Press encounter, Palais des Nations (unofficial transcript)

Q: In your meeting with President Kostunica, did you speak about his Government cooperating with the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia?

SG: Yes, he did tell me that his Government is working on the laws and that the relationship is moving in the right direction and that he is pleased with the progress that is being made. I will also be discussing this with Mrs. del Ponte.

Q: What about handing over Mr. Milosevic?

SG: I did not get into that. That is, they are handling it nationally.

Q: The veto of the United States of the Security Council resolution means the failure of the United Nations to protect civilians in times of conflict. What are your proposals to end the vicious circle? Secondly, you are known for your persuasive powers. Would you exercise them with Israel to convince that State to stop bombarding Palestinian civilian targets?

SG: First of all, I issued a statement on this situation yesterday and I hope you have all seen it. I am also in touch with the leaders in the region. I had a long discussion with Prime Minister Sharon recently in New York. And I have been on the phone with Foreign Secretary Shimon Peres only two days ago. And I was with Chairman Arafat in Amman. I am going to continue my efforts to work with the parties with the aim of ending the violence, getting the economic situation in the Palestinian territories eased and improved, and eventually getting the parties back to the table. I think it is essential that they resume their contacts and they come back to the negotiating table. I deplore the violence. I deplore what is happening on the ground. But I believe that is one more reason for us to make every effort to get the parties together, to cooperate and move in the right direction and to stop the killing.

Q: What came out of your meeting with President Kabila?

SG: We reviewed the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I am very encouraged with the hopeful signs that the parties are determined to implement the Lusaka agreement. The signs are positive, but it has to be sustained, and we need to make progress, both on the military and political tracks. The President gave me the assurance that he is determined to cooperate. He wants to see peace in his country. He wants to have peace with his neighbours. And in addition to the international efforts and what the United Nations is doing, he would want to be able to pursue some of this bilaterally with Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. I hope the other leaders would also engage him.

Q: Ahead of the World Conference in Durban, do you see any risk in it being derailed by the issue of claims raised against former colonial powers?

SG: I think it is a very important conference and it gives us an opportunity to bring to the fore an issue that afflicts all societies, this question of racism, xenophobia, mistreatment of minorities. And I would want to see a conference that is forward-looking, a conference that will give hopes to those who are suffering, a conference that will impact on people and mobilize governments and people to do something about this problem. Thank you very much.*****