DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
Press Briefing
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
19961121
FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY
Sylvana Foa, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, began today's noon briefing by introducing Jember Lezhava, a 57-year-old mathematician and engineer from the Republic of Georgia who had been travelling around the world on a bicycle since 1993. He had already covered 193,000 kilometres or 115,000 miles. The journey was dedicated to the ideals of peace, tolerance, love and friendship. "Sounds like the United Nations to me", Ms. Foa said. He still had another 200,000 kilometres or 120,000 miles to go. He was heading to South America and Africa. Mr. Lezhava would be available to correspondents in the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Club after the briefing, she said.
To a series of correspondents' queries, Mr. Lezhava said that the name of his bicycle was "Mirani" and that he had been through five bicycles so far on the trip. He sometimes resorted to the use of planes and ships when travelling over bodies of water.
Asked how his wife felt about the trip, he explained that she was deceased. He regularly sent postcards from all over to his four grandchildren, he added. Asked who should be the next Secretary-General he said that he had no opinion, as he had had no direct access to the election process. The idea of the trip had come to him after he underwent a serious medical operation. He had dedicated himself to physical training ever since. "I love the United Nations flag", Ms. Foa said, referring to flags on the handlebars. "Don't take it off."
Ms. Foa then announced that today, 21 November, was the fifth anniversary of the election of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The Secretary-General had been elected by 11 affirmative votes in the Security Council, she said.
His anniversary present had been a communique from President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan of Sierra Leone and Corporal Foday Saybana Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone, who had put out a statement announcing that they had agreed to meet in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on 29 November to sign a draft peace agreement. The Secretary-General had said that it was the best anniversary present that he could have received. He had consistently urged an early signature of the accord, which would mark a significant development towards establishing peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone. He called upon both parties to implement in good faith their understanding, as stated in their joint announcement.
"We have reports of the Security Council up the 'gazoo' today", Ms. Foa said. "There are at least four big ones", she added.
In a progress report on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III), the Secretary-General stated that despite some progress in the peace process, the implementation of the timetable was still behind schedule. The commitments made by the parties only a couple of weeks ago had not been implemented, especially by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). It was imperative that UNITA cooperate fully with the United Nations in resolving outstanding issues related to quartering of troops, handing over all its military equipment and the formation of unified armed forces. There was a Joint Commission, chaired by UNAVEM, which was discussing compliance issues today. The UNITA had said that by 20 November it would comply; the Joint Commission was looking to see whether they had complied with everything.
The Angolan Government was expected to complete shortly all the logistics preparation for the incorporation of UNITA troops and police personnel into the unified armed forces and the new national police force, Ms. Foa said.
In an effort to streamline and economize the UNAVEM III operation, the Secretary-General indicates in his report that he has decided to withdraw four infantry and support units -- some 600 to 700 personnel -- by the end of December, Ms. Foa said. By 1 December he would issue a new report, including a comprehensive update on the status of the peace process. The current mandate of the mission ends on 11 December, she added.
In his report on the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), the Secretary-General states that despite considerable improvement in relations between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its neighbours, some pending issues such as the demarcation of the border with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), and the dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had yet to be resolved.
According to the Secretary-General, inter-ethnic tension continued to characterize the domestic political scene, Ms. Foa said. It had become increasingly evident that the primary threat to the country's stability had come from internal political tensions. The UNPREDEP had accordingly devoted considerable attention to strengthening dialogue between the political forces and had assisted in monitoring human rights and inter-ethnic relations. The report recommends that the mission mandate, scheduled to end on 31 November, should be extended for six months until 31 May 1997.
The current force strength and configuration was optimal, according to the Secretary-General, she said. But in the interest of economy, he had recommended the reduction of the military component by 300, from all ranks, by 1 April 1997. The mission now consisted of two mechanized infantry battalions of 500 men each -- one from the Nordic countries and one from the United States; and an Indonesian engineering platoon of 50 troops. The total mission strength would be reduced from 1,050 to 750, with savings of $400,000.
Another report of the Secretary-General was on the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which was scheduled to expire by the end of November, Ms Foa said. The UNDOF was established in 1974 to supervise the cease-fire and disengagement agreement signed between Israel and Syria. The UNDOF continued to perform its functions effectively. The Secretary-General considers the continued presence of UNDOF essential to maintaining the present quiet in the Syrian Golan Heights. He recommends that the mission be extended for six months, until 31 May 1997.
According to the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL), despite the disturbing 31 October assassination attempt at the Executive Mansion, the situation seemed to be improving in Liberia, Ms. Foa said. But tensions remained. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had reiterated its determination to increase its force level, subject to the provision of logistic and financial resources. "Remember, this is our regional group that was working very hard in Liberia and that was constantly starved of resources", Ms. Foa said.
Today, there would be a ministerial-level conference in Brussels, to consider various aspects of peace-keeping and peace-building in Liberia, she said. "Hopefully there will be some money coming out of that", she added. The Secretary-General called upon all factions to facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to those in need. He recommends that the Security Council extend the current mandate of UNOMIL for four more months until 31 March 1997. The present mandate ends 30 November. The UNOMIL now consisted of 23 peace-keepers, she said.
There was a lot of talk about the numbers in Zaire, and who was where, Ms. Foa then said. Better reports were now available, based on aerial surveys conducted by several countries. At least three different surveys had been carried out, and they matched. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducts regular censuses in its camps, Ms. Foa said. People were registered by name, the numbers in their families, their villages and other personal data. "This was not just a 'guesstimate'", Ms. Foa said. "They go and ask 'what's your name, how old are you and what village do you come from'." The last census, completed in July, had identified 1,246,895 refugees. They knew that some 500,000 of those refugees had crossed into Rwanda. "Where are the rest?" she asked.
The aerial surveys had revealed that there were 50,000 refugees located 20 kilometres, or 12 miles west of Masizi, she said. Some 100,000 were located just north of Sake; 200,000 were 75 kilometres north of Bukavu; 250,000 were located 75 kilometres south-west of Bukavu; and 100,000 were in the Fizi area, 100 kilometres south of Uvira. "Those refugees are out there and they are in need of assistance. The United Nations has to explain to donors where their money is going, this has been a very expensive refugee operation, and those refugees are there. They are not ghosts."
An inter-agency mission composed of the UNHCR, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) had travelled to Bukavu yesterday afternoon, she said. They were expected back in Ciangugu this afternoon. They were looking to get some more help reaching some of the refugees in the Bukavu area.
Today the United Nations World Television Forum formally opened, Ms. Foa then announced. There were speeches by the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly and the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. It would continue until tomorrow afternoon. The Forum had been organized by the United Nations, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and the Foreign Ministry of Italy. It was the first conference bringing together a large group of broadcast leaders from around the world. They were examining the role of television and its influence on the decision-making process and its capacity to promote international understanding. There were some 150 media professionals from around the world, as well as hundreds of other participants. All were invited to attend the Forum, which was being held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber.
In his remarks to the World Television Forum this morning, the Secretary-General had stated that television was a "means of outreach", Ms. Foa said. "I see television playing a major role in opening the United Nations to the world, enhancing its transparency, and carrying its message to all people" the Secretary-General had said. Continuing, he termed television the "sixteenth member of the Security Council". "I am convinced that the impact of television images, especially current affairs and new programmes, has a considerable bearing on public opinion. However, the challenge today was to harness the immediacy and emotional power of television in the service of greater knowledge and understanding of world events."
"Now, if they would only tell United Nations Security how important television is", Ms. Foa said. "We'll have to pass this speech out to all the security people so that television gets more access. Copies to everybody. Just in case anybody wonders what the Secretary-General's position is on television cameras in the corridors, he's all for it. I think that's clear."
The Security Council this morning had held consultations on the report of the Secretary-General pursuant to Security Council resolution 1070 (1996), which refers to the Sudan, and on other matters. They had been briefed by Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, Senior Adviser to the Secretary-General.
On the Sudan, the Security Council had decided to defer discussion of sanctions for one month, Ms. Foa said. They felt that they needed more information before they could make a decision. The Secretary-General had been asked to assess how sanctions would affect the population. Mr. Gharekhan had said that it would take some time for the WFP and others in the Sudan to make such an assessment, so they were deferring consideration of the matter for one month.
On Monday, 25 November, the Council would take up reports on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), Ms. Foa said. Also next week the Council would be briefed by the Secretariat on Somalia. Rolf Ekeus, Executive Chairman of the Special Commission established by Security Council resolution 687 (1991) on the disarmament of Iraq, would also brief the Council next week.
"We got a new cheque today", Ms. Foa then said. "Remember all those cheques that were coming in from rabbits, pet dogs, cats and everybody? The update is that 9,021 people -- I don't know if that includes the rabbits, lizards and everything -- had sent in contributions totalling $60,275.77. Don't ask me about the $0.77. I don't understand it and no one can explain it to me."
Most cheques were coming from citizens of the United States or United States citizens living abroad, Ms. Foa said. Citizens of 14 other countries had also made contributions. The letter received today had come from Jean and Harvey in Nyack, New York, who offered "a tiny contribution from two World War II veterans and one 'retired greyhound', all of whom appreciated the United Nations contribution to our life and health. What alternative does anyone have to offer to the United Nations? Obviously none."
Ms. Foa then announced that at 2:45 p.m. the Secretary-General would receive the text of the 1996 Declaration of World Thanksgiving, which was available in the Spokesman's office. The Declaration would be read out at a ceremony attended by representatives of different cultures and religions. A few words would be spoken by Peter P. Stewart, the Chairman of the Centre for World Thanksgiving. The event would take place at Headquarters, by Norman Rockwell's "Golden Rule" mosaic, on the 3rd floor, by the corridor connecting the Secretariat and the General Assembly buildings.
Today at 12:30 p.m. Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini of Italy would present the Secretary-General with a sculpture entitled "Sphere within a Sphere" by sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.
To a question on the Sudan, Ms. Foa said that the Security Council wanted to take up the issue in one month. Asked whether the impact assessment would be made public, she responded, "I would hope so. There's a lot of debate at the United Nations on the effect of sanctions on civilian populations. Maybe it would be a good time to take a real good look at what happens."
A correspondent then said that the Secretary-General had announced that he did not want another vote in the Security Council. How would she interpret that?
Ms. Foa said that she had not heard that. "Quite honestly, I don't understand how this works", she said. "Evidently, they were saying that they would meet again on Monday. I don't understand how the procedure works. If anybody here could explain it to me I would be happy, but I don't know what that means, 'not another vote'".
Asked whether the Secretary-General watched television, Ms. Foa said that her office was always trying to get him to watch something, especially when he was on. What happened was that he would try to watch something that he had heard was wonderful, but the phone would start ringing and he would be dragged away. Ahmad Fawzi, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that he liked "The X-Files" and "The Simpsons". "You can't tear him away from the Letterman show", he added.
Samsiah Abdul-Majid, spokeswoman for General Assembly President Razali Ismail (Malaysia), said that the President had spoken today at the United Nations World Television Forum. He said the exchange of views should be based on the firm understanding of universal values predicated on pluralism. Not only were those values inviolable, but they applied equally to the private and commercial sectors just as they did to nations, governments and individuals. At the United Nations, the concepts and practices of democracy, pluralism, accountability and burden-sharing were analyzed and redefined because they were fundamental principles that guided international life and guaranteed equity for all. Any appraisal of the role of television in international affairs must also find ways to absorb those same principles.
According to the President, today's television environment enlarged choices, created opportunities for diversity and promoted a clear flow of information, she said. However, such an enlargement of people's choices would only be a false distortion of empowerment if it were to be restricted within the doctrine of consumerism or pre-packaged by power elites. Information technology that spanned the globe could concentrate ownership, limit access, homogenize content and pit freedom of expression against certain minimum standards. "Therein lies our dilemma and our challenge". (For the full text of the statement, see Press Release GA/9172-PI/980.)
The General Assembly plenary today was considering the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, she said. Two draft resolutions were being introduced.
One was on economic assistance to States affected by the implementation of Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. By that draft the Assembly would renew its invitation to international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to continue to pay special attention to the economic problems of affected States. It would renew its appeal to all States, on an urgent basis, to provide assistance to affected States in the period following the lifting of the sanctions.
The second draft, on assistance to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia, would have the Assembly call upon States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to provide Liberia with assistance for the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and the rehabilitation of combatants. The Assembly would also deplore all attacks against, and intimidation of personnel of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
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