cases the individuals who committed those wrongs are alive and in some cases, if it was a corporate entity, the corporation is still in business and should be made to account. And historically we have had that sort of accountability.

Q: My name is Philip from The Press of India. There has been a demand by Dalit that the caste system in India be equated with racism. What is your view on that please?

SG: I think in my statement to the plenary, I did indicate that all forms of discrimination should be eliminated, whether by gender, descent, or whatever. So I think I've commented on that.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, good afternoon. I'm from Southern News in Canada. You had mentioned that two issues threatened consensus. I'm wondering what you think the chances of success are, whether you think that the document will be so watered down at the end that it will be meaningless. And I was hoping you would further comment specifically on Canada's participation in this conference.

SG: I hope that the document can be improved in the sense that delegations will come to a common ground. That need not necessarily mean watering down the text. It could also mean improving the text in a manner that it solicits the greatest possible support and in a manner that is also realistic and can be achievable. On Canada, I think by that you want me to comment as to why the foreign minister is not here. I wish governments had all been represented here at the highest level. I think this is an important conference and I think it is incumbent on all governments and organisations to come here and defend what they believe in and have their voices heard and push for common ground and the right language. But the decision as to whom to send, at what level and what individual he or she is a sovereign decision of the government and I would not want to comment.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, Charlyne Hunter-Gault, CNN Television. I learned from you in Baghdad that negotiations take place above water and underwater. And I'm just wondering what role are you currently playing in trying to salvage this conference, if indeed you feel that a salvage operation is what is required at this point. Are you indeed talking with the Americans, at what level, are you talking to the Israelis, at what level, are you talking to the Palestinians, at what level, and whoever else underwater, and to the question of if you feel this is a salvage operation at this point because of this conflict.

SG: Well, I don't know if it's a salvage operation. But let me say that I sense a mood and a willingness amongst the delegations to be flexible and to work for the right language. It needs a give and take, and it requires flexibility. I have been in touch with many delegations. This morning just before I came here, I met with the Black Caucus Congressional Delegation. I've met with a head of the U.S. delegation this morning. I've seen Aman Musa of the Arab League. I've seen the Egyptian Foreign Minister. And earlier I had met a Foreign Minister Fisher of Germany and Foreign Minister Ruggiero of Italy. I'm in touch with the African leaders who are here, the Heads of State who are here, and I'm also on the phone with some others. I've been on the phone with Secretary of State Colin Powell. I've seen the head of the U.S. delegation. So, lots of behind the scenes work is taking place. Obviously, I cannot share with you everything that I discussed with them and -- you know, somebody asked -- I once came out of meeting with Head of State and said what did you and the head of state discuss and I gave a general description, said I want details, blow by blow. I said I can do that but, if I do that, next time I meet with him he will only talk to me about the weather and his grandchildren and I don't want that. I think quite a lot of effort is being made to move the conference forward. I think all is not lost. I'm quite confident that with good will we will succeed. I think it is important that we leave here with an agreement. And as I have said, we will give comfort to the worst elements in every society if we were to fail. And it is important that we do succeed. And we should not allow one issue or other to derail this important conference for the rest of humanity. It is important for all of us that we succeed. There is racism and xenophobia in every society, and we need to really focus on that. And those who allow one issue to derail the conference would also be held accountable for the failure of the conference by the rest of the groups who are here.

Q: Claud Colart from EPTN. At the same time when most of the people were gathering here we saw the crisis of the refugee ship near Australia. There seems to be agreement now that New Zealand and the small island of Nauru will take these refugees. Two questions on that small, what's your view on how Australia dealt with this crisis? And two, there is disagreement, yes, but the ship still needs to get from where they are now to these two islands and Australia seems to be unwilling to be helping them.

SG: On that issue I have been in touch with the Prime Minister of Australia and also the Foreign Minister of Norway, as well as with the High Commissioner of Refugee, Ruud Lubbers, who is here with us in Durban. The ideal solution would have been for them to be processed and those found to be bona fide refugees given refuge in Australia, or be repatriated to a third country. But you know the position of the Australian Government, and normally, under UNHCR rules, the first port of call is the country that should try and do the screening and offer the refugee asylum. Given this position of the Australian Government, a compromise has been worked out where the screening would be -- where New Zealand and Nauru have offered. Those who are found to be bona fide refugees, some will stay in New Zealand, some will stay in Nauru. Australia has indicated they may take some and others will go somewhere else. It is a compromise solution. It is not an ideal situation, and I feel for the refugees who are on this ship in the heat, in containers. Even though some efforts have been made to improve their situation and give them some minimum comfort, this is not a way to handle a refugee situation. Of course, the Government of Australia maintains that whilst it's been very generous with refugees, it is now receiving lots of illegal and unprocessed immigrants, and it sees this as an attempt to put an end to that. But that does not give comfort to the men and women and children on that boat who are in need of refuge and support. And so we accept the compromise, and I hope it can be implemented quite quickly so that these people can leave the ship.

Q: Italy. I am sorry for the issue of my question, Secretary-General, but to Italy it is important, you know, after the G8 accident in Genoa. I would like to know your opinion of the FAO summit scheduled in Rome for November. The Italian Government would like to move it elsewhere for security reasons. Mr. Berlusconi yesterday said that he doesn't care that the summit should be held in UN agency headquarters.

SG: One of the issues I discussed with your Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero this morning was this issue of the FAO Conference. I think all of you know the issue, but basically normally these UN Conferences are held at UN Headquarters. Initially it all seemed straightforward until Genoa, and after Genoa the Prime Minister, as he has indicated, has to be concerned about sacred Rome and not have what happened in Genoa repeated in Rome. But the first comment I would want to make on that is, so far, no UN Conference has been attacked by violent demonstrators. The UN Conferences have not been subjected to that. Last year we had 150 Heads of State and Government and Kings, New York, and it went on very peacefully. Here we have had peaceful demonstrations, and I would hope that is the point that I think everyone should bear in mind. On Monday, the Italian Prime Minister will be meeting with Jacques Diouf, the Head of FAO, to discuss this issue and work out an acceptable solution. I would await that meeting. If they come up with an acceptable and workable solution, which is acceptable in practical and technical terms to the FAO, I will support it. Thank you.

Q: Chris McGill from the Guardian. Whole deal for this conference that a succession of African leaders are given speeches in which none of them have really talked about the very real problem of ethnicity on this continent and conflict that comes from ethnicity within their own borders. That they dealt really only largely with historical problems?

SG: I think historical problems have been raised because it is very much on the agenda. As I indicated, it's one of the two controversial issues. I hope if they did focus on that, it does not mean that they are oblivious to the concerns in their own society and the conflicts and their ethnic divisions. Most of the leaders here today are involved with conflicts on the continent either as combatants or participants or are working very hard to resolve conflicts on the continent, and in their own societies trying to deal with issues of division between religious groups and ethnicity. So I think they are very much aware of conflict. So the impression should not be created that they are ignoring their current crisis and taking refuge in issues of the past. I think both are of concern to them or should be.

Q: Secretary-General, from Channel Africa. The Southern Africa leaders are deeply concerned with the situation of civil war in Angola. The Angolan Government says that it would be helpful if the international community supports the idea of taking Jonas Savimbi to the International Court of Justice. What is the opinion of the UN, and has the Government of Angola approached the UN for help to take Savimbi to the International Tribunal?

SG: The conflict in Angola is one of the most painful on the continent with dire humanitarian consequences for innocent civilians. I think the only way to resolve that conflict is to apply the Lusaka Accords and get the protagonists to cooperate and work together. For the moment, there is hardly any contacts between the two. I think the reasons are well known to you. In my own judgment, you make peace not with your friends but with your enemies. To make peace you have to talk. I don't see how one can make progress if the parties refuse to talk. I think we need to be concerned about the conditions of the ordinary people in Angola. On the question of Savimbi and the Hague or before any tribunal, the issue has not been raised with me or in the Security Council by the Government.

Q: Secretary-General, Sally from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. On humanitarian grounds and grounds of compassion, should Australia have initially taken or accepted the refugees on board the Norwegian ship Tampa, and what's been your personal reaction to Australia's handling of this issue?

SG: I think, as I indicated, I would have preferred that Australia accepted them. In fact, under our own refugee convention which the High Commissioner for Refugee applies, it is the first call of duty, the first country that the refugee lands in that should try and give them refuge. I would have preferred that had happened in Australia. It did not happen, and we found a compromise solution. I hope that will give the refugees some comfort and refuge.

Q: (Translated from French) Secretary-General, I am going to ask you a question in French. I wanted to ask you if the problem encountered by the Conference are not due to a certain lack of preparation and perhaps even guidance which preceded it. Today we see that the conference is suffering from a lack of representation because there are only about a dozen heads of states who are present here. We accepted 30 last week, at the beginning of the week 22 and you have entire regions of the world which are not represented at the highest level. For example, there is no head of state from Asia in this conference. While Asia represents more than half of the population of the globe, isn't this also due to the fact that it has focused on a single issue to the detriment of all the others.

SG: (Translated from French) Obviously, I would have preferred to have seen many more heads of state here because this is a question, as I said earlier, which affects all of us, but they have taken their own decisions. It's not always that you have 150 heads of state at a UN conference like we had in New York, and perhaps next month we will have 90 heads of state for the Children's Summit, so in a sense I am somewhat disappointed, but it's also natural. For many conferences, the level of representation rarely goes beyond the Ministerial level. You have spoken about a lack of preparation, and perhaps we could have done some things differently. We could have prepared ourselves better, but I think that Mrs. Robinson and her team have done as much as they could. There have been four preparatory conferences, one in every region, and they have had a great deal of contact with many NGOs, and we hope that people are going to come to South Africa ready to make progress on the issues of the day. That's why I said earlier that we shouldn't allow a single issue to derail the conference, and I hope that by the end of the week the delegations are going to apply themselves and make sure that we have a conference that will be a success. Thank you.

Q: Secretary-General, Steve, NHK. On the issue of land, Southern Africa has experienced a lot of colonisation and apartheid policy, force removal. I would like your views on the current situation, particularly concerning South Africa and Zimbabwe.

SG: Sir, you talked about the land issue. You talked on the land issue in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but I am not sure I quite got the question. May I ask to you repeat it.

Q: Well, these issues are as a result of colonisation and apartheid.

SG: I am not too engaged or involved with this situation in Southern Africa, but I have been monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe. What I can say is that land reform in Zimbabwe is necessary, but land reform has to be credible, it has to be legal and adequate compensation paid to those whose land are taken. I think in a society based on rule of law, individuals will have to be assured that there will be protection of themselves and their property, and where a credible land reform takes place you normally do pay compensation. So I am not in disagreement with the search or the decision to have land reform. It's the process and their approach which I question. Thank you.

Q: Secretary-General, I would just like to know your comment and view on the current ongoing talks between leaders of Myanmar and Aung San particularly after the visit of special envoy Razali to Myanmar?

SG: I think my special representative Razali Ismail has done a very good job. He has kept the parties talking. We are making progress. As you have noticed, many opposition politicians have been released from jail. The process is moving ahead slowly. I cannot go into details, but we are moving ahead. Progress is being made. I expect to see Razali in New York who will give me a full report on his latest visit.

Q: Secretary-General, I am Hazel with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Black Press of America. You said earlier that you'd spoken with Colin Powell over the phone, that you'd talked with the Congressional Black Caucus. My question is, have you spoken with Michael Southwick, who is the President Official delegate to this Conference, and what have those conversations been like?

SG: I have also met him. I met him this morning. We talked about the Conference, the progress being made, the text and the language that is being discussed. He was concerned that we have a language that is fair, acceptable and a language that does not pick on Israel, which is the position of the U.S. Government. But we are here willing to engage and hoping that we will make progress, we will find a document, we will get a document that is credible and will allow everyone to participate fully. Thank you very much.

Q: (Translated from French) Mr. Secretary-General, I would like to speak in French, from the National Television of Burkina, so I am going to speak French. You said or you stressed at the beginning of your comments the two fundamental issues which seem to be problematic are, therefore, the Middle East and compensation for slavery. My country Burkina Faso supports the second solution. We condemn slavery as being a crime against humanity. From that point of view, we feel that countries that have been victims of slavery should, therefore, benefit from reparation. I wanted to know, what is the position of the United Nations on that matter? Is the Conference going to get involved in that issue, so perhaps after the Conference we will have a common position on that which will be adopted.

SG: As I said earlier, the question is on the table. It's one of the more delicate points in this Conference, but the question of reparations is very complicated. I don't think that this Conference is the forum to settle that. The question is not going to disappear. There are many people who are going to deal with it and it's going to continue, but I don't think that the place to settle this matter is here. Thank you.*****