DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Manoel De Almeida e Silva, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon.  I apologize for this delay.  And welcome to the group of journalists from Georgia, who are visiting us here today.  You are most welcome here.

**Secretary-General's Message to the People of East Timor

I am going to start the briefing with a message that the Secretary-General has sent to the Timorese people.  Therefore, I'm going to read in the first person because it's a message by the Secretary-General, not by the Spokesman:

"I congratulate you on the success of today's Constituent Assembly elections.

“The level of popular participation in the vote proved exceptionally high, an estimated 93 per cent, which is far greater, in fact, than that of most democratic nations.  I commend the spirit of peace, maturity and tolerance shown by each and every one of you and by all political parties -- both throughout the campaign period and at the polls.  It provides a glowing example to the world community."

In the message, the Secretary-General goes on and he says:

"Over the past two years, your unique determination has been the catalyst for all the support that the United Nations, its agencies, non-governmental organizations and the international community have given East Timor in reviving lives and livelihoods and in re-establishing the institutions of government.  The conviction which you have shown in embracing democracy only strengthens our commitment to your cause, as you now set about drafting your first Constitution that will soon lead to independence."

In concluding this message to the East Timorese people, the Secretary-General adds:

"The United Nations stands with you in the challenging months that follow as you embark upon the complex, second phase in the establishment of government institutions and an economic structure that are sustainable well into the future."

**East Timor Elections

The vote today in East Timor was described by the United Nations Mission as calm and peaceful throughout the country, with no incidents of insecurity reported nationwide.

I'll read a little bit from an internal report we had today on how the voting went, because I think it gives you some colour of what it was like.

"The lack of transport proved no deterrent to the East Timorese.  Voters in several rural districts walked overnight in family groups in order to arrive before the opening time.  Those, including the elderly and pregnant women, were not stopped by often very long queues.  Three to four hours in line in the open sun was unfortunately typical, especially in urban areas where some waited even longer." 

"Wherever I went" -- and this is the report by the Special Representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello -- "I was struck by the enthusiasm and determination of so many people to take part in what they clearly regarded as a historic process and another major milestone on the road to full independence."

We have also the briefing notes from Dili today, which will give you more details on this historic day in East Timor.

After the close of polling, all ballot boxes were taken unopened from the polling centres to counting centres in each district capital, where they will be stored securely overnight.  The process of counting the ballots will begin tomorrow, and final certified results will be handed by the Independent Electoral Commission Board of Commissioners to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on 10 September. 

**Secretary-General Addresses NGO Conference in Durban

Moving from East Timor to Africa.  The Secretary-General today addressed the Non-Governmental Organization Forum, a conference of NGO groups which is running in parallel with the World Conference Against Racism.

"So often it is you, the civil society activists, who breathe life into these events", he said.  "Sometimes it is also you who bring clarity, because you can discuss openly these awkward issues that governments tend to avoid, or to blur, in the interest of reaching consensus."

Texts adopted in conference halls will not change anything, he added, "unless people like you work with governments to follow them up, and to ensure that they are implemented".

The Secretary-General proposed to those present that they work together to produce an annual report on the struggle against racism, highlighting not only violations but also success stories, "so that practices which have worked against racism and intolerance in one country can be tried in others".

After his speech, which was interrupted repeatedly by applause, he took questions from the audience.  The transcript we don't have yet, but as soon as we do, we'll make them available to you.

This evening, the Secretary-General begins a series of bilateral meetings in the margins of the Conference against Racism, starting with President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo.  He will then meet with Yasser Arafat, the President of the Palestinian Authority.  Pascoal Manuel Mocumbi, the Prime Minister of Mozambique, and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, are the other two he'll be meeting this evening.

**Statement on the Death of Govan Mbeki

In South Africa today, the Secretary-General learned of the death of President Thabo Mbeki's father.  He issued a statement in Durban, which we have made available to you in our office. 

It says that the Secretary-General, with sadness, learned this morning of the death of Govan Mbeki, the father of President Thabo Mbeki, who himself was a leading figure in the African National Congress.

The Secretary-General extends to the President and his family, as well as to the people of South Africa, his deepest sympathy and condolences.

**Refugee News

Also in Durban, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, held a press conference earlier today, and, though we do not yet have the transcript of her remarks, we are told that she appealed to the people of Australia to be generous and reach out to the more than 400 possible asylum seekers aboard a Norwegian ship off Australia’s Christmas Island.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), on this same issue, has reiterated its offer to help find a solution for the impasse and said that Australia is best positioned to take the lead in resolving it.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard called the Secretary-General earlier today regarding this ship problem.

And finally, to answer a question I was asked at the briefing yesterday, we were asked whether the Taliban had sent a letter to the Secretary-General regarding this matter.  At the time of the briefing, the letter had not arrived.   However, I can now confirm to you that a letter has now been received from the Taliban.

**Security Council

In a public meeting this morning here in New York, the Security Council adopted a resolution on the role of the Security Council in the prevention of armed conflict. 

In a subsequent open meeting, the Council received a briefing on the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hedi Annabi, who mentioned a number of positive developments on the political and military fronts.  However, he did cite the serious violation of human rights persisting throughout the country and the continued lack of access by humanitarian agencies to people in need. 

Annabi said that the Secretary-General intended to submit to the Security Council, in October, the latest details of a concept of operations for the third phase of its deployment.  As you know, the Secretary-General himself will be visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda starting this weekend, following his participation in the World Conference Against Racism. 

There is no speakers’ list for the open meeting, which is intended to be an interactive one with both Council members and non-members indicating their desire to speak by raising their hands.

This afternoon, the Council is to meet in closed consultations and, under other matters in that session, as we told you yesterday, the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Colombia and the United Kingdom will report to other Council members on a recent meeting of the open-ended working group on Security Council reform.  This item was postponed from yesterday's session due to lack of time.

**International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

TheProsecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Carla del Ponte, today announced that she would sign new indictments against Slobodan Milosevic in October for war crimes in Croatia and Bosnia and for genocide in Bosnia.

Milosevic appeared before Judge Richard May today in a Status Conference, which has to be called within 120 days of a first appearance to check on the progress of both the defendant and the prosecution.  Judge May announced that the Trial Chamber would ask the Registrar of the court to appoint an amicus curiae -- or friend of the court -- to challenge the prosecutor’s case in the absence of a challenge by the defendant, as Mr. Milosevic has not appointed a defence team. 

During the Status Conference, Milosevic made points which were noted by the Judge, but then strayed into political statements.  At this point he was informed by the Judge that this Conference was not the forum for such statements and he would be given a chance to make them during his trial.

In other news from the Tribunal, a judge yesterday granted Biljana Plavsic provisional release until her trial date is set.  The Tribunal is in the process of making arrangements for Ms. Plavsic’s release.

**Middle East

The Middle East now.  Just before coming to the briefing we received a note from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) that this morning in Gaza, the convoy of Peter Hansen, the Commissioner General of UNRWA, was blocked at a newly erected Israeli checkpoint near the Rafah refugee camp.

Mr. Hansen got out of the car and was threatened at gunpoint by the Israeli Defence Force soldiers and was told to immediately return to his vehicle.  The convoy was forced to turn back and travel to Rafah camp by alternate roads.

Earlier in the day, at the same checkpoint, four UNRWA trucks were fired at and were also forced to turn back.  The trucks, clearly labeled as United Nations vehicles, were carrying 60 tons of foods for distribution to special hardship cases.

UNRWA hopes that the Israeli authorities will allow UNRWA access to refugee areas in order to fulfil its humanitarian mandate.

I'm sorry the briefing is a little bit long today.  We have a number of statements which I want to bring to your attention.

**Statement on Bougainville

The first one is a statement attributable to the Spokesman and that is on Bougainville:

“The Secretary-General is delighted to join the rest of the international community in celebrating the signing in Arawa, Bougainville, today of a Comprehensive Political Agreement between the national Government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville leaders.  In his view, the parties to the Agreement, and all others concerned, are to be congratulated on the wisdom and foresight they have shown in reaching the Agreement, which covers the crucial issues of autonomy, referendum and weapons disposal.

“The Secretary-General commends the Peace Monitoring Group, comprising representatives from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu, for the important role it has played in the peace process.  He is especially glad that the United Nations, through the work of its Political Office in Bougainville, has been able to make a contribution to national reconciliation. 

“The Secretary-General expresses the readiness of that Office to assist the parties in the task of implementing this historic Agreement, and particularly disposing of their weapons, on which, he hopes, they will now focus.  The surrender of weapons by the combatants would clear the way for post-conflict peace-building activities, which in turn can help to ensure that the people of Bougainville benefit materially from the return of peace to the island.”

**Western Sahara

You have been asking us about the talks in Wyoming on Western Sahara. 

Today I have information that the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara met with representatives of the Polisario Front (the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro) and the Governments of Algeria and Mauritania in Pinedale, Wyoming, from 27 to 29 August. 

In accordance with Security Council resolution 1359 of 29 June 2001, the proposals made by the Polisario Front to overcome the obstacles in the implementation of the settlement plan were fully considered.

The proposed Framework on the status of Western Sahara was then discussed.  The Algerian delegation gave its views and objections on the Framework Agreement and promised to provide further clarifications.

The Polisario Front expressed its objection to and reservations about the Framework Agreement, but indicated that it would consult its leadership and revert to the Personal Envoy.

The representatives of Mauritania expressed their support for any solution to the problem of Western Sahara that would promote peace and stability within the region and that would have the support of the parties.

**Myanmar

You have also been asking about Myanmar.  Ambassador Razali Ismail, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar, concluded on Thursday his four-day mission to the country aimed at facilitating national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar.

During his stay in Yangon, Ambassador Razali met with leaders of the Government, including Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and Foreign Minister Win Aung.

He also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), including Chairman Aung Shwe and Vice Chairman Tin Oo, who were released from house arrest last Sunday, and ethnic group representatives.

Ambassador Razali was pleased to confirm that all parties remain committed to the process of national reconciliation.  He hopes that further progress in the ongoing talks between the Government and the NLD will be possible.

The Special Envoy will report the results of his mission to the Secretary-General when he visits New York this coming September.

**Statement on the World Food Summit

I am approaching the end of this briefing.  I have one more reference to a statement that we released early this morning on the World Food Summit in Rome, where the Secretary-General supports the convening of this conference and has confirmed his attendance at the meeting.

The full text is available upstairs, as are the full texts of the other statements that I have read to you. 

This statement was issued today following an interview with the Italian press by a United Nations senior official with his views on that Summit, which did not represent the view of the Secretary-General or the United Nations.

**Budget

On budget today, Oman became the 105th Member State to pay its 2001 regular budget contribution in full with a payment of more than $457,000.

And finally, there are no press conferences scheduled for today or tomorrow.

I'm sorry for the longer than usual briefing.  This broke our routine for August.

**Questions and Answers

Question:  Has the Secretary-General commented at all on the situation of the Afghan asylum seekers off the coast of Australia?

Deputy Spokesman:  He has not.  Of course he has been following it, but we don't have any statement from him at this point.  As we said yesterday, within the United Nations system, UNHCR is the lead agency.  They continue to be very much involved in the issue.  They continue to encourage the three countries involved -- Norway, Indonesia and Australia -- to meet.  UNHCR continues to be available to help solve this impasse.

Question:  Has the Secretary-General commented at all today, following his meeting with NGOs in Durban on complaints made by some of the Jewish NGOs there that they are being harassed or unfairly treated?

Deputy Spokesman:  Not to my knowledge.  But I did not yet receive the transcript of the "Q and A" of that session.  We will be able to look at that.  But this has not been reported to me as having happened.

Question:  Did I understand you correctly that Mr. Hansen was able to deliver the food to the Palestinian camp using an alternative route?  If so, was he stopped at all by Israeli troops?

Deputy Spokesman:  No.  I don't think it was delivered.  The four trucks were forced to turn back.  They were clearly marked as United Nations vehicles, were carrying 60 tons of food for distribution to special hardship cases.  UNRWA hopes that Israeli authorities will allow UNRWA access to refugee areas in order to fulfill its humanitarian mandate, but they did not deliver it.

Question:  The Secretary-General supports the convening of the FAO conference and confirms his attendance.  Any further comment that there could or should be a delay?

Deputy Spokesman:  No.  The decisions on these conferences are made by the Member States of the Organization.  The Member States of FAO, the Food and Agricultural Organization, made a decision to hold the conference at a given date in Rome.  And these conferences usually happen at the headquarters of the organization.  So, that is the format, decided by the Member States.  We, the Secretariat, follow the Member States.  The Secretary-General supports the convening of the conference and has confirmed his attendance.

Question:  Can we have the Taliban letter to the Secretary-General?

Deputy Spokesman:  I haven't seen it yet.  Once I have my hands on it, and if we are allowed to share that with you, we will do so.  But I have to look into it. 

Question:  What has the Polisario Front agreed to consult its leadership on?

Deputy Spokesman:  The Polisario Front expressed its objection to and reservations about the Framework Agreement, but indicated that it would consult its leadership and revert to the Personal Envoy, to Mr. Baker -- revert, come back -- to Mr. Baker after consulting the leadership again.

Question:  Presumably that's a change?

Deputy Spokesman:  Not for me to speculate.  If you can contact them, why don't you try to find out directly?

Thank you very much.  Have a very good afternoon.  See you tomorrow.

* *** *