UNRWA activities, investigation into Gaza military action – Noon briefing (excerpts)

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Marie Okabe, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

/…

**Questions and Answers

/…

Question:  Yes, Marie, thank you.  I have two questions actually.  My first question is concerning statements that have been issued by a number of Congress members attacking UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and making charges against its performance in the occupied Gaza Strip.  And I was wondering, what’s the Secretary-General’s reaction to that and whether he believes some of these charges are justified?  And then my second question is also whether there is any reaction by the Secretary-General to the call by Desmond Tutu and others to expand the investigation enquiry to include other violations, not just those against the United Nations?

Deputy Spokesperson:  I’m afraid I don’t have very much for you on either of those.  I think the question about the letter we answered to you yesterday and, on the other reports that you’re referring, I will try to see what I can get for you on your first question.  Mr. Abbadi.

[The correspondent was later informed that the Secretary-General stands strongly by UNRWA and its staff, who work courageously under very difficult conditions to provide a crucial humanitarian lifeline to the people of the Gaza strip.  The Deputy Spokesperson added that UNRWA’s activities are very closely followed by the international community and its donors, including the United States.  The Agency is transparent about its activities and maintains strict control over contributions to ensure aid goes directly to civilians in need, she said.]

/…

Deputy Spokesperson:  If it’s alright, I do have a response to the UNRWA question that you both had.  UNRWA maintains its primary banking relationships -– and all donor contributions –- with reputable international banks, including JPMorgan Chase, BNP Paribas and Bank Austria Vienna.  The Agency distributes on a weekly basis to field offices operationally required funds to banks in the relevant area of operations.  In this context, UNRWA uses the Arab Bank for transactions in the West Bank and the Commercial Bank of Syria, which until recently held a State monopoly on all banking operations in Syria and remains the only bank to provide the full extent of services throughout the country, for local transactions, such as the payment of staff salary. 

Question:  [inaudible]

Deputy Spokesperson:  This is all I have now.  Who had a question before…?  You did?

Question:  So he is basically denying the charges that are being made by…

Deputy Spokesperson:  This is the factual response that I have.  Go ahead.

Question:  Marie, I just heard you say that you gave an answer yesterday to the question about the letter sent by Desmond Tutu and Robinson.

Deputy Spokesperson:  Yes.

Question:  But, actually, you didn’t answer it yesterday.  You said he hadn’t even received the letter; you deflected any questions, so…

Deputy Spokesperson:  No, what I said was the letter…I have to check.  But in terms of the response, what I said was the Secretary-General does have an investigation under way; that it’s wrapping up its work and he is waiting to hear from them.

Question:  We know that, but this is completely different.  They’re asking for a new investigation (cross-talk)…

Deputy Spokesperson:  And I said that, separately, the Human Rights Council had also asked for an investigation looking into the wider issues involved.

Question:  So does that satisfy, in your view, the request made by Tutu and Robinson?

Deputy Spokesperson:  We have to review the letter; which is what I said yesterday.

Question:  Have you received the letter?

Deputy Spokesperson:  We would have to review the letter.

Question:  Have you received the letter?

Deputy Spokesperson:  I will check.  I said that at the beginning of my response to you.

[The Deputy Spokesperson later confirmed the letter was received yesterday and was currently being reviewed.]

/…

Question:  And the second is that British parliamentarians have gone to Gaza and have been in dialogue with Hamas and there was [inaudible]… Palestine a caravan from Britain and joined by people that did get in Gaza through Egypt.  I wondered if the Secretary-General has any comment about these events and if there is any way that this can help to open up the crossing points into Gaza so that there can be relief to the people?  Do you have any idea…?

Deputy Spokesperson:  I have nothing; I have no new updates on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but, in terms of the crossings, you know, the Secretary-General has been working very hard, along with our people on the ground, to get those crossings open and enough humanitarian aid flowing to the people of the Occupied Territory.

Question:  [inaudible]…to hear this, but there are no details of that and particularly the Egyptian crossing; that agreement is from 2005 [interrupted]

Deputy Spokesperson:  Rhonda, I don’t have anything further.  I understand your concern and the Secretary-General shares that concern.  Yes, can I get somebody who hasn’t had the floor?  Yes.

/…

* *** *

For information media • not an official record