TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT GENEVA, ON 14 MAY

Press Release
SG/SM/6993

TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AT GENEVA, ON 14 MAY

GENEVA, 14 May (UN Information Service) -- Following is the transcript of the press conference given today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the United Nations Office at Geneva. The Secretary-General was accompanied by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, and the Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let me begin by saying that we have had two very good days of consultations within the United Nations system and with our non-governmental organization partners. We met in a spirit of frankness and determination to improve our efforts to meet the humanitarian challenge in Kosovo. I believe we made real progress in identifying where we can do more, where we can do better, where we can unify our efforts and where we can expand them. As you know, I introduced yesterday my two special envoys for the Balkans, Mr. Carl Bildt, the former Prime Minister of Sweden and Mr. Eduard Kukan, the Foreign Minister of Slovakia. They will direct their efforts towards intensifying the search for a political solution based on my proposals of 9 April and last week's G-8 statement in Germany.

Today I would like to announce my decision to appoint Martin Griffiths as the Regional Coordinator for United Nations Assistance in the Balkans. His responsibilities will include ensuring effective linkages between different sectors of assistance, coordinating the overall United Nations system operational response to the crisis and identifying gaps in assistance and ensuring they are covered. He will look ahead to ensure that we are prepared not only for the immediate needs but for medium term developments as well. He will be based in Skopje and many of the UN agencies will also be based there.

Tomorrow my assessment mission, led by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Sergio Vieira de Mello will leave for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to gain a first hand understanding of the needs and conditions in Kosovo and in other parts of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They have a delicate and difficult task ahead of them but I am confident that, if they receive the support of all sides, they will be able to give us a fresh and frank report on the humanitarian consequences of the crisis in Kosovo.

I can announce today my decision to visit the region myself next week. I will be visiting Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to gain a personal sense of the plight of the people there and the conditions under which they are being housed as well as the immense burden that both asylum countries are bearing with understandable anxiety. Let me also stress that I will be going to show my solidarity and that of the entire United Nations with the suffering of the Kosovo Albanian people and to assure them that all our efforts are directed to securing their safe and speedy return to Kosovo.

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As you can see, the United Nations is actively engaged in the Kosovo crisis on many fronts, as we have done from the outset. I am intensifying our efforts now because I believe that winter is just around the corner and that a solution that satisfies the demands of the international community must be found as soon as possible. Finally, acute and tragic as it is, the present humanitarian crisis in south eastern Europe must not divert attention and resources from other emergencies in Africa, in the Caucasus and in Central Asia and elsewhere. Nor must it detract from our attention to the consequences of a great many natural and environmental disasters worldwide. The United Nations with our NGO partners is determined to rise to the global humanitarian challenge in Kosovo as everywhere. Thank you.

Question: Mr. Secretary General, do you consider your diplomatic activities and initiatives an omen or a signal that the war is about to be over in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me say that I cannot give you an assurance that peace is around the corner. We have quite a bit of work to do. We have taken some steps forward and we are going to continue our efforts and, as I indicated yesterday, my own envoys will work in coordination with others tirelessly in search of a political solution.

When you talk of an omen and if peace is around the corner, I think I would need a crystal ball to answer that question. Thank you very much.

Question: Monsieur le Secrétaire général, les événements qu'on a vécus ces deux derniers jours et tout ce qui en ressort, si c'est une réponse à la crise humanitaire, on a l'impression que c'est venu un peu tardivement, si c'est pour anticiper la reconstruction, c'est un peu avant l'heure puisqu'il n'y a pas de solution politique. On a donc l'impression que ce que vous faites aujourd'hui est une tentative de trouver une solution politique sans toutefois vouloir l'avouer. Est-ce que vous partagez cette impression?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: It is an opinion. It is an opinion and I won't argue with that. But let me say that it is not natural and normal when one is engaged in a major and critical activity, to bring everybody together, periodically, to take stock as to where we are, where we are going, what we are doing, what we should be doing and how we can improve our operations. That effort is never late, is never early, is constant and is part of any major activity. Secondly, whether this is intended to seek a political solution or not, let me say that we are pushing ahead for a political solution. We are working with others in search of a political solution and we should also understand that we should prepare for tomorrow today. And so one cannot say that to talk about medium term reconstruction, long term reconstruction, to do what we are doing today, is too soon and that we should wait to do this when we have peace. We prepare for peace today. We prepare for implementation today. And I think it is only legitimate, and I am very

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happy, that so many heads of NGOs and all the United Nations agency heads were here to work with us on this basis.

Question: Secretary-General, could you tell us something about your meeting with Strobe Talbott yesterday evening. Was he able to reassure you about political developments in Russia and that they won't have an adverse effect on the diplomatic search for a solution to this crisis?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Mr. Strobe Talbott and I had very good and substantive discussions and he shared with me some of his discussions in Russia and elsewhere and I myself have indicated yesterday that I hope whatever difficulties arise because of the Russian situation and the Chinese situation would not be insurmountable but obviously I cannot go into details as to what we discussed. It was not long ago in New York when I said that if I share what I discuss with leaders around the world, tomorrow they would only talk to me about the weather, their grandchildren and their holidays and I hope they will also treat what I discuss with them in the same manner. So do excuse me if I don't go into details but Mr. Strobe Talbott and I had a very good conversation.

Question: Mr. Annan, you were just referring to your concern that the Kosovo crisis is leading away the attention from other spots in the world where there are problems. I am referring especially to a similar United States air strike campaign on Iraq. We don't hear anything any more about these problems. Can you share with us what is your information what's happening there at the moment?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: I think, with regard to the first part of your question, of our not hearing anything about it and not seeing anything much on TV, I think I should ask you what is happening. I think it is more your responsibility than mine. Let me also say that, as to the second part of your question, the Council set up three panels to review the disarmament, humanitarian and Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing. The panels have submitted their reports to the Council and the Council is in process of discussing them. During the preparation of the panel's reports the three reports the Council seemed relatively harmonious and worked in unity. They seemed harmonious because they were dealing with process but the moment they got their report the divisions re emerged and there are discussions about new resolutions or a new resolution. When they can come together and develop a new policy and a new direction for Iraq, I do not know. In the meantime the impasse continues and you are right, the bombing continues. It's almost daily and I really hope that we find some way forward. We are continuing our humanitarian efforts in Iraq and the oil-for-food scheme is up for renewal at the end of this month and we will engage the Iraqi authorities on that, and I hope the turnover will be smooth and that the air force there will continue.

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Question: Mr. Annan, I would like to ask you, given the cumulative evidence that Mr. Milosevic may be, is probably, behind ethnic cleansing and another assortment of war crimes, he has been responsible for the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere do you consider him an appropriate partner for negotiating peace? Wouldn't you consider him more the problem than the solution?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me say that in these situations, whether one is dealing with peace, one is dealing with negotiations, one is dealing with humanitarian activities, one is talking about humanitarian missions, you deal with those in authority. You deal with those who control the territory. We also have to be realistic. I think there is time for realism and there is time for purity. We sometimes have to deal with aggressors and even shake their hands in order to save lives. At the end of such conflicts one makes peace not with friends, not with angels, and I think we have to be realistic. I know that question has been posed time and time again. What is the alternative? If one doesn't discuss these issues with President Milosevic who is in control of the territory, how could the de Mello mission even have gone forward? How could we be thinking of returning the refugees? It is him who has to withdraw his military and paramilitary troops for us to be able to insert an international force and return the refugees. If we do not deal with him and we do not deal with the people in authority who control the territory, how do we achieve these things? Those are the questions we should be thinking about when we are challenged or all these questions are posed to us. If there are better solutions, if we can do it without talking to those in authority, would you please share with us, we will be happy to do that.

Question: Mr. Secretary-General, you announced that next week you are going to go to Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Does this trip to the region also include a visit to Belgrade? Will you also meet representatives of the Kosovo Albanians or is this strictly a trip to look at the humanitarian situation in the refugee camps?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: It is a situation to look at the humanitarian situation and our activities on the ground. As I indicated, I will be accompanied by Mr. Dennis McNamara who represents UNHCR on the ground as a lead agency and Martin Griffiths will also be with us. I hope to be able to visit the refugees as I said, to offer our sympathy and solidarity and also discuss with the Governments who have really taken on quite a lot of load. I think we have often no idea the sacrifices recipient countries, the countries which receive refugees, we often think in terms of those giving money and in fact, in some cases and it is true even in this case, that those countries have offered more to the refugees by opening their doors, by their generosity of course there have been tensions than any money that one could have taken and I would also want to thank them for that. My itinerary does not include a trip to Belgrade. Thank you.

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SECRETARY-GENERAL: I have two other people with me, Mrs. Ogata, the head of UNHCR, the lead agency and the one on the ground, and Sergio de Mello.

Question: Secretary General, you have just confirmed what I was going to ask, that you are not planning to go to Belgrade. But if Mr. Milosevic were to ask you to go would you be ready to do that? Thank you.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Let me say that in this crisis, these situations, I do not go because I am asked. I do go if the parties are ready to engage in a meaningful way and I believe that my presence, my visit will be helpful and will lead to a solution. As Secretary General I have said, and yesterday I did repeat, that my good offices and those of my two envoys are available and it is not excluded that some day I may go there but at the moment I do not have plans to go.

Question: S'agissant des frappes de l'OTAN contre la Yougoslavie - il s'agit d'une attaque contre un pays souverain sans un mandat de l'ONU et même sans l'approbation des parlements des pays membres de l'OTAN. Est-ce que vous croyez que cela crée un précédent très dangereux pour la sécurité du monde?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: I have always stressed the primacy of rule of law and the need to have respect for the rule of law and at the time of the crisis I did indicate that the Security Council has a central role when it comes to questions of peace and security around the world and that they must be involved in any decision to use force. Yes, I did stress at the time also that there could be there are times when there could be legitimate reasons to use force in search of peace and we have several good examples: the Gulf war that led to withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. And so my answer to your question is quite categoric. The Security Council has a primary responsibility and as we search for peace, I am encouraged that the problem may end up in the Security Council. The issue will be brought back to the Security Council and I think that development would be very important in terms of reaffirming the central rule of the Council and acceptance of rule of law and established precedents and procedures.

Question: Monsieur le Secrétaire général, vous venez d'annoncer que vous allez en Albanie et en Macédoine la semaine prochaine, il y a déjà beaucoup de monde là-bas, ne pensez-vous pas, que, pour l'heure, il serait plus utile d'aller à Pékin et à Moscou?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: I have been to Moscow. And I am in touch with the Chinese.

Question: Secretary General, you just mentioned earlier, we must prepare for peace today. I was wondering if you are concerned that, given that Member States, donor countries, have not even honoured their obligations to meet the target of UNHCR, will they be forthcoming with reconstruction

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bills that will be in the multibillion range? And, secondly, can you comment, is it a good omen that your ex-colleague and now President of Finland, Mr. Ahtisaari, is getting into the picture?

SECRETARY-GENERAL: I hope that the Member States will be forthcoming with their donations. I think all of us, Member States, individuals, NGOs, have a role to play. We are in for the long haul and I think we should be prepared for that and the effort has to be sustained, both in the material and financial and emotional attempts. And now that raises the same thing to you, ladies and gentlemen of the press. Stick with the story. Don't go away when the blood stops flowing. Last week at an interview with the CNN correspondents from around the world at the UN, I did challenge them to become engaged in what I call preventive journalism. When they identify an issue an issue that is likely to blow into crisis to lead to bloodshed and conflict to stick with it and keep reporting it, thus forcing policy makers and leaders to act on it before it explodes into conflict. It is not, I know it is not your fault and really I am addressing this also to the publishers and the editors who are looking at the bottom line. It is not enough to just appear when the blood starts flowing and go home when it stops. This is a long term issue, as you said, and we should keep reporting and we should keep pressure on the leaders, and the donors to stick with it for the longer term and assist the reconstruction of the region.

On your second question, let me say that we are searching for a viable and long term solution and yesterday I did indicate that my envoys are going to coordinate and work with all concerned in search of peace. What we need is concentrated and focused effort and pooling of our efforts to have maximum impact. It is not really of importance who is involved and who is not but the fact that we pool our efforts and we are coordinated and bring focused and collective pressure to bear in achieving our results.

Question: I understand from employees and friends here at the United Nations that you issued a very progressive statement recently directing them to cooperate with the press. However, we were told yesterday, and this is also a question for Mr. de Mello, that the team you were sending to Kosovo and Yugoslavia on its own decision will not take the press. Does this seem like your subordinates are not carrying out your policy?

SECRETARY GENERAL: My subordinates always carry out my policies. And they always obey my instructions, except that sometimes it is not entirely up to them and I will let Mr. de Mello tell you why you are not going on the trip and you are not invited and you know, whenever it has been possible, whether it is Iraq or Libya or wherever, the press has come along with me. So Sergio will give you the reasons.

Sergio Vieira de Mello: As I said yesterday and Nils Kastberg who negotiated with the Yugoslav authorities, there is a large foreign press

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community in Belgrade and the Yugoslav Government also indicated that I wish I could take all of you with us, but there are those who would not want to go, I am sure. But those of you who can make it to Belgrade are also welcome to accompany us and to attend press briefings that we will be giving if necessary in Pristina, in Podgorica and elsewhere. But what we cannot do is to include you as part of the mission and request visas for you, that is all we said.

Question: L'ONU a été reléguée à l'arrière plan dans cette crise. Elle s'occupe fort honorablement de l'humanitaire mais politiquement elle a été marginalisée. Comment vous-même vivez-vous cette situation et comment voyez-vous l'avenir? On parle de reconstruction du Kosovo, de la Yougoslavie, mais l'ONU a déjà été affaiblie et sortira encore plus affaiblie dans cette crise - à moins qu'elle arrive à se ressaisir, on verra par la suite. Est-ce qu'il ne faudra pas reconstruire l'ONU pour lui permettre de jouer pleinement son rôle de prévention et de solution des crises internationales.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Merci pour la question, ça me permettra d'expliquer certaines choses.

Let me say that you are right. That the crisis in Kosovo has affected the United Nations. But I hope that it is a short time phenomenon, a short term phenomenon because we live in a global and an interdependent world and today we need the UN even more than we did yesterday and the day before that. We live in a global community that requires values, shared by those that all sit together. Every community, whether it is at the village level or national level or the international level does require values and these are the values that the United Nations offers through its Charter, through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and all the other norms we have established. Any nation or group of nations that decides to ignore this is setting a precedent and creating a situation that is likely to haunt all of us. I believe that what has happened in Kosovo, as painful and as difficult as it is, has also taught us some lessons and I hope the lessons will also be learnt. I think we have also realized and particularly we saw this in Bosnia, because when the international community comes together, and works in unison in the Security Council, and puts pressure on the individuals concerned and the leaders, that will make progress. We have also discovered that even in Kosovo, to have any chance for real and long term solutions, we need to return to the Security Council. And I am happy that this is happening and I hope it does happen and so it proves that the Council and the UN is needed. And whether one likes it or not, sooner or later one may be required to return to the UN. I hope it will be sooner rather than later. And so what may seem initially to have weakened the Organization may in the end reaffirm a central role, its relevance and its importance.

Fred Eckhard: Thank you very much.

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