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 Marie Okabe, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon,

I’m sorry I’m a little late.  I understand we have a group from the European Press Association here today.  I hope you are enjoying your stay in New York and at United Nations Headquarters.  Today, we will have as a guest, Mervat Tallawy, the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).  She’ll be joining us today to brief us on ESCWA priority areas, mainly the Commission’s programmes in Iraq and Palestine, and its efforts to achieve Arab regional integration.

**Iraq—UN Security

The first item is on Iraq.  As many of you have been asking, the Government of Fiji has agreed to provide the United Nations with the necessary manpower for protective security details for senior United Nations officials in Iraq, as well as a guard unit for the protection of UN facilities in Baghdad.

In addition, the Government of Australia has confirmed to us that they will provide most of theequipment to the Fijians.

The United Nations is grateful to these two Governments as these contributions are critical to the UN's efforts to strengthen the security arrangements of its personnel in Iraq.  This would make it possible for the UN to consider expanding its activities in Iraq, as circumstances permit.

**Iraq

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, today held a series of meetings in Baghdad with representatives of Iraqi civil society, diplomats and others on how to advance the political process and the role the UN can play in promoting national dialogue.

Their talks also focused on national elections planned for January, the security and human rights situation, as well as efforts to encourage a broad-based dialogue and reconciliation in Iraq.

Qazi reiterated the United Nations commitment to fulfil its mandate under United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 and to serving the Iraqi people, highlighting the support the United Nations is providing to the Independent Electoral Commission and the rebuilding process.

**UNESCO

Also on Iraq, Koichiro Matsuura, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as UNESCO, issued a statement condemning the recent murder in Baghdad of Dina Mohammed Hassan, a correspondent for Al-Hurriya TV, as well as the killing of the European Press Photo Agency photographer Karam Hussein in Mosul.

He stressed that dialogue and open debate, two fundamental characteristics of democracy, cannot thrive without free and independent media.  The cowardly actions of those resorting to murder to deter the professionals who feed such debate must be stopped.

The full statement is available upstairs.

**Sudan

Turning to Sudan, the seventh meeting of the so-called Joint Implementation Mechanism for Darfur, Sudan, is going to be held tomorrow evening in Khartoum.  As you will recall, the Mechanism was set up after the United Nations and Sudan signed a joint communiqué in July to bring an end to the conflict in Darfur.

The UN mission in Sudan says the discussion tomorrow will focus on the apparent deterioration of the security situation in Darfur and its impact on humanitarian operations and on the safety of humanitarian workers.

The mission also said that the upcoming peace talks on Darfur, to be held in Abuja, will be discussed.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, is scheduled to travel to Abuja on 23 October to attend the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the rebel groups of Darfur, the SLA (Sudanese Liberation Army) and JEM (Justice and Equality Movement).

**Security Council

Here at United Nations Headquarters, there are no Security Council meetings or consultations scheduled for today.

Yesterday afternoon, the Council ended its open meeting on counter-terrorism by adopting a presidential statement that asked the 78 States that had not yet done so to submit reports to the Counter-Terrorism Committee.

The Council has scheduled consultations tomorrow on the humanitarian situation in Africa.

That will be a briefing by Jan Egeland, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and focusing on northern Uganda and the humanitarian situation in Darfur.

And he is scheduled to brief you following that briefing.

**Afghanistan

On Afghanistan, the UN Missionthere reported today that the country’s Joint Electoral Management Body has so far received 285 formal complaints concerning the October 19 elections.  For the majority of them, about 180, action has either been taken or has started, or is not required.

More than 45 per cent of the complaints concerned the application of indelible ink, the Mission said.  It noted that the three-member panel of experts looking into the complaints are today visiting a centre in Gardez, where ballot boxes that were deemed problematic were isolated.

**SG’s Report on Abkhazia, Georgia

The peace process between Georgia and Abkhazia has come perilously close to a standstill, with the two sides not having met at the political level since July.

That’s one of the observations the Secretary-General makes in his latest report to the Security Council on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia.

In the report, he also calls on the Georgian side to maintain its commitment to settling the conflict in Abkhazia –- as well as other internal disputes –- by peaceful means.

The report was released today, and there’s a copy on the racks upstairs.

**SG’s Report on Improving Status of Women in the United Nations

Also on the racks upstairs is the Secretary-General’s report on the improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system.  It notes that within the UN system, as a whole, the representation of women in the Professional and higher categories is 36.4 per cent, while in the Secretariat it is only slightly higher, at 37.4 per cent.

The report says an analysis of longer term trends shows uneven representation at all levels.  Factors impacting the slow progress in parity are seen to be the recruitment and selection processes, accountability of programme managers, the working climate and culture of the Organization, and informal barriers.

In spite of initiatives undertaken to change the trend, the report concludes that United Nations entities have a long way to go to integrate gender balance considerations into institutional and attitudinal systems and into the human resources management policies of the Organization.

It adds that the Secretary-General remains firmly committed to reaching the goal of 50/50 gender balance at all levels and in all categories of posts, including senior and policy-making posts, as mandated by the General Assembly.

**SG Travels

The Secretary-General has finished his official visits to China, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Just a couple more notes before our guest, who has just arrived, will join us.

**WHO

The World Health Organization is calling on governments to improve the treatment and prevention of epilepsy in the western Pacific region.

We have a press release with more on that.

**ICC – Deputy Prosecutor

The new Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda of Gambia, will make her solemn undertaking in an open session of the Court in The Hague on 1 November.

She was elected to the office for a term of nine years by the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court in September of this year.  In her new position, she will head the Prosecution Division of the Office of the Prosecutor and report directly to Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.

There is a press release on that upstairs.

**UNFPA – Lawmakers Promote Reproductive Health

According to the UN Population Fund, 130 lawmakers from 90 countries have called for greater action by governments to “defend the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all individuals”.  They were speaking at a conference held in Strasbourg, France, to follow up on the 1994 Cairo conference on population and development.

And we have more on that as well.

**UNICEF/West Africa Iodized Salt

UNICEFsays that 30 per cent of children in West Africa are still missing out on the benefits of iodized household salt.

And you can read more about that.

**FAOForest Outlook

The Food and Agriculture Organization says that by 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean will have less natural forest cover –- but more protected areas and forest plantations, and an increased share of international trade in forest products.

That’s the conclusion of an outlook study the FAO will publish at the end of the year.

And we have more on that as well.

**UNECE/Robotics Survey

The UN Economic Commission for Europe has released the World Robotics 2004 survey.

Among its many findings, it says that there are at least 800,000 robots being used in industry all over the world.  The report says investment in robots is being spurred by falling or stable prices, improved technology and increasing labour costs.

Growth in worldwide orders for new robots is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of about 7 per cent between 2004 and 2007.

For more on this, we have a press release with the findings of that.

And, as I mentioned earlier, Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, will be joining us tomorrow at the noon briefing, following his briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Africa.

And today, at 3 o’clock, the U.S. Mission will be sponsoring a press conference in this room on human trafficking and the child sex tour industry.  Speakers will include musician and child advocate Ricky Martin, and officials from the Department of State and Homeland Security.

And that’s what I have for you today.

We have Ms. Tallawy here, in the front row, ready to join us.  Yes?

Questions and Answers

Question:  Several questions on the Fijians.  Could you tell us what kind of numbers we’re talking about, and when they might deploy?  And, secondly, do we assume that there still have been no countries offering troops for the special protection force that was authorized by the Security Council?  And thirdly, when you made the announcement, you said as circumstances permit.  Do circumstances permit today?

Associate Spokesperson:  Regarding your first question, and I’ll try to remember them all.  About the timing, we expect them to deploy as soon as logistic preparations and training are completed.  The Secretary-General did mention in one of his press encounters over the weekend that he hoped they will go in next month.  It’s a very small number, and I think we can’t go beyond that for the time being.  You asked about security conditions.  As I mentioned, this is a security situation that we’re monitoring daily, around the clock, we can’t give you a snapshot of how it is one day over the other, but, this announcement was in response to the very many questions we were getting on this subject.  And so this was to update you on the very current news that we got.  About the Multinational Force (MNF) protection, the United Nations is currently in discussion with the United States and the MNF regarding the provision of a unit of the MNF dedicated to the protection of UN perimeter security, and the provision of armed escorts for United Nations personnel as they travel outside the international zone in Baghdad.  And that’s in accordance with the Security Council resolution you mentioned.  [Later, the Associate Spokesperson announced that the number of Fijians to be deployed would total about 130.]

Question:  That’s obviously a response to the fact that no other countries came forward and offered any troops for that special protection.

Associate Spokesperson:  We have nothing further to report on that since our last update on that subject.

Question:  Who is currently responsible for the protection of United Nations staff, for the few staff that are there right now?  Is it the MNF?

Associate Spokesperson:  Currently, yes it is.

Question:  So, with the Fijians coming in, will that sort of switch over to...?

Associate Spokesperson:  There would obviously have to be arrangements made, but I can’t really go into further details than that.  As I said, we wanted to bring all of you up-to-speed on this particular question because it is something that has been coming up so frequently.  And, this is very preliminary information, and as we get more, and are ready to make it public, we will continue to update you.

Question:  When was that formally decided?  Was there a letter, a meeting?  Are we getting old news that’s been out in press conferences?  When did this happen?

Associate Spokesperson:  We are just making it right now to you.  I can’t give you that detail.

Question:  And you don’t know how many?  Why would the United Nations want the Multinational Forces still to now, even if you can’t find other forces, why would you want the MNF to provide perimeter security and personnel when the United Nations is trying not to associate with the American force?

Associate Spokesperson:  The United Nations as you know, and as the Secretary-General has been repeatedly saying over the last few days publicly on his mission in London and elsewhere, that the objective is to assist the Iraqis for their preparation of the elections.  He’s doing everything possible to mobilize all that he can, to stabilize the situation there.  Obviously, there’s constant planning done to help support the Iraqi election process.  So we’re doing everything possible to try to get in as much support that we think is necessary.  And, as I said, this is just to alert you on news that literally came in just minutes before I came down here, which is why I was a few minutes late.

Question:  But they’re taking the head of CARE International off the street.  What message is that for United Nations non-combat workers?

Associate Spokesperson:  The Secretary-General has been mentioning everyday, he is very concerned about the fate of all hostages in Iraq, both foreigners and Iraqis, and the abduction of humanitarian workers is especially troubling.  And he calls for their speedy and safe release.  Yes?

Question:  Can you give us any more about what the Fijians will be doing?  What their tasks or responsibilities will be?

Associate Spokesperson:  I think, at the moment, I can tell you, really only repeat to you, what we’ve mentioned.  And that is to help provide the UN with the necessary manpower for protective security detail for senior UN officials in Iraq, as well as a guard unit for protection of UN facilities in Baghdad, and you can get that statement upstairs.

Question:  Is the United Nations confident that these Fijian forces will be able to hit the ground running or will they undergo special training before they are entrusted with the mission of protecting the United Nations?

Associate Spokesperson:  They will go through training.

Question:  In Iraq?

Associate Spokesperson:  I can’t answer that question.

Question:  Just to make this clear, Marie.  So they will be taking over from the MNF in terms of protecting senior officials in Baghdad?  Is that what we are to understand?

Associate Spokesperson:  Yes.

Question:  You’re talking about senior officials.  How many are you talking about?  A couple of them?  Are you talking about all the international staff?

Associate Spokesperson:  As of right now, as you know, the United Nations does have a ceiling of 35 in Baghdad.  As circumstances permit -- if and when more go in -- obviously the numbers will undergo some change.  I can’t give you the projection of what that number will be at the time the circumstances permit the Fijians to go in.

Question:  Are all international staff senior officials?

Associate Spokesperson:  No, not necessarily.  But I can’t give you a breakdown right now of how many are senior officials, as the pool of staff, right now, for when the Fijians go in, has not yet been determined.

Question:  My understanding is that the United Nations has been waiting for movement on the protection force, and also awaiting some kind of comprehensive plan from the US-led multinational force on how, exactly, the whole security environment is going to be dealt with.  There was an American team in town yesterday.  Can you tell us about that visit and how now they’ve provided that detailed plan?  And, is this now sufficient for you to start thinking about sort of going ahead with the plan of sending in an additional 25 election workers?

Associate Spokesperson:  First of all, we are constantly updating or planning for the assistance of the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission’s work.  I can’t get into details on the kinds of meetings and the precision that went into, on the details on security meetings that you’re talking about.  If there’s further guidance on that that I can get later, I’ll provide it to you.  But as I said, right now, I came down here with the news of these Fijians and the Australian support on information that was just cleared, just minutes ago.  Yes?

Question:  In these press conferences over the past couple of days I think Stephane was mentioning this concern that you guys had been awaiting, and hadn’t received, this plan from the US-led multinational force.  Is that still your position?  That you have not received this comprehensive plan?

Associate Spokesperson:  Let me get back to you after the briefing after I do some checking on that.

Question:  What are the talks ongoing with Georgia concerning their possible contribution to this guard force?

Associate Spokesperson:  As I said, right now, the only information that we have is the news on the Fijians and the Australians and we’ll see what turns out from the other channels.

Question:  Will the United Nations participate in the Sharm El-Sheikh summit regarding Iraq.  And in which level?

Associate Spokesperson:  I don’t have any confirmed information on that as of yet; as soon as we know, I’ll let you know.

Question:  Is the Secretary-General going to make any statement on the disillusion of the Lebanese Parliament and the Prime Minister’s resignation?

Associate Spokesperson:  The Secretary-General has taken note of the resignation of Prime Minister Hariri’s Government.  Mr. Hariri’s Government has served his country commendably in difficult circumstances, and has been a good partner for the international community in the best interest of Lebanon.  And that’s all I have for you right now.

Question:  What is the United Nations response to the Iraqi Foreign Minister saying, “The United Nations has not sent enough election workers to help out with the January election?  It is unfortunate that the contribution and participation of United Nations employees, in this process, is not up to expectations”?

Associate Spokesperson:  The Secretary-General has been doing his best to try to give as much support to the Iraqi Electoral Commission, and to the process, and, as we’ve been discussing throughout this briefing, as circumstances permit, we would obviously want to increase the assistance to the best of our ability.

Question:  I know we’ve gone over this.  Who set that ceiling at 35?

Associate Spokesperson:  It’s the UN Security Coordinator’s ceiling.

Question:  Marie, it’s now the middle of October, the elections are in January, or are supposed to be.  Could you check on guidance?  I don’t know how you could negotiate with Georgians and have them come in December 31.  It takes time for people to get there, and you either use whatever the Americans [inaudible] or you don’t go out of Baghdad?  [inaudible] If you could check on this because this is the answer we’ve been getting since last April.

Associate Spokesperson:  I think the Secretary-General shared your sentiment that there’s not much time.

Question:  I know this has been requested of Fred, but I wonder if Carina Perelli could come down and speak.  I mean here we are three months away from the elections, and I think it might be important for us to get a sense from her as to where things go from here.

Associate Spokesperson:  I will pass on that request.  I’m sure they’re listening.  Yes?

Question:  Can you update us on the elections in Iraq?

Associate Spokesperson:  I think, for that, if you don’t mind, if you could come up to the spokesman’s office, and we can give you a bit of a background briefing because right now we’re running out of time.  And our guest has been waiting patiently.

Question:  Is the Secretary-General expected in the building tomorrow morning and can we request that he stop at the stakeout?

Associate Spokesperson:  We have already requested that he speak to you when he comes in tomorrow morning.

Question:  Is it tomorrow morning or late morning that he’s expected?

Associate Spokesperson:  I can’t confirm for sure, but we have requested that he speak to you upon his return to Headquarters tomorrow.

* *** *