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 Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

**Security Council

Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator of the OPCW-UN [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations] Joint Mission dealing with Syria’s chemical weapons, just briefed the Security Council this morning on the Mission’s work.  This is her last briefing as Special Coordinator, with the Joint Mission now winding up its work.  As you’re aware, two weeks ago, the Secretary-General welcomed the destruction of the declared chemical weapons material on board the United States Maritime Vessel Cape Ray, which he said marks a significant achievement in the international community’s efforts to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons programme.  Ms. Kaag will speak to reporters once the Council’s consultations have finished. We have been told that that could be in the next 10 to 15 minutes.  So, it’s possible that she will speak either at the Security Council stakeout or possibly come into this room if she is ready by then.  Of course, if she comes into this room, you’ll know that then.

** Cyprus

The Secretary-General met today with Espen Barth Eide, his newly appointed Special Adviser on Cyprus.  The Secretary-General reiterated his appreciation for Mr. Eide’s undertaking of this important assignment.  The Secretary-General underscored the United Nations and his personal commitment to facilitating the achievement of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.  Mr. Eide’s appointment illustrated the United Nations determination to continue supporting the parties to arrive at concrete results in the coming phase.  The Secretary-General noted that Mr. Eide was assuming his functions at a promising moment in the Cyprus peace process, with fresh momentum having been generated by the Joint Declaration adopted by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on 11th of February 2014.  He asked that Mr. Eide travel immediately to Cyprus to meet with the two leaders, Nicos Anastasiades and Derviş Eroğlu, in Nicosia on 5 September.

The Secretary-General conveyed his expectation that, as the leaders prepare to enter the next phase, they will show renewed dedication and courage to build on the principles outlined in the Joint Declaration.  He strongly hopes that the important gains achieved to date will be preserved as the sides move decisively towards structured and results-oriented negotiations, as called for in the Declaration.  The Secretary-General concluded by stressing that, in these times of great turmoil in the region, it is more important than ever to reach a lasting settlement in Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.  The long-overdue solution to the Cyprus problem constitutes a strategic priority for the United Nations and the international community.

** Libya

A joint report by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN human rights office warns that serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law are taking place in the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Benghazi.  The report, which covers the period between mid-May and the end of August, gives an overview of abuses including indiscriminate shelling and attacks, abduction of civilians, torture and unlawful killings. Dozens of civilians were reportedly abducted in Tripoli and Benghazi because of their actual or suspected tribal, family or religious affiliation and have remained missing ever since.  The report urges all armed groups to release or hand over to the justice system individuals who have been detained.  More information is available online.

**High Commissioner for Human Rights

And also on human rights, right about now, the Secretary-General is at the swearing in ceremony of the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, here at Headquarters.

** Iraq

The World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed food delivery in Iraq’s al-Anbar Governorate for the first time since May.  This week, the World Food Programme distributed the first batches of food to displaced families in Ramadi and Heet cities.  The assistance targets an estimated 76,000 people who urgently need assistance.  So far, WFP has delivered life-saving assistance to more than 838,000 people since mid-June.  The organization says that it has been using new routes to deliver food and in the coming days, it expects to reach families displaced in volatile areas, including the southern region of al-Anbar.

** Afghanistan

In his message to the NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] meeting on Afghanistan today, the Secretary-General said that the coordinated support of Afghanistan’s international partners is vital to the country’s peaceful and stable future.  He added that Afghanistan and NATO members can continue to count on the support of the UN.  Noting that the ongoing electoral audit will likely be concluded in the days ahead, the Secretary-General highlighted the need for a political transition consistent with the will of the Afghan community.  He added that a transition with an outcome accepted by the presidential candidates and the electorate is essential and will allow the new leadership to tackle the country’s challenges.  The message, which was delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, is available online.

** Yemen

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that fighting in Al Jawf, in northern Yemen, has displaced about 8,000 people in recent weeks.  Information is limited and access is difficult even for local NGOs.  The majority of people displaced by recent conflict in Amran have returned home as conflict subsided.  About 300,000 people remain long-term displaced in Hajjah, Amran and Sa’ada.  Food distribution targeting 20,000 households in Hajjah and Sa’ada Governorates has taken place.  A national polio immunization campaign in August, supported by UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] and WHO [World Health Organization], reached 96 per cent of 4.9 million targeted children under 5 years of age.

** Syria

Also, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that nine trucks crossed into Syria from Turkey at the Bab al-Hawa border crossing yesterday.  The trucks carried household items, sleeping mats, blankets, jerrycans, hygiene kits, solar lamps and other items provided by the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration for up to 2,000 households in Muharada district, Hama Governorate and Jebel Saman district, in the Aleppo Governorate.

** Nigeria

And on Nigeria, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that they are extremely concerned about the further deterioration of the security situation following the recent attack by Boko Haram on Bama town, which resulted in the displacement of more than 26,000 people.  This number is in addition to 1.5 million people displaced since the declaration of a State of Emergency in the three north-eastern states in May 2013.  Aid agencies report that the number of displaced people in makeshift camps in Maiduguri could be higher than 26,000, since most of Bama's population of 500,000 has fled the city.  Humanitarian partners have called for an urgent response in the areas of protection, health, water and sanitation but access is hampered by the insecurity.

**Ebola

The Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs says that, since April 2014, humanitarian partners have received $6.13 million from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to respond to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa.  An estimated $2.7 million has been allocated to Guinea, $1.9 million to Liberia and $1.5 million to Sierra Leone.  The funding will also help to facilitate humanitarian operations and access in the region.  Also on Ebola, the World Health Organization started its two-day meeting in Geneva to discuss potential Ebola therapies and vaccines.  The meeting brings together technical experts from groups developing interventions, policymakers from affected countries, ethicists, clinicians, researchers, regulators and patient representatives.

**World Health Organization

The World Health Organization released its first-ever report on suicide prevention today.  According to the report, more than 800,000 people die by suicide every year and one person dies roughly every 40 seconds.  The majority of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds globally.  The report’s launch comes just a week before World Suicide Prevention Day, which is observed on the 10 September every year.  More information on the report is available on WHO’s website.

** Small Island Developing States

The third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States wrapped up in the Samoan capital, Apia, today, generating nearly $2 billion in partnerships to bolster the capacity of these countries to achieve sustainable development.  These partnerships seek to address issues ranging from climate change, disaster resilience, environmental protection and access to energy.  Wu Hongbo, the Conference’s Secretary-General, said that these issues are a priority for small island developing States because of their unique circumstances, remote location and high vulnerability.  But, he also noted that some of them, such as climate change, have global consequences.  More information on the Conference is available online.

**Press Conference Tomorrow

And for press conference, tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., there will be a press conference here by former President of Bolivia Carlos Mesa to discuss Bolivia’s international relations.  We will see whether Sigrid Kaag speaks in the coming minutes either at the Security Council stakeout or whether she is able to come here.  That’s it from me.

**Questions and Answers

Deputy Spokesman:  Yes, Joe?

Question:  Yes, with the upcoming global summit here at UN Headquarters on climate change, I'm wondering if the Secretary-General has any reaction or intends to take any actions in response to a recent report from the UN's Joint Inspection Unit that found overspending, duplication, inefficiency, lack of coordination among the various UN initiatives on climate change?  It was a pretty critical report and I would like to know what the Secretary-General intends to do in response to it.  Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, certainly, we take all of the reports of the Joint Inspection Unit seriously.  What we need to do now is to study their findings and see how those findings can be used to improve the coordination among the various bodies.  So, that study will proceed now that the report has gone out.

Question:  But, is there some sense of urgency on that given the fact that this is a major initiative of the Secretary-General to bring world leaders together for this climate change summit towards the end of this month and you have this report lurking out there that criticize a lot of what the UN itself has been doing in this area.  So, is there a timetable for the analysis and response to this critique?

Deputy Spokesman:  The idea would be to bring in the analysis and find ways to implement the recommendations as quickly as they possibly can be done.  But, of course, that process now has to begin first with a study of the Joint Inspection Unit's report.  Yes, Nizar.

Question:  I have two questions.  One, on Yemen, do I understand correctly that Amran has been relinquished by the Houthi and people are returning to Amran now?  Another one is on the UNDOF [United Nations Disengagement Observer Force] situation, what happened?  What is the latest about the release of the Fijians?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, our efforts continue regarding that.  I don't have any further updates to provide about our efforts to obtain the safe and secure release of the Fijian peacekeepers but we are continuing with that.  We are engaging with a wide range of parties within Syria and we will make every effort to ensure the safety and security of our personnel.  And we are also engaging with Member States who may have influence over armed opposition elements to encourage their safe release.

Question:  When you talk about Member States with influence, who do you mean, Syria, Israel, anyone else?

Deputy Spokesman:  I have said as much as I intend to say on this while this process is ongoing.

Question:  On Amran, do you understand that the Houthi have relinquished the area?

Deputy Spokesman:  As I said, the majority of people displaced by the recent conflict in Amran have returned home as the conflict has subsided.  Yes, Matthew.

Question:  Yeah, same thing, I want to ask about Burundi and Haiti since there is no update on the Golan Heights.  I wanted to know, in Burundi, a coalition of opposition parties wrote to the Secretary-General in February with the allegation that the ruling party was arming its youth wing.  And I know there have been developments since then, but the new development is that the head of the opposition parties is being… faces five years in jail for having written a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about these troubling obligations.  And I wanted to know what — almost in the context of kind of witness protection or whistleblower rights — what is the UN's response to someone facing jail time for raising an allegation like this to the Secretary-General?

Deputy Spokesman:  I will check on that and we will try to get back to you.

Question:  Also, have you seen there is a PRI [Public Radio International] story of the situation of mothers in Haiti who say that their children are… that the fathers are UN peacekeepers who since left the country.  And the article basically it says that, in February, the UN brought them to Port-au-Prince to have DNA testing.  But, it's now September, nothing has been done.  And I wanted to know, what is the UN's policy in terms of its two contributing countries of ensuring that children, you know, fathered in this way, one, are, you know, are… are… are… receive child support, and, two, what is the repercussions for the two contributing countries?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, UN peacekeeping as a rule does try to make sure that all peacekeepers abide by the responsibilities wherever they are stationed, and that would be the case.  And so, we would follow-up on any allegations such as the ones that you have mentioned, and try to see whether they are valid, and if so, what response needs to be taken.  And this is something we have done in other areas in the past, as well.

Question:  The PRI reports seem to say it's totally up to the courts, and in this case, it's Uruguay, to the courts in Uruguay to enforce the… these obligations.  So, I wondered what is UN’s peacekeeping role, like, if, in fact, nothing is paid or if they come from a country which doesn't, in fact, require such… such child support, does peacekeeping just keep using them or what happens for these agencies?

Deputy Spokesman:  That is hypothetical, so I wouldn't engage.

Correspondent:  The mother’s in Haiti.

Deputy Spokesman:  I would not engage in the hypothetical aspect.  Regarding this specific case, what we would do is follow-up and make sure that a resolution is found in accordance with all the appropriate local laws.  Yes?

Question:  Regarding UNDOF again, the area, the press statement which was issued yesterday by the Security Council called for the armed groups to leave the separation zone, who is going to implement that if they refuse?  Of course, Al-Nusra will not agree as to this such request.  Who is incumbent on to impose that?

Deputy Spokesman:  This is a call by the Security Council and it should be respected not just by the parties, but by the various countries in the region supporting the various parties.  And we trust that they will listen to the call by the Security Council.  Of course, as with every Security Council resolution or statement, the question is how it gets enforced down the line and we will have to see how that happens.  Of course, we have our own peacekeeping force on the ground who can report back on whether or not it is, in fact, being abided by.

Question:  I have another question regarding — I asked this question last week, when the Israeli drone was shot down over Iran, near Natanz, we were expecting something from you or from the Secretary-General to announce about such a violation of the Iranian airspace.  What is the United Nations position on that?

Deputy Spokesman:  I don't believe we have sufficient information about this particular incident to make a comment.  Yes?  Try and use the mics.

Question:  Well, Fatou Bensouda, the ICC [International Criminal Court] Prosecutor asked for independent and transparent investigation into what is happening in the Darfur mission.  And the United Nations came back and said we are running an investigation by the UN, not so much independent.  And we were told it will take about a month.  Weeks have passed and we don't know.  When is the result of this report is coming out?  Can you give us any indication when to expect the report of this investigation?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, of course, as with any investigation, it takes as long as is needed to get the basic facts.  But, we will check with our peacekeeping colleagues about whether there is any sort of timeline that can be arrived at on that.  Yes, in the back.

Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  Could you tell us the UN position on… regarding the action plan announced by President [Valdimir] Putin regarding the cease fire in east Ukraine?

Deputy Spokesman:  I don't have anything to add to what Stéphane said about that yesterday.  Our position remains the same.

Question:  Just a follow-up, again, the EU [European Union] is again considering to impose more robust sanction on Russia.  Does the Secretary-General, who is always calling for a peaceful solution, think that these sanctions might help for the peaceful solution or ease the tension?

Deputy Spokesman:  I wouldn't have any comment on that.  That is really a decision left to the individual Member States.  Yes?

Question:  Yesterday, Germany handed over a new Dolphin submarine, new Dolphin class submarine, which is capable of firing nuclear weapons to Israel.  This is probably the fourth and more are to come… to be delivered.  How does the Secretary-General view such introduction of such very dangerous weapons in the region, in a volatile region?

Deputy Spokesman:  We don't, as a rule, comment on bilateral military commerce and I wouldn't do so in this case.  You are well aware of what our positions are on the Middle East situation as a whole and our desire for all matters there to be dealt with peacefully and through negotiations.

Correspondent:  These are not conventional weapons these… we are talking here about nuclear weapons.

Deputy Spokesman:  As I said, I have no particular comment to make about the bilateral discussions between Israel and Germany on this matter.  Yes?

Question:  Would you be able to give an update on the whereabouts of Staffan de Mistura and the political track in Syria from the UN?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, Mr. de Mistura is doing some planning.  I do think that in the coming days we will be able to talk to you a little bit about his travels.  And I expect I will be able to make an announcement a few days from now, but we are not quite at that point yet.  And one more question and then we will get to Ms. Kaag who is, in fact, here.

Question:  Great.  I wanted to ask about Golan and also Michael Bloomberg.  Maybe you will have one answer of the two.  Just on the Golan Heights, the head of the Fijian army has said clearly when asked why they are in detention, said they were ordered to by UNDOF to surrender.  So, I wanted to just kind of square that.  I mean, is that the case?  Is that what [the Department of Peacekeeping Operations’] position is, that they told the Fijians to surrender themselves to Al-Nusra?

Deputy Spokesman:  At this stage, while we are trying to secure the release of the Fijian peacekeepers, I wouldn't want to provide too much in the way of the details of this incident.  What we are focusing on is getting them released safely and to make sure that they are released without harm.  And the safety and security of our personnel remains the highest priority.  Beyond that, you've heard what Mr. Ladsous had to say about the incident yesterday and I just refer you back to what he said.

Question:  This is very fast.  Yesterday, it has been reported that Michael Bloomberg will be returning as a full-time… to head the Bloomberg LP, the media company.  I wanted to know what impact this will have on his role as climate change in cities, is it possible to be a full-time, for-profit employee elsewhere and still be a UN envoy on what is the process to review any change in possible conflict of interest?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, we look into, you know, of course, if his business dealings change, we would look into how that affects his work at the UN.  As far as I'm aware, his work for the United Nation as a Climate Change Envoy, remains unchanged and he will go about that.  And we trust that he will do that in a manner separate and apart from his other dealings as he had been doing before this.  If there is any other step that need to be taken, we will examine that at that point.  And now, I'd like to bring up here to center table Ms. Kaag, the Special Coordinator of the joint OPCW mission.

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For information media • not an official record