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 Stephane Dujarric, Associate Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Good Afternoon.

**Secretary-General Travels

The Secretary-General left Russia earlier today, and is scheduled to arrive in Geneva shortly, if he hasn’t already done so.  As you know, tomorrow, he is scheduled to deliver a major speech, outlining a strategy for the prevention of genocide, at the Human Rights Commission, on the tenth anniversary of the start of the genocide in Rwanda.

The Secretary-General had to cancel his official appointments today in Moscow, upon the advice of his doctors, following signs of a serious throat irritation.  He had been scheduled to meet with the UN Country Team, as well as the Chairman of the State Duma, Boris Gryzlov.

**Iraq

Turning to Iraq, his Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi, is continuing his consultations in that country.  Today, he had the opportunity to meet separately with two more members of the Governing Council, Mahmoud Othman and Samir Sumaidaie.

And as part of his effort to listen to a wide scope of Iraqi society, Brahimi also met with a group representing women’s non-governmental organizations, as well as another group representing human rights advocates.  He held lengthy meetings with both of them during which they discussed their concerns for the transition of power, security, as well as transitional administration.

Later today, Mr. Brahimi was also scheduled to meet with a group of Iraqi academics.

**UNHCR

The UN refugee agency announced today out of Geneva that because of recent security incidents and tensions in southern Iraq they have temporarily interrupted their thrice-weekly convoys carrying refugees back from Iran into Iraq.

On Monday, 495 refugees, including 117 persons from Nassariyah and the rest from elsewhere in the south, arrived back from Iran with a UNHCR-facilitated convoy, bringing the total of facilitated returns from Iran to over 5,000 people.

**Security Council

Turning to the Security Council, the achievements of the Berlin Conference on Afghanistan were truly impressive, but more needs to be done to ensure that the Afghan peace process receives the support it needs, Under-Secretary-General for

Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno told the Security Council earlier today.

Speaking at an open meeting of the Council, Mr. Guéhenno noted the very generous pledges the Afghan Government received in Berlin last week, as well as agreement there on a strong framework for regional cooperation in counter-narcotics work.

But he added that turning the tide of the drugs economy will take a concentrated effort and patience.  He also warned, the vast majority of Afghans remain convinced that, above all, elections require prior disarmament.  We have copies of his statement available upstairs.

Council members are currently discussing the Berlin Conference, and are expected to adopt a presidential statement at the end of this formal meeting.

This afternoon, the Council will meet again, but this time in closed consultations to discuss the situation in Guinea-Bissau.

The Secretary-General’s Representative in that country, David Stephen, is scheduled to brief them on the recent legislative elections there, which were declared by international observers to be “free, fair and transparent”.

David Stephen is available to come to the stakeout microphone outside the Council Chamber following consultations if you have any questions for him.

**Darfur - Humanitarian

Turning to Darfur, the UN Office in the Sudan is reporting that the situation in Darfur is not showing signs of improvement, and conditions are deteriorating in some areas.

With the continuing influx of internally displaced persons to urban areas, outbreaks of communicable diseases are increasing.  In one camp alone, 200 cases of measles have been confirmed.  Humanitarian agencies in Darfur are concerned that similar outbreaks could spread throughout the region.

A lack of security and the limited capacity of humanitarian agencies leave aid groups unable to provide sufficient amounts of food, shelter, clean water and health care supplies.

**Darfur, Sudan – Human rights

Also on Darfur, a "fact-finding" mission on the human rights situation in that region is now under way.

The mission led by Bacre Waly Ndiaye, the Director of the Human Rights Office here in New York, today began its work in Chad, where they will interview refugees from Darfur, and visit the Sudan later.  The mission is expected to last about 10 days.

The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan, initiated the mission to look into reports of systematic human rights abuses against the civilian population.

**Democratic Republic of Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, six South African peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission there died earlier today in an accident at Lake Kivu, 35 kilometres from Goma in the eastern part of the country.

The accident occurred when the armoured personnel carrier in which 11 peacekeepers were travelling swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle from the opposite direction and fell into the waters of Lake Kivu.

Five peacekeepers were able to get out of the vehicle and one of them is reportedly in serious condition.

Efforts continue to find the bodies of those trapped inside the vehicle.

**Horn of Africa

Martti Ahtisaari, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa, today wrapped up a trip to Ethiopia.  He reviewed the situation there and focused on reducing food insecurity and vulnerability to future droughts.  We have a press release on his activities available upstairs.

**Kosovo – Criminal Codes

Turning to Kosovo, two new criminal codes –- the Provisional Criminal Code and the Provisional Criminal Procedure Code –- came into force in Kosovo today.

The two codes bring the law in Kosovo into greater conformity with regional and European standards, and they ensure consistency with modern principles of international law, in particular, international human rights law.

Harri Holkeri, the UN Special Representative in Kosovo, described the codes’ entry into force as “a crucial milestone” for Kosovo.

**Iran

Turning to Iran, Iran has agreed to accelerate its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Agency’s Director General Mohamed ElBaradei told reporters in Tehran today after a meeting with the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

Mr. ElBaradei said that a team of five IAEA inspectors would visit Iran from 12 April to verify that the country has met its commitment to suspend enrichment of uranium.

The Director General is to meet President Mohammad Khatami later today.

**UNICEF/AIDS Agreement

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is one of several bodies which today announced agreements that’ll make it possible for developing countries to buy high-quality AIDS medicines and diagnostics at the lowest available prices.  In many cases, these items will be available for more than 50 per cent less than current prices.  The other bodies involved in this programme are the Global Fund, the World Bank and the Clinton Foundation.  We have more details available upstairs.

**FAO – Cereal Stock

Turning to a food item:  the Food and Agriculture Organization said today that global cereal stocks will fall sharply again by the end of the 2003/2004 season.

However, the report says world cereal production this year is forecast to increase by around 2 per cent, and that could help alleviate the tight global supply situation for the 2004/2005 season.

**Cyprus

And regarding Cyprus, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, spoke to reporters upon arriving at the airport in Larnaca today, saying he is aware that he comes back to the island at a very delicate moment.

He said that, with referenda on the plan on Cyprus scheduled for 24 April, the decision is now up to the people of Cyprus, and rightly so.  He said, “We have no intention of interfering in that democratic decision.”

He urged the people of Cyprus to read the plan, adding that, despite what has been reported in some quarters, the plan was improved, for both sides, in last week’s talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.

De Soto said, “Obviously the plan is a compromise – but it is a principled compromise.”

**Rwanda

And as we’ve told you, in Geneva tomorrow, the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda is being observed.  The Secretary-General is expected to deliver his address following a moment of silence to be observed for the genocide victims.  And we will have embargoed copies of his speech available upstairs later today.

**Noon Briefing Tomorrow

And here in New York we will hold moment of silence at noon to mark the occasion.  UN staff will convene at the fountain outside, starting at 11:45 a.m., to pay respects to all those whose lives were lost in the genocide.  Because of that event, tomorrow’s briefing by the Spokesman’s Office will take place at  11:30 a.m..

That’s it from me.  Do you have any questions?  Edie?

**Questions and Answers

Question:   Steph, could you tell us whether Ambassador Brahimi has any plans to travel in Iraq and possibly, for instance, visit Ayatollah Sistani?

Associate Spokesman:  No, I don’t have any information on his upcoming plans.  The way we’ve been handling his visit is that we will release his day’s programme once it’s been completed.  And that’s mostly for security issues, which I think you can understand.  Yes, Bill?

Question:   The FT reported today that Spain’s new Foreign Minister said Monday that the UN must be given “absolute responsibility” for Iraq to restore the legitimacy there.  Is the UN making plans to assume absolute responsibility for Iraq?

Associate Spokesman:  I think that whatever responsibilities we would be given after 30 June would be up to the Security Council to decide in terms of a new mandate.

Question:   Can you foresee that the UN would take on a large responsibility; I mean would hundreds of UN staffers return to Iraq under current conditions?

Associate Spokesman:  I don’t want to speculate or foresee anything at this point. Edie?  Sorry, go ahead.

Question:   Currently, since Ambassador Brahimi and the electoral team are in Iraq, is there concern in light of the escalation in fighting about their security?

Associate Spokesman:  Their security is being supplied by the Coalition Provisional Authority; and we are constantly getting input for our own security assessment.  So, obviously that’s being looked at closely.  Richard?

Question:   How is the UN handling this request for documents by Congressman Hyde and hearings of his (inaudible) ... to the Senate?  What’s the latest?

Associate Spokesman:  We are working out the best way possible to deal with those enquiries as constructively as possible.  But there may be some constraints about how far the UN can go in handing over actual documents or providing sworn testimony to legislators of any MemberState.  So, those are issues.  We’re studying Congressman Hyde’s letter and, obviously, there are some legal issues which have to be looked at which are currently being studied.

Question:   Have you made a decision on whether anyone will be able to testify?

Associate Spokesman:  No.  I think that will come under the heading of how we handle the request to provide sworn testimony.  So, those are issues that are being looked at.

Question:   Is that the legal team or the political team?  Who is looking at them?

Associate Spokesman:  A number of UN officials.  Obviously, it has legal and political implications, so it’s all being studied.  Bill?

Question:   Has the Governing Council or the Coalition Provisional Authority provided any documents to the United Nations for its inquiry into the oil-for-food programme and were requested by the Secretary-General?

Associate Spokesman:  Not that I am aware, but let me try to get an update for you on that because I don’t want to give you a dated answer.

Question:   It’s been weeks, what is the latest on the black box from Canada considering that very quickly we learned that 30 minutes were in French?  I mean, there’s got to be a way by now to tell whether this box was in any way linked to the presidential plane crash.

Associate Spokesman:  Well I will ... (Interrupted)

Question:   ... can we, by tomorrow’s briefing, get an update?

Associate Spokesman:  Well, I will try my best.  Bill.

Question:   Would large numbers of UN international workers return to Iraq in the conditions where they had to be under tight security, you know, have armed guards encamping them round, and where they wouldn’t be free to move around the country and associate with the Iraqi people?

Associate Spokesman:  I’m sorry?  Is that a question?

Question:   Would the UN return with large numbers of people if they had to go around with people, you know, protecting them like they’re probably protecting Brahimi now?

Associate Spokesman:  I think decisions on how or when to return UN staff will be made when they need to be made.  I don’t want to speculate on how we would operate in an environment which may be different two months from now.

Question:   Can we make a formal request for Louise Fréchette to appear here?

Associate Spokesman:  Noted.

Question:   Is Tun Myat off the payroll?  Is he gone?  Do you think he’s still in any way linked to the UN?  Is he here in New York, do you know? 

Associate Spokesman:  I don’t know, I’ll find out.  And the request for the Deputy Secretary-General would be on what issue?

Question:   Well, I think the Walzer report.

Associate Spokesman:  Okay.  Thank you very much.

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