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

Following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, and Richard Sydenham, Spokesman for the President of the General Assembly.

Briefing by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Good afternoon.

**Statement on Cameroon/Nigeria

The Secretary-General has remained in contact with the Presidents of Cameroon and Nigeria following their meeting in Paris on 5 September 2002 and subsequent to the judgment delivered by the International Court of Justice on

10 October 2002 on the border dispute between those two countries. 

The Secretary-General has reiterated his readiness and that of the United Nations to assist the two countries in the follow-up to the Court’s decision and in establishing confidence between them, as agreed during their meeting in Paris.  To that end, he has invited the Presidents of Nigeria and Cameroon to meet with him again in the near future.

**DRC Talks/Pretoria

Earlier today in Pretoria, South Africa, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Moustapha Niasse, delivered a message on behalf of the Secretary-General during a summit meeting of the Presidents of South Africa, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In his message, the Secretary-General congratulated Presidents Kabila and Kagame for the courage they had shown signing the Pretoria agreement last July. “By doing so”, he said, “they have taken the lead in laying down arms and settling their conflict by peaceful diplomatic means.”

He encouraged both Presidents to continue their work by, among other issues, establishing a climate of confidence in the eastern part of the DRC.

Concerning the inter-Congolese dialogue, the Secretary-General noted that significant progress had been made aimed at reaching an all-inclusive agreement on a power-sharing arrangement during the transition in the DRC.  He called on both Presidents to use their influence to promote the dialogue and the agreement's implementation.  The full text of the statement is available both in French and English.

**Fighting in DRC

I have a few other items relating to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As you’ll recall, yesterday afternoon, the Security Council issued a press statement in which it expressed its concern at the situation in the Ituri province in the north of the DRC.  Council members appealed to all local groups, especially the Union of Congolese Patriots, to show restraint and put their efforts into achieving a political settlement.

In the southern Katanga province of the country, the UN mission reports that clashes between ex-Rwandan combatants and Congolese army soldiers have been taking place in the town of Kamina.  As result of these clashes, which have claimed the lives of a number of people, 13 unarmed UN military observers have been evacuated.

Lastly, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported today in Geneva on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the DRC.  The OCHA estimates that there are some 2.1 million displaced people in the east and that only 40 per cent of its 2002 appeal for the DRC has been met.

**Statement on Sudan

The following statement is attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation in the Sudan:

“The Secretary-General would like to commend the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on reaching an agreement allowing humanitarian workers unimpeded access to all areas and for all people in need in the Sudan.  The agreement, which takes effect today, will allow assistance to reach as many as 1 million people who have not been able to receive aid.

“The Secretary-General urges the international donor community to provide Operation Lifeline Sudan with the resources necessary to meet the needs of the growing numbers of beneficiaries.  Finally, he reiterates the support of the United Nations to the IGAD-led peace process in Machakos, Kenya.”

**James LeMoyne Appointed Special Adviser on Colombia

The Secretary-General has announced the appointment of James LeMoyne as Special Adviser on Colombia.  Mr. LeMoyne had been serving as Acting Special Adviser since January 2002.  The appointment, at the Assistant Secretary-General level, is effective as of 1 November.

Mr. LeMoyne has worked in peace processes, complex crises and peace-building for 20 years.  He has been involved with the processes in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Guatemala and, of course, Colombia.

Before joining the United Nations, Mr. LeMoyne was a senior foreign correspondent and foreign policy analyst specializing in conflicts and peace processes in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. 

**Security Council

The Security Council presidency has been taken up by China for the month of November.  Ambassador Wang Yingfan of China is holding bilateral consultations today with other Council members on the programme of work for November.  The provisional programme of work is posted on the Web site of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations.

The Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Zhang Yishan, is scheduled to brief reporters here in room S-226 on Monday after consultations on the programme.  No Council meetings or consultations on the whole are scheduled for today.  At 3 p.m. though, a meeting of the Security Council working group on peacekeeping operations is scheduled.

**Security Council Yesterday

The Security Council held consultations yesterday afternoon on Côte d’Ivoire before approving presidential statements on small arms, Central Africa and women, peace and security.

Council members strongly condemned the attempt to seize power by force of arms or to overthrow the democratically elected Government of Côte d’Ivoire.  They also commended efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and called on the international community to provide the necessary assistance required for the immediate deployment of a regional force agreed on last month.

**Somalia

The Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council on Somalia is out, one day after his statement welcoming the signing of the declaration on the cessation of hostilities.  The Secretary-General notes the proliferation of arms and the need for disarmament of armed men as a critical area of concern.  He also draws attention to the unacceptable level of insecurity for aid workers and the need to end the impunity with which armed groups continue to harass these workers.  Saying much more needs to be done in the humanitarian and development areas, he appeals to Member States for generous contributions to the upcoming appeal which will be launched on 19 November.

**Timor-Leste

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are launching a final effort to help East Timorese refugees to go home by the end of this year.  An estimated 220,000 East Timor residents, who fled to West Timor in the immediate aftermath of the 1999 independence referendum, have already gone home.  But some 30,000 remain in refugee camps in the Indonesian province of West Timor.

This morning, East Timor President Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by UNHCR and IOM officials, travelled to West Timor in a bid to stimulate the return of the remaining refugees.  Those who express a willingness to return by the end of the year will receive a repatriation package containing a month’s supply of food, as well as a variety of domestic items.  The Indonesian Government said it would also provide some financial support.

**Kosovo

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo, Michael Steiner, today launched a Task Force on Returns that is intended to invigorate the process of bringing displaced Kosovars back home.  In launching the task force, Steiner said that ensuring such returns is a top priority and added, “We want not to create a new bureaucracy, but to have a coordinating forum to turn this priority into reality.”  There's a press release on that.

**Chechnya

The UNHCR is concerned about the increasing anxiety of displaced Chechens who are in four camps in Ingushetia where, since 25 October, Russian troops have established a nearby presence.  Since yesterday, a document check has been put in place in the four camps, with soldiers checking all cars and persons entering or leaving the area.  Some camp residents have expressed the worry that the presence of troops nearby is a potential threat or provocation, and school attendance in one of the camps has dropped 70 per cent.  We have more details in today’s UNHCR briefing notes.

**Reports on Myanmar and Cambodia

I would like to flag two reports that are out today:  One is a report on “The human rights situation in Myanmar” by the Secretary-General; and the other is a report on “The situation of human rights in Cambodia” by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia.

In the report on Myanmar, the Secretary-General notes that though some significant developments have taken place over the past two years, substantive dialogue between the Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has yet to commence. Concerned that the positive momentum will be lost unless some tangible progress is made in the near future, the Secretary-General appeals once again to the Government and to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to set aside their differences and unite for the larger cause of national reconciliation.

In the report on Cambodia, the Special Representative for human rights in Cambodia notes that the implementation of law in the country is poor, the judiciary is weak and prone to corruption, and the courts are failing in their role as an effective balance with the executive branch.  He says that there is little respect for standards of fair trial, and poor people are not treated equally before the law.  He also expresses his concern over the police and the military’s involvement in elections.  Both of those reports are available upstairs.

**Principal Organs

The heads of the six principal organs of the United Nations -– the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat –- will hold their fourth annual meeting in just a few minutes, at 12:30 p.m., in the Secretary-General’s office.  After the meeting, those officials will take part in a luncheon hosted by the Secretary-General.

As you will recall, the Secretary-General in 1998 started the practice of holding meetings among the heads of the six principal organs, to exchange views on developments in those bodies and to coordinate matters to improve the efficiency of the UN’s work.  The meetings invariably address the major issues facing the United Nations, in general.  We expect a brief statement to be issued after that meeting has concluded.

**Cyprus

The Secretary-General met yesterday in a New York hotel with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a “private and social call”.  Afterwards, the Secretary-General told journalists that he had “visited an old friend to wish him well”.  As you know, Mr. Denktash has just undergone surgery.

**Secretary-General’s Report on Secretariat Post Structure

Out on the racks today is the Secretary-General’s report on the review of the post structure of the United Nations Secretariat.  The General Assembly had requested the Secretary-General undertake a comprehensive review of the post structure and make proposals to address the top-heavy post structure of the Secretariat.  The review concluded that, in comparison with other major international organizations, there does not seem to be top-heaviness in the Secretariat.  The matter is to be kept under review.

**Fellowship Programme

The Secretary-General announces today the launching of the United Nations Fulbright Fellowship Programme, created through a partnership with the Institute of International Education, which is the implementing institution of the Fulbright Programme, and the United Nations Foundation/Better World Fund, which will fund this new programme.

Under it, carefully selected current Fulbright students from developing countries will be invited to extend their study/research programmes for six months through placement with a United Nations department or office, which will benefit in equal measure from the energy and expertise of an outstanding scholar in the field.  The first fellows will be matched with host departments and placed at the United Nations during the second half of 2003.  We have a press release with more details.

**Other Press Releases

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the first Global Mountain Summit ended today with the adoption of the Bishkek Mountain Platform.  The document will guide governments on future activities and actions to improve the livelihoods of mountain people and protect mountain ecosystems.

The Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ended today in New Delhi, India, with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration.  The Declaration stresses that high priority must be given to adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change and urges governments to promote technological advances to increase renewable energy resources.

**Friendship Run

The Annual International Friendship Run will take place tomorrow starting from the Visitors Plaza of the UN and ending five miles later at the Tavern on the Green Restaurant in Central Park.  The Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor, will represent the Secretary-General at the opening ceremony which starts at 8 a.m. -- and it doesn’t say here whether he will run or not –- and it is expected that 10,000 participants will take part, among them teams from the United Nations and agencies, funds and programmes and even some delegations.

**Other Announcements

Another announcement on the World Chronicle TV series by the Department of Public Information, programme number 870.  It will feature Christopher Patten, the External Relations Commissioner of the European Union, and you can see that on

in-house television today at 3:30 p.m. on channel 3 or 31.

The guest at the noon briefing on Monday will be Dileep Nair, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, who will discuss the eighth annual report issued by his Office.

Press conferences on Monday, as well:  At 12:30 p.m., Shashi Tharoor, once again, will be here to brief you on the 50th anniversary of the UN guided tours.

And then at 1 p.m., as we already mentioned, the Deputy Permanent Representative of China will talk to you about the Council’s programme for the month of November, and we have the week ahead to help you plan your reporting exercises for next week. Pick it up in my office.

Richard?

Briefing by Spokesman for General Assembly President

Good afternoon.

This morning, the General Assembly plenary completed its discussion of the report of the Secretary-General on Strengthening of the United Nations:  an agenda for further change.

In his concluding remarks, President Kavan said there had been a very rich debate with many points in common among the 71 statements heard.

Common ground had been found for upcoming informal discussions, and the President expressed his appreciation for the proposals of the Secretary-General to make the UN more efficient and effective.  He appreciated the holistic approach so that changes would complement each other and pull together in the same direction.  He also expressed satisfaction that the development priorities of the UN are clearly focused. 

"Constructive process of consultation and negotiations are before us", he said.  He assured delegations that the process would be transparent and his door is always open if his good offices are needed.  Open-ended informals will begin on Monday afternoon on this topic.

        The First Committee is in general debate and taking action on draft resolutions on the question of Antarctica, and this morning the Second and Third

Committees held a joint panel discussion on the theme “Managing Globalization”, which was organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and

co-hosted by the Chairmen of the Second and Third Committees, and moderated by the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mark Mallock Brown.

       This afternoon, the Second Committee continues discussion of implementation of the UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty 1997-2006, sustainable development and international economic cooperation, and globalization and interdependence and draft resolutions on those items.

        The Third Committee discusses human rights questions and promotion and protection of the rights of children.  The Fifth Committee takes up appointments to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and then holds informal discussions on the capital master plan.  The Sixth Committee discusses the report of the International Law Commission.      The Committee on Relations with the Host Country will meet this afternoon in the Trusteeship Council.

In his remarks to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee at the closing of the debate on the question of information yesterday, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Shashi Tharoor answered the questions raised by delegates during the debate over the last three days.  He said that the debate had been particularly rich and interesting. 

         He said, “It is clear and welcome that we all agree that creating a culture of communications within the Organization is essential to building awareness and support for the UN.” 

         He went on to say:  “I am gratified that Member States in this Committee have strongly supported the new direction in which the Secretary-General proposes to take the Department of Public Information (DPI), and our aim is to prioritize our work programme and the allocation of DPI’s resources among the mandated activities, to better focus the message of the United Nations.”

        The General Assembly plenary starting on Monday will take up items on:  an election to fill vacancies on the Committee for Programme and Coordination; the culture of peace; 2001-2010:  Decade to roll back malaria in developing countries; the role of the United Nations in promoting a new global human order; and information and communication technologies for development.

Any questions?  Thank you.

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