DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
Press Briefing
DAILY PRESS BREIFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
19991004The following is a near-verbatim transcript of todays noon briefing by Shirley Brownell, Spokeswoman for the President of the General Assembly, and Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Briefing by the Spokeswoman of the General Assembly President
Today and tomorrow, the General Assembly is devoting four meetings to a follow-up to the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, the theme of which is Towards a society for all ages. As of now, 64 delegations plus the Holy See and eight non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are inscribed in the list of speakers for the two-day session. There is a 10-minute limit for statements. Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab is presiding.
The Assembly has before it a report of the Secretary-General entitled International Year of Older Persons, 1999: Activities and Legacies (document A/54/268), and a draft resolution, document A/54/L.6. The report summarizes selected activities in observance of the Year, and analyses the impact of the Year on the orientation and substantive content of the United Nations programme on ageing.
Under the 19-Power draft resolution, the Assembly would entrust the Commission for Social Development with revising the International Plan of Action on Ageing and elaborating a long-term strategy on ageing, based on new developments since 1982 - when the Plan was adopted - and on the experience of the International Year in 1999, with a view to adopting a revised plan of action and a long-term strategy on ageing in 2002; it would request the Commission to adopt a recommendation on the desirability and feasibility of convening, in 2002, a Second World Assembly on Ageing; and would note, with appreciation, Spains offer to host, if approved, the Second World Assembly on Ageing. Mr. Aurelio Fernandez of Spain is Chairman of the Commission.
Opening the meeting, the Assembly President said the theme of the Year was founded on the basic idea of inclusiveness and linked us to an earlier period of the evolution of society and community interdependence when older people were revered for their wisdom and as repositories of traditions, customs and past achievements. This was a welcome sign of a return to our roots and humanity. The significant steps taken by the General Assembly since the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing illustrated the importance Member States attached to the issue of ageing. The focal points established in 100 countries indicated that more and more nations were recognizing the significant increase in the population of their older citizens who were now living longer. The President said he was confident that the debate would be characterized by new ideas and a renewed commitment to the Proclamation in Ageing. Copies of his statement are available in room 378.
Also addressing the meeting was the Deputy Secretary-General, Louise Frechette. She recalled that last October, when the Secretary- General launched the International Year, he said we were in the midst of a silent revolution. She was pleased to say that the silence had been broken. The many activities undertaken this year by various actors were all in pursuit of one goal: highlighting the issue of ageing and raising awareness of the implications of the demographic revolution for individuals and societies all over the world. Together, they had done excellent work. The Year had helped put the ageing revolution in a more positive perspective. The investments made today would prevent imbalances and dependency later on, both for individuals and for ageing societies.
The Deputy Secretary-General concluded by saying: The International Year of Older Persons was not supposed to be an end in itself, but a springboard. Like any springboard, it can turn a bit of impetus into a great leap forward. It can give us the boost we need to create, in the next century, a society that is fuller and richer, and which relies on the participation of every individual and meets the needs of all its members, regardless of age. Let us not fail to seize this opportunity. Copies of her statement are available in room 378.
In the general debate that concluded on Saturday, the Assembly heard a total of 181 speakers. The complete list, with a breakdown, is available in room 378.
Summarizing the two-week debate, the Assembly President said the clarion call from delegations was the need to create a world of peace and security, and the development of humankind. After touching on what he saw as the main issues debated, the President said it should be the business of this Assembly session to endeavour to find solutions to the questions raised. He hoped that in debates in the plenary and the main committees, delegations would bring to bear the concerns, hopes and aspirations expressed by all. Copies of this statement are available at the documents counter.
The President drew attention, on Saturday, to a revised programme of work of the plenary, contained in document A/INF/54/3/Add.1.
In Committee action, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today, began a general debate, lasting four days, on all decolonization items. The Committee will also hear a number of petitioners.
At two meetings today, the Fifth Committee is considering items related to financing three peacekeeping operations. With the exception of the Kosovo operation, UNMIK, the Committee will take up the financing of all other peacekeeping missions in May.
In connection with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) and the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), a report of the Secretary-General (document A/53/1018) responds to the findings, observations and recommendations made by the Office of Internal Oversight Services regarding irregularities in the procurement process in the two missions, and provides details on corrective measures taken in response. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) will comment orally.
Concerning the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM), the Secretary-General reports on his efforts to recover the overpayment of mission subsistence allowance to civilian staff and military observers (document A/53/1023). In its opinion (document A/54/418), the ACABQ calls this a very complicated case, and recommends that the Assembly should take no action pending the outcome of the judiciary process.
As to the financing of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the Secretary-General, in his report (document A/54/380), is requesting Assembly approval to assess Member States in the amount of $7,078,900 gross ($5,591,600 net) for phase I of the Mission (covering the period from 5 May to 30 September). The balance $47.3 million has come from cash and in-kind contributions. The ACABQ recommends assessments of $7,155,000 gross ($5,667,700 net). With regard to preliminary estimates for phase II (the period from 1 September to 30 November), the Secretary-General asks the Assembly to grant him the authority to enter into commitments not exceeding $28,037,100 gross ($27,080,700 net). The ACABQ concurs with the preliminary estimates, while asking that the provision for 12 posts at Headquarters (six P-4 and six General Service) be reviewed.
A reminder: Tomorrow, 5 October, the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Joseph Conner, will make a statement to the Fifth Committee on the financial situation of the United Nations, followed by an address by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Committee on the same subject. Mr. Connor will then brief correspondents at 1 p.m. in this room.
Copies of the Presidents appointments for today are available in room 378 and on the Internet. This morning, he met with Deputy Secretary-General Frechette. They reviewed the programme of work for the session, including the special sessions and the Millennium Summit. The President mentioned the special focus he intended to give to the plight of children. This was an initial meeting and the two will meet again to discuss issues in greater depth.
Briefing by the Spokesman for Secretary-General
Thank you, Shirley.
**Secretary-General's Travel Schedule
The Secretary-General will leave on Friday for Geneva, where on Saturday, he will open the International Telecommunications Union's Eighth World Telecommunications Exhibit and Forum. And then, that evening, he will attend the NetAid concert at the United Nations Palais des Nations.
On Sunday, he will go to Rome where on Monday, he will have official meetings before travelling to Sarajevo for his first official visit as Secretary-General to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From Sarajevo, he will then visit Pristina, Kosovo. That will be on Wednesday and Thursday, and then he will return to New York late on Thursday.
**Rebel Leader and Ex-Junta Chief Return to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone's former rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, and ex-junta chief Johnny Paul Koroma, returned to Freetown today, almost three months after the signing of the Lomé Agreement that ended the conflict in that country.
The Secretary-General hopes that both will work resolutely with President Kabbah towards implementing that Agreement. And we expect to have a formal statement on that subject shortly.
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sierra Leone, Francis Okelo, called us a short time ago to report that the return of the rebels has been greeted with a sigh of relief by the population. Freetown is crowded, he said, even at night, and the local currency is strengthening.
Mr. Sankoh repeatedly apologized to the people for the abuses committed by his rebel group, which announced yesterday that they had ordered the release of all prisoners. The next step in the peace process is the disarmament and demobilization of the rebel troops.
**East Timor
The Secretary-General's report on East Timor is expected to go to the Security Council some time this afternoon and it will circulate as a document tomorrow. It is my understanding that the Council will take up the report Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
**Japan Contributes to East Timor Fund
Some good news on financing. Japan, today, announced that it would contribute $100 million -- that's $100 million -- to the UN Trust Fund for the multinational force in East Timor. A substantial contribution.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, the Japanese Government said it expects this contribution to facilitate the participation of developing countries in the force.
The only other country to contribute to this Trust Fund, so far, is Portugal, which gave $5 million. Not an insignificant amount either.
**Humanitarian Aid for West Timor
The first United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aircraft loaded with 17 metric tons of emergency aid for displaced populations in West Timor reached Kupang today. Another flight will follow tomorrow. The supplies will go to makeshift camps in Kupang and Atambua.
Under an agreement reached between UNHCR and the Indonesian government regarding the voluntary return of displaced people in West Timor to Dili, the refugee agency said it is preparing to airlift the first refugees back to East Timor on Wednesday.
In East Timor, people continue to move back to towns secured by the multinational force. Besides Dili, the towns of Dare, Liquica, Baucau, Manatuto, Los Palos and Com are patrolled by the force. So far, aid workers estimate that less than 100,000 Timorese are present in these villages and towns, and that several times that number may still be hiding in the hills.
Humanitarian assistance has reached Dare, Manatuto, Los Palos and Baucau, now the sub-office for operations into the eastern half of the island.
In Dili today, aid agencies have registered recipients and pre- positioned food stocks to six distribution sites for the planned mass distribution of rice to approximately 9,000 families tomorrow.
Health facilities are now functioning in Dili. The public hospital has been re-opened and staffed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
On Sunday, an assessment mission, which visited the western town of Balibo, found only one remaining resident -- a deaf woman, about 90 years old. She is being fed and cared for by the Australian soldiers in the town.
**Security Council
At 10:30 this morning, the Security Council started consultations to adopt the Council's programme of work for October and to review a draft resolution on the oil-for-food programme. The resolution is expected to be of a technical nature to deal with the projected oil revenue beyond the authorized ceiling of 5.2 billion dollars for Phase VI of the oil-for-food programme. And I was told just a few minutes ago that the Council expects to have a formal session at 12:30 to adopt that resolution.
**Nationwide Polio Immunization in Iraq
A nationwide polio immunization campaign in Iraq was launched today by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Iraqi Government to protect children under five from a polio outbreak there.
Widespread transmission of wild polio virus in Iraq is posing a growing health threat not only in the country, but in the region as a whole, warned WHO.
If you are interested, see their press release for more details.
**Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs to Myanmar
I have received questions about Alvaro de Soto's mission to Myanmar. He is the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and I can confirm that at last week's meeting with the Foreign Minster of Myanmar, the Secretary-General and the Minister discussed arrangements for this mission, which is to take place later this month. That is as specific as I can be on that.
**Special Representative for Kosovo visits Pec
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, today visited Bosnian Moslem residents in Pec in an attempt to counter recent harassment against them.
United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) police, meanwhile, reported that the level of kidnappings in Pristina was high -- with six people reported missing last week alone, including two British television technicians who disappeared while driving a truck from Pristina towards the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UNMIK also said burglaries and house occupations were a matter of concern, and car thefts in the Pristina region had increased by 30 per cent over the previous week. That's things returning to normal I guess. [laughter]
See the UNMIK press briefing note from Pristina for more details. We also have available a press release outlining a blueprint that will help Kosovo to rebuild an efficient and modern health system in a province estimated to have the highest infant mortality rate in Europe.
**High Commissioner for Refugees Warns of Risks
The High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, today warned against risks which arise from attempts by governments and military organizations to bypass humanitarian agencies in high-visibility crises. Ms. Ogata made the remarks in a keynote address to the refugee organization's top governing body of 54 nations, which meets in Geneva once a year to discuss UNHCR's policy.
While recognizing NATO's contribution in the Kosovo crisis, Ms. Ogata said there were also incidents where direct military involvement undermined coordination and deprived civilian humanitarian agencies of effectiveness and clout. She also said that direct military involvement in relief work could jeopardize the security of refugees, possibly even making them parties to the conflict.
Ms. Ogata said the military and national governments should support international relief agencies in acute crises, but should not try to replace agencies with humanitarian mandates. She said in those operations where military technical logistical expertise is provided, it must be limited and well-defined.
**UNICEF
UNICEF Director Carol Bellamy, addressing the Executive Committee of UNHCR, today in Geneva, hailed the partnership of UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Food Programme as a model for humanitarian collaboration within the United Nations system. You can see the full text if you are interested.
**Elections in Central African Republic
I understand that there will be a statement on the outcome of the elections in the Central African Republic that was not quite ready for the noon briefing. It should be out later this afternoon.
**Afghanistan
The situation of the displaced in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley is potentially a humanitarian disaster in the making.
This is the conclusion reached by international staff who were part of a mission to the Panjshir that returned to Islamabad late last week. Mission members reported that the weather in the Panjshir Valley is also deteriorating. As the area gets colder, the displaced are beset by rain, while the highest elevations have already seen unseasonably early snowfall.
One of the two humanitarian access routes into the Panjshir has been inaccessible, since early last week, due to fighting. This will further limit the amount of humanitarian aid that can be delivered.
See today's briefing note from Islamabad for more details.
**World Habitat Day
Cities for all, this years theme for World Habitat Day -- and that is today -- is designed to focus the worlds attention on all urban residents, the old, the disabled, women, children and the poor who are excluded from enjoying the benefits of urban life. In his message, the Secretary-General says: On this last World Habitat Day of the twentieth century, let us recommit ourselves to making the Habitat Agenda come true to ensuring that all people living in cities - young and old, rich and poor, men and women - have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Klaus Toepfer, the Acting Executive Director of Habitat, who is in China for this event, said that more than a billion people in the world are homeless or without adequate shelter or basic services.
Here in New York, a panel discussion on that theme is being held this afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjold auditorium.
**Treaty Update
Switzerland has just ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). That Treaty now has 48 parties and 154 signatories.
**Armenia Signs Rome Statute
Meanwhile, Armenia became the eighty-seventh country to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which has 4 States parties. Sixty countries must ratify the Court's Statute for it to enter into force.
**Madagascar
Finally, Madagascar signed the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, which has 49 signatories and 7 parties. Twenty-two States must ratify this Convention for it to enter into force.
**Upcoming Press Conferences
Tomorrow, Joseph Connor, the Under Secretary-General for Management is briefing the Fifth Committee. One of his periodic reports on the financial situation of the Organization. He will come to this room at 1 p.m. to brief you, to tell you what he told the committee.
**Sierra Leone Update
We were just told that the Sierra Leone statement was just cleared and we will issue it upstairs.
**Question-and-Answer Session
Question: Could you tell me anything about the meeting scheduled today between the Iraqi Foreign Minster and the Secretary-General at 4:30 p.m.? Spokesman: No, just that the Foreign Minster requested it yesterday. I believe he is leaving town tomorrow and it concerns oil-for-food. That's all we know. He asked for the meeting. We will try to get a readout, for what it's worth.
* *** *