Press encounter with the Secretary-General following the High Level Meeting of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

SG: Well, I hope the Member States realize that we are at a critical stage. They have serious proposals on the table and I would urge them to put aside their differences and focus on the interests of the Organization and come to an agreement on how to move forward.

Q: The United States seems to think that, if the G-77 has its way, the entire programme will be scuttled. Do you think it can be salvaged?

SG: I think they should engage each other. I think the countries must sit down and talk to each other and, in the spirit of compromise and give-and-take, to find a solution –and I think that's the way to go.

Q: President [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad [of Iran] today said that he thinks the Security Council is unlikely to impose any sanctions on Iran. Do you think the Security Council is going to be able to take any action and what do you think it should be?

SG: Well, the Council is fully seized of the matter and I do not want to pre-judge what action they may take. We expect a report from Mr. [Mohamed] El-Baradei before the end of this month, probably in the course of the week. And that report will have to be studied very carefully and then the Council will determine which way it goes. I will not pre-judge what they will say and I don't think anyone should.

Q: Secretary-General, can I get your reaction to the news of the supposed conviction and sentencing to death of the UN bomber in Baghdad?

SG: Well, that was a surprise to all of us and I'm trying to get much more information about it. David Veness, the head of our security system, has been following this issue for months and has been in touch with all concerned and this information was not given to him until we got it out of Geneva. So, we are proceeding to find out what it actually means.

Q: If it turns out to be true, does he deserve a sentence of death?

SG: I think we should wait for the detailed report.