DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

Press Briefing

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Shirley Brownell, Spokeswoman for the President of the General Assembly.

Briefing by Spokesman for Secretary-General

Good Afternoon. Our guest today at the briefing will be Olara Otunnu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. He will discuss his mandate in the context of the tenth anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

**Century's “Dark Side” Still with Us, Secretary-General tells OSCE

The Secretary-General this morning addressed the opening of the summit meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Istanbul, Turkey.

He said we must all feel shame and sadness at our collective failure to prevent conflicts. Even in its final year, he added, this century's darker side was very much with us.

He called for more sophisticated responses to terrorism, but said the force we used to fight it should be proportional and focused on terrorists, not innocent civilians. Inflicting indiscriminate violence and terror on civilians, he stated, was immoral and contrary to international law.

In the margins of the OSCE meeting, he met with the Prime Minister of Norway, who is also the Chairman in the Office of the OSCE, Kjell Magne Bondevik. He then saw Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister of Turkey.

He attended a luncheon hosted by Turkey's Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, after which he met with Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, and then with Martti Ahtisaari, President of Finland and current President of the European Union.

**High Commissioner Ogata, as Special Envoy, Spends Day in Ingushetia, Chechnya

Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who is on a mission as the Secretary-General's envoy, today spent the day in Ingushetia and in Russian-controlled parts of Chechnya.

Mrs. Ogata is expected to hold talks with Russian authorities in Moscow on Friday and Saturday, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Mrs. Ogata, on behalf of the Secretary-General, is looking at ways to step up assistance to those in need from Chechnya.

Based on recommendations from the United Nations humanitarian rapid assessment mission, which concluded that the situation of the displaced would deteriorate rapidly unless immediate assistance was provided, the United Nations is finalizing a flash appeal to meet those needs.

A three-month appeal targeting 250,000 civilians is expected to be launched as part of the global launch of the Consolidated Inter-agency Appeals to be made in Geneva next Tuesday. And of course, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva for that event.

**Secretary-General Appoints Special Representative for Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Secretary-General has appointed Kamel Morjane of Tunisia as his Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A letter from the Security Council President, taking note of the appointment, is out as a document today.

We have biographies in English and in French.

**Security Council Discusses 'Oil-for-Food' in Private Session

The Security Council is not in session today. However, Council members are expected to hold private discussions on a draft resolution submitted by the United States for a technical rollover of the “oil-for-food” programme. Phase VI of the programme is set to expire on Sunday.

Council members hope to have a draft resolution ready for vote by Friday. Also scheduled for tomorrow is a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone.

**East Timorese, UN Staff, Bid Martin Tearful Farewell in Dili

Local East Timorese United Nations staff joined their international counterparts in Dili today for an emotion-filled farewell to Ian Martin, who oversaw the United Nations mission (UNAMET) that conducted the referendum on independence. Because violence broke out the day after the ballot and security was only gradually restored by the multinational force INTERFET, today was the first occasion for the United Nations staff to celebrate together what eventually became a successful mission.

The East Timorese brought instruments and sang the UNAMET song, which was composed to encourage people to vote and has since become a top-10 success in East Timor. They lined up in a long queue, each embracing Martin to bid him farewell, and then lifted him on their shoulders. They then danced in a big circle with the internationals, and even Sergio Vieira de Mello joined in.

Tomorrow, de Mello, who heads the United Nations successor mission (UNTAET) that will oversee the transition to independence, will have a day- long meeting with independence leader Xanana Gusmao and his political associates, to discuss how best to facilitate consultations between the United Nations and the East Timorese leadership. He, Ian Martin and Gusmao will interrupt those talks at midday to give a press conference, after which Martin will leave East Timor and relinquish his post.

**WFP Convoy Held Up in Afghanistan: Staff Beaten, Robbed, but 'Okay'

We have learned of an incident involving a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy in Afghanistan.

The incident took place around 6 p.m., Wednesday in a place called Siaghan, 85 kilometres north of Bamiyan, and it involved a 13-car convoy taking 195 metric tons of wheat to Bamiyan.

Four WFP staff members riding in the convoy escort vehicle were held up by armed men and were beaten. Some items were stolen from them, including the vehicle's radio and some money. A United Nations flag was destroyed.

The four drove back to Bamiyan and were reported to be "okay". We have no further details at this time.

**More than $1 Billion Pledged at Second Kosovo Donor Conference

Yesterday's pledging conference in Brussels, Belgium for the long-term development of Kosovo raised more money than expected. The Second Donors' Conference for Kosovo resulted in pledges for more than $1 billion. Of that amount, $970 million was pledged for the reconstruction and recovery of Kosovo; $88 million for the regular Kosovo budget; $47 million for peace implementation activity, and $18 million for humanitarian assistance.

About half of the pledges came from countries in the European Union. The conference is the second major effort by donors to raise money for Kosovo, and focused on its long-term development over the next four to five years. At the first Donors' Conference on 28 July, commitments were made to provide $2.17 billion, including $1.6 billion for immediate humanitarian needs.

Of that amount, approximately $460 million was either spent or firmly committed by the first half of this year. Of course, we hope the entire amounts of both Donors' Conference pledges will be on the way to Kosovo shortly.

**New UN Peacekeeping Force to Sierra Leone

The United Nations will start deploying its new 6,000 strong- peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone next week. The deployment of one battalion from Kenya and one from India will start next Thursday and will continue until the middle of December. That will be followed by battalions from Ghana and Nigeria with one company from Guinea already serving in Sierra Leone as part of the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG) force.

The Security Council authorized the deployment of blue helmets in Sierra Leone on 22 October. It mandated the new mission to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration plan and to monitor adherence to the cease-fire. The peacekeepers will be deployed at key locations throughout the territory of Sierra Leone to ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and grant protection to civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.

As of today, 999 ex-combatants have disarmed, among whom were 94 children. I'm sure Olara will be happy to hear that. About 44,000 former rebels are still assumed to be in the bush.

**World Television Forum

The Fourth World Television Forum began in Conference Room 4 of this building this morning and the Secretary-General participated by satellite, delivering a video message. We made the text of that message available to you on an embargoed basis last night. In it, he asked journalists to reflect on the concept of "preventive journalism" -- in which journalists, by drawing attention in time to abuses or potential conflicts could focus international attention on crises “before they explode in all-out warfare”.

The Under-Secretary-General for Public Information, Kensaku Hogen, opened the Forum this morning by saying that the annual meeting had never before been such a global event. The Forum, which ends tomorrow, has brought together nearly 800 registered participants from more than 90 countries.

**Health Experts Call for Gender Equality in Tobacco-Control Strategies

In Kobe, Japan, today, a convention of some 500 health experts called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate the special needs of women and girls into a proposed international treaty on tobacco control. The consensus statement by the group, which is known now as the “Kobe Declaration”, warns that “gender equality in society must be an integral part of tobacco control strategies”.

We have a press release from WHO if you are interested.

**Film on Human Rights in Haiti

The first comprehensive film on human rights in Haiti will be screened Monday, 22 November, at 6 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium. Its title is “A Work in Progress: Human Rights in Haiti”. All accredited correspondents are invited to attend.

**Press Conferences Tomorrow

Press conferences tomorrow: at 11 a.m., Ambassador Vladislav Jovanovic, Chargé d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, will discuss the situation in Kosovo.

And the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) has asked me to announce to you that Mikhail Lessin, the Minister of Public Information and Media of the Russian Federation, will talk to correspondents about the situation in Northern Caucasus and Chechnya, at 4 p.m. in the UNCA Club.

Any questions before we go to Shirley?

**Questions and Answers

Question: The Russian Government has had a very harsh reaction to [United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights] Mary Robinson's comments on Chechnya. Is the Secretary-General ready to defend her Comments? Has there been any official response to their accusations?

Spokesman: There's no sense criticizing Mary Robinson for doing her job. The Secretary-General supports her in her work. She said what she felt needed to be said. I think that's all I have to say about it.

Question: Can you summarize the Secretary-General's latest “Oil-for- Food” report in layman's terms for those of us who can't grasp some of the minute details?

Spokesman: The report that came out this week indicated that the volume of oil sales was very high and that the number of holds on contracts continued to be substantial -- contracts worth over $1 billion are currently held up in the sanctions committee. And there was something that I think you already reported yesterday, that many of these contracts relate to Iraq's electricity supply, and if they were to be released, and the required products procured, Iraq's electricity supply would increase by 50 percent.

I'm not much more expert on these things than you are, so if you would like some information in greater depth, we could bring down someone from the Iraq Programme to talk to you or arrange for someone to speak to you personally.

Shirley ...

Briefing by Spokeswoman for General Assembly President

Good afternoon.

The General Assembly this morning heard 16 speakers as it considered the situation in Central America and the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala. After hearing statements, the Assembly is expected to adopt a resolution on the University for Peace, based in Costa Rica. However, it will postpone action on two drafts relating to Central America to allow time for the review of their programme budget implications.

By the draft resolution on Central America (document A/54/L.24/Rev.1), which was introduced by Colombia, the Assembly would commend the efforts of the peoples and the Governments of the countries in the region to re-establish peace and democracy and promote sustainable development; recognize the need to continue to follow closely the situation there in order to support national and regional efforts to overcome the underlying causes that have led to armed conflicts, avoid setbacks and consolidate peace and democratization in the area; welcome the progress made by Guatemala and El Salvador in implementing their respective peace accords; and would encourage Central American Governments to continue to carry out their historic responsibilities by fully implementing the commitments which they have assumed under various agreements. The Secretary-General’s report on the item is in document A/54/311.

Under the draft resolution on MINUGUA (document A/54/L.27), introduced by Mexico, the Assembly would authorize the renewal of the mandate of that mission from 1 January to 31 December 2000; underscore that key reforms remain outstanding in Guatemala, including fiscal, judicial, military and electoral reforms; and would stress the critical importance of continued compliance with the peace agreements in 2000. Further, the Assembly would encourage all sectors of Guatemalan society to continue efforts to achieve the goals of the peace agreements, in particular the observance of human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples, equitable development, participation and national reconciliation. The Secretary-General’s report on MINUGUA is in document A/54/355.

By adopting the draft resolution in document A/54/L.30, to be introduced by Costa Rica, on the University for Peace, the Assembly will request the Secretary-General to consider using the services of the University in his conflict-resolution and peace-building efforts, and invite Member States to accede to the Agreement establishing the University, thereby demonstrating their support for an educational institution devoted to the promotion of a universal culture of peace. The Secretary-General’s report is in document A/54/312.

This afternoon, the Assembly will take up the item on assistance in mine action, with 21 speakers inscribed. The report of the Secretary-General (A/54/445) provides information on the activities of the United Nations system and other organizations doing similar work in mine action. Mine action programmes in afflicted countries such as Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia and Croatia are cited, as are very recent activities now being undertaken in Chad, Kosovo, Nicaragua and Somalia.

Tomorrow, the Assembly takes up agenda item 20, on strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance.

At a morning meeting, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) is hearing the introduction of seven draft resolutions on financing for development (document A/C.2/54/L.38), trade and development (document A/C.2/54/L.36, L.37, L.40), business and development (document A/C.2/54/L.34, L.35) and implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s (document A/C.2/54/L.39). The Committee is also taking action on three texts: one on the report of the Economic and Social Council (document A/C.2/54/L.24), and two on preparations for the special session of the General Assembly for an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda (document A/C.2/54/L.12 and L.33).

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural), at two meetings today, is taking action on 14 draft texts, and hearing the introduction of nine others, relating to women, refugees, human rights questions and situations.

As you know, yesterday afternoon the Committee Chairman told delegations that he had been informed by sponsors of the draft resolution in document A/C.3/54/L.8/Rev.1, on the question of the death penalty, and by sponsors of the amendments thereto, that they did not intend to pursue their initiatives at the current session of the General Assembly. The Committee then decided not to consider the text.

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) will conclude debate this afternoon on questions relating to information, and take action on the draft texts contained in the report of the Committee on Information (document A/54/21 and Add.1) on information in the service of humanity, United Nations public information policies and activities, and increasing the membership of the Committee on Information to 95.

This morning, the Sixth Committee (Legal) is voting on draft texts dealing with the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country (document A/C.6/54/L.17), review of the Statute of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal (document A/C.6/54/L.20), nationality of natural persons in relation to the succession of States (document A/C.6/54/L.6) and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (document A/C.6/54/L.16).

I was asked yesterday about the work of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). The Committee will meet tomorrow to consider the agenda item on human resources management. In early December, it will take up the financing of the United Nations missions in Kosovo and Sierra Leone. A document expected to come out shortly, document A/C.5/54/L.1/Rev.1, will outline the rest of the Committee’s work programme. Two priorities are the approval of the proposed programme budget for the 2000-2001 biennium, and of the scale of assessments for apportioning the expenses of the Organization.

This morning, Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab addressed the opening of the Fourth Annual World Television Forum, the theme of which is the impact of television on peace and development. The President told the participants that, for the vast majority of the world’s population living in abject poverty, even the thought of owning a television set bordered on madness. Given this reality, how could television programming positively and continuously impact on war, peace and development in places where there was no television? he asked. The best television programming in the world could not impact on people who would never see it. Television programming would not mean much, if the people who needed it the most lacked the necessary equipment and logistics. One television set per village, together with the programming to instruct and train the people, could work miracles. Advanced media enterprises could, in conjunction with Governments and local authorities, help people acquire the know-how and experience to be contributors to their societies. Copies of this statement are available in room 378.

The President then chaired the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the year 2000 Programmes of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Observing that next year will mark UNHCR’s fiftieth anniversary, he said it was a sobering thought that an organization created in the wake of the Second World War for a mandate that was initially intended to be of limited duration, should now need close to $1 billion for basic protection and assistance to refugees and others of concern, who now numbered well over 20 million worldwide. Such needs could only be met through concerted efforts. For the year 2000, he said, UNHCR would require some $933 million in order to meet minimum standards of protection and assistance. The contributions of Member States would help create a solid financial base for these activities, and demonstrate solidarity with efforts to assist victims of persecution and violence worldwide. Copies of this statement are also available in room 378.

This afternoon, the President meets with the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Lebanon and the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States, known as the Troika; with representatives of Haiti, Argentina and Canada concerning Haiti; with the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation; and with the President of the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly, Ambassador Samir Shihabi, who presided over the forty-sixth session (1991). **Questions and Answers

Question: The President of the General Assembly has been talking this morning about the need for television sets and programming for the developing world. Is this an issue he will discuss with the Secretary-General or is it all just talk?

Spokeswoman: Once again, Serge, I will draw your question to the President’s attention. As Fred just informed you, the Secretary-General is presently in Istanbul for the OSCE conference. However, I’m sure that the issue the President addressed is among many that he discusses with the Secretary-General.

Question: When is the General Assembly expected to conclude?

Spokeswoman: The tentative date is 14 December, but I’m not sure we’ll meet that deadline.

[At this point, the Spokesman welcomed Special Representative Otunnu. Notes on Mr. Otunnu's press briefing will be issued separately.]

NOTE: In the notes on the 17 November press briefing, under the heading, “Security Council Briefed on 'Oil-for-Food' Programme Report”, a reference to contracts having been approved for "a total of $389 million worth of oil" should have referred to “a total of 389 million barrels of oil”.

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