New York

24 March 2009

Secretary-General's press encounter prior to his monthly luncheon with the Members of the Security Council [unofficial transcript]

Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General

Q: When you spoke to Interpol, I heard that the issue of whether they told Interpol to arrest [Sudanese President Omar al-]Bashir, did it come up?

SG: No, we didn't discuss this. We discussed the cooperation between DPKO [the Department of Peacekeeping Operations] police and Interpol, how we can strengthen our cooperation. And we talked together with 33 Ambassadors contributing police.

Q: Are you close to naming an ASG [Assistant Secretary-General] in DPA [the Department of Political Affairs]?

SG: It's close. Almost, almost.

Q: Galbraith tomorrow? It's what some people say. Peter Galbraith, UNAMA [the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan].

SG: UNAMA appointment will be announced tomorrow. Somebody, I don't say [who], but somebody will be announced.