In progress at UNHQ

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

7 August 1996



Press Briefing

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

19960807 FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY

Sylvana Foa, Spokesman for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, announced at today's noon briefing that there would be a meeting of experts on sanctions against Iraq at 3 p.m. today at the Permanent Mission of Germany.

The Security Council was still working on a draft presidential statement on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, she said. Some amendments that were proposed yesterday were being considered for incorporation into the statement. The report on the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES), which was issued yesterday, had been added to the Council's agenda today.

Turning to the negotiations in Guatemala, Ms. Foa informed correspondents that the "petit comité" had completed yesterday a meeting in Mexico City which was attended by members of the Guatemalan Government, the Unidad Revolucionaría Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) and the United Nations moderator of the negotiating process, Jean Arnault. (The "petite comité" is a small standing group of four government representatives and four URNG representatives). The most significant outcome of the meeting was that the two sides agreed to conclude a final peace accord before the end of the year. Within the next few weeks the two sides would continue consideration of the current item on the agenda of the peace negotiations -- the strengthening of civilian institutions and the role of the army in a democratic society. A press release on the meeting, in Spanish, was available in the Spokesman's office.

Ms. Foa then said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had reported on the impact of the new eruption of fighting in Chechnya. In the last few days, an additional 3,400 people had arrived in Dagestan from Chechnya. There were unconfirmed reports of another 1,000 people who had tried to cross the border but had not made it across. At the moment, an estimated total of 85,000 people who had fled Chechnya to escape the fighting were in Dagestan and Ingushetia. In the meantime, UNHCR officials were increasing their presence along the Dagestan-Ingushetia frontier and were putting in place contingency stocks for 10,000 people.

In response to correspondents' queries about the status of a Security Council draft resolution on the Sudan, Ms. Foa said the Council was continuing its informal consultations. Several Council members had asked the Secretariat for a report on the potential humanitarian impact of possible "further measures" on that Member State. That report was being finalized and should be available soon.

Ms. Foa then announced that the United Nations was invited to a summit meeting of the Committee of Nine of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to discuss the situation in Liberia. The summit would take place in Abuja, from 14 to 17 August.

Oman had become the eighty-fourth Member State to pay its 1996 regular budget dues in full, in the amount of $445,081, Ms. Foa continued. Contributions were still owed by 101 Member States. "We're almost there", she added.

The Spokesman said that the Monitoring Group set up to follow up on the "26-April understanding" would meet for the first time at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Nagoura. Comprised of France, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and the United States, the group was expected to discuss their role, monitoring procedures, transportation, communication and collection of information. The UNIFIL would be providing the necessary logistics.

The Department of Humanitarian Affairs was in close touch with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to work out measures to mitigate the possible humanitarian consequences of the regional sanctions that were being enforced against Burundi, Ms. Foa said. They had to find ways to get humanitarian supplies, particularly food and medicines into Burundi. It is hoped that the talks would contribute to resolving the issue very quickly.

Turning to Cyprus, the Spokesman reported that a large-scale demonstration by motor cyclists was expected to take place in Cyprus on Sunday, 11 August, to draw attention to the question of Cyprus. The bikers left Berlin last Friday and arrived in Greece today. They would then go to Cyprus. They were expected to arrive in Nicosia via the island's coastal road and gather at a stadium to hold the demonstration. Last year, a similar event took place but only "a couple of people" participated. This year, however, the large numbers expected -- reports said up to 7,000 -- were causing some concern to the authorities. It was felt that the demonstrators might attempt to enter the buffer zone and create unnecessary tension between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The responsibility for maintaining law and order lay with the Cypriot authorities. They assured the United Nations "blue helmets", who numbered about 1,100 troops, that they had taken precautionary measures to keep the bikers out of the buffer zone.

Ms. Foa then informed correspondents that the second observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People would be celebrated at Headquarters on 9 August. A central part of the celebration would be a "Sacred Pipe" ceremony which would take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Visitors' Entrance Plaza. Indigenous leaders and elders from around the world

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would gather to lead the ceremony and deliver messages of peace. Also, as part of the observance, a panel discussion on indigenous health rights would be held in Conference Room 1 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Today was the last day of "World Breastfeeding Week" and a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO), was available in the Spokesman's office, Ms. Foa said. Also available was a press release which reported that Chile would be providing helicopter support for the United Nations Special Commission set up under Security Council resolution 687 (1991) in connection with the disposal of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Iraq.

A correspondent complained about the delays she had experienced in trying to bring a visitor into the Secretariat because of new security regulations which were initiated this week. The delays had resulted partly from the fact that passes could no longer be obtained in advance for media personnel. Ms. Foa said she had been briefed on the matter and would be discussing it in more detail with the Chief of the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit, Sonia Lecca, and the Chief of Security, Mike McCann.

Referring to the discovery of life forms on Mars, another correspondent asked for a response to a question he had asked a few weeks ago regarding the United Nations contingency plans for an alien invasion. Was there a secret UFO committee.

In response, Ms. Foa remarked tongue-in-cheek that as it was a slow news day her office had followed up on the query, launching a major investigation throughout the United Nations system. "You'll be happy to know that we have been able to piece together a great deal of disinformation on United Nations contingency planning in case of an invasion, or as the United Nations prefers to call it, a drop-in, from outer space ... and I have not been authorized to share any of it."

"For instance, I am not authorized to tell you whether or not the United Nations has a secret task force working round the clock to implement a Protocol for Member Planets", she continued. "Why not? I have a feeling that it might be sour grapes because any such member planets would have fallen under Article 19 and not paid their dues on time. On extra-terrestrial background, I can tell you that I understand their story is `the checks are on the spaceship and it will take light years to get here'. Those are the same old excuses, excuses, excuses we get from everybody."

"And", Ms. Foa continued, "I am not authorized to discuss with you any requests from member planets for electoral assistance. We would be delighted to consider those requests. However, the problem is the financial crisis. Do you know what the per diem of election monitors who had to go someplace that was 20 million light years away would be? Even if we freeze them for the trip

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they would still want their per diem. That would have to be worked out by the Fifth Committee."

"And I certainly am not authorized to discuss with you the maintenance of round-the-clock communications with member planets via a special laser communications facility located in the black helicopter, so frequently spotted by people who have forgotten to take their medication.

"What I am authorized to tell you is that the roof of the United Nations Headquarters is swept occasionally and kept litter free, just in case someone from somewhere wants to drop by and pay their dues."

At that point, there was a knock on the door of the briefing room and in walked an "extra-terrestrial being", in human-like form, complete with mask -- - to the complete surprise of everyone except the Spokesman.

Addressing the being, Ms. Foa said, "Oh, it's the Permanent Representative of Rutoro II. Your Excellency, come in. Why have you come to visit us? How was your trip?"

The "Permanent Representative of Rutoro II" then presented the Spokesman with two over-sized dollar bills.

Ms. Foa said, "Thank you. Rutoro II is the first member planet to pay its 1996 regular budget dues in full. Thank you very much Excellency."

The Spokesman ended by saying that it was wonderful to have interns. "They are great."

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For information media. Not an official record.