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.

Good Afternoon.

**Statement on Middle East

We’ll have a statement on the Middle East.  It’s not quite ready; so, as soon as we have it we’ll read it into the record.

**Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Turning to Liberia, we have the following statement attributable to the Spokesman.

“The Secretary-General is alarmed at the severe impact which intensified fighting between rebels and government forces in Liberia is having on Monrovia’s 1 million inhabitants.

“Clashes on the western outskirts of Monrovia have caused the majority of an estimated 100,000 displaced people in camps there to flee for their safety.  Thousands have moved to the central and eastern parts of the capital.  Before fighting erupted around Monrovia on 5 June, humanitarian workers had access to barely 30 per cent of Liberia.  Today, virtually none of Liberia’s more than
3 million people, already traumatized by years of war and abject poverty, will be able to receive emergency relief assistance.

“The Secretary-General calls on the parties to the conflict to take all necessary measures to ensure that civilians are not targeted and are spared the effects of war.  He also calls on them to prevent looting of humanitarian assets and property.  Finally, he reminds them that perpetrators of international humanitarian and human rights law violations, which have been far too common in Liberia, will be held accountable for their acts.”

**Security Council

The Security Council has scheduled consultations this afternoon at 3:30 on Liberia at the request of the Secretary-General.  The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Kieran Prendergast, is expected to provide a briefing on the latest developments there.

In Ghana, the Secretary-General’s Representative for Liberia, Abou Moussa, meanwhile, continues to engage informally with the parties to the Liberia Peace Talks, which are expected to begin fully on Wednesday when the political delegation of the Movement for Democracy of Liberia, or MODEL, is expected to be participating.

Earlier today in Monrovia, the intensified fighting has forced 29 United Nations international staff together with European Union nationals to be taken out of the city to a French ship waiting off the coast.

**Democratic Republic of the Congo

We informed you last Friday that an advance party of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force arrived in Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Now this unit has taken up patrolling of the road from the airport to the centre of town in Bunia, and the main body of the force is to be deployed in the coming days.

Fighting between Lendu and Hema militias erupted on Saturday.  The UN Mission reported that some 500 Lendu militia personnel launched an attack against the Hema militia at around 06.20 hours to regain previously held positions.  After several hours’ fighting, the Hema pushed Lendu militia out of Bunia.

Reports of casualties from the fighting are unconfirmed; there are reports of at least four killed and six wounded.  However, the figure may be higher.

Around 14,000 internally displaced persons are still located within the two camps in Bunia under UN protection.  There was an influx of displaced persons into the camp in Bunia on Saturday when fighting resumed.  However, most of those coming into the camp have now returned home.

**Security Council

The Security Council’s mission to central Africa is set to arrive in Angola shortly.

As you we told you on Friday, they traveled to South Africa over the weekend where they met yesterday with President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

Today, prior to leaving for Luanda, delegation members were briefed by Ambassador Mahmoud Kassem, the Chair of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We expect to receive more information on the delegation’s activities shortly.  As soon as we do, we will let you know.

**Iraq – Vieira de Mello

Today, as part of his continuing effort to consult with the widest possible spectrum of Iraqi society, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, met with Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, member of the Central Committee and Representative of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

Dr. Al-Bayati informed Mr. Vieira de Mello that his organization wanted to see a democratic government in Iraq as soon as possible, and asked for the UN to play an independent role in helping the Iraqi people.  He stressed that the political process must be an Iraqi process to select an Iraqi administration.  Mr. Vieira de Mello answered that the UN had experience in supporting the constitutional and electoral processes in many countries around the world, and assured him that the UN was ready to assist the Iraqi people in any way possible.

Mr. Vieira de Mello’s first meeting with an Iraqi political leader actually began yesterday when he met with Dr. Adnan Pachachi, who advocated a strong UN role in establishing the democratic government of Iraq.  Mr. Vieira de Mello said we must make the best of resolution 1483, which offers an opportunity despite its vagueness.  The resolution affirms the UN’s independence and “that is our strongest asset”, he said.  The UN role, he added, is bringing about what the Iraqis want, which is, ultimately, sovereignty.

Mr. Vieira de Mello has also had two meetings, one on Sunday and one today, with the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, L. Paul Bremer.  On Sunday, they discussed economic and monetary matters, along with representatives of the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.  Today, they touched upon the political process.

Asked about the issue of insecurity and how that was affecting the UN’s work, Mr. Vieira de Mello said, while it was obvious that the situation remained unstable, improvements could be seen in Baghdad on a daily basis.  Mr. Vieira de Mello added that he would begin to travel to the provinces this coming weekend and would, therefore, have a more informed opinion on the situation outside the capital.

More information is available in my office.

**Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

That statement on the Middle East is now ready, and it goes as follows:

“The Secretary-General deplores the violence by Palestinian groups over the weekend.  Such violence is especially untimely following the Aqaba Summit, where the parties made a commitment to implementing the Quartet’s ‘Road Map’. 

“The Secretary-General calls on the parties not to allow violence, the aim of which is clearly to derail the peace process, to set the agenda.  He commends the two Prime Ministers for their recent expressions of determination to stay the course.  The Secretary-General believes that the Road Map sets out the best path to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that would ensure the security of the peoples of the Middle East.”

**Iraq - Humanitarian

Yesterday in Baghdad, the UN Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, said the health situation of children in Iraq remains tenuous.  Many children continue to suffer from high rates of diarrhoeal disease, much higher than this time last year. 

One of the most deadly of diarrhoea-related diseases is cholera.  At Basra, there are now 66 confirmed cases of cholera of which 79 per cent are children under 5 years old.  Fifty-nine per cent of victims are girls.  Suspected cases have also been found in Nassariya and Missan.  Dysentery and typhoid are also becoming a real problem for children. 

To assist Iraqi children afflicted with these diseases, UNICEF is providing hospitals with intravenous fluids and Oral Re-hydration Salts (ORS) and Ampicillin to treat typhoid.

**Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

We have two more statements.  The first is in response to questions from many of you concerning Mr. Razali’s activities in Myanmar; and on that I can say that:

“The Special Envoy, Mr. Razali Ismail, continued his mission in Yangon today.  Since his arrival on 6 June, in Myanmar he has met top Foreign Ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of ethnic minority political parties, and the United Nations country team.  He also met with Secretary-One of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), General Khin Nyunt, on 7 June, and today he met the SPDC Vice-Chairman, General Maung Aye, for the first time.  The further continuation of the mission is dependent on the judgement of the Special Envoy.  He is currently scheduled to depart tomorrow, 10 June.”

**Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The following statement is attributable to the Spokesman concerning the attempted coup in Mauritania.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns ongoing armed attempts to overthrow the constitutional Government of President Ould Taya in Mauritania.  He is deeply concerned over reports of widespread violence, injuries suffered by the civilian population and looting.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his firm condemnation of any attempt to change the government of any country by force or by other unconstitutional means.

“He calls for an immediate end to the violence and for a peaceful approach to resolving any differences.”

**Afghanistan

From Afghanistan, the UN Mission there informs us that last Saturday, at 8:00 a.m. local time, a bus carrying German International Special Assistance Force personnel was destroyed by a bomb detonated from a taxi.  At the time, the bus was travelling in convoy along the Kabul-Jalalabad road.  Four German soldiers were killed and 31 others were injured, four of those are in critical condition.  An investigation is ongoing, but there is every indication that it was a suicide bombing.  The UN Mission commented that it was the first suicide bomb attack in Kabul, ever.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, sent his condolences, through his spokesman, to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the attack and pledged to continue pushing for peace there.  “The Special Representative is absolutely convinced that Afghanistan, with the support of its friends, will overcome these anti-Afghan forces that are still out there intent on destroying the peace process”, the spokesman said. 

We have more from the briefing in Kabul in my office.

**Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

We also have a statement upstairs about a recent meeting of the representatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under the auspices of the Secretary-General. 

**Oshima in Colombia

And Kenzo Oshima, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, will be traveling to Colombia from 9 to 12 June.

The primary purpose of his mission is to get a first-hand look at the United Nations response to the humanitarian situation in that country.  And during his mission, Oshima will undertake field visits to areas heavily affected by internal displacement and will meet with Colombian authorities, members of the United Nations Country Team, and the donor community to discuss the mid-term review of the United Nations Humanitarian Plan of Action for Colombia.

That's all I have for you.  Richard?

Questions and Answers

Question:  Does the Secretary-General have any planned trips to other countries coming up?

Spokesman:  Yes, he should be travelling a little later this month but we aren’t prepared to say exactly where or when.  But we should be announcing that trip shortly.  Yes?

Question:  You know that, Fred, the situation in Africa is so bad that, you know, most definitely improved humanity, improved distribution of food and then help of the children and then, the UN, you know what can the UN do at the moment, you know?

Spokesman:  The UN, as you probably know if you look down the list of Special Representatives, has peacemaking initiatives, as well as peacekeeping efforts in a number of countries.  The Congo, I think, is the country getting the most attention now; that’s from the news point of view.  But we’re trying to put out a lot of fires at once; it’s not been easy; and it will be a long time, I think, before we get the situation under control in some of these areas.  But our efforts will continue.  Yes, Bill?

Question:  Is the Secretary-General going to be participating in the upcoming Quartet meeting?

Spokesman:  We’re not ready to say yet, Bill. We’re not ready to announce any travel yet.  Akram?

Question:  The cholera (inaudible) in Basra, is it, since when?

Spokesman:  Why don’t you get the further details we have on that.  I don’t have the specifics but we have more information in my office.  Serge?

Question:  Resolution 1483 really gives the Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq an independent role; you mentioned that he has an independent role to play...

Spokesman:  Yeah.

Question:  ...what is his rapport vis-à-vis of the occupying power?  What is the function?

Spokesman:  He is spending his time now acquainting himself with the Iraqi political leadership; the broadest possible spectrum, and at the same time, as you have seen from my reports, he’s meeting with Mr. Bremer and other US officials, US/UK –- the coalition leaders who have the responsibility under the Security Council resolution for maintaining security and for getting government services up and functioning again.  So, he has a foot in both camps if you like.  And clearly, the Council resolution asks him to work with the authority while, at the same time, being an independent actor working with the Iraqis.  Richard?

Question:  Since the outbreak of the Iraq war has there been any communication –- print, letters or phone -- between President Bush and Secretary-General Annan? (Inaudible) ...enquirers at the long spirit of time, perhaps no communication between the US leader and the SG, if there hasn’t been any?

Spokesman:  I’ll have to check to see when the last time the Secretary-General spoke with President Bush.  He has contact with other senior US officials, most frequently Secretary of State Colin Powell, whom he spoke to, I think, a couple of times since Friday.  Bill?  [He later said that the Secretary-General had last spoken to President Bush on Saturday, 5 April.]

Question:  Is the Secretary-General going to call or ask for the deployment of any troops to Monrovia as he did for Bunia?

Spokesman:  At this time I have nothing to announce, I don’t know what his thinking is on that subject.  Richard?

Question:  While there are people starving in many places, this may be an odd moment to ask an internal housekeeping matter; but maybe you’ve addressed it at other briefings.  Can you enquire as to how did they end up changing the contract in the cafeteria to this firm and everyone says the prices are higher?  I mean, is the UN getting more, profiting, the UN is earning money more to help out with its budget problem, and there is also some rather odd signage and other things in the cafeteria, I wonder if there has been any surveys or anybody has reported incidents to the Spokesman’s office who are handling global hot spots?

Spokesman:  I’d have to look into the pricing situation, but these contracts go out on a competitive bidding basis.  So, the current contractor outbid the old contractor, Restaurant Associates.  You’re likely to see changes as the new caterer settles in.  I, myself, haven’t noticed the change in prices, but maybe some prices have gone up; I am not sure that’s due to the caterer or just to the impact of inflation.  [He later said that the contract for the new caterer specifies that the same prices must be maintained for the same products.]

Question:  Why, are you skipping a meal you said, everyday?

Spokesman:  That’s true.  I only have breakfast there.  Have you had a different experience at lunch?

Question:  It’s, uh, yeah, it’s a little higher people say, I don’t know.

Spokesman:  I don’t think there is a major profit element for the United Nations in this operation.  If anything, it may even be subsidized to keep prices more reasonable.  But let me look into that and get back to you.  Yes?  [He later said there is no profit for the UN in cafeteria sales.]

Question:  I am not an expert in food, but in the past, I mean I had a little bit of experience, too, and I support Richard that, you know, it’s lousy food and the prices are really higher than before.

Spokesman:  We have some people coming in from the outside who say it’s the best institutional food they have ever tasted.  So, I guess it’s a matter of individual taste.  Yes?

Question:  I have a question regarding Myanmar, and you said that Razali is continuing his mission there, but is there any more information that we might know about; the release of (Daw Aung San) Suu Kyi in the near future?

Spokesman:  We have nothing from him on that subject.  His declared intention was to meet with her.  He clearly still hopes that will still happen.  As we said in this statement, the further continuation of his mission is his judgement.  Yes, Akram?

Question:  Adnan Pachachi and Hamid Al-Bayat are the only two people you recognize as leaders in Iraq or (are there) some other personalities as well?

Spokesman:  No.  This is just the beginning.  He [Sergio Vieira de Mello] will meet with as many Iraqi leaders as he can and he is intent on meeting the widest possible spectrum of Iraqi leadership.  Richard?

Question:  I know it’s a Council matter, but does the SG have a feeling about the ICC and another US exemption from the Court and whether he feels this is something that weakens the institution?

Spokesman:  We’ll have to see.  You might recall a year ago when the exception was voted by the Council the Secretary-General issued a statement.  And I know he is currently reviewing his position and we’ll have to see if he makes a further statement this year.  Serge?

Question:  Fred, the Secretary-General had promised to us on several occasions here that Latin America would be on his agenda.  What happened to those promises?

Spokesman:  I don’t think Latin America has gone off his agenda.  Perhaps there aren’t the awful crises in the hemisphere that you have in the Middle East or in Africa where much of the attention is focused these days.  But he continues to keep his eye on Latin America, as on all other areas; not just in the political area, I guess it’s primarily Colombia that he is looking at; where he has an envoy, but development and all the rest continues to be very much on his mind.  Furthermore, the Secretary-General has spoken with President Bush and

Condoleeza Rice as recently as 1 June at the G-8 Summit on Latin America.

Question:  For example, there is a conference going on right now in Chile where Secretary Powell is.  At which level are you represented today, right now?

Spokesman:  I don’t know.  Who is hosting that conference?

Question:  The Organization of American States.

Spokesman:  I’d have to check for you who would attend.  Normally it would be the head of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, who is the senior-most UN official in the region.  [He later said that a senior professional from the Department of Political Affairs was attending as an observer.]

Thank you very much.

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