Secretary-General's press encounter upon arrival at Headquarters

SG: Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. It's good to be back. As you know, I've just come from the G8 and also from Khartoum [Sudan] where I attended the inauguration of the new National Government, where [John] Garang became the First Vice-President. It was a very moving ceremony, and I walked away with the feeling that both sides really wanted to make it work. And I think they are going to need lots of help from the international community to succeed. But as of now, we still need lots of resources for the humanitarian activities, not just in Darfur, but also in the south. So we will be working with the donor community to make the resources available for us to carry on our task.

I would also want to say that we are encouraged by the agreement reached in Abuja [Nigeria] by the rebels and the Government of Sudan –the 17 points of principle –which I think should facilitate and accelerate the discussions that they are having. But of course, we all have to accept that the comprehensive peace in Sudan will not hold until we bring peace to Darfur and the east as well. And I think the Government and Vice-President Garang are conscious of that.

I'll take your questions.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, welcome back. As you've been gone, there've been more dribs and drabs about this oil-for-food business. And the latest is that the District Attorney here is pressing or has opened a criminal case against Benon Sevan. First, are you becoming more concerned about the potential with this doing damage to the United Nations as an organization and to you, personally?

SG: I've been always worried about the damage to the Organization and to all of us. But I don't want to get into the details. I have no details about the District Attorney's proceedings. And as I said, the investigations are in the hands of the Volcker committee and we need to wait for it.

Q: How concerned are you about discussions on the Security Council reform? We actually seem to have three proposals on the table. Are you worried that this is going to get bogged down?

SG: I hope not. I think it's a very important reform for the Organization, and I hope in time, the Member States will sort themselves out and become very focused on the task at hand. I think we are at a very early stage yet, and I'm confident that the Members, realizing what is at stake, will pull together and ensure that we do have a sensible agreement.

Q: Sir, notwithstanding the importance of the subject of Security Council reform, there have been some concern voiced in your absence that the fight over Security Council reform could sink your other reform proposals. How hopeful are you that, in fact, you could have a reform of the Security Council by September? It seems less and less likely.

SG: Let me say that we have a set of proposals on the table. The Member States have been discussing these issues for months now. The President of the General Assembly will be putting forward a revised outcome document to the Members any day now. I think quite a lot of progress has been made on the other fronts, on the other clusters, and I hope they will bring them to conclusion as soon as possible. There is no reason, no excuse, not to bring those discussions to a closure. And if they have to focus on the Security Council reform, let them do that. But they should move on the other clusters as well. And let me say that I see all aspects of the reform as important and we need to be able to give something to the Member States -- or the heads of state and government --when they come in September, to endorse.

Q: The discussion upstairs, a lot of it was that, in fact, the debate over Security Council reform is pulling the membership apart. You're the one who called for a vote on this by September, if need be. How concerned are you that this Organization is pulling apart?

SG: As I said, they are at a very early stage yet. They've just had one day of discussion. One day of discussion doesn't make a resolution; it doesn't make a General Assembly session. So we are at a very early stage, and I think we should calm down and better not get all excited about it. These are mature men and women who are dealing with a very serious issue. And they all know what is at stake. And I hope no one is going to want to play a “spoiler,” to be blamed for lack of progress.

Q: How concerned are you about the killing of villagers in eastern Congo, in particular, the fact that witnesses say this is in retaliation for UN action?

SG: I've read the report, but I don't have all the elements from the field yet. And I'll wait till I get the report from my Representative to make a judgment. It will be unfortunate if that were the case because really what our people on the ground are trying to do is to take effective measures to protect the population who've been harassed over years by these militias.

Q: [On the] London bombings, still no definition of “terrorism”. Are you increasingly frustrated that the GA [General Assembly] may not even go that way?

SG: As you know, I've been quite concerned about that issue and I have not given up. I hope we'll be able to define “terrorism”. I think a simple, clear definition that gets across the message that killing of innocent civilians or non-combatants, regardless of one's cause, is terrorism pure and simple, will suffice. And I hope the membership in time will come to this agreement.

Q: Avec l'investiture de John Garang au poste de vice-président au Soudan, la paix a amorcé un tournant décisif. Quelles garanties avez vous obtenus d'autres leaders de s'impliquer dans le processus pour que le même pays ne soit pas dechiré au Darfur, à l'est, et à l'ouest.

SG: On essaie de travailler ensemble. Le gouvernement est prêt à travailler avec les gens de l'est et l'ouest pour trouver un accord compréhensif pour tout le pays. Ils ont besoin de l'aide de la communauté internationale, on doit les aider mais ils sont prêts a vraiment pousser, et je crois que c'est faisable.

Q: How concerned are you about the security situation in Lebanon in light of the bombing that happened this morning? And any updates on the team you have sent to Syria?

SG: Let me say that obviously each time there is a bomb in Lebanon, it is a source of concern and worry. Lebanon has made lots of progress. The Syrian troops and the security apparatus have withdrawn. They've had very fair and peaceful elections, but the situation is still fragile. And we need to be concerned when these attacks take place. I haven't got the full report on the incident and who was likely to have committed it. But we need to remain vigilant.

The head of the independent investigative committee, Detlev Mehlis, is carrying on with his work, and I think he's proceeding efficiently. And he's got all the support and the cooperation he needs. And in time, we will be receiving his report.

Q: On Live8 –you were appearing in front of millions in Live8.

SG: I prefer you to the millions. [laughs]