DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
Press Briefing
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL
20000703The following is a near-verbatim transcript of todays noon briefing by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
** Secretary-Generals Travels
Well start with the Secretary-Generals trip in Europe. On Friday, as youll recall, he was in Budapest, Hungary. He went on Saturday to Hanover, Germany, and on Sunday morning he visited EXPO 2000 in Hanover, that has nearly 200 participating countries and organizations. He toured the United Nations pavilion, as well as the African pavilion which hosts exhibits from over 40 countries and organizations. Then he flew to Hamburg on Sunday.
Today, this morning, he inaugurated the new Headquarters of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea in Hamburg. The Tribunal was set up in October 1996 to adjudicate maritime disputes under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He was welcomed by the Tribunal President, Chandrasekhara Rao, and local officials. He toured the premises, met the judges and was introduced to the buildings architect.
In an inaugural ceremony, the Secretary-General thanked the government and the people of Germany for endowing the new Headquarters. On the Tribunal itself, he said that it exists to help put global values into practice, to permit societies and cultures to coexist, blossom and flourish. The language of the global community is international law, he concluded. Lets accept it, embrace it, implement it and firm it up. The full text of his speech is available in our office.
He then departed by helicopter to Berlin.
He began his official programme in that city immediately on arrival, with a meeting with Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. At a press encounter afterwards, he and the Chancellor said they had discussed UN reform, and the Chancellor commented that he had underestimated the progress that had been made on reform. They discussed the goals of the Secretary-Generals Millennium Report, including debt relief and how to bring developing countries into the global market. The Chancellor said that Germany would live up to its commitments to United Nations peacekeeping.
Asked what the UN could do to protect minorities in Kosovo, the Secretary-General said: I think the UN and the KFOR troops are doing whatever they can to protect all minorities in Kosovo. He added that, where there is such enmity between two communities, its not easy to wipe it away overnight.
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He then went to the Bundestag, or Parliament Building, where he met with the Bundestag President, Wolfgang Thierse. They discussed ways to enhance parliamentarians participation in the work of the UN, among other topics. Still at the Bundestag, the Secretary-General met Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, with whom he reviewed his recent visit to the Middle East and efforts to clear up the remaining problems on the Israeli-Lebanese border. They also discussed the Millennium Summit, UN reform - including Security Council reform, UN peacekeeping efforts in Sierra Leone and the future of peacekeeping. The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister then had informal discussions with the Bundestags Committee on Foreign Relations.
After that the two men took a walk from the Bundestag through the Brandenburg Gate. In the evening, the Secretary-General will pay a courtesy call on former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl. In the evening, hes also to be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the President of Germany, Klaus Kinkel.
**Ethiopia-Eritrea
Here in New York, we have the Secretary-Generals report on Ethiopia and Eritrea. It came out today. In it, the Secretary-General welcomed what he described as the long-awaited cease-fire agreement signed on 18 June between the two countries, saying it was the first but extremely vital step towards restoration of peace. He urged the two parties to cooperate fully with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in the envisaged second phase of proximity talks.
In order to facilitate the earliest implementation of the 18 June agreement, the Secretary-General announced in the report that he would be dispatching a reconnaissance mission to the region to discuss with the OAU and the parties the details of possible UN assistance. On the basis of its findings, the mission will make recommendations concerning a concept of operations for a UN peacekeeping mission.
The first phase of the mission is led by Maj. Gen. Timothy Ford (Australia), who was formerly chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), and comprised of political, military planning, legal and humanitarian officers. It is scheduled to leave New York this afternoon.
The Secretary-General said he would also dispatch liaison officers to each capital to assist in the planning of a peacekeeping mission. Subject to the authorization of the Security Council and concurrence of the parties, the liaison officers will be followed within the next few weeks by the gradual deployment of up to a total of 100 UN military observers.
The Council is expected to take up the report and the recommendations before the end of the week.
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** Sierra Leone
Still on Africa, the situation in Sierra Leone is reported today as calm, but unpredictable. We have a little bit more information about the ambush on Friday afternoon -- that we informed you about through the PA system -- in which combatants, believed to be from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), attacked a Jordanian escort patrol belonging to the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, about 20 kilometers west of Mile 91. In that attack, you'll recall, one Jordanian corporal was killed and four Jordanians were wounded, two of them seriously.
The ambush was launched in and around a house set back from the road, and the attackers used small arms and at least one rocket- propelled grenade. The Jordanian casualties were all caused when the lead vehicle in the Jordanian patrol took a direct hit from a rocket- propelled grenade. The Jordanians returned fire in self-defence and obliterated the house from which the firing was coming, killing at least 10 attackers.
Force Commander Vijay Jetley expressed condolences and also commended the Jordanian troops for their "robust, professional and vigorous response" to the attack. On Friday evening, the Secretary- General, in a statement, expressed his condolences to the family of the victim and the Jordanian Government. He also reiterated the United Nations commitment to assist the people of Sierra Leone to achieve lasting peace in that country.
Later on Friday night, in a separate incident, Jordanian troops deployed at Rokel Bridge were fired upon by a small group of unidentified attackers and returned fire, upon which the attackers fled. There were no UNAMSIL casualties.
There is no change in the status of the 222 Indian peacekeepers and 11 military observers who are surrounded by the RUF at Kailahun.
On the human rights front, the UN Mission has been receiving information from civilians fleeing rebel-held areas, indicating that the recent fighting has been accompanied by a rise in human rights violations, including summary executions, rape and sexual abuse and the recruitment of child soldiers.
** Security Council
The new Security Council President for the month of July, Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica, will hold bilateral consultations today with other Council members on the Council's programme of work. No Council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, which will be a UN holiday.
On Wednesday, the Council is expected to discuss its program of work and also intends to hold consultations on a draft resolution
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concerning a ban on trade in rough diamonds from Sierra Leone. Council members agreed on Friday to discuss the draft resolution further on Wednesday, and may hold a formal vote on it following their consultations.
** ECOSOC High-Level Segment
Also on Wednesday, the Economic and Social Council begins its 2000 substantive session with the opening of its High-Level Segment, which this year will focus on development and international cooperation in the 21st century: the role of information technology in a knowledge- based global economy. Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette will be among those addressing the opening session on Wednesday, along with the President of ECOSOC, Ambassador Makarim Wibisono of Indonesia. United States Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, will give the keynote address.
Wednesday will feature a high-level policy dialogue with the international financial and trade organizations, as well as a panel with senior representatives from the regional development banks.
The High-Level Segment is expected to conclude on Friday, 7 July, with the adoption of a ministerial declaration. The ECOSOCs substantive session will continue until 1 August.
The proceedings of the High-Level segment will be broadcast live at www.un.org/webcast/ecosoc2000.
We have a press release on this in our office upstairs.
** ICC Preparatory Commission
Last Friday, the Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court concluded its three-week session, meeting its deadline for the finalization of the operational details of the Statute necessary for the eventual functioning of the Court.
The Commission adopted the Rules of Procedure and Evidence for the Court, as well as a text on the Elements of Crime listed in the Statute as being under the Courts jurisdiction.
The Court will become operational once the Treaty establishing it - the Rome Statute - receives 60 ratifications. So far, 98 countries have signed it and 13 have ratified it. The Treaty will remain open for signature until 31 December.
** ICJ Decision on Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda
The International Court of Justice on Saturday made an Order on a request by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for provisional measures in its case against Uganda. The Court unanimously ordered both
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parties to prevent and refrain from any armed action, which might aggravate or extend the dispute.
The Court also ordered both Parties to ensure full respect within the zone of conflict for fundamental human rights.
The Court issued a press release which we have available upstairs.
** Trial in Shiraz
In answer to questions which we had this weekend on the trial of the 13 Jews in Iran, I would like to say that the Secretary-General has been in close touch with the Government of Iran regarding this case. He stresses his expectation that those being tried would be entitled to a full and transparent judicial process. He is appreciative of the information he had been receiving in confidence from the Government of Iran in this matter. He is aware of the outcome of the trial and notes that the sentences are subject to appeal. He hopes that further steps in the legal process would be handled on the basis of justice and equity and in accordance with the Islamic traditions of compassion and mercy.
** Secretary-Generals report on Central African Republic
We have available on the racks today the Secretary-Generals report on the situation in the Central African Republic and on the activities of the United Nations Peace-Building Support Office (BONUCA) in that country (S/2000/639). In it, the Secretary-General notes the successful transition from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) to BONUCA.
Because of the conflicts and tensions in the sub-region, the Secretary-General states that security will remain a matter of concern in the country.
Also, given the countrys present economic difficulties, the Secretary-General appeals to the donor community to fulfil the pledges made during the Special Donors Meeting held in New York on 15 and 16 May, so that security and development projects can begin soon.
** UNEP
A press release is available on the racks from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concerning the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This is the treaty that regulates international trade in protected species such as elephants, rhinoceros, tigers and thousands of other plant and animal species.
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** Press Conferences
Heres some announcements. Press conference on Wednesday: At 10:15 a.m. here in this room, United States Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers. 11 a.m., Marjorie Newman-Williams, Director of the Division for Communications, United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), to discuss The Progress of Nations 2000 report. And then at 4 p.m., Michel Duffour, Minister of State in the Ministry for Culture and Communications of France.
And finally, just to remind you, tomorrow is an official holiday at Headquarters, so there will not be noon briefing. However, the Spokesmans Office would be covered, as we do during the weekends. Any questions?
** Questions and Answers
Question: The Taliban has sent a letter to the Secretary-General stating that it was not responsible for the fighting which broke out earlier last week north of Kabul, attributing that to its adversaries. Can you tell us anything about that letter?
Deputy Spokesman: The letter did arrive and Under-Secretary- General (Kieran) Prendergast is scheduled to brief the Security Council -- previously scheduled on Friday -- about the latest developments in Afghanistan. I have nothing else to add.
Question: There was a press release last week stating that Belgium was the 14th country to ratify the ICC Statute. Did you roll back?
Deputy Spokesman: Did I say something differently?
Question: Thirteen have ratified. I thought the Government of Sierra Leone . I just went by the Belgian press release.
Deputy Spokesman: We did say 14. Ill check and let you know.
Question: On Iran, what assurances did the Secretary-General get? Do we know anything further about that? It seems that when the United States misuses capital punishment we have very strong statements out of your office. Here we have got people in a very questionable trial and Im not sure what hes trying to say in this statement.
Deputy Spokesman: I think he wants to tell you that he continues to pay attention to the issue of minorities. That he has been in contact with the Government and that the sentences are subject to appeal, and he continues to observe and pay attention to it.
Question: What is the UN response to the Turkish presence in the UN zone in Cyprus?
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Deputy Spokesman: Ill have to check with the Political Department on that one.
Question: What can you tell me about Hans Corells trip to Cambodia? Whats going on with that and what his schedule and itinerary is?
Deputy Spokesman: Hes due to arrive there on the 5th and he would have discussions with the authorities there on technical aspects of the trial. And thats all that I have. Ill follow up on those two questions.
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