Daily Press Briefing – Secretary-General Statement on Annexation, Civilians Killed – (Excerpts)

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

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**Questions and Answers

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Question:  Thank you, Steph.  You said yesterday, I think, the SG will issue a statement about [Benjamin] Netanyahu’s statement deciding to annex the… Jordan Valley and the settlement after he’s… if he’s elected as Prime Minister.  Did you issue the statement?

Spokesman:  No, what I said yesterday in answer to questions, I think, all… what I answer comprehensively will stand as the UN’s position.

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Okay.  But my question, Stéphane, is about two statement by Nickolay Mladenov, and I hope you will be patient.  There were two Palestinian killed and one Israeli civilian killed.  So, when he talked about the two Palestinian, he mentioned the word “appalling,” and he said must… “Israel must calibrate its use of force, use lethal force only if necessary.  The cycle of violence must end.”  He didn’t mention the two teenagers.  He didn’t mention their names nor how they were killed.  They were killed by snipers from across the border.  He didn’t even offer his apolo… his condolences to the families.  But when an Israeli young girl, 17 years old, was killed, he said the following:  “Shocking, heinous bomb attack in the West Bank.  There is nothing heroic in murder.  Nothing is… is… it is to speak of, cowardly”…

Spokesman:  I read… I’m aware of the tweets.

Question:  And he mentioned her name, her family.  He offered condolences.  As an impartial envoy of the UN, is that fair treatment of three innocent victim, two Palestinian, one Israeli?  Is he fair?  Is he…

Spokesman:  Look, I think…

Question:  Is he impartial?  Is he objective…?  Honestly.

Spokesman:  I think Mr. Mladenov is impartial and is objective.  And I understand your interest, and I respect the way you look at the statements.  But I think one has to look at the body of work from Mr. Mladenov and other UN envoys to see that we clearly and without condition condemn the killings of civilians, and we have done so and will continue to do so.  Thank you.  Farhan [Haq] will be here with our guests in just a second, if he’s not already here.  Here we go.

For information media. Not an official record.