TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS ON 12 JUNE
Press Release
SG/SM/6255
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS ON 12 JUNE
19970612SECRETARY-GENERAL: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It has been a while since we met. I thought it would be helpful if we met today, and for me to share with you some of the discussions I had in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) with regard to what is happening in the Great Lakes region and in Sierra Leone.
The OAU discussions were particularly interesting this year. In addition to discussing the crises around Africa, there was quite a lot of discussion on human rights, democratization and economic issues. We, in fact, had a brief summit where the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) briefed the Heads of States on economic issues and what he thought the African Governments have to do to move their region forward in the area of economic and social development. There was quite a lot of sympathy for the work that needs to be done in the Republic of Congo to help President Laurent Kabila and his team rebuild the nation, get the infrastructure going, and eventually organize elections at an appropriate time. But I think what was most remarkable was the reaction of the Heads of State to the coup in Sierra Leone.
They were at one in condemning the coup and encouraging the Governments in the region that everything should be done to restore the legitimate Government back to power. It is remarkable in the sense that, barely a year ago, there was a coup in Gambia and there was no reaction, but this time the leaders seem determined to discourage coups in Africa. In fact, I did make a statement in Harare which really covered the issues of human rights, democratization and the rule of law. I hope Fred Eckhard will make copies available to you.
But I think I came to take your questions, not to speak. So let me pause here and take your questions.
QUESTION: On behalf of United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), as always, it is a pleasure to see you, and we welcome you here.
Not to overshadow what you have been doing in Africa, but obviously there is one of the regular crisis points about the budget of the United States coming up. And it seems that, at last, there is a vociferous voice of sanity in the form of Richard Lugar actually stating the international legal position. And I was wondering whether you as Secretary-General, and therefore in some sense custodian of the Charter, would be publicly and vociferously supporting his position, as against the deal that the White House and Congress seem to have cooked up without considering what the United Nations feelings might be.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: No. I was very pleased with the statement by Senator Lugar and, as I had shared with you earlier, the President himself is
- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
convinced that the United Nations is essential for the United States, just as we need the United States to participate actively in this Organization. He also believes that if the United States is going to lead and play an effective role in this Organization, it has to pay its way. So I am sure he would also be happy with the position Senator Lugar has taken.
Of course, last Friday I was in Washington and I did discuss it with the State Department, including Mrs. Madeleine Albright. They briefed us on the very tough and delicate negotiations that have been going on between the Administration and the Congress. Indeed, they felt this was the best deal they could get under the circumstances and considered it a breakthrough and were happy with it.
Obviously, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, and like other Member States, we would have been happier if the totality of what we believe is owed were paid and if the deck had been cleared and we did not have to deal with benchmarks. But the Administration that is in the midst of negotiating this indicates that, under the circumstances, they believe this may be the best. But of course, the process is going on, it is not ended, it is a long process. I do not know how we will come out of it at the end of the day. But as far as positions of principle are concerned, I am one 100 per cent with Senator Lugar.
QUESTION: Over the past couple of years there has been an open and growing distrust of Mr. Denis Halliday and Mr. Joseph Connor on the part of delegations in the Fifth Committee. Also, internally, the Performance Assessment System which the administration has put in place is not working and there is almost an open rebellion among senior staff. Given these facts, how confident are you that you have the managerial capacity to implement any reforms you decide upon?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me say that both Mr. Halliday and Mr. Connor are doing a very difficult job in very difficult circumstances. I wish sometimes that our colleagues in the Fifth Committee would have a bit more sympathetic understanding for the tough and difficult job administrators in this Organization have. I know that there are problems, and I have had complaints about the appraisal system. But one of the issues we are looking at is to review the whole personnel issue and our personnel approach. In fact, it is on the table. I have discussed it with Mr. Connor and Mr. Hans Corell and we are also hoping to revise our own rules and other things. We will, at the end of the day, have a system that will be a bit more simplified, a bit more straightforward, and that will work. Obviously, we cannot do this overnight and it is going to take time.
Your question also gives me an opportunity to emphasize the fact that we see reform as an ongoing process. Change and reform also have to be managed,
- 3 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
and we have to be careful not to overload the system by pressing on the staff too many issues, too many managerial changes, and everything at one time. It can lead to an overload. So we need to manage the process. But on this question of personnel, we are looking at the whole approach.
QUESTION: At the Group of Seven or Group of Eight meeting next week, Africa is one of the agenda items, with a focus on how to facilitate trade and development there. What advice would you give to those countries on either a general approach or specific policies on the things that they can do that will help facilitate trade?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Actually, I was going to say something but I'm not sure we have done it yet. We have planned an input, a letter we are going to send to the G-8 as it is now called, basically indicating areas which I thought they may wish to consider; also, with the economic development of Africa, the question of the debt overhang and whatever assistance they can offer to give them relief and really set them on the path to economic and social development. I will make sure that, if the letter has gone out, you do get a copy. But we did issue a whole host of indications, as well as talk a bit about United Nations reform.
QUESTION: You are one of the first Secretaries-General to acknowledge, in effect, and accept what Washington is doing: changing, it appears, the relationship between the United Nations and the United States; General Accounting Office auditors running through the halls, looking at the books. There are a lot of deep changes in the way business is done -- the standing army, personnel, things like that. You are saying it's a work in progress, but there is a vote today in Washington. Are you accepting all this?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Nothing has been accepted. First of all, these issues are under discussion between the Administration and the Congress. Nothing has been communicated formally to the United Nations. We know these discussions are going on. Will they become law? And if they become law, what will be the attitude of the United Nations Member States? I think we all live in this building and we have got the reactions of the Member States very loud and clear. I think some of the comments found their way to The New York Times yesterday and today.
One can discuss these things in Congress -- that does not mean that it is going to become law in the United Nations. It does not necessarily mean that the Member States are going to accept it. My sense is that, on quite a lot of the issues, the United States will have to come and negotiate and discuss with the other Member States. It is going to be a real challenge for United States diplomacy, and I think that the Administration realizes it. I do not think anyone expects that Congress can take decisions and impose them unilaterally on the other 184 Member States.
- 4 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
QUESTION: This year, there are two flashpoints where the United Nations has been actively engaged. One is Afghanistan, where only statements have been made about the formation of the government but nothing concrete has been done to disengage the parties and recognize the right party -- or, you know, the party that is controlling the capital -- while here at the United Nations the ambassadors are sitting representing a Government which is not even in Afghanistan. So can you shed any light on whether Dr. Norbert Heinrich Holl is being successful in his mission to Afghanistan?
The second flashpoint is Kashmir, where the United Nations observers are posted across the line of control but nothing much has been done by the United Nations.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me start with Afghanistan and say that Dr. Holl is working very hard and has tried tirelessly over a reasonably long period to bring the parties together. I think you know as well as I do -- or you would have to admit -- that where the parties do not want to cooperate and are determined to find solutions on the battlefield, there is very little Dr. Holl or anyone can do.
We have tried to work with the Governments in the region and we have been in touch with other Afghan parties. We believe that there is no military solution to the situation in Afghanistan. Even if one party were to take the entire country, it does not mean that the quarrel is over. There are other minority elements within the society that will continue to resist from within and without. And this is why we hope and have been trying to get the parties to accept a broad-based government and power-sharing, in order to bring peace to Afghanistan.
But alas, the parties have not cooperated with us, and I hope we can find some way of getting them to cooperate. It is not a problem for Holl alone. It's a problem for the parties. And the inspiration for acceptable and viable peace needs to spring from them too.
On the question of Kashmir, I think that, yes, there are United Nations resolutions and we have observers on the ground. But I think what is exciting and important is the talks going on between Pakistan and India. There is a lot happening in that region. I was in India in March for the Non-Aligned Conference, and I spoke to both Foreign Ministers: then-Minister Gujral and the new Pakistani Foreign Minister. But now Gujral is Prime Minister and is pursuing this effort and policy of good-neighbourliness. And I think there are results: the sharing of waters in the Ganges, the agreement with Nepal, the settlement of the military border issue with China, and his determined efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.
- 5 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
There are United Nations resolutions, United Nations positions, but these are not self-fulfilling or self-enforcing. I think it is important that the two parties are talking, and I am very hopeful that if the talks continue they will make progress, improve relations and eventually resolve the issue of Kashmir - I hope. But at least it would calm the subcontinent, and I would hope people could switch resources from military to economic and social development.
QUESTION: Given that negotiations between West African leaders and the coup plotters in Sierra Leone do not seem to be going anywhere, would you support the use of force, perhaps as a last resort, to dislodge the coup plotters? And also, are you concerned about the effect this will have on the Liberian peace process?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: I think that my position on this has been very clear, and I did appeal to the coup makers very early in the game to reconsider their position -- particularly given the fact that the people do not accept them, the neighbours do not want them, the region doesn't welcome them and neither does the international community. So for them to really persist with this enterprise is going to be extremely difficult for them, and for the people. I would hope, therefore, that the combined effort of negotiations and the military presence on the ground will bring them around to giving up power and returning it to the legitimate Government. Obviously, if all else fails, given the constellation in the region and the forces on the ground, force as a last resort may not be avoided, given what has happened on the ground.
QUESTION: In some of your comments recently you had indicated that you might be willing to consider the use of the more respectable mercenary organizations to help out in various tasks normally associated with peace- keeping. For example, one mercenary group did assist in security around Kinshasa recently. I was wondering if you could clarify your views on when and how and if mercenaries should be employed by the United Nations.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: First of all, I don't know how one makes a distinction between respectable mercenaries and non-respectable mercenaries.
Secondly, I am not aware that I have made any recent statements implying that I will accept mercenaries in these situations. What happened was, about two years ago, when we were trying to see what could be done to separate the armed elements from the refugees on the Rwandan-Zairian border and no Governments wanted to offer troops, one of the options that was looked at was the possibility of bringing in other elements -- not necessarily troops from Governments -- who might be able to provide security, assist the aid workers in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and protect them
- 6 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
as they did their work. That was discarded, and this was two years ago. Recently, I have not had any such discussions.
QUESTION: The situation in Haiti is deteriorating, with political crimes and pressure against Rene Préval. It is said that Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide is trying to undermine the Government. What is the position of the United Nations?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: We don't think anybody should undermine a legally elected Government. Obviously, we live in a political climate, and you cannot prevent people from actively getting engaged in politics. It is one thing to be engaged in politics and another to undermine. And so, if your implication is that someone is undermining the Government, it is not something that we will support.
As you know, the United Nations has been very active in Haiti. We are still on the ground and have been working hard with the Government to try and see what we can do to strengthen the police and help bring peace and stability to that country. And we urge all concerned to cooperate with President Préval and his cabinet to ensure that our common endeavour succeeds.
QUESTION: With regard to the Rio +5, the most important question -- the question of finances -- still remains unsolved five years after the [INAUDIBLE]. Levels of development assistance have decreased over the past five years -- doesn't this doom the summit from the outset?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Not necessarily. I think what is important is that so many Heads of State have decided to come to New York to reassess, five years after Rio, what we've done and what we have not done. It also indicates the legitimacy of the United Nations as the only forum that can offer this sort of stage, where 80 Heads of State will come and discuss an issue of crucial importance to all of us. I hope that in the stock-taking, we will recognize what we've done and what we've not done, and what we need to do to meet the commitments we undertook in Rio.
And I think you're going to be hearing a lot about this financial issue and what we have done or have not done, as well as other aspects of the environment. I think you will hear a lot about water, about forests, about climate change. And what is also interesting is, when I was in Japan recently they suddenly spoke to me about Rio +10, which was an encouraging proposal -- underscoring the fact that environment is so important that we should get together periodically, every five years, to take stock and to see what we've done and what we've not done, and to redouble our efforts. So even though we are going to be organizing Rio +5, they want us to think five years ahead and prepare Rio +10, which is an interesting suggestion.
- 7 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
QUESTION: Child support and alimony are two critical issues for hundreds of ex-wives of United Nations officials. And a United States Congressman and members of the United Nations [INAUDIBLE] are calling on the United Nations to take more action. Do you have any response?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Did you get the question? I think the question was alimony payments, and there was a question of 100 wives who - ex-wives, 100 ex-wives -- who are expecting payments from their husbands and this Congressman who has taken up this issue. I think some of you may know that we do have an ST/AI on this question. It is ST/AI/399, which does allow the United Nations, in situations where there has been a legal judgement, to withhold sums from staff members. And this has been done in certain situations. And in fact, I think the ST/AI and the United Nations personnel rules are quite firm, and in situations where this brings disrepute to the Organization and major hardship to the wives and the children, we can even consider summary dismissal. So we do have provisions for dealing with the issue.
QUESTION: Regarding the [INAUDIBLE] of the United Nations Mission in Guatemala, the Government maintains that the United Nations covered up the disappearance of a former rebel. And at the same time, the United Nations maintains its position and has said that it is evidence that the Government was involved in the disappearance. Are you ready to come out with this evidence, or are you planning to [INAUDIBLE]?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: First of all, I am not aware that the United Nations said they had evidence that the Government was involved in this. But what we have done is sent a team down to investigate, a team led by Mr. Horacio Bonio. He has submitted his report, which I am studying. I think mistakes may have been made, but at this stage I have no clear indication that my representative did cover up. But I do not want to go further, since we have just received the report and I am studying it. I cannot comment on the second question about the Government's involvement until I have studied the report and get a few more facts.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me study the report, and I will either make a statement or you will hear from us. As I said, the report has just come out and I will have to look at it.
QUESTION: To go back to Sierra Leone for a moment, what exactly is the United Nations involvement right now? I understand that early on in the crisis your representative, Ambassador Berhanu Dinka, was involved in negotiating with the coup plotters. What is the situation on the ground, in view of the fact that the United Nations has evacuated? Is the United Nations
- 8 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
system still officially engaged in negotiations, and are there plans for post- resolution of this crisis?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: We are not directly involved with the negotiations. I think it is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries that are leading the negotiations, and they are also the ones with the troops on the ground. The United Nations has, in practice, tended to allow regional organizations to lead where they take a situation in hand. We usually do not get involved and compete with them. There have been situations where we have done it together. For example, this morning I instructed Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun to go to Kinshasa and then to the Central African Republic to join President Omar Bongo in the negotiations between the protagonists in Congo- Brazzaville. But in the case of Sierra Leone, it is entirely in the hands of the West African countries. I know that Ghana sent in a team from Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, who was a Permanent Representative here, to meet with a group of generals to negotiate the situation. We are staying close to it, but we are not directly involved in the negotiations.
You may also recall that prior to the conflict, we had prepared a peace- keeping force to go in and help implement the agreement that was signed with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Obviously, when all this has settled down we will need to reassess the situation and determine what steps the United Nations should take, whether the agreement still exists, whether the agreement is implementable, whether the RUF -- which has now joined the coup makers -- will still honour the agreement. So we will have to reassess the situation to determine what we do next.
QUESTION: I have a question about the killings of refugees in Congo- Kinshasa. How confident are you that United Nations human rights investigators are going to be able to achieve their mission?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: I did speak to President Kabila personally in Harare, and I also brought in -- as I mentioned to some of you -- the Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. He did promise me that he will cooperate, and I pressed him to appoint a senior official with authority, with access to him, who can take decisions to work with the UNHCR. There and then he indicated that he would appoint the Minister of Construction, and he has since done that. The UNHCR has also named a focal point, Assistant Secretary-General Sergio de Mello, and they are already in the region and are hoping to sit down with the representatives of President Kabila to discuss a plan and move on with this implementation.
I think President Kabila has begun to realize the importance and urgency of resolving, and the need to resolve, these issues - not only the humanitarian issue, but also the question of human rights and the investigation into the alleged mass murders. At the end of my discussions
- 9 - Press Release SG/SM/6255 12 June 1997
with him, he said: "Mr. Annan, I understand. I also want to get this albatross off my neck". He did, in effect, also offer this same commitment to Ambassador Richardson when they met subsequently in Congo. I have Ralph Zacklin -- the Acting High Commissioner, coming into town today, and we are going to pursue this issue aggressively, and send in an advance team on 20 June and the full investigators on 7 July.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: I think that was the last question. The last point I want to make is really an announcement. I had indicated to all of you that I would designate the High Commissioner for Human Rights by the end of July. I think it is one of the most important appointments that I will probably have the opportunity of making during my term, and it is very important for the entire international community.
I have identified someone who is an extraordinary leader, who has done lots of work in the human rights field, and will bring dynamism, credibility and leadership to the human rights centre. I have therefore decided to name Mrs. Mary Robinson as the next High Commissioner for Human Rights.
I do realize that she is a sitting President -- she is actively serving as President of Ireland. But I have indicated to her that I would be happy, and I think it would be preferable, if she could assume her functions before the beginning of the fifty-second General Assembly. I believe Mrs. Robinson understands the urgency and the need to start as soon as she can. She will be visiting New York in the month of July and I will be able to discuss this aspect of her appointment with her.
QUESTION: Will she be based here in New York?
SECRETARY-GENERAL: She will be based in Geneva, and I will make an appointment of the deputy fairly shortly. The deputy will come from the third world.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
SECRETARY-GENERAL: I will be discussing this issue with her in July. It may have to come to that, yes.
* *** *