Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

**Noon Briefing Guests Today

Good afternoon.  We will be joined in a short while by the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, as well as Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dr. David Nabarro:, the United Nations System Coordinator on the fight against Ebola.  They will be here to brief you on Ebola.  As you know, they just briefed the General Assembly on the latest situation.

** Iraq

I will start off with a statement on Iraq.  The Secretary-General welcomes the lifting of the siege on the town of Amerli in Iraq through the action of the Iraqi Security Forces, the Kurdish Peshmerga and others with air support from the United States.  This has averted a major humanitarian as well as human rights disaster.  The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation to those who participated in lifting the siege, as well as to those countries providing assistance to the affected population through air drops.  The Secretary–General welcomes the action of the UN Humanitarian Country Team who, in coordination with the local and national authorities, succeeded in distributing the first of a planned series of life-saving supply convoys to the children and families of Amerli. 

** Iraq — Humanitarian

And just some more details operationally on what the UN system is doing on Amerli:  The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered 45 metric tons of aid for some 3,000 children, women and their families following the break in the siege.  A convoy of seven aid trucks, which was the first in a series of planned aid convoys, was dispatched from Erbil to Amerli carrying life-saving supplies, including food packs and rations, oral rehydration kits and bottles of water. The World Health Organization had been requested to provide medicine and surgical supplies.  Many other UN agencies are on stand-by with more aid to assist people in and out of the town.  UNICEF and the World Health Organization also report that a mass polio immunization campaign has succeeded in reaching 4 million children under the age of 5 despite the conflict across Iraq.  This includes hundreds of thousands of displaced children.

The latest estimates from the Kurdish Regional Government and the UN shows that up to 1.8 million people have been displaced so far this year.  More than 600,000 of them have been displaced in August alone.  Also in August, according to the UN [Assistance] Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), at least 1,420 civili ans were killed and another 1,370 were injured in acts of terrorism and violence. Since the beginning of June, there have been nearly 4,000 civilian casualties.  More information is on UNAMI’s website.

** Iraq — Human Rights

Also, in relation to Iraq, as you will have seen, the Human Rights Council held a Special Session on Iraq yesterday and adopted a resolution requesting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to urgently dispatch a mission to Iraq to investigate alleged violations and abuses committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as associated groups.  And we have more information on the Human Rights Council’s website.

**Secretary-General ’s Travels

Turning to the Secretary-General.  He was in New Zealand today, where he met with Prime Minister John Key.  He told the press afterwards that they had discussed Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.  The transcript of that briefing has already been made available to you online.  Just going back over the Labor Day weekend, the Secretary-General was in Samoa to attend the third Conference on Small Island Developing States, the biggest Conference ever organized in the Pacific islands.  In his remarks at the opening of the session, he welcomed the SAMOA Pathway, the outcome document of the Conference, as a guide. He said that by addressing the issues facing Small Island Developing States, including climate change, we are developing the tools we need to promote sustainable development across the entire world.

And in the margins of the Conference, he also held several bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Samoa [Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi] and Barbados [Freundel Stuart], the President of the Seychelles [James A. Michel] and the Special Envoy of China to the Conference.  He also spoke on the phone with Fiji’s Prime Minister [Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama], ensuring him that the UN is doing its utmost to obtain the immediate release of its peacekeepers detained in the Golan.

**United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

And related to that, as you know, we’ve been updating you over the weekend on the situation in the Golan with our peacekeepers, including the safe passage of the Filipino forces who had been surrounded by armed elements in positions 68 and 69 in UNDOF [UN Disengagement Observer Force].  Meanwhile, the 45 Fijian peacekeepers forced from position 27 in Golan on 28 August continue to be detained by armed elements.  At this time, no additional information on their status or location has been established.  The United Nations continues to seek their immediate and unconditional release.  The UN Disengagement Observer Force has confirmed that the number of Fijian peacekeepers currently held is 45, and not 44 as previously reported.  The discrepancy is due to the movement of two personnel on the ground immediately prior to the detention of the troops.  And we apologize for having to fix those numbers on a daily basis. 

** Mali

Meanwhile, from Mali, the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) reports that one of its military vehicles hit an explosive device earlier today on a road north of Kidal.  Four peacekeepers from Chad are reported to have been killed.  Fifteen others have been wounded, including six who are reported to be seriously injured.  We expect a statement from the Mission and the Secretary-General on this very shortly.

** Gaza

Turning over to Gaza, our humanitarian colleagues report that the ceasefire in Gaza has now allowed for a more in-depth assessment of the structural damage caused by the conflict.  Organizations on the ground report that the scale of destruction is unprecedented.  An estimated 18,000 housing units have been either destroyed or severely damaged, leaving more than 108,000 people homeless.  In total, some 13 per cent of the housing stock in the Gaza Strip has been affected.  This is in addition to the pre-crisis housing deficit of 71,000 housing units; many people were already living in overcrowded or inadequate conditions.  Finding temporary housing solutions for these people will be one of the major challenges facing local authorities and the humanitarian community in the coming period.  Electricity is still out for 18 hours a day in most areas across Gaza and only 10 per cent of the population receives water daily.

**Terrorism

In his message to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, which was held in Nairobi today, the Secretary-General said that an increasing number of African countries are being affected by terrorism and violent extremism.  And we have the full message available online. 

** Ukraine

A quick note from Geneva — the UN refugee agency said today that fighting in eastern Ukraine — particularly around Donetsk and Luhansk — is driving more people from their homes and increasing the need for humanitarian aid.  The Agency says that the number of people displaced inside Ukraine has more than doubled in the past four weeks.  And as of Monday, 260,000 people have been uprooted, compared to 117,000 in the first week of August.

**Secretary-General Appointment

And lastly, an appointment to announce — the Secretary-General today announces the appointment of Oscar Fernandez-Taranco of Argentina as the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support.  Mr. Fernandez-Taranco will succeed Judy Cheng-Hopkins to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedication and able leadership.  Mr. Fernandez-Taranco brings to the position a wealth of experience, having worked in the UN system for over 30 years.  Most recently, he has served as Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs in the Department of Political Affairs since 2009.  And his full bio is available in my office.

**Press Conferences Tomorrow

And lastly, tomorrow the traditional Programme of Work press conference by the incoming President of the Security Council for September, Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States.  Masood, you have been so patient.

**Questions & Answers

Question:  Thank you.  What is the reaction of the Secretary-General on the editorial in The New York Times… a full-page ad in The New York Times about investigations they ask for?

Spokesman:  I have seen the ad.  It expresses a point very clearly, but I think if you look at what the UN system is doing.  In fact, I just announced today that the Human Rights Council will be sending investigative mission into Iraq to look at human rights abuses.  I think this is not only the responsibility of the Secretary-General, but of the international community, and I think the message should be addressed to the international community as a whole and I think we have denounced the acts of terrorism committed by ISIL and ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and the Shams] and other very clearly from the podium.  Yes.

Question:  Thank you.  Last week, I asked regarding the Fijian peacekeepers about ransoms asked and it seems like now they have asked for their demands which include removal from the UN terrorist list and compensation for killing of its fighters.  So, I wanted to know what the Secretary-General's response on this is and whether or not it will set a more dangerous pattern of using these peace keepers as hostages?

Spokesman:  I think you will understand the discussions are going on right now and are what is foremost on our mind is the safety of our colleagues and getting them back safely.  So, we are not going to comment on the discussions, the types or the substance.  George.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  With regard to the Fijian peacekeepers, do they — have they just like disappeared?  Do they not know where they are?  And do they know with any specificity what group or what sort of group it is that is holding them?

Spokesman:  I think, as far as we know, it's clear that it's a group that has identified as Al-Nusra and as for their exact location we don't have information, but we are in contact with various parties to try to secure their release.  Mr. Lee.

Question:  Also on the Fijian peacekeepers, or actually on the Philippines more.  I'm sure you seen, the Philippines military has complained that the military force commander of UNDOF asked or ordered the Filipino peacekeepers to lay down their weapons in some sort of in relation to the Fijians and they refused to do so and has asked, as they say, for an investigation of the commander.  Could you explain under what circumstances the UN central peacekeeping or force commander would ask peacekeepers to lay down their weapons in the face of a hostile group and why?

Spokesman:  Again, as the situation is ongoing and the situation in the Filipinos and Fijians are obviously linked, I'm not getting into the detail of it.  What I will say is that we will respond to any formal request made by Member State.  Its normal procedure of review of action being taken and after review action be taken by mission once the situation has concluded.  So, I think we have to get through this is extremely volatile situation.  The safety of all our peacekeepers here is foremost on our mind.  It's at risk.  We have seen the kind of area they are operating on and I think we need to let this — we need to let all of this conclude and then we can address it more formally.

Question:  I guess just more generally for troop-contributing countries, are you aware of any other case in which peacekeeping has asked peacekeepers to essentially surrender and are they supposed to obey those orders?  Usually they complain the other way and they are ordered to fight and they won't fight.  Are you aware of any other case when they are ordered to surrender?

Spokesman:  And I think every situation is different, and as I said what is foremost on our mind is the safety of our soldiers.  Yes, sir, and then Nizar.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Is it… can you confirm that the UN, there are two UN officials that are engaging in negotiations with Al-Nusra regarding those peacekeepers?  Also, does the Secretary-General believe that the international community maybe needs to take a more robust action against ISIL, ISIS and Al-Nusra?  We know recently there was this resolution 2117 (2013) in this regard.  Thank you.

Spokesman:  I'm not going to get into confirming who is on the ground, who is not in the discussions.  I said this is — there are discussions ongoing at various levels, at various… with various parties.  And I don't want to jeopardize any of those discussions in the safety of our colleagues, so I won't get into it.  As your second question was?

Question:  Secretary-General sees a more robust [inaudible]…?

Spokesman:  You know, I would refer you to a close reading to what the Secretary-General said in New Zealand a few hours ago.  Look at the transcript and I think it's clear for him that it's the international community as a whole needs to act, that whatever action is taken needs to have the support of the international community including for armed action.  So, I would listen to — read the Secretary-General's words closely.  Nizar.

Question:  On the same subject, of course, probably you have seen the pictures on Al-Nusra showing their flag at the crossing of Quneitra.  Also the previous reports by the Secretary-General on UNDOF operations, he indicated that there was cooperation between the fighters in the separation earlier with the Israelis and that things have been passed by the Israelis to those fighters in those reports.  If you have not seen you can go back to that and see it.  Now, the Israelis cannot tolerate even a shell falling in that area.  How come they tolerate even tanks by those groups roaming all over the place?

Spokesman:  As much as I would like to get a second salary and be a spokesman for the Israelis, I'm not.  So, if you want to ask how Israelis can tolerate, I would call the Israeli mission.

Correspondent:  They are helping…

Spokesman:  Let's focus and let's have the next sentence be a question.

Correspondent:  The United Nations [inaudible]…

Spokesman:  That is not a question.  Sorry.  I will come back to you.

Question:  Again, is the Quneitra under… now under the Al-Nusra control?

Spokesman:  We have been in touch with [the Department of Peacekeeping Operations].  They will have a senior official brief you either today or tomorrow on the situation in UNDOF in greater detail.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  I heard there is a statement by the Secretary-General on the confiscation of 4,000 [inaudible] of Palestinian land.  I didn't see it in your briefing. 

Spokesman:  Yes.  It was issued yesterday.

Question:  Yes.  So, I expect it to be in your briefing.  But, also, he used the world alarm only.  And while the French use the word condemned, the British use the word deplore, and the [Secretary-General] used the word alarm.  Does that reflect the danger and the violation of International Law, the confiscation of 4,000, which is the largest land to grab since 1980; does the word alarm reflect that?

Spokesman:  I think the word alarm was used in reflection of what his position is following the announcement of this expansion of the settlements.  It is alarming.  I think alarm is a pretty clear word.  The fact that I didn't flag it in this briefing, you should not read anything into it.  We are going to have to conclude very soon, I have the [Deputy Secretary-General] waiting, and it's been three days and there were a lot of things issued over the weekend, which I did not flag.  But, you should not read anything in the fact I did not mention it here.  Ellen?

Question:  To move away from the war in the Middle East, there is an Internet Conference, UN has some sponsorship of it in Turkey and Human Rights Watch has just listed all the different ways that Turkey censors people and Turkey censors the Internet.  Is there any reaction to that?

Spokesman:  I think the Conference has been organized by the ITU [International Telecommunication Union] in discussions with the Turkish authorities, so I refer you to them.

Correspondent:  Right, okay.

Spokesman:  As for Freedom of Access to Internet Information, I think the Secretary-General has spoken on that.

Correspondent:  I have one more question.

Spokesman: Yes.

Question:   Malta, is that at all in your agenda?

Spokesman: What?

Question:  Not Malta, but Maldives.  They seem to be flying some ISIS flags and locking up [inaudible].

Spokesman:  I have not seen.

Correspondent:  On your agenda, no.

Spokesman:  Ken?

Question:  So, back on the peacekeepers on the Golan Heights, I know you can't get into the detail, but can you at least confirm the note we received last weekend are saying that the intention of holding is to relocate those peacekeepers?

Spokesman:  If it was issued over the weekend from our office, I would hope that it's true.  So, I don't… I'm not going to confirm what we already issued.  So, the notes were, we are trying to give you kind of up-to-the-minute updates as much as we can and extract information.  The… so whatever is in there is true and it's confirmed.

Question:  So, does the UN still stick to that assumption; is that clear?

Spokesman:  I mean, you know, maybe we can talk off line because I'm not sure I'm understanding the question.  We can go through the timeline, you and I afterwards, and if anything is changed I will let you know.  I'm not going to go to second round because I have got people waiting.  Is there is any other first round?  Pam?

Question:  Just a final follow-up on the peacekeepers.  Is there any sense of planning for future to protect peacekeepers, anything that is being laid out now or is that putting the cart before the horse?

Spokesman:  I think the focus right now is on the release of our colleagues.  Obviously, force protection, how to protect peacekeepers, the way they engaged is something that is being looked at always.  But, different missions also have… different peacekeeping missions have different needs.  I will be back in two seconds.  Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record