Noon briefing of 23 May 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2012

SECRETARY-GENERAL SPEAKS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON IMPORTANCE OF MEDIATION

• The Secretary-General spoke at this morning’s high-level General Assembly meeting on mediation. He said that the Secretariat was preparing guidance for effective mediation, which would draw on the experience of regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society, including women’s groups.
• The Secretary-General discussed the key fundamentals of mediation, saying that consent is always important, as are impartiality, preparedness and inclusivity. All mediation efforts must respect international laws and norms.
• He added that we must do much more to include more women in peace processes. The Secretary-General has personally been appointing many women mediators, and he counts on countries to support this effort.
• Asked about UN mediation in specific disputes, the Spokesperson noted that UN involvement in mediation efforts requires agreement by the concerned parties.

SECURITY COUNCIL VISITS SIERRA LEONE ON LAST LEG OF WEST AFRICA TRIP

• The 15 Members of the Security Council have arrived in Sierra Leone on the last leg of a three-nation trip to West Africa which has also included Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
• The delegation met President Ernest Bai Koroma and discussed a range of issues, including November’s forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
• The positive steps taken by the Government of Sierra Leone in consolidating peace and promoting a comprehensive development agenda was also on the agenda.
• Yesterday afternoon, the delegation visited a refugee camp in Liberia where over 7,000 Ivorians are living. Those refugees fled post-election violence in Côte d’Ivoire. Many have been at the camp for up to 14 months.
• The Security Council trip finishes tonight in the capital, Freetown.

SECRETARY-GENERAL REMAINS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF CIVIL WAR IN SYRIA

• Asked about reports that violence from Syria is spilling into Lebanon, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General said that he remains concerned about an all-out civil war in Syria and its effects on the wider region.
• Asked about the Secretary-General’s next report on Syria, the Spokesperson said that he expects a written report to go to the Security Council later this week.
• Nesirky noted that the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) was getting closer to full deployment.
• He said that the parties have yet to cease fighting and to abide by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point plan, and he reiterated that they must do so.

U.N. ENVOY IN LIBYA WELCOMES CONCLUSION OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR NATIONAL CONGRESS ELECTIONS

• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Ian Martin, has welcomed the successful conclusion of the voter registration process for the upcoming elections to the National Congress earlier this week.
• He noted that 2.7 million people of voting age have registered to cast their ballots and said the figures were a testimony to the commitment of Libyans to their country’s democratic transition.
• Mr. Martin expressed confidence that the Libyan people will continue to exhibit the same spirit and commitment over the coming weeks in the lead up to Election Day. He said that the United Nations will continue to assist the Libyan people in their efforts to build a new Libya.

U.N. COORDINATOR IN SOMALIA CALLS ON PARTIES TO MINIMISE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON CIVILIANS

• Mark Bowden, the humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, today issued a statement following the recent armed movements there. He once more called for all parties to make every effort to minimize the impact of conflict on civilians and allow full humanitarian access to all people in need.
• He remains concerned that an escalation of hostilities or a prolonged operation could lead to displacement, further straining the capacity of settlements and host communities in Mogadishu or driving people away from the life-saving help they require.
• Mr. Bowden added that humanitarian actors are coordinating preparations to ensure immediate assistance is available to civilians most affected by military activities in the Afgooye corridor.

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON

• The Deputy Secretary-General will travel today to Washington D.C. to attend a Gala Dinner in commemoration of Africa Day, hosted by the African Ambassadors’ Group in Washington. The event is part of the theme set by the African Union of “Boosting Intra-African Trade”.
• The Deputy Secretary-General will be Guest of Honour and will deliver the keynote address entitled “Building on Africa’s Recent Progress”.
• She will return to New York on Thursday.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS CONSISTENTLY URGED DIALOGUE ON IRAN: Asked about the Baghdad meeting on Iran, the Spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General has consistently urged dialogue as the key to resolving the outstanding questions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

U.N. MISSION TRYING TO VERIFY BOMBING REPORTS IN SOUTH SUDAN: Asked about reports of renewed aerial bombardment in South Sudan, the Spokesperson said that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is in the process of verifying the alleged incident.