SG: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I think you all heard me speak this morning, so let us go straight to questions.
Q: The refusal of Israel to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories questions the credibility of the United Nations and reflects the failure of the Security Council to do something about it. What would you like to say about that? Also, as the moral conscience of the world, tell us your views about the invasion of the Jenin refugee camp?
SG: I think I have been quite outspoken on that and my views are very clear. I think the Security Council has been very active on this issue and has passed three very important resolutions 1397, 1402 and 1403. And you cannot underestimate the importance of those documents. The whole world came together and said Israel and the Palestinians must do certain things, including withdrawal from the camps. And I think I will still urge Israel to withdraw immediately, which the Security Council has requested. On Wednesday in Madrid, the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation and myself made the same appeal which was reconfirmed by the Security Council. I have also been concerned about the humanitarian situation in the camps. I have been working very closely with the UN humanitarian agencies and others to see what one can do to give assistance and support to the people. Once we get access to the camps, I think we are all going to have a lot of work to do. My own view is that the situation is so dangerous, and the humanitarian and human rights situation is so appalling - in fact you heard me say that this morning - but I think the proposition that a force should be sent in there to create a secure environment and as well as provide space for diplomatic and political negotiations can no longer be deferred. It is urgent, it is imperative. That capacity exists in the world today, we must now muster the will. Thank you.
Q: Plus prTcisTment, Monsieur le SecrTtaire gTnTral, avez-vous retu de graves accusations de violations du droit militaire dans les camps de rTfugiTs par les IsraTliens?
[translation into English - Have you received any indications of violations of military laws by the Israelis in the camps? ]
SG: Oui, il y a des agences humanitaires qui m'ont parlT de cela, il ne faut pas oublier que l'ONU a beaucoup de gens qui travaillent la-bas, on a peu prFs 12 000 personnes, il y a aussi la Croix-Rouge, il y a d'autres agences, il y a l'UNWRA. Donc on a beaucoup de rapports. C'est pour ta que je suis trFs inquiet.
[translation into English - Yes, humanitarian agencies talked to me about that. One must not forget that the UN has many people working over there, around 12,000. The Red Cross is also there, and other agencies, such as UNWRA. So we get a lot of reports. That is why I am very worried.]
Q: Monsieur le SecrTtaire gTnTral, vous avez soutenu, dans votre discours ce matin, la tGche de Mme Robinson pour sa visite au Proche Orient. Jusqu'a prTsent Mme Robinson n'a pas le visa d'Isradl. Est-ce que, en tant que SecrTtaire gTnTral, [inaudible] vous allez, par exemple, prTsider une dTlTgation de bons offices entre Palestiniens et IsraTliens ?
[translation into English -In your statement to the Commission, you talked about the mission of the High Commissioner to the territories. But until now she has no visa. Can you, as Secretary-General, preside over a good offices visit?]
SG: Il y a un mTdiateur : M. Powell est la aujourd'hui. Je suis en contact avec lui tout le monde et on soutien son effort. Il ne faut pas avoir une multiplicitT des mTdiateurs, donc on doit travailler ensemble. En ce qui concerne la mission des droits de l'homme, j'espFre qu'elle va avoir la permission Tvidemment. Il y a Colin Powell et son Tquipe qui sont sur place. Elle n'a pas retu encore la permission du gouvernement israTlien mais j'espFre que cela ne veut pas dire qu'elle ne va pas la recevoir. J'espFre que la mission pourra partir aussit(t que possible. Merci beaucoup.
[translation into English - There is a mediator, the United States, Mr. Powell is there today. I am in contact with him and others and we support his effort. We must not have a multiplicity of mediators, we must work together. Concerning the human rights mission, I hope of course it will get permission. Colin Powell and his team are there. The human rights mission did not yet receive permission from the Israeli Government but I hope that that does not mean it will not get it. I hope the mission will be able to go as soon as possible.] *****