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.

**Guest at Noon

Our guest today will be Hania Zlotnik, the new Director of the Population Division and she will be here to brief you on “World Population Change:  1950 – 2050 -- The 2004 Revision.”

**UNHCR

The High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers on Thursday said an emotional farewell to some 6,000 UNHCR staff around the world and handed over temporary leadership responsibilities for the agency to Deputy High Commissioner Wendy Chamberlin.  She will work closely with Assistant High Commissioner Kamel Morjane pending the appointment of a new High Commissioner.

Lubbers left UNHCRs Geneva headquarters at 3:38 p.m., ending what he described as “50 wonderful months” as the world’s top refugee official.  We have available a press release on his departure and his remarks to the staff gathering.

Lubbers, who took over as High Commissioner on 1 January 2001, had been scheduled to retire at the end of this year.  He tendered his resignation to the Secretary-General on Sunday.

**Lebanon

In a short while, Peter Fitzgerald, the leader of the team the Secretary-General named to report on the circumstances, causes and consequences of the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, is scheduled to arrive in Beirut.  Mr. Fitzgerald may say a few words to the press on his arrival, and if that’s the case, we’ll let you know.

**Kosovo

There is now a clear timetable that could lead to negotiations on Kosovo’s final status in the second half of 2005.  To defer this process for much longer would only prolong the pain, increase the risks, and delay the day when the region will turn its back on a painful past and move towards a common European future.

That’s what the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo, Søren Jessen-Petersen, told the Security Council this morning.  He added that partition is not a realistic option, since Kosovo must have space for all communities as a stable, tolerant, multi-ethnic democracy.

He noted several positive developments, including the upcoming resumption of direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, the transfer of more competencies from the UN Mission to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, and the fact that Kosovo’s Prime Minister has been reaching out to minorities.  At the same time, however, he said that social and economic hardship could, at any moment, turn into a threat to political stability.  The Secretary-General’s report on Kosovo, which we flagged yesterday, is now out on the racks.

**Iraq

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, today met with the head of the Iraqi National Conference and member of the United Iraqi Coalition, Ahmad Chalabi, for talks that focused on political developments in Iraq ahead of the convening of the Transitional National Assembly and the formation of a transitional government.

The meeting with Mr. Chalabi is part of a series of contacts that Qazi has been having with Iraqi officials and political personalities to promote national dialogue and discuss ways through which the UN can further contribute to advancing the political process.  Several members of the United Iraqi Coalition, which won the majority of seats in the transitional assembly, also attended this meeting.

**Haiti/Blue Helmets Rape Claim

The UN Mission in Haiti is investigating an allegation that three peacekeepers raped a local woman, who claimed the incident occurred in Gonaïves on Friday.

A preliminary inquiry started on Saturday morning; results from that initial inquiry indicate that the incident involved two Pakistani police officers and was a case of prostitution.

Nonetheless, the personal conduct code for peacekeepers rules out any involvement in prostitution and strict disciplinary action will be taken against both officers, including suspension from duty and repatriation, if the allegations are further substantiated.  A board of enquiry is also being established to further probe the allegations.

**Guéhenno in Washington, DC Today

Jean-Marie Guéhenno, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, is in Washington, DC, today and tomorrow.  His two-day trip includes a speech on the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the US Institute for Peace this morning, as well as meetings with government officials and the press.  As well as discussing general peacekeeping matters, he’ll also be talking about the measures being taken by the Department to address sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers.

**Sudan

Out today is an addendum to the Report of the Secretary-General on the UN Mission in Sudan on the financial implications for the deployment of the UN peacekeeping operation in that country.  The operation is currently projected at some $1 billion for a 12-month period.

According to the UN mission in Sudan, the African Union has confirmed an attack by armed militia on Sunday on a village near Nyala in South Darfur in which two villagers were killed and two others wounded.  In southern Sudan, the United Nations halted access to Juba while the mission assesses reports of an ammunition dump explosion in that area yesterday.

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

We have the following statement regarding the avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir:

“The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage to property in Jammu and Kashmir due to avalanches and heavy snows over the past two weeks.  He extends his deepest condolences to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially to the families of the hundreds who have been killed and injured because of the heavy snowfall.”

**Afghanistan

The UN Mission in Afghanistan warns that the heavy snowfall there that has taken place has caused great concern about disease outbreaks, road blockage and food scarcity.  In one of the most-affected areas, Ghor, the World Food Programme has managed to distribute 182 metric tons of food, and is now considering food airdrops.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for Project Services is coordinating snow clearance in 12 Afghan provinces, along with the country’s Ministry of Public Works.  In the long term, UN agencies and the Afghan Government are looking into the possibility of floods throughout the country once the snow melts, and are working to draw up a map of high-risk areas that could be affected.  We have more details in today’s briefing notes from Kabul.

**DSG

The Deputy Secretary-General is in Brussels today, completing the second day of her visit to the European Union.

Yesterday, she met with the President of the European Parliament.  Discussions there centred on UN reform and the relationship between the UN and the European Parliament.  This morning, she met with the Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg, Jean-Louis Schiltz.

Luxembourg currently holds the EU Presidency.  They discussed the preparations for the 2005 Summit, overseas development assistance, innovative sources of financing for development and aid coordination.  She is also meeting Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security.

**Inquiry

As you know, yesterday was the deadline for Benon Sevan and Joseph Stephanides to respond to the charge letters that had been sent to them two weeks ago.  Mr. Sevan sent a letter to the Office of Human Resources Management requesting an extension before replying in detail to the charge letter.  That request is being considered.  Joseph Stephanides did respond to the charge letter. His response will now be reviewed according to normal procedures before any action is taken.

**WHO – Tobacco Treaty

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control enters into force this Sunday, 27 February.  The treaty will then become legally binding for the 40 countries that ratified it before 30 November 2004.

Among other things, those countries will have three years to ensure that tobacco packaging carries strong health warnings, and five years to establish bans on tobacco advertising and promotion.  And we have more on that in a press release.

**Press Conference Tomorrow

Finally, a press conference tomorrow.  Immediately following the noon briefing, Kyung-wha Kang, the Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women will be joined by Rachel Mayanja, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women, and Carolyn Hannan, Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women.  And they will give a press conference in this room on the upcoming 10-year review and appraisal of progress in achieving gender equality since the Beijing World Conference on Women in 1995.

That’s all I have for you.

Yes, Mohammad?

Questions and Answers

Question:  Fred, the $1 billion budget that you referred to for Sudan covers for how many peacekeeping forces?

Spokesman:  Oh, I don’t have that number.  I think it’s in the area of 10,000, and the period is 12 months.

Yes, sir?

Question:  Fred, you mentioned the Deputy Secretary-General was in Brussels talking about reform.  The Volcker report indicated that the OIOS reports would go to the Secretary-General.  Do you know if, in her role as the Deputy Secretary-General, any of the OIOS reports should go to her and did she have any role in the annual report to the General Assembly?

Spokesman:  I am not quite sure I understand your question.  Which OIOS reports are you referring to?

Question:  Just in general; the OIOS reports; because they apparently go to the Secretary-General.  But would they do that through Ms. Fréchette or would she have any role then have them go to the General Assembly first and then go to Secretary-General?

Spokesman:  I don’t know the precise procedure on that.  I’d have to find out for you.  My suspicion is that it would depend on the topic of the OIOS report; how it would be routed through the Secretary-General’s office.  And your other question was?

[The Spokesman later announced that the Deputy Secretary-General does not receive OIOS reports].

Question:  A follow-up on the sense of the change in policy that now Member States can have the OIOS reports if they wish.  Do you think if that were the policy years ago that perhaps some of the issues in “oil-for-food”, for example, or other issues, could have been brought out sooner, if all Member States had access to the reports?

Spokesman:  In theory, they could have.  But these reports were shared with all 15 members of the Security Council.  And public interest in this issue, really only erupted a short time ago.  So, I am not sure that had this rule been in effect a number of years ago that it would have changed anything.

But, certainly, I think, to allow any MemberState to have access to these reports is probably a step in the right direction as far as opening things up here.

[The Spokesman later announced that OIOS internal audits were not shared with the 661 sanctions committee].

Massoud?

Question:  Mr. Qazi has certainly found himself involved in the process of formation of a government.  Earlier, the mandate was not so involved.  Now it has become involved.  Can you tell me how long Mr. Qazi ... what is Mr. Qazi’s position?  Is he just a facilitator and how long is he going to continue with this effort?

Spokesman:  Yes, well, it’s an open-ended effort.  And what he’s trying to do is to broaden the political base of the transitional government that is in formation.  He’s not suggesting candidates for any post; he is not getting involved in the selection of the leaders for that transitional government.

But he has, as we have been reporting to you regularly, been reaching out to fringe elements, opposition elements and others to see if he can draw them into the process, because he, as well as many Iraqi leaders that he is dealing with, recognize that the success of that transitional government and the stability of Iraq very much depends on including as many political factions as possible, including those that did not participate in the elections.

Yes, Ghida?

Question:  (Inaudible)...called upon by the Iraqis themselves to come and facilitate or be a moderator in the talks...(Interrupted)?

Spokesman:  His Security Council mandate is that, and that mandate has been accepted by the Iraqi leadership.  He has had full cooperation from the Iraqi leadership.

Ghida?

Question:  Fred, on the resignation of Mr. Ruud Lubbers.  Does the Secretary-General have the legal authority to accept the resignation of the executive heads of UN funds or programmes such as Mr. Lubbers, who were elected by the General Assembly?  Shouldn’t his letter have been addressed to the President of the GA as opposed to the SG?

Spokesman:  No.  The legal ruling on that was that, once an agency head, in this case UNHCR, where the approval is voted by the General Assembly, once that person is voted by the General Assembly, they become a staff member and, therefore, subject to staff rules and, therefore, subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who would judge them regarding how they keep or don’t keep those staff rules.

Question:  But do they still not report to the GA?  For example, in the case of Mr. Nair, if here were to resign, who would he resign to?

Spokesman:  Mr. Nair is a different case because OIOS reports to the General Assembly, and not to the Secretary-General.  And so, that is a special case.  I don’t want to speculate about Mr. Nair resigning.  I think he has two months left in his five-year mandate and I don’t think there is any thought to resignation.

Yes?

Question:  Fred, in the case of Pakistani peacekeepers in Haiti who have been accused of rape.  Now, this board of inquiry that you’re going to form, how soon will that board be formed?  And after it has been determined that, in fact, they are culpable, will they be sent back to Pakistan to be punished or will they just be removed, that’s it?

Spokesman:  I think that the initial inquiry indicated that it was not a case of rape, but one of prostitution.  But because peacekeepers are prohibited from patronizing prostitutes, these soldiers or these police would be subject to disciplinary action by the mission.

Now, if they had been contributed by a national government, that national government retains responsibility for disciplining them.  The governments don’t delegate to us the authority to discipline them.  So, they would be dismissed from the mission by us, returned to their home country where they would face disciplinary action.

Question:  One way or another; whether they could be acquitted of raping them, but if they are found to be involved with prostitutes, then they will still be sent back.  Is that what you’re saying?

Spokesman:  Yes, that’s correct.

Question:  Guilty or not?

Spokesman:  Yes.  That’s against the rules and that’s the basis for being sent home.

Okay.  Hania, come up please and talk to us about world population.

(Issued separately.)

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