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 Marie Okabe, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon.  I apologize for my lateness.

**Guest at Noon

Jan Egeland, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, is with us today and he will be launching “Living with Risk”, a report of the international disaster reduction secretariat.  And he will be joining us up here as soon as I finish the briefing.

**Secretary-Generalin Austria

The Secretary-General is today in Vienna, after having departed from Thailand.

Over the next few days, while in Vienna, he will meet with his High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, which is going about its task of analysing future threats and ways to respond collectively to them.  He is also expected to meet the Austrian Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero Waldner.

**Iraq – SRSG

At UN Headquarters, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative Ashraf Jehangir Qazi is expected in the Building today for preliminary discussions at UN Headquarters.  He will be shuttling between New York and Washington, D.C., over the next couple of weeks.

He is being briefed by UN staff while he continues to transition from his current post as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

And in response to numerous questions, it is expected that once Mr. Qazi, who has taken up his duties and once his necessary Headquarters arrangements have been completed, he should be able to deploy to Baghdad together with a small political team by the end of July or early August.

However, the exact timetable for his deployment will depend on the overall security environment in Iraq, as well as the necessary arrangements for the appropriate facilities and security arrangements with the multinational force, which still need to be finalized.

**Security Council

The Security Council this morning is meeting in closed consultations.

The Secretary-General’s Representative for Somalia, Winston Tubman, presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in that country.  A draft presidential statement on Somalia was circulated and is expected to be adopted today.

Council members were also to receive a briefing by Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Consultations are expected to resume at 3 p.m. today on Afghanistan and other matters.

**Statement Attributable to Spokesman for Secretary-General

We just received a statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General and this is on the Middle East:

“The Secretary-General wishes to express his full support for and confidence in Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen.  As his Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Roed-Larsen speaks on his behalf.

“In his briefing to the Security Council on 13 July, that’s yesterday, Mr. Roed-Larsen’s intention was to convey concerns within the Quartet and more widely in the international community regarding a lack of implementation by both parties of their Road Map obligations.  There is a consensus within the Quartet that:  the Palestinian Authority must carry out its reform process, including the full empowerment of the Palestinian Prime Minister; the Government of Israel must dismantle settlement outposts and freeze settlement activity; and both sides must return to the negotiating table.

“The Secretary-General believes that the parties need to focus on the tasks at hand in order to work towards the just, lasting and comprehensive settlement that is so urgently needed.”

**Sudan

Turning to the Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that security remains tenuous in the South Darfur region of Sudan.  There are reports of increased Arab militia presence, as well as tribal clashes and fighting between Government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army.

Also in South Darfur, there has been a steady increase in the number of people admitted at the therapeutic feeding centre in one location.  Agencies are concerned over increasing reports of forced relocations of internally displaced persons by the Sudanese authorities, and of recent attacks targeting humanitarian agencies.

Meanwhile, the UN Population Fund reports that it has trained 30 doctors, in locations in South and North Darfur, in safe motherhood, treatment of sexual abuse and family planning methods.

Also on Sudan, at the request of the Secretary-General, his Special Representative for the Sudan Jan Pronck will be visiting Khartoum on 15 July, that’s tomorrow, to participate in the first meeting of the joint implementation mechanism to be established pursuant to the joint communiqué by the Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister of Sudan, Mr. Moustafa Osman Ismail, on 3 July.  As you recall, that was at the end of the Secretary-General’s visit to Sudan.

And also regarding Darfur, Mohamed Sahnoun, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, will be participating in the first meeting of the political dialogue for the resolution of the conflict in Darfur scheduled to start in Addis Ababa, also tomorrow.

**UNRWA

A convoy of five vehicles from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) came under fire today as it was delivering food aid to the residents of Beit Hanoun, in the Gaza Strip.

The Agency says the firing appeared to come from an Israeli armoured personnel carrier near a citrus orchard that the convoy was surveying.  The gunfire forced Commissioner-General Peter Hansen and other UNRWA personnel to take cover in a nearby home.  After further coordination with the Israeli military liaison office, the convoy was able to leave the area a half-hour later.  We have a press release from the Agency with more details.

**IAMB

The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) for Iraq opened its eighth meeting today in Washington at the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund.  As previously announced, the members of the Board expect to receive a finalized audit of the Development Fund for Iraq from the accounting firm of KPMG covering the period from its inception to 31 December 2003.

The meeting will last until tomorrow, at which point the IAMB is expected to release that audit.

**AIDS

The AIDS crisis has cut life expectancy in many African countries to less than 40 years, making it the single biggest factor in the dramatic decline in Africa’s human development, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

UNDP will tomorrow launch its 2004 Human Development Report, which shows that 13 sub-Saharan African countries have suffered dramatic reversals in human development since 1990, largely because of AIDS.  We have a press release with more information.

And tomorrow, the guest at the noon briefing will be Hafiz Pasha, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, who will discuss this year’s Human Development Report.

Also today, three UN agencies put out a joint report saying that action against AIDS is doomed to failure if it does not confront gender inequality.  We have more information in a press release upstairs.

**Deputy Secretary-General

And Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette is about to deliver an address to the Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Institute’s 2004 luncheon, and will talk about what it takes to be a leader without borders.  She will mention that Sergio Vieira de Mello had the ability to connect with people all over the world, from East Timor to Kosovo to Iraq -– one of the qualities good international leaders need.  We have embargoed copies of that statement upstairs.

**Nicaragua Floods

We also have a press release from three UN agencies asking for funding to meet the needs of almost 6,000 people affected by the recent floods and mudslides in Nicaragua.

**UNDP/Nepal Floods

From the UNDP, which is helping the Nepalese Government airlift relief materials to remote areas that have been affected by flooding, we have a press release.

These are the press releases that I have and that’s all I have for you.  Before I turn to Jan Egeland, Yes?

**Questions and Answers

Question:  On the issue of Larsen, what is the UN assessment of the impact that the decision of the Palestinian Authority to consider Mr. Larsen persona non-grata in the territories?  And what does that decision spell for the membership of the UN in the Quartet? 

Associate Spokesperson:  I think at this point the statement I read should stand on its own.  We’ve seen the press reports that Terje Roed-Larsen is no longer welcome in their territory.  We’re seeking further clarification from the Palestinian Authority on that issue.  And as I said, Terje Roed-Larsen is the Secretary-General’s representative on the ground and his statement today backs what he said to the Council yesterday.  Yes?

Question:  Marie, there are some news reports about Pakistan Ambassador Munir Akram being tapped for the next SG for UNCTAD, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and according to the reports, it says that the SG held consultations with the key countries and he’s expected to announce it by the end of this month or probably by the fall.  I’m wondering if you can possibly comment on or confirm these reports.

Associate Spokesperson:  I have no appointment to announce on the replacement for Mr. Ricupero of UNCTAD.  I mean, it is true that Mr. Ricupero’s term is expiring, but short of that, I don’t have anything further to add.  Yes, David?

Question:  Marie, could you be a bit more specific about who, in fact, Mr. Qazi is meeting today?  And can we put on the record a request to get some sort of photo-op for those of us in the broadcast media of this meeting?  We were able to catch him coming in, but it was quite short.  And what are the prospects for a press conference, as well?

Associate Spokesperson:  As I mentioned, Mr. Qazi will be here today for preliminary consultations.  This is the first of a number of briefings and consultations he will be having here, including one after the Secretary-General returns from his three-week trip outside the country.  Today, I believe -- I don’t have his full schedule -– but among his appointments is one with the Deputy Secretary-General this afternoon.  But, as I said, today’s meetings are preliminary in nature and when the Secretary-General comes back and he comes up for a meeting with him, perhaps that would be the time to set up a press conference.  I am not sure he is in a position today to give one.

Question:  Can you work on at least just getting a photo-op for those of us that need pictures?  And secondly, you mentioned earlier that you would expect that he could go to Baghdad as early as late July or early August.  What does that mean for how the UN is assessing the current security situation in Iraq?  Are you in fact saying that the current security situation is better in Iraq than it was prior to June 30^th?

Associate Spokesperson:  We are not making any assessment of the security conditions on the ground.  Our position on that is as I outlined.  I mean, all this is pending the security arrangements that will be there at the time.  This is an indication to you that President Musharaf has agreed to release his Ambassador to Washington very quickly and that the Secretary-General would like to have him deployed to Baghdad as quickly as possible.  But as the resolution of the Security Council outlines, the conditions have to permit that.  And nothing has changed from that position.  Yes?

Question:  Marie, as we know that on Friday the General Assemblywill hold an emergency session for the (inaudible)... and the Pakistan question.  Do you have any further information about the Palestinians’ draft resolution for the Security Council?  And the second question is that, when Mr. Qazi begins work in Iraq, what is the first step to work in Iraq?

Associate Spokesperson:  Can you repeat your first question?

Question:  The draft resolution...

Associate Spokesperson:  The draft resolution, as you know, the General Assembly has scheduled to take it up.  As far as I know, there is nothing on the Security Council programme as I have it.  But you might want to check with the Security CouncilPresident, if and when they plan to take that issue up.  As for Mr. Qazi, I mentioned at the start of the briefing in response to numerous questions that once the necessary arrangements have been completed, he should be able to deploy with a small team end of July, early August.  And I have nothing further than that for you right now.  Yes, Evelyn?

Question:  Can you give us a more detailed statement, perhaps tomorrow, on how you see the security situation, how the (inaudible) the security situation in Iraq is going in with a small team.  There is a big conference also coming up backed by Brahimi and other people in this Building are planned.  And how do you play a leading role with such a small team going in there?  And what is the general picture?  You don’t have a special force going in the UN and no one seems to volunteer; so you’re going to use what’s there, so you’re going in with a small team.  What is your security assessment at this point and how do you expect to play any kind of a role with this kind of a (inaudible) outfit, you know?  I know you can’t answer that now because people are meeting in the (inaudible).  But I do believe that a better explanation with UN and Iraq, people have been able to give, especially in light of the (inaudible).

Associate Spokesperson:  Okay.  Since Evelyn doesn’t need an answer now, I’d like to turn over the floor... (interrupted).

Question:  (Inaudible)

Associate Spokesperson:  Well, Evelyn, then let me just clarify.  I don’t think you’re going to get a security assessment that could be briefed in public.  This is not something that has been done.  We simply cannot give security assessments on places where measures are being taken in order to ensure the safety of our personnel.  In terms of... (interrupted)

Question:  (inaudible)

Associate Spokesperson:  ... In terms of what the Special Representative will be doing, I mean his role is clearly outlined in resolution 1546 and... (interrupted).

Question:  We can’t do that with five people and, that’s what I would like you to, you know, and maybe you can’t do it off the top of your head (inaudible)... to operate.  We can’t go in with 10 people and do the things in the resolution... (interrupted).

Associate Spokesperson:  There are priorities.  Obviously, there will be priorities that have to be made.  One of the major steps is in supporting the Iraqis in their political process, and one of the first issues in that would be the holding of the national conference.  And that would definitely be one of the priorities no matter the size of the team, that would be one of the first issues that they will be focusing on.  Yes?

Question:  Marie, in some press accounts the Secretary-General was, not directly, but I guess indirectly, the Secretary-General was quoted as saying that he thought that the elections perhaps could not take place by January.  Does the UN have any official comment on the status of the progress towards elections in Iraq?

Associate Spokesperson:  I think the Secretary-General’s position on that has not changed in that you would need a stable, secure environment in order to hold elections.  As for the comments I think you’re referring to, there were some press reports quoting a Thai Government spokesperson on the wires and in some newspapers.  And I don’t believe that they reflect accurately what the Secretary-General said in that meeting; which I understand was for the most part a tête-à-tête.  Yes, Serge?

Question:  As a member of the Quartet, the Secretary-General is wearing two hats.  Has the statement that you read today been cleared by the Quartet or is this on his own that he made the statement without (inaudible)?

Associate Spokesperson:  This is his position on this subject, obviously mindful of the overall picture in the Middle East.  If there... (interrupted).

Question:  In other words, the Quartet had nothing to do with it?

Associate Spokesperson:  As you heard, the Secretary-General works very closely with the Quartet.  As for whether he had specifically discussed this statement with the Quartet, that specifically I do not know.  I am not sure that we can get an answer to that, but I can certainly try to find out.  Mr. Abbadi?

Question:  Marie, the Deputy Secretary-General at the leadership conference (inaudible) said that the first thing that the Secretary-General must do, MUST DO, is to think globally.  Does this imply that he is not doing that?

Associate Spokesperson:  I had actually not read the Deputy Secretary-General’s comments in full and I would like to look it in context and consult with her, if that’s what you like.  [She later explained to the correspondent that the Deputy Secretary-General, in the context of a speech on global leadership, was describing how the Secretary-General and UN staff were guided by the principle of thinking globally.]

I’d like to turn the floor over to Mr. Egeland who’s been waiting patiently.

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