Q: [question on Iran]
SG: I think the Council has taken this issue very seriously and they are discussing it. What is important is that they are trying to find a solution that the Council as a whole can unite behind it, and I think that is very important. On these kinds of issues, the Council has a greater voice when it speaks with one voice, and I hope we can find a solution. What is important here is that everybody seems to realize that we need to intensify diplomatic efforts and find a solution, and I hope in the meantime we will reduce the level of the rhetoric on this issue.
Q: You have been saying that you believe that the direct talks between the United States and Iran are really the thing to do. Do you still believe that?
SG: I have made that statement and I stand by it, and I have also spoken directly with the American authorities. I think it would help.
Q: On the question of the temporary financing mechanism for the Palestinian Authority I was just wondering, in your understanding, would this include the direct payment of public sector salaries or not?
SG: I think the mechanism, first of all, is going to be discussed in Brussels. They are going to meet and set up a mechanism and define the criteria and the controls. Everybody agrees that the Palestinian people should not be punished, and they want to do something to help them. And the idea is to set up a mechanism, a transparent mechanism, that could be used to channel resources to them. Today, because of the sanctions, banks and banking institutions are refusing to transfer money to the territory, and this mechanism, I hope, will help. But the emphasis, as the donors have indicated, would be to support the Palestinian people.
Q: But if the Palestinian people are dependent upon this, to pay for salaries?
SG: This is an issue –obviously, the UN is not a donor –it is an issue that the donors are discussing. Some donors have indicated they would not want to pay salaries. I don't know what other donors would do, but the emphasis we have is to ensure that the Palestinian people do not suffer or do not feel they are being punished for the choice they made during the elections.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, I remember in the late ྖs, you went to Iraq as the conflict heated up. Is there any chance that you might personally intervene now and travel to Iran? Do you think it would be helpful?
SG: I think for the moment, the Council is fully seized of it, and in the next week or so they are going to be discussing very, very intimately and seriously amongst themselves what the next steps should be, and I think one should allow that process to go forward, and of course, as Secretary-General, my good offices are always available if it can be helpful. But I think for the moment we should let the Council proceed.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, the ministers at the meeting this week decided that they would put together a package of incentives along with the disincentives that are already on the table to give the Iranians a real choice of what could happen. What would be your message to the Iranians and, while we are on messages, you are heading to Asia, what would be your message to all of the Asian countries that you are visiting?
SG: I think it is important that the Iranians remain open and that they back away from this aggressive posture, and be open to discussions. I think that no-one is saying that they are not entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy. What is being discussed, is indeed, if it is only nuclear, the international community will need some reassurance, and I would hope that, when a package is put together and they discuss it, including enhanced inspections and other things, the Iranians and the international community will be able to come to a clear understanding. But they have a responsibility to communicate and to show that their intention is peaceful.
Q: And on Asia.
SG: Yes, I'm going to Asia at a critical time for the UN and [I'll] visit several Asian countries that have very important roles to play in this Organization, as we discuss major UN reforms. And I hope to be able to discuss some of these issues and the reforms that we are discussing, with them.
Q: Will you be looking for a replacement?
SG: (laughs) No, no, I will not get involved in that. That is for others to decide.
Q: On Liberia, after the Prince Zeid report, after zero tolerance policy, we are back at zero.
SG: I don't think you can say we are back to zero. I understand one of the Ambassadors spoke to you on his way out. But we have been very firm, introducing a zero tolerance policy. We have worked very aggressively to implement it, working with commanders and people on the ground. And I would urge you to read the latest report of the incidents that had been issued. That report was not dealing with [exclusively] UN forces, it was referring to others and I don't think it is right to give the impression that this latest report was dealing with the UN forces on the ground and that nothing has been done. I assure you we take it seriously. I have had the chance to discuss with our representatives just last weekend. We brought all the Special Representatives here to New York to have a seminar with them at Glen Cove, and this was one of the issues that we discussed and shared experiences as to how we could tackle it. So we do take it seriously. We are not back to square one.
Q: Speaking of messages, you had said yesterday that you would be in touch with the Sudanese leader, President [Omer Hassan Al-]Bashir, about allowing a military assessment mission into Darfur. Could you tell us about the status of those communications? I know that you have been trying to?.
SG: I've written to him and, in fact, Jan Egeland, whom I've sent there, is seeing him today, and he will be discussing some of these issues with him and report back. Thank you.