DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

Press Briefing

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Associate Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Susan Markham, Spokeswoman for the President of the General Assembly.

Briefing by Associate Spokesman for Secretary-General

Good afternoon. We have a number of things for you today, as you can imagine.

**Secretary-General's Trip to Middle East

As you know, we released a statement last night announcing the Secretary- General’s trip to the Middle East, and that statement is upstairs. Right now, the Secretary-General is on a plane and we expect him to land at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport shortly. The tentative schedule, and I stress tentative, calls for the Secretary-General to meet Israel’s Acting Foreign Minister, Shlomo Ben Ami, just after his arrival tonight. Following that meeting, the Secretary-General will fly to Gaza, where he is scheduled to meet Chairman Arafat.

On Tuesday, tomorrow, we expect the Secretary-General to meet with Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Barak. The remainder of the Secretary-General's programme after the meeting with Prime Minister Barak has not yet been set.

**Lebanon

In Lebanon, the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative for Southern Lebanon, Rolf Knutsson, just finished a meeting with the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheik Hussein Nasrallah. Mr. Knutsson described the meeting as good and constructive and they discussed the issue of prisoners held by both Hezbollah and the Israelis. Tomorrow Mr. Knutsson may join up with the Secretary-General’s party in either Israel or Gaza.

In a statement released over the weekend, Mr. Knutsson had called on both sides to release their prisoners without conditions and without any further delay.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Knutsson met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, and during that meeting he reiterated his call for the Lebanese Government to deploy additional security resources to the border region, especially in light of the events over the weekend.

**Security Council

You'll recall that the Security Council met over the weekend on the situation in the Middle East. It approved a resolution condemning the violence there, which passed with 14 votes in favour and one abstention, that being from the United States. On Saturday evening, the Secretary-General personally briefed the Council on the situation in the region, specifically in southern Lebanon.

There is no meeting scheduled for the Security Council today. Instead, Council members are meeting at the working group level this morning to discuss

Daily Press Briefing - 2 - 9 October 2000

follow-up to the report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, chaired by Lakhdar Brahimi.

**Security Council's Mission to Sierra Leone and Region as a Whole

The 11-member Security Council mission today began its five-nation and six- day visit to West Africa, having been briefed by representatives of the diplomatic community upon arrival Sunday night in Conakry, Guinea.

The day began with a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representatives from the region. They briefed on the deteriorating security conditions for hundreds of thousands of refugees living along Guinea's border with Liberia and Sierra Leone. UNHCR said that anxiety among Sierra Leone refugees was causing them to return to insecure areas back home, such as Kambia and Kailahoun, and other rebel-held parts of Sierra Leone. UNHCR emphasized to the Council delegation the crucial need for order-monitoring and greater protection guarantees from Guinean authorities in the volatile region, and the need to build trust and confidence among the neighbouring countries (Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia).

After the meeting with Government ministers, the Council delegation traveled to Freetown, where it began its 72-hour stay. They briefed the press about the objectives of the mission upon their arrival in Freetown.

This afternoon we expect them to meet with the Sierra Leone Attorney- General, Solomon Berewa, to discuss the practicalities of setting up the special court for Sierra Leone. Tomorrow, the mission is planning to split into two groups. One group will go to Port Loko and Mile 91; the second group will travel to Kenema and Daru in the east.

**Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Over the weekend, the Secretary-General wrote to the newly inaugurated President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, to congratulate him on his victory in the recent elections in that country. In the letter, he also congratulated the people of Yugoslavia, saying, "Their voice has been heard around the world, and their victory will give heart to all those who strive for democracy".

The Secretary-General noted the unique opportunity for a fresh start to the relationship between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the United Nations. To that end, he recommended that Yugoslavia submit an application for membership in the United Nations, as called for in relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.

We have copies of the Secretary-General's letter available in the office upstairs.

**Kosovo

The Secretary-General's Special Representative in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, today attended the General Affairs Council of the European Union in Luxembourg.

Speaking to the Council, Mr. Kouchner today told the 15 foreign ministers that the democratic change in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is "the first necessary step to improve our relations with Belgrade, as well as with the Serbs of Kosovo". He expressed his intention to establish direct contacts with Yugoslav President Kostunica, who has invited Kouchner to meet him in Belgrade.

At the same time, the Special Representative cautioned, the situation in Kosovo has not changed. He warned, "The war is not over. Peacemaking is still necessary and difficult to implement. Kosovo remains a society in crisis". He urged that the international military presence in Kosovo should be maintained, and that economic assistance to Kosovo should continue. He added that the lifting of sanctions on Serbia should be linked to concrete progress on the issue of missing persons and detainees.

We have upstairs copies of the presentation that Mr. Kouchner made to the European Council.

**Côte d'Ivoire

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General. The official statement is released in French and is upstairs. We're getting an official translation made, and I will just read you, for your purposes here, the unofficial translation:

“The Secretary-General, in light of the decision of the Supreme Court of Côte d'Ivoire, notes with regret that many candidates, representing important political parties, are to be excluded from the presidential elections.

“He strongly deplores these restrictions on the free choice of the voters of Côte d'Ivoire.

“He recalls that the United Nations has repeatedly demanded that the authorities in Côte d'Ivoire work on a political transition leading to a return to constitutional legality, based on democratic elections for the President and the legislature that are open and transparent.”

As I mentioned, the official French text is upstairs, and we will be giving you an English translation shortly.

**East Timor

In East Timor, the first round of negotiations between the United Nations mission, representing East Timor, and the Australian Government concerning the Timor Gap began in Dili. This round, which is to discuss the future treaty governing the resources of the Timor Gap, is expected to last through 12 October. As you may or may not know, the Timor Gap is the body of water between East Timor and Australia.

The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) holds the position that East Timor is entitled to all revenues north of the mid-point between East Timor and Australia, in accordance with the Law of the Sea.

In a different note from East Timor, last Friday night New Zealand peacekeepers belonging to the United Nations mission shot dead an armed militia member about 4.5 kilometres north of Suai, near East Timor's border with West Timor. The United Nations soldiers acted after the militia member approached the position from which they had been observing militia movements. None of the United Nations troops was injured in the exchange of fire.

Prior to that incident, the New Zealand troops had received reports of three sightings of militia members in the area. The United Nations mission is currently clearing and securing the area.

We have further details on that incident and on the Timor Gap negotiations available upstairs in the briefing notes from East Timor.

**Press Releases and Reports

Available on the racks is a letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council transmitting a recommendation from the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda that persons who may have been wrongfully detained, prosecuted or convicted by the Tribunal should be compensated. This follows a similar letter from the President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Also available on the racks is a note by the Secretary-General on nuclear disarmament.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is launching today an appeal for $975,000 to support international efforts to control and prevent Rift Valley Fever in Yemen. This disease affects both humans and animals and is posing serious public health risk and economic loss. More information is available in a press release upstairs.

We have a report from the United Nations Coordinator for Afghanistan that over 10,000 persons have been displaced in Baghlan, Afghanistan. This is in addition to over 60,000 displaced in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces, and 50,000 in Kabul and Panjashar Valley. An appeal has been launched for $5 million for seeds urgently needed due to the drought in the region. More information is available upstairs.

On the racks today is a letter from the Security Council President, Martin Andjaba of Namibia, to the Secretary-General confirming the maintenance of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). The Observer Mission's work is reviewed every six months to determine whether it should be maintained or terminated; the next review will be on 6 April 2001.

Almost lastly, in Room 378 we have available an update on the number of military and police personnel serving in 16 United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world -- currently 40,000 military personnel from 88 countries serve in those missions.

**Press Conference

Tomorrow at 1 p.m. we have a press conference here. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, will be here to discuss the election of non-permanent members to the Security Council, as well as issues related to Colombia's foreign policy.

The World Chronicle programme no. 798 with Reinhart Helmke, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, will be shown today on in-house television channel 3 or 31 at 3:30 p.m.

Any questions?

Question: How long will the Secretary-General stay in the region, and where else will he go?

Associate Spokesman: He'll stay as long as necessary and as long as he feels his work there is productive. I think it is fair to expect him to visit a number of other regional capitals before he comes home.

Question: Why was this evening's meeting with Barak postponed until Tuesday? Also, why does the Secretary-General feel that his presence could be useful, considering how Israel, at least in the past, has viewed United Nations intervention in Middle East peace?

Associate Spokesman: I think the Secretary-General enjoys the trust of both parties, Israelis and Palestinians, as well as other key players involved in the talks. If he didn't enjoy that trust, he would not be effective and I don't think he would be going. He has something to offer. Over the weekend he held consultations and offered to travel to the region. His decision to travel was welcomed by all parties.

In terms of the schedule change, the logistics of this trip are, as you can imagine, fairly complicated and that was just the way it was decided. That was changed from the last time we spoke, earlier this morning.

Question: Was this his personal initiative to go to the Middle East, or did someone call?

Associate Spokesman: No, it was the Secretary-General's initiative to travel to the region, and he has the support of all other parties involved, whether mediators or Israelis and Palestinians.

Question: What is the United Nations position on Barak's deadline of 48 hours to Arafat to stop the violence in the Middle East?

Associate Spokesman: The ultimatum, as you say, was issued by the Israelis. It is not our ultimatum to comment on. Obviously, the Secretary-General will arrive in Israel. His first meeting, as I said, will be with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with an Israeli official, and I am sure that will be discussed along with other issues.

Question: Would you say that the Secretary-General's discussions will focus on the big pictures, not just, for example, on what is happening in South Lebanon and the prisoner issue?

Associate Spokesman: His first item on the agenda is to find a way to stop the violence and to stop it as soon as possible, and then get the peace process back on track. That will be the focus of his discussions.

Briefing by Spokeswoman for President of General Assembly

The President of the General Assembly will chair the plenary tomorrow morning, starting at 10 a.m., when they take up the issue of Security Council elections. Five non-permanent members will be elected by secret ballot of two thirds of those present and voting. But at the beginning of the meeting, there will be a tribute to the Prime Minister of Dominica who, as you know, passed away last week. Before it takes up the Security Council vote, the plenary will have a report from the Fifth Committee concerning a waiver for some countries that have not paid their dues in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. It

is expected that up to six countries will be granted this waiver by the Fifth Committee later today. That will mean that a total of only 11 countries will not be able to vote tomorrow. That is assuming that no one pays their dues in the meantime.

So, if we have two thirds of those present and voting, the majority would be around 118 votes. We have more details of the procedures for those who are interested. They can see me afterwards.

The First Committee continues the general debate this morning. The Second Committee continues its discussion this afternoon on macroeconomic policy questions. In relation to this agenda item, there will be a panel of experts and discussion chaired by the Chairman of the Second Committee tomorrow afternoon in Conference Room 2.

The Third Committee introduced its first draft resolution this morning, concerning the Second World Assembly on Ageing to be held in Madrid, Spain, in 2002. It continues its discussion on women today. Just an organizational measure in the Third Committee that will be of help to us all: they have decided that every Thursday afternoon, starting at 3, they will take action on their draft resolutions. That makes it much easier for us to follow.

The Fifth Committee, as I mentioned earlier, will this afternoon take action on a resolution concerning countries to be granted a waiver concerning their payment of dues and their voting rights.

The Sixth Committee this morning took up the report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law which was introduced by the Chairman, Jeffery Chan Wah Teck of Singapore

The Fourth Committee is not meeting today, but tomorrow it will take up the issue of the effects of atomic radiation. The Chairman of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Dr. Lars-Erik Holm of Sweden, will present a report to the Committee.

Last week I mentioned the informal consultations being carried out in relation to the Oceans and Law of the Sea agenda item. I have some additional information on this in my office, if anyone is interested. I note that these consultations continue today and tomorrow and possibly later.

That is all I have. Thank you.

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