DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
Press Briefing
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
19991203The 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 the Secretary-General
Good afternoon. I would like to welcome to the briefing Kathleen Cravero-Kristofferson who was the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Burundi until last month. She will be briefing you on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country. She left Burundi after the 12 October attack on United Nations staff carrying out an assessment mission which she lead. Then at 12:30 p.m. we will have another briefing on Burundi. That will be a background briefing by a senior United Nations official. And of course, delegations can watch the background briefing from Viewing Room 4.
**As Cyprus talks Open, Secretary-General Sends Message of Hope to Island's Youth
On Cyprus: When he was asked on his arrival into the building today about his message for the young people of Cyprus, the Secretary-General said he hoped they would all support the search for a comprehensive settlement. "It's their future that we are trying to resolve," he said. He said that he hoped that a solution could be found "that will assure the young people of the island a peaceful and harmonious future." The full text of his statements to the press on that occasion are available in my office.
At 10 a.m., the Secretary-General met with His Excellency Glafcos Clerides. At 11:45 - in fact, I think they started a little late -- he met with His Excellency Rauf Denktash. There will be no further talks today. They will resume on Monday morning.
**Security Council: Consultations on Burundi, then Discussions on Iraq
The Security Council had consultations this morning regarding Burundi. It heard from Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast on his recent visit to the region. As I came down here, consultations on Burundi were continuing. The President of the Council, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom, is expected to make a statement to the press at the stakeout concerning Burundi, and also on the appointment of former South African President Nelson Mandela as mediator.
The Council also discussed Iraq today. There is a draft resolution put forward by the United States that would extend the current Phase VI of the "oil-for-food" programme by an additional week, so that would be the second technical rollover; the previous one was for a two-week period adopted on 19 November, which expires tomorrow. Also on Iraq, the Permanent Representative of Iraq has written to the Secretary-General with comments on the latest report on implementation of the "oil-for-food" programme, and a copy of that letter is on the racks.
**Tribunal Prosecutor del Ponte Granted Visa to Enter Rwanda
I have an update here: The Government of Rwanda has given Carla del Ponte, the Prosecutor for the Rwanda Tribunal, authorization to enter Rwanda tomorrow. So she will be leaving for Kigali to visit her offices there tomorrow.
**United Nations Assists Lesotho Parties in New Election Agreement
We had good news from Lesotho today. The Government and the 12 political parties represented in the interim political authority have signed an agreement on arrangements for a new general election following the disputed results of elections in May of last year. President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), witnessed the agreement, and SADC will be a guarantor of its implementation. In fact, President Chissano had elections in his own country today. I understand he voted, flew to Lesotho to sign this agreement, and then flew back. The United Nations provided technical and logistical assistance to the negotiations leading to this agreement, and today's ceremony was held at the United Nations House in Maseru. It was witnessed by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and a special envoy of the Commonwealth Secretary- General.
When Prime Minister Mosisili was at Headquarters in September, he met the Secretary-General, who assured him that the United Nations was prepared to assist Lesotho in holding new elections.
**Secretary-General Appoints Gambari as Special Advisor in Africa
The Secretary-General today appointed Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria as his Adviser for Special Assignments in Africa, at the level of Under-Secretary- General. The priority areas of his responsibilities will be Angola, but also Southern Africa, and Central Africa, including the Great Lakes region. Mohamad Sahnoun, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, will concentrate on Northern Africa, specifically Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Sudan.
In the Secretary-General's last report to the Security Council on Angola, he mentioned his intention to appoint a senior envoy. The appointment took effect 1 December and it is for an initial period of one year.
**UNHCR "Increasingly Concerned" About Refugees Still in West Timor Camps
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is increasingly concerned by the worsening conditions faced by the refugees still in camps in West Timor. There is the continuing pattern of harassment and intimidation by the militias directed at families who wish to return. And the rainy season is just starting, which is creating health problems in the camps.
The UNHCR says that the local authorities report that from 22 November to 1 December, at least 35 people, mostly children under five, have died of various causes - mainly diarrhoea and malaria - at the Tua Pukan camp outside the West Timor capitol of Kupang.
**Notes from East Timor: National Consultative Commission Established
On East Timor, we briefed you yesterday on the agreement to establish a National Consultative Council. We now have a copy of the regulation which establishes this 15-member body, which will be the main mechanism to enable the representatives of the East Timorese people to participate in decision- making during the period of the United Nations Transitional Administration (UNTAET).
To help explain the issue, we have available a detailed note of a briefing given in Dili yesterday. We also have a press release from the Commission of Inquiry which has completed it's work in East Timor and is heading to Jakarta via Darwin.
**Notes from Kosovo: UNHCR says Massive Winterization Programme May be Largest Ever
From Kosovo: The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, returned to Pristina from Tirana, where he met with the President, Prime Minister and other senior officials, who stressed that stability in Kosovo meant stability in Albania. Kouchner had visited Skopje, in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on the first leg of his trip to discuss issues of regional importance.
In Pristina, meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) announced that electricity bills will be sent out starting next week. (There's a sign of normality.) The UNMIK says it will be the first time since the beginning of the war that residents will be billed for the use of public services.
The UNHCR reported that together with its main partners in Kosovo - European Commission Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) and USAID -- it has distributed 89 per cent of the planned 57,100 emergency shelter repair kits. These kits are designed to provide a dry room for 350,000 Kosovar families over the winter months.
The winter shelter rehabilitation program undertaken in Kosovo is the largest the UNHCR says it has ever undertaken in Europe, and very possibly the largest such program ever done anywhere in the world. The amount of materials distributed in Kosovo to date is massive -- enough plastic to wrap Pristina several times over. But the scale of the devastation across the countryside is huge. You can pick up a copy of the press briefing notes for more information.
**UNHCR Convoy of Food, Stoves Arrives in Ingushetia Capital
On Chechnya: UNHCR reports that a 15-truck UNHCR convoy carrying 210 metric tons of food and 200 wood stoves arrived in Ingushetia's capital Nazran this morning -- the second UNHCR relief convoy to reach Ingushetia this week. Meanwhile, the flow of people from Chechnya to Ingushetia continues at a pace of just over 1,000 a day. The Ingush authorities say they have now registered 226,000 Chechens. Those interviewed at the border say they are fleeing artillery bombardment in and around Chechnya's capital, Grozny.
According to the UNHCR, it is extremely difficult to give precise figures of civilians remaining in Chechnya. The last population census, done in 1989, put the population of the republic at 1 million. But experts in Russia agree that there were no more than 400,000 people left in Chechnya at the onset of this latest round of fighting.
**Secretary-General 'Following Closely' Tensions between Nicaragua and Honduras
The following statement is attributable to the Spokesman: The Secretary-General is aware of the tensions raised between Nicaragua and Honduras after the ratification by the Honduran National Assembly on 30 November of the 'Lopez-Ramirez' Treaty with Colombia. The Secretary- General is following the issue closely and has called on all parties concerned to continue their efforts to seek a peaceful resolution of this controversy. The United Nations is ready to provide any assistance that the parties may deem necessary.
**Secretary-General's Report on Guatemala Out Today
The general elections in Guatemala, to be completed later this month, pose the challenge of ensuring the continuation of the peace process in terms not only of consolidating what has been done over the past three years, but also of implementing the outstanding agenda. This is the conclusion of the Secretary-General in his report on the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala, which is out on the racks today. The report outlines the outstanding agenda awaiting the new Government, including electoral, fiscal, judicial and military reform.
**WHO Steps up Fight Against Rheumatic Fever
We have a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO), which says it is stepping up its fight against rheumatic fever and its heart complication, rheumatic heart disease, which cause 400,000 deaths annually, mainly among children and young adults. You can read the press release for more information on that.
**UNESCO World Heritage List
For those of you who may have missed it, we put out the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) list of 48 new World Heritage Sites after the noon briefing yesterday. The UNESCO cites as notable among the new sites are the Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia (Argentina), Robben Island in South Africa, Lorentz National Park in Indonesia, Germany's Warburg Castle and the Jurisdiction of San Emilion in France. That'll get the 'black helicopter' set all stirred up [laughter].
**The Week Ahead
The week ahead; these are just highlights, you can get the full text in my office.
**Monday, 6 December
The Secretary-General will deliver a speech at a two-day meeting of governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, which he convened to form a partnership to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The latest Report of the Secretary-General on Sierra Leone is due.
Then, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda will render its verdict in the Prosecutor vs. Georges Anderson Rutaganda in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. This will be the Tribunals fifth judgement and Rutaganda will be the sixth individual to be judged by the Tribunal. He is 41 years old, and is charged with Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes. His trial was concluded on 17 June.
**Tuesday, 7 December
The Secretary-General visits Montreal, Canada, where he will deliver remarks at a dinner of the United Nations Association of Canada. That trip falls on International Civil Aviation Day, which this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which established the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Security Council will hold consultations on Cyprus, and is also expected to receive the latest report on the referendum in Western Sahara.
**Wednesday, 8 December
In Montreal, the Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the World Civil Society Conference before returning to New York. When he returns to New York, he will deliver remarks at a pledging conference for the UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
Also on Wednesday, the Security Council has scheduled consultations on Sierra Leone, and a formal meeting on the extension of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
**Thursday, 9 December
The Security Council will have consultations on Western Sahara.
Then, on behalf of the Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahima Fall, will deliver a statement at a summit meeting of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lomé, Togo.
**Quiz of the Week
Ok. It's quiz day. The last item on the agenda. Since next Friday is Human Rights Day, which this year will be devoted to the subject of racism and the forthcoming World Conference against racism, which is to be held in 2001, this week's quiz includes questions based on information from the Web site of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (. And since you all consult that Web site daily, I'm sure you'll score well [laughter].
First question: When did the General Assembly first use the word "racism" in its declarations on discrimination?
a. 1949 b. 1967 c. 1985
Answer: Now how are you expected to know that? [laughter] 1967 - it's the middle option Lets see if the second question is better.
Second question: There are 23 States which recognize the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to receive complaints of racial discrimination. Of those States, which one has been the source of the most complaints so far?
a. Australia b. Peru c. The Russian Federation
[Several correspondents answered correctly from the floor.]
Answer: Australia, Good for you. I never would have guessed that. Australia has had three complaints brought to the Committee so far. Final question: True or false: The word "discrimination" never appears in either the United Nations Charter or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
[Several correspondents answered from the floor.]
Answer: It's true. Amazing, but true.
Ok. Any questions before we go to Shirley?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Yesterday, I understand that the Secretary-General was supposed to meet with [United States Ambassador and Presidential Representative] Alfred Moses who was supposed to deliver a letter. Did Mr. Moses in fact deliver a letter to the Secretary-General?
Spokesman: Although it was expected that Ambassador Moses would bring a letter from President Clinton, I think, because of some technical glitch, it was not ready to be delivered. So, I think the letter is in the pipeline, but it was not delivered yesterday. He did orally express the support of the United States Government for the proximity talks that began this morning.
Question: Could you give us some details about the meetings today between the Secretary-General and Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash? How long were the meetings? Was [Special Advisor to the Secretary-General] Alvaro de Soto also present?
Spokesman: I don't have those details. The second meeting, of course, just started a half-hour ago or so. But yes, in addition to the Secretary-General, Alvaro de Soto was present at both meetings. And it's most likely Mr. de Soto will conduct both meetings on Monday.
Question: Is there anything on the agenda for the weekend regarding Cyprus?
Spokesman: No.
Question: There was a report yesterday that President Flores said that Honduras might ask for United Nations observers in the conflict you spoke about earlier. Has he done so?
Spokesman: I dont know. I'll have to check that for you.
Ok. Shirley.
Briefing by Spokeswoman for General Assembly President
Good afternoon. Today is the International Day of Disabled Persons, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1982 to raise awareness and improve the situation of persons with disabilities and provide them with equal opportunities. The theme of this years observance is Accessibility for all in the new millennium.
In a message to mark the International Day, the President of the General Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, said that accessibility issues affect all of us, and are essential to the full and effective exercise of the political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights that are enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and various international human rights instruments. The collective efforts of the international community should be focused on raising awareness and promoting greater understanding of the practical development needs of persons with disabilities, he said, adding: Let us seize the opportunity of this observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons to reaffirm our resolve to build truly accessible, caring and inclusive societies for all in the new millennium. Copies of the message are available in room 378.
This afternoon, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) will take action on six draft resolutions, dealing with: the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa; implementation of the commitments and policies agreed upon in the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries, and the implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade; implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II); report of the Commission on Human Settlements; report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme; and implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa.
This morning, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) is considering, in connection with the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, the financial implications of four draft resolutions. One report (A/C.5/54/32) indicates that renewal of the mandate for the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala, from 1 January to 31 December 2000 (A/54/L.27) would cost $27,694,300. Another report (A/C.5/54/34) states that adoption of the draft on the situation in Central America (A/54/L.24/Rev.1), which calls for United Nations support to various Central American peace initiatives, would entail requirements of $187,700. A third report (A/C.5/54/35) points out that for the International Law Commission to hold its next session at Geneva, in May/June and July/August (A/C.6/54/L.7/Rev.1), it would cost an additional $105,200. And, a fourth report (A/C.5/54/31) indicates that preparations for, and convening of, a United Nations conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in June/July 2001 (A/C.1/54/L.42/Rev.1) would require an additional $723,100.
The Credentials Committee is holding its second, closed, meeting this afternoon, to consider the remaining credentials of delegations to the fifty- fourth session, received since October. On 25 October, the Assembly approved the credentials of 133 Member States. (The nine members of the Credentials Committee are: Austria, Bolivia, China, Philippines, Russian Federation, South Africa, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.)
The next plenary meeting will be Monday morning, 6 December, when the General Assembly will take up three sub-items under item 8, adoption of the agenda and allocation of items. It will consider the third report of the General Committee (A/54/250/Add.2), containing a recommendation to include, in the current agenda, an additional item entitled International recognition of the Day of Vesak. The Assembly will consider two notes by the Secretary- General (A/54/236), the first one requesting the inclusion of an additional item entitled Financing of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, the second one (A/54/624) informing the Assembly of the need to reopen agenda item 15 (c), in order to elect a member to serve the remainder of the term of Judge Stephen Schwebel, President of the International Court of Justice, who has resigned effective 29 February 2000.
Also on Monday morning, the Assembly will take up the item on cooperation between the United Nations and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (A/54/L.48) and the item on multilingualism (A/54/478, A/54/L.37). On Monday afternoon, it will take action on various reports of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) (A/54/573-584).
Looking ahead to the rest of next week: on Tuesday, 7 December, the Assembly will take up the item on the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin. On Wednesday, 8 December, it will consider the item entitled Causes of conflict and promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. On Thursday, 9 December, it is scheduled to take up the item on the global implications of the year 2000 date conversation problem of computers. On Friday, 10 December, Human Rights Day, the Assembly will take up the item on dialogue among civilizations. It will also consider two items on Afghanistan: emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war- stricken Afghanistan; and the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. The Second and Fifth Committees will continue their work.
This morning, the Assembly President met with the Permanent Representative of China, Qin Huasun, to discuss the Presidents trip to Macao to witness the joint handover ceremony of the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Portugal.
Spokesman: Any questions for Shirley?
**Question and Answer
Question: When will the General Assembly recess?
Spokeswoman: The tentative date is 14 December.
Spokesman: Don't book any plane tickets [laughter].
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