Q: (inaudible question in Turkish)
SG: So I would urge all of you to take the report as yours and work with us in implementing it. We discussed at this one that a follow-up mechanism would be set up, a secretariat, and probably with a high representative working with the secretariat and other governments, NGOs and other stakeholders. We haven't quite settled who should be the representative. And I think we will be able to do it fairly shortly as we move forward. So that is as far as I can go now, and obviously, it would need further discussion as to whether it is somebody else or it's me or whatever, but we are discussing it. Thank you.
Q: (in Spanish)
SG: I was going to say that, I know you asked a question on the internal situation in Turkey, which probably the Prime Minister would answer later. But may I suggest that you hold the other questions for later or if you pose them, we will answer them later. But let's focus on the alliance for civilizations as a main theme of the press conference and once we have taken all the questions on the alliance, we will be ready to answer other questions within the 30 minutes allowed for this press conference.
Q: In the report, there is discussion of impact of Western military operations in the Muslim world. And I want to ask all the guests here whether they are calling for an end, say, to perhaps for American occupation of Iraq or are they specific in mind on how to deal with those issues? And my second question is for the Secretary-General regarding the Cyprus process and when the UN is going to resume mediating for a resolution on Cyprus.
SG: On your first question, let me say that when we refer to military presence around, I think we refer to Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine. It creates the perception in some quarters that Islam is under attack. This obviously generates certain reaction. So to the extent that these conflicts or difficult situations can be resolved, it will have a positive impact on the work that we are trying to do here at the Alliance of Civilization and you would not have those situations creating tensions or be exploited by those who would want to do that. But obviously, these situations will have to be resolved. I do not think the troops will be in these countries indefinitely. There will have to come a time that foreign troops will withdraw. I don't think they are going to stay there forever, nor should they. On Cyprus, I will come it later, as we have indicated.
Q: This is the final meeting of Alliance of Civilizations. Mr. Annan you are leaving the office soon, do you have any plans to carry out the dialogues between the cultures? What is the importance of the dialogue of civilizations?
SG: The panel submitted a very important report today. This phase of the work is finished. I am sure there will be meetings not only annually but many meetings on this topic around the world as we go forward. With encouragement to the public at large, universities and schools to educate their people, the media has a responsibility as we have indicated and we also need to encourage the people to use the right language. Because language can soothe, it can incite, it can harm and we need to be careful how we portray things. So the panel's work is done, they have given their product, but the work of the Alliance will continue. As far as I am concerned, I am leaving the office as Secretary- General, but I think this is a topic of such importance that I will continue to be interested, I will speak out when necessary and I hope all of us will do that. Thank you.
Q: You mentioned in your speech that there are many chronic problems in the world which cause polarization in the world. In this light, what is the feasibility of the report's suggestions?
SG: I think that depends on all of us. This report is not self implementing. We have indicated means. We've talked about education. We've talked about working with the media and the media helping educate the public. And therefore, the media has some responsibility. Obviously the problems and the differences are not going to be solved overnight. It will take time, it will take dialogue, it will take education, but I think it is possible to resolve them or to improve the situation. I think the way the report describes the tensions which exist today is accurate and we do have to take steps to defuse it. We must also understand that actions of a small minority or individuals should not be used to describe a whole group or activities but I would also say it is also important for the majority to speak up, particularly if we are saying minorities often take action, in the name of the silent majority, the silent majority should be less silent and speak up.
SG: I think we are coming to the end. There were two outstanding questions. One for me and one for the Prime Minister. The question on Cyprus, let me say that we the United Nations are still engaged in the Cyprus issue. I have a representative who is trying to work with the parties on confidence-building measures and preparing for the full-fledged resumption of talks and negotiations between the two parties. In fact, I will be meeting Mr. Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader, in Geneva next week and everyone accepts that the Cyprus dossier, the Cyprus problem is in the hands of the UN and I've been using my good offices to do what I can and I am going to continue doing that until midnight, 31st of December, and my successor will have to take over from there. I will give him a good brief and encourage him to stay engaged and push it as far as he can. Thank you.