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PRESS CONFERENCE BY
SECRETRAY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER
2011
Thank you.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure to see you as we are
preparing for the 66th session of the General Debate. Once again, this is a good opportunity for us
to share our views and listen to your views too. I trust everybody will be busy. I trust you
will be wearing your running shoes.
Our agenda
will be crowded, the pace even faster than usual.
World
leaders will be coming together at a moment of uncommon turbulence and high
anxiety.
The global
economic crisis continues to shake banks, businesses, governments and families
around the world.
We face an
extraordinary array of geopolitical and humanitarian challenges – famine in Somalia,
the aftershocks of the Arab Spring, ongoing conflicts in some countries and
difficult transitions in others.
All this is
in addition to the deeper political, economic and environmental transformations
that are reshaping our world.
So far, we
know that 121 heads of state and government will attend. Of these, 12 are women leaders. For the first time in the 66-year history of
the United Nations, a woman leader will be the first speaker of the General Debate, she is the Brazilian president, Dilma
Rousseff.
Next week,
in my speech to the General Assembly, I will share my vision of the challenges
and the way ahead. I have already discussed with Member States, [up to] early
this week.
It begins
with the passionate conviction, drawn from my five years of experience as UN
Secretary-General, that the United Nations has never been more needed. In this age of anxiety, the world’s people
look to us for answers and action.
We know that
the UN remains our best hope for building a safer, more secure and just world.
We know
that saving the planet requires us to invest in people, particularly women and
youth. Sustainable development is the
way of the future.
We know
that we must place new emphasis on prevention, both of conflicts and natural
disasters.
We know
that we must devote new effort to assist nations in transition – from war to
peace, autocracy to democracy, poverty to prosperity.
We
recognize the power of partnership. Consider
the events of the past year – Libya
and Côte d’Ivoire,
the Arab Spring, a series of natural disasters, the ongoing economic
crisis. In all these, the UN responded
effectively because we worked closely with international partners, particularly
regional organizations such as the African Union, Arab League, Organization of
Islamic Cooperation, and the European Union, and many others. During my second term, we will continue to
reach out across the full spectrum of our work.
Lastly, we
will continue the work to put our UN house in order. Transparency and accountability remain our
watchwords. At a time of austerity, we
must do more with the resources we have, not those we might wish to have.
On the
margins of the General Debate, we will also host a series of important meetings
that will carry our agenda forward.
We start,
on Monday, with a symposium on counter-terrorism. Having just observed the anniversary of
September 11th -
the tenth anniversary - we can say one
thing with certainty – the terrorist threat has not gone away. Witness the recent attacks in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Pakistan and India,
to name but a few.
Increasingly,
the United Nations is a target – most recently in Nigeria. Monday’s meetings will aim to strengthen the
global response. As for the United
Nations, let me say that we will be conducting a broad review of our
security. We will not retreat into some
fortress UN, but we will protect our staff.
Building on
this week’s sessions on malaria, we will take several other big steps on global
public health.
That begins
with Monday’s high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases – a first for the
General Assembly. Three out of every
five deaths worldwide are caused by cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular and lung
disease. More than 80 percent of these
are in low- and middle-income countries.
This is not just a matter of public health. It is a threat to development and stability.
At last
year’s General Assembly, we launched the Every Woman Every Child
initiative. It raised $40 billion and
became a model for broad-based international partnership.
Next
Tuesday, we will apply it to another global challenge: Sustainable Energy for
All.
On
Wednesday, we have an important high-level meeting on nuclear safety and
security. We will again explore ways to
advance the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty – key to our effort to create
a nuclear-weapon-free world.
A related
issue is the safety and security of nuclear installations. Nuclear energy may well be the future for many
nations, but it is important that we develop the strongest possible
international safety standards.
Let me
close with a few words on recent political developments:
Next week
we will host a special session on Libya,
on September 20th – a high level meeting will be held on Libya. I look forward to prompt Security Council
action on my proposals for a UN support mission to help the transitional
authorities and the Libyan people during this critical post-conflict phase. My Special Advisor for Post-Conflict
Planning, Ian Martin, is currently in Libya with a small core team. Their consultations will focus on three
priorities: elections, policing and transitional justice.
We will
also make a special plea for the Horn of Africa. The number of people in need has grown – from
12.4 million to 13.3 million people. In Somalia,
in particular, the famine has spread. At
least 750,000 people remain at risk. We
have asked for $2.4 billion in assistance; so far, we have received two-thirds
of that amount. I hope to make up the
remainder next week.
On the Middle East: I am profoundly troubled by the lack of
progress in the peace negotiations. It
is vital that they resume. Ending the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieving a two-state solution is long overdue. Time is not our friend.
On Syria:
For six months, we have seen escalating violence and repression. The international community has repeatedly
appealed to President Assad to stop – most recently the foreign ministers of
the Arab League. He has repeatedly
pledged to do so and to carry out reforms consistent with the aspirations of
his people. Once again, I urge him to
keep his word.
Ladies and
Gentlemen, thank you very much for your attention, and now your questions.
Q: Mr.
Secretary-General, on behalf of the United Nations Correspondents Association,
welcome, and welcome back to the this traditional format for your press
conference. We really appreciate it. And my question is this: Facing the tough
countdown for the Palestinian issue, what can you do more in the coming hours
as Secretary-General for the return to the negotiating table or for their
request to be a state? And what is the risk for the United Nations in having
the Palestinians considered or recognized by the General Assembly as an observer State? Thank you.
SG: Ending
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieving the two-State solution is an
aspiration and very important goal which has not been realized. It has been
long overdue. That is why our collective priority must remain to create
conditions for resumption of dialogue and negotiation to resolve all permanent
status issues. The UN Charter is quite clear that the recognition of a State
and membership in the United Nations are issues for Member States
to decide and other UN intergovernmental bodies.
Q: Thank
you, Mr. Secretary. The issue of the day: climate change. You have made saving
the planet, as you mentioned, and climate change your personal mission. So,
considering that and the importance of this issue to you, I ask the following
question, and I ask, I know you don't like to get involved in internal
politics, but considering the significance of this issue in the planet, a man
running for the US presidency on climate change and global warming said, quote,
“the science is not settled on this. The fact of the matter is science is not
settled on whether or not climate change is being impacted by man.” Is he
wrong?
SG: I'll
try to speak more in general terms. You'll remember that I visited South
Pacific countries earlier this month: Solomon
Islands and Kiribati. My visit to these
countries was quite alarming and I was struck by what I have seen, particularly
in Kiribati.
I was given even a life jacket because they were afraid that the sea tide
during night time may impact my hotel, a small hotel. The highest point in Kiribati
is 3.5 metres, and normal sea tide rises from one metre to three metres. So, it's
very dangerous, and I met so many people who were just afraid of going to
sleep. I saw these impacts of climate change that really reinforced my
conviction that climate change is a real threat. Now, many countries and
national governments, they have been taking their own domestic measures. I am
not here in a position to say any specific comment or specific measures of any
country. What I am urging the world leaders and all the leaders of the world is
that instead of waiting until this globally binding agreement is reached, they
have to take their own action to mitigate this climate change impact and to
adapt and to mobilize necessary financing. I leave it to the national
governments. But it is very, very important and urgent action [is needed].
Q:
Governor [Rick] Perry talks about how Galileo was out-voted for a spell. This
is a man who might be President; who might be meeting you in two years here,
who would have tremendous influence in a nation.
SG: It's a
little bit premature for me to make any comment on that kind of thing.
Q: Mr.
Secretary-General, I wonder if you could clarify a couple of thing that you
have said on Mid-East issues. On the Israeli-Palestinians, you said that you
believe that any decision was up to Member States. Can we assume by this that
if an application for UN membership was submitted to you that you would pass it
on to the Security Council initially to consider? And when you were talking in
your opening remarks about the Mid-East, you said time is not our friend. Could
you elaborate a little more on what you meant about that? And I am asking the
clarification, the follow-up questions. And also, on Syria, in addition to
urging President Assad, to live up to the reforms he has promised, after six
months, isn't there anything else that you think that should be done by world
leaders and the international community?
SG: On the
admission of a State into the United Nations, this is an issue to be decided by
Member States in accordance with the Charter provision: first, they should go
to the Security Council and get the recommendation by the Security Council, and
that should be decided by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. My
role as Secretary-General in this admission of a State is limited to a
technical issue. When I receive an application from a State for admission into
the United Nations, I review all these technical issues - whether this
application is in proper form and stating that they are committed to
implementing all the Charter provisions. Then, I refer it to the Security
Council. I have not received any application yet. If I receive it, then I will
refer [it] to the Security Council. You have raised three questions; what was
the second question?
Q: The
other one was time is not our friend in the Middle East.
SG: It has
been long overdue. The two parties have been negotiating,
the negotiations have been up and down. And it is really high time to resolve
this issue, to realize a two-State solution where Israelis and Palestinians can
live side by side in peace and security. That is the vision agreed upon by the
two sides and supported by all the countries around the world. So, I am asking
them to enter into a meaningful negotiation. And the international community
has a duty to create some conditions favourable to
this. And that means Israel
has a duty to create such conditions. The issuing of all these settlements, new
settlements, has not been favourable, has not been
helpful. At the same time, the Palestinians should also try to sit together
with the Israeli people. I am sympathizing with all these frustrations of the
Palestinian people whose aspirations for an independent state has not been realized in the context of this two-State
solution. That is why I am calling that time is not our friend. On the third issue on Syria: It has been almost six
months [and] I have been speaking with [Syrian President Bashar
Al-Assad] several times. He made all these promises; but these promises
have become now broken promises. And he has been meeting several
high-ranking leadership, including most recently League of Arab States
Secretary-General. And there was a very urgent appeal from the whole League of
Arab States. Now, when he is not keeping his promises, then enough is enough.
The international community should really take some coherent measures and speak
in one voice.
Q:
Secretary-General, first of all I have to apologize that I have to leave
immediately after you give me this response. My question is on Kosovo. I am on
the air so I really apologize for that. So, on Kosovo, as you know tonight at
approximately 6 p.m., Russia
and Serbia
requested the urgent meeting of the Security Council. What are your general
feelings regarding Kosovo? Are they going in the right direction? You have a
new appointee there. What can you tell us about this?
SG: I am
deeply concerned over the recent public pronouncements surrounding the
establishment of customs controls in northern Kosovo and their impact on peace
and stability on the ground. I have received a letter from the Serbian Foreign
Minister asking me to take necessary action. I understand that, as you said,
the Security Council is going to deal with this matter. I call on all concerned
to refrain from unilateral actions which could escalate tensions in the area. I
urge Pristina and Belgrade to continue the European
Union-facilitated dialogue and build on its success so far, and to take
practical steps toward the implementation of the agreements reached so far. I
also urge them to make every effort to avoid an escalation of tensions and
prevent confrontation and violence in northern Kosovo. UNMIK, the United
Nations Interim Administration Mission, is working closely with all sides to
identify a way forward that will ensure that stability, security and peace
throughout Kosovo is safeguarded. I expect that all international presences in
Kosovo will discharge their mandated duties accordingly.
Q: Thank
you, Secretary-General. My question is about the high-level meeting on nuclear
safety. According to my understanding, the accident in Fukushima is one of the reasons that you have
decided to hold this meeting. In that context, what kind of role do you expect
the Japanese new Prime Minister to make this discussion go forward? And, as you
said, and according to your report released yesterday, you emphasized the
importance of nuclear power plants to supply needed energy. But on the other
hand, the Japanese Prime Minister doesn't seem too positive to build nuclear
power plants. What's your idea about his nuclear policy? Is it realistic or
not?
SG: As you
may remember, in April of this year, I visited Chernobyl, the site of the nuclear accident
explosion, 25years ago. Then we have seen this terrible accident -nuclear
accident - in Fukushima,
compounded by the tsunami. All of these cases have prompted me to think, as the
Secretary-General, about how we can ensure nuclear safety. At that time, I had
strongly urged the international community to upgrade their nuclear safety
standards. In that regard, the high-level meeting on September 22nd, where many
world leaders will participate, including Prime Minister [Yoshihiko] Noda, will be a very important opportunity. Of course, there
was a ministerial meeting organized by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy
Agency] Director General on the ways and means, on how the international
community can work together. This will provide a good basis for our
discussions. As you may again remember, I have instructed all the United
Nations agencies to conduct a UN system-wide assessment on this issue. I have
received that assessment report yesterday, it has been released. Again, this
will provide a good basis to our discussions. I expect that Prime Minister Noda
will share his experience, lessons learned, in the course of addressing this Fukushima nuclear
accident, which will also be very valuable. As an outcome of this meeting, we
hope that the international community leaders will reaffirm their commitment to
strengthen nuclear safety. And I am sure that this will also give a good basis
of discussions for [the meeting] in Korea,
in Seoul, next
year, to deal with nuclear security. On nuclear power energy, I believe that
that will continue to be an important source of energy. But there should be a
strengthened, upgraded code of safety. It is up to the Member States which
sources of energy they should employ. There are many sources of energy. At this
time, the United Nations, as part of sustainable development, stresses the
importance of doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Thank you.
Q: Thank
you, Mr. Secretary-General. As part of the issue of the challenges in the
Middle East, I would like to raise the question of natural resources, drilling
for gas in the Mediterranean Sea. This issue
is really dangerous, because Turkey
is taking the lead. There is a former Turkish ambassador who said that there is
a consortium, or a deal made between Israel
and Cyprus on this matter,
and Turkey
is saying that it could escalate and it could be a problem. And this issue
could escalate because Turkey
is also willing to support Lebanon
on this matter, because Lebanon
has a problem with Israel.
What are the steps taken by the UN in this matter? Demarcation
and drilling gas.
SG: I am
aware of this dispute over maritime explorations between Israel and Lebanon. This has become one of the
sources of dispute between the two countries, and I have received letters from
the respective parties - both Lebanon
and Israel.
The United Nations' position is that this should be dealt with through their
bilateral negotiations to determine the exact area of their exclusive economic
zone area. At this time, I am just urging them to engage in further dialogue.
Since you mentioned Turkey,
again, I am very much concerned about this deteriorating relationship between Israel and Turkey over the release of the
flotilla incident Palmer Report. Again, they are two very important countries
in the region. Their harmonious cooperation will be very important in promoting
Middle East peace and stability in the region.
As Secretary-General, I have released this Palmer Report even though I have not
engaged in any substantive recommendations. This is an independent report. I
sincerely hope that their relationship will be normalized as soon as possible.
Q: Mr.
Secretary-General, thank you. Last year, when the floods struck Pakistan,
you played a leading role in organizing support for the flood victims. You
organized a high- level conference for pledges. You also even paid a visit to Pakistan
to meet the flood victims. Unfortunately, the floods have struck again. What
are your plans this time round, when the floods are even more deadly than last
year's floods?
SG: I have
discussed this matter with President [Asif] Zardari of Pakistan, and I am very sad that Pakistan
has been again struck by a very severe flood, after last year's huge,
destructive, damaging, flood. We have dispatched a high level mission
immediately, and I have received reports from them that the extent of damage
was as severe as the last one. It was quite striking again, that Pakistan
has been hit by this natural disaster. We will try to mobilize all necessary
humanitarian assistance. This issue is now being very seriously considered -
what humanitarian course of action will have to be taken. I believe that within
a few days the United Nations will be in a position to first determine the
damage, as well as the course of humanitarian actions.
Q:
Secretary-General, may I just follow up before I ask you my question, I want to
follow up to Edie's. You said, in answering the question on Syria, you said, “enough is
enough,” that something has got to be done. What is that something? Are you
calling on the Russians to stop opposing sanctions, or what is that something
that you had in mind? And my question is really about Palestine. Legally, you are in a position to
accept a move by Palestinian Observer State - if it becomes one - to what do
you call it that treaty - the Rome Statute - so that they can be able to become
part of the International Criminal Court. As a depository, you can accept that
legally. Are you willing to exercise that right? Are you willing to accept it
once it comes to you as a principle? And since you are a man who upholds the
principal of justice in everything you have done, do you feel that the
Palestinians deserve equal justice to others, or should there be an exception
because circumstances? Thank you.
SG: On
your first question, on Syria:
Any specific measure should be decided by the Member States of the United
Nations - the Security Council and other bodies. The Human Rights Council has
decided to establish an international commission of inquiry. We have to assess
the violation of human rights, which have happened during the course of these
five months of demonstrations and oppressive, very repressive handling of these
demonstrations. On this observer status, I know that in the past, the
Secretary-General, on certain cases, acted directly to provide certain states
with observer status or observer facilities, rather than observer status –
observer facilities. In such a case, the General Assembly had not taken any
decision on that decision. However, in the case of Palestine, it is quite a different case. The
General Assembly has already granted a specific observer status, in accordance
with Resolution 52/250 of 7 July 1998. Therefore, any change in that status
would require a decision of the General Assembly.
Q: This
was not my question, Secretary-General, my question was that as an observer
state, if Palestine becomes an observer state, by the General Assembly
resolution, they can go to you, as Secretary-General, and we are told that
legally you own the decision to accept or to not accept the ratification of the
treaty, as a depository of the International Criminal Court.
SG: The
ICC.
Q: My
question is about the ICC. Do you have any problem accepting that?
SG: I
don't want to prejudge what may or may not happen here at the United Nations on
this particular case. Let me have some other opportunity to answer your
question, when something really happens.
Q: Thank
you. I just wanted to ask about certain developments regarding the
investigation of the bombing of the UN House in Nigeria,
because about two weeks ago the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Nigeria
said that UN officials were reading about the outcomes of the investigation in
the press. So I wanted to know whether you have been briefed about the
developments, and also, what is your response to the claim of responsibility regarding
that attack that was made by Boko Haram?
SG: I
think it is still in the process of making assessment. When it is necessary, I
will have to share with the Security Council and the General Assembly -
particularly the General Assembly - because it involves further strengthening
the security of our missions - wherever [they] may be, but according to the
recommendations of this report, I am going to discuss again with General
Assembly member states.
Q: What is
your reaction to the claim of responsibility for the attack by Boko Haram?
SG: Boko Haram claimed that they were
responsible for that, but we will have to wait for a final report.
Q: Mr.
Secretary-General, you mentioned in your opening remarks that one of the
important tasks of the United Nations is to help nations in transition, and God
knows the Middle East has a few now. This
morning, a few hours ago, it has been announced in Turkey
the formation of the Syrian NTC - National Transitional Council - consisting of
115 members, 50 of them are inside Syria. Can we have your thoughts on
such a move by the opposition, uniting their lines and forming a national
Transitional Council? And on the question which my colleague Raghida raised concerning the ICC, I was in June in the
Hague while the announcement on [Colonel Muammar Al-] Qadhafi
was made, and I have asked the same question to [ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno] Ocampo and to high officials within the ICC, if the
Palestinians go to the General Assembly and obtain the recognition as a state
and observer state status, is there any objection, is there any hurdle for them
to join the ICC and the Rome Statute - the answer was no. Are they right in
their assumption, or do you think there are any problems with that? Thank you.
SG: On
this specific case of a Syrian organization established outside Syria,
as the United Nations has not taken any official decision on this particular
issue - it is different from the Libyan case. The Libyan National Transitional
Council had been recognized by many members of the international community, and
they have applied for confirmation of their status as a member, replacing the
former regime, and I understand that the Credentials Committee has discussed
this matter. But for that particular case, I think we will have to see how the situation
evolves in the future. On this ICC case, I think I have already answered. It
involves some legal issues, political issues, let us
wait [to see] how the situation evolves.
Q: If they
applied for membership of the ICC, and to be part of the Rome Statute, do you
see any way you can prevent them from this? Because if they are a state,
although they are not a member of the United Nations, but they are a recognized
state - do you think there is any way, because according to - I have it on the
record, in June, from Ocampo - that there isn't any,
and they can ask for an investigation of crimes that took part in Palestine
since 2002, not only the Gaza war?
SG: This Rome convention is
different from the United Nations system. This is a separate, independent judicial
organization based on Rome
[Statue]. Therefore it is up to the State Parties to the ICC treaty, so let us
wait for that.
Q: Thank
you, Secretary-General. The relations between Egypt
and Israel are
deteriorating, and also between Turkey
and Israel
is falling apart. Do you think the question of Palestine is in relation of why these
relations are falling apart, and if you ought also to speak with President
Assad, if you at all want to speak with him, what would you tell him now? Thank
you.
SG: I have
spoken many times to President Assad. I told him to take decisive action, bold
action, before it is too late. Then, he said he would engage in dialogue and he
said that he would stop using military force in handling the demonstrations,
but he has broken all the promises. That is why I said broken promises. I would
repeat the same things. He must now listen to such urgent calls from the
international community to stop killing his own people. On the
Israeli-Palestinian relationship, as well as the Israeli-Egyptian relationship
- all these are very important factors affecting overall peace and security in
the Middle East. I am deeply concerned that
with the lack of progress in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, we are now
experiencing, witnessing, a very deteriorating,
rapidly deteriorating, situation between and among many important players in
the region. The Israeli-Turkish relationship is now going in a very negative
way. Again, this recent attack against the Egyptian Embassy - that was again
very worrisome. I would really urge and appeal to the leaders in the region to
improve their relationship on the basis of some strong, visionary leadership,
for lasting peace and security in the Middle East.
This is not only beneficial for individual countries concerned, but for the
region, and peace and security have global implications. That is why the UN
always has been discussing this matter during the last 60, 65 years. How many
resolutions have we adopted at the Security Council and the General Assembly?
Numerous resolutions have been adopted, but they have not been fully
implemented. All this needs some strong political commitment and leadership,
and with a vision.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SECRETARY-GENERAL MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: This morning, the Secretary-General
rang the peace bell at UN Headquarters to mark the International Day of Peace.
Accompanied by Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Douglas, the Secretary-General said that this had
been a remarkable year for people seeking a say in shaping their societies and
futures. He added that young people in particular were in the vanguard, on the
frontlines, finding their voice as never before and inspiring us all with their
commitment to peaceful protest and solidarity. He said the United Nations would
continue to work in common cause to consolidate those gains, strengthen
institutions and good governance... and fight repression wherever it holds
sway.
SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF UN HOUSE ATTACK IN NIGERIA: In a message to a memorial
ceremony, the Secretary-General paid tribute to the colleagues who perished in
last month’s heinous attack on the UN House in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said the attack showed utter disregard for human life and was an assault on
UN values and our work. The lives we mourn today personify the deep commitment
that characterizes the work of the United Nations in Nigeria and globally, said the
Secretary-General. At this time of
sorrow and loss, let us pledge to honour their sacrifice by continuing to make
the UN presence in Nigeria
a beacon of peace and hope, he added.
SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON LIBERIA: The Security
Council met this morning on Liberia,
followed by consultations, in which Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe gave
a monthly briefing by the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). In the afternoon,
the Council is discussing the letters from the Republic
of Serbia and Russia to the Secretary-General on
the issue of administrative boundary crossings in the north of Kosovo.
Office of the Spokesperson for the
Secretary-General
United
Nations, SA-1B15
New York, NY
10017
Tel.
212-963-7162
Fax.
212-963-7055
