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.

** Afghanistan

Earlier today, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General has urged Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates to conclude an agreement on a government of national unity in accordance with the commitments they made on 12 July.

The Secretary-General emphasised that this is a pivotal moment for Afghanistan, and that genuine partnership will be required in tackling Afghanistan’s many challenges.  He said that both parties share a real responsibility to guide Afghanistan to a peaceful and more prosperous future, adding that given the scale of the challenges, this can only be done jointly.

The Secretary-General noted that in the 12 July agreement, reached with the support of US Secretary of State John Kerry, and their signed communiqué of 8 August, the two candidates agreed to accept the result of a comprehensive nationwide audit of the presidential election run-off results and form a government of national unity.

With the main audit completed on 4 September and the announcement of updated results anticipated shortly, the Secretary-General said he expects that the candidates will now abide by their commitments to enable Afghanistan’s first ever peaceful transfer of power.  And that statement is online.

** Iraq

Also late yesterday we issued a statement on Iraq, in which the Secretary-General welcomed the announcement of the formation of a new inclusive Government in Iraq and congratulated Haider al-Abadi on his confirmation as Iraq’s Prime Minister.

In this challenging moment for Iraq and the region, the decision by the Iraqi Council of Representatives is a positive step towards political stability and peace in the country.

The Secretary-General calls on all Iraqi political leaders to build on the current momentum of collaboration to ensure that a decision is made without delay on the pending appointments of the Minister of Defence and the Minister of the Interior.  And the full statement is online.

** Syria

The Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, as well as the Deputy Envoy, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, have arrived in Damascus for consultations with Syrian officials.  They were met at the border by Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mekdad.

They will be in Syria for several days, and during that time, they will meet with officials in the Government, members of the opposition in Syria, civil society representatives and others.

Following this initial visit to Syria, they will then embark on a first round of visits in countries in the region.

**Secretary-General’s Phone Call with US President

As I mentioned, the Secretary-General has been making a round of calls on Ebola to regional and global leaders.  He spoke late yesterday with the President of the United States, Barack Obama.  They discussed the need to urgently scale up international efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.  The Secretary-General informed the President that he was planning to convene a high-level event during the General Assembly to highlight the needs and required response from Governments, NGOs, the private sector, as well as academic institutions.

The Secretary General welcomed the efforts to build a broad coalition to counter the threat posed by the extremists that have occupied large areas of Iraq and Syria.  He thanked the President Obama for the US efforts to assist Iraqis in dire need of humanitarian assistance, especially in areas rendered inaccessible by the extremists.  He also welcomed President Obama’s initiative to chair a Security Council session on foreign terrorist fighters during the General Assembly.

The two leaders discussed the importance of an effective monitoring mechanism for the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.  And they also discussed the Secretary-General’s upcoming Climate Change Summit, which will take place, as you know, on 23 September.

** Liberia

Back here and also on Ebola, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Liberia, Karin Landgren, briefed the Security Council today, warning that the Ebola crisis has become complex, with political, security, economic and social implications that will continue to affect the country well beyond the current medical emergency.  She added that Liberians are now facing the gravest threat since the war — one that would challenge any Government or society.

Ms. Landgren is expected to be speaking with you at the stakeout following my briefing.

And also on Liberia, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, will be travelling to Liberia from the 11^th to 12^th of September.  During his visit, he is expected to hold meetings with national authorities and UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) personnel to discuss how UN peacekeeping efforts can further support the fight against Ebola in Liberia. 

**Ebola

And late yesterday, we announced the nomination of Anthony Banbury as the Deputy Ebola Coordinator and Operation Crisis Manager.  Mr. Banbury, who will work from the UN Operations Crisis Centre based in New York, will be working closely with Dr. David Nabarro, the Senior UN System Coordinator for Ebola.

Mr. Banbury will coordinate the operational work of the UN System, Member States, NGOs and other stakeholders in this fight against Ebola.  As you know, Mr. Banbury served as the Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support, but given the severity of the Ebola crisis, the Secretary-General has asked Ms. Ameerah Haq to postpone her departure and remain as head of the Department of Field Service Support.

**South Sudan

And from South Sudan, the UN Mission in that country (UNMISS) says that experts who concluded the first stage of their investigation yesterday have uncovered evidence on the circumstances of the crash of a UN Mi-8 helicopter on 26 August, indicating that the aircraft was shot down.

For the past two weeks, the Mission has been conducting preliminary investigations into the crash, which killed three Russian crewmen and injured a fourth.  In addition to the Mission’s own probe, which began right after the crash, a technical investigation has also started with the participation of the United Nations, South Sudanese and Russian experts.

The Mission has also confirmed that, during a phone call with a staff member in Bentiu on 17 August, Peter Gadet, the commander of opposition forces in Unity State, alleged that UNMISS aircraft were being used to transport Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) troops and threatened to shoot down the Mission’s aircraft.

The staff member refuted the accusations, and, to ensure the safety of its aircraft, UNMISS immediately started sharing information on all its flights into Bentiu with the opposition forces, as well as the SPLA.

The Mission notes that these findings come as a preliminary probe.  It is premature at this stage to conclusively apportion blame for the shooting down of the helicopter.  A more in-depth technical investigation, which is being conducted in compliance with international air safety standards, is under way.  And an independent Board of Inquiry also being established by the United Nations to look into the incident, and should provide additional information which will make it possible to conclusively determine the source of the ground fire which brought down the helicopter.

** Libya

Turning over to Libya, the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino Leon, is currently in the country, meeting with various and key political actors.

Yesterday, Mr. Leon met with the President and the two Vice Presidents of the Libyan House of Representatives in Tobruq in eastern Libya.

Speaking to the press following his meeting, he said that he hopes to work with all actors to find common ground and support for formation of a future government representative of all Libyans.  He added that, in order to build peace and trust among all actors in Libya, there needs to be leadership, legitimacy, rejection of the use of force and respect for international law.  

And his full remarks are available online.

** Gaza

And update from Gaza: the Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, met with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, James Rawley, and they released the updated Gaza Crisis Appeal today.  The appeal now requests $551 million, up from $367 million requested on 1 August.

Assistance include food and basic supplies; expanding access to health, water and education; and protection of the population and psychosocial support.  Aid will be provided through the Government, UN agencies, and international and local NGOs.

Mr. Rawley stressed that the appeal is not a solution.  He called for fundamental change, including a continued ceasefire, a full lifting of the blockade, and a political solution.

** Pakistan

Yesterday, I was asked about the situation with flooding in Pakistan.  I can tell you that the UN in Pakistan has expressed its condolences on the loss of life and extensive damages caused by the current monsoon floods in the country and offered to support national relief efforts if needed.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, Timo Pakkala, commended the relief efforts of the national disaster management institutions, civil society as well as the Pakistan army.

** Kuwait

And this afternoon here at headquarters, the Secretary-General will host a ceremony to recognize the humanitarian leadership of the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber al Sabah.

He is expected to thank His Highness and the people of Kuwait for their outstanding generosity towards Syrians and Iraqis in need.

The Secretary-General will also spotlight how Kuwait’s leadership and funding has saved lives, and has also galvanized others to participate in coordinated international action.

**Culture of Peace

And earlier today, the Secretary-General spoke at a high-level forum on the culture of peace.  He said that all around us, we see a spreading virus of war, of conflict, of extremism and of violence and hatred.  But, the Secretary-General said, he is convinced that our strongest arsenal in the face of these threats is not weapons or missiles or guns.  Instead, he said it is our shared values and our common vision for peace, development and human rights.  And his remarks are available online.

**Deputy Secretary-General’s Travels

Tomorrow, the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, will be in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to give a lecture at the Harvard Kennedy School, followed by an interactive dialogue on the theme “A World in Turmoil — A Test for the UN and its Member States”.  The Deputy Secretary-General will return the same evening back to New York.

**Questions from Monday

And I was asked yesterday about incidents involving the rights of journalists in Somalia.  I can confirm to you that the UN Mission in Somalia, UNSOM, has met with the Somalia authorities and the National Union of Somali Journalists, among others, to discuss the recent closures of media organizations and the detention of journalists.  The Mission welcomes the subsequent release of many of these journalists and that both Radio Kulmiye and Radio Simba have been able to resume regular broadcasting.  It continues to stress the importance of respecting the rule of law and protecting freedom of expression for the four journalists from Shabelle Media Network who remain in detention.

And yesterday I was also asked about the travels of Derek Plumbly, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon.  And I can tell you that he is expected to be in New York for the general debate later this month.  There are discussions under way to see whether a meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon could take place on the margins of the general debate.

**Press Conferences

Press conference at 5:30 this afternoon:  as I mentioned, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Hector Marcos Timerman, and the President of the G77, who is also the Permanent Representative of Bolivia to the UN, Sacha Llorenty Soliz.  They will discuss the Question of the Sovereign Debt Restructuring Process and the Need for a Legal Framework.

Tomorrow at 12:30, the President of the General Assembly, John Ashe, will be here to brief you ahead of the High-level Stocktaking Event on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which is scheduled to take place on 11 and 12 September.

And then at 2:15 p.m., the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will hold a press conference here on a report on the latest scientific assessment of ozone depletion.

**Peacekeeping

And I was asked by the Departments of Peacekeeping and Field Support (DPKO/DFS) to flag that there will be an interactive conversation between senior leaders on “Does Gender Matter: DPKO/DFS forward looking gender agenda 2014–2018”.  If you are interested, that is Wednesday, tomorrow, 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium, right here in the Secretariat building.

I think I’ve spoken quite enough for one day.  But I will listen to your questions.  

**Questions & Answers

Spokesman:  Yes, sir, Nizar?

Question:  I have a question about Yemen, and it seems the situation deteriorated badly today.  Do you happen to comment on these mosque people shooting and killing protesters, peaceful protesters, none of them showed they were retaliating bullets?

Spokesman:  You know, I don’t have anything on Yemen, but I’m expecting something shortly as we speak.  So stay tuned.  [He later said that the Secretary-General is concerned about the continued tensions in Sana’a and other parts of Yemen.  He calls on all sides in Yemen to refrain from exacerbating the already fragile situation.  The only way forward is a political solution through direct negotiations based on Yemen’s Transition Agreement and the outcomes agreed at the National Dialogue Conference.  Special Adviser Jamal Benomar is in contact with all sides and is on his way to Sana’a currently.]

Question:  Stéphane, two questions.  One, on Afghanistan:  You just said the Secretary-General has asked these two rivals to come to some sort of understanding.  But it seems that none of them is ready to give in.  Each of them is claiming that they are the victims and that they will not accept the United Nations on, what do you call, a decision on this, as to who wins the election.  So what in that case can the Secretary-General do or his representatives in Afghanistan to persuade these two to, what do you call, accept the ruling of the United Nations?

Spokesman:  I mean, I think what we need to do is to keep the pressure on.  I think other contacts will be had in the coming days.  And I think whether it’s the Secretary-General, the international community, I think everybody has a vested interest; and, most of all, the people of Afghanistan in a peaceful transfer of power from one President to another.  So we will keep at it.  The UN will keep at it in Kabul and other international partners and the message will keep on being delivered.  But I think, as the Secretary-General said, it’s a time for leadership.  And I think everybody needs to think of what is in the best interest for the people of Afghanistan.

Question:  Because, yeah, another question: does United Nations have any comment on the Human Rights Watch report that over 7-10,000 Sudanese and Eritreans have been supposed to leave Israel because of…

Spokesman:  I have not seen that report but I will take a look.

Question:  All right.  Will you have a comment?

Spokesman:  I’ll take a look.

Question:  Thank you.

Spokesman:  Abdelhamid, please?

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  I have a few questions on Gaza.  The first is:  Is the Secretary-General planning to visit Gaza?  Last time, you know, after the Cast Lead Operation, which ended 18 January 2009, two days later, this SG was standing on the ruins of one of the schools which was targeted by Israel.  Why is he not planning?  If he is not planning, I want to ask if he is planning to visit Gaza?

Spokesman:  You know, when we are ready to announce the Secretary-General’s travel, we will.  At this point, obviously, the Secretary-General is keeping a very close eye on what is going on in Gaza.  When we were there, he was not able to go, given the security situation.  We did a number of Skype calls with the staff and especially the national staff in Gaza, which really performed very bravely during the latest flare-up.  But when we are ready to announce a trip, we will.

Question:  Just another question, if I may.  Stéphane, the donor conference is scheduled now in Cairo on 12 October.  What role is the UN playing in that?

Spokesman:  The UN will be represented obviously at a high level; but when we are ready to announce what that level is, I will share it with you.  Mr. Abbadi?

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Yesterday, the General Assembly meeting, in a move that is similar to last year, decided to postpone the discussions on the important reforms of the Security Council to next year’s session.  One of the delegates said, and I quote, there is a risk for the organization being discredited.  Is the Secretary-General concerned about this postponement; and, if he is, how is he expressing that concern?

Spokesman:  Well, as you know, the issue of Security Council reform is firmly in the hands of the Member States.  I think the Secretary-General has expressed his own opinions on it and his call for Member States to find a consensus and it’s obviously something we will be watching closely.  Yes, sir?

Question:  Staffan de Mistura, is he going to meet with President [Bashar al] Assad?  This is…

Spokesman:  Sorry, I will give you the respect of finishing your question, yes?

Question:  And I wonder whether Geneva communiqué is still relevant to solve the crisis in Syria, especially that the former Special Envoy said prior to the presidential elections that this election may kill the political process?

Spokesman:  I think, you know, we will announce the meetings he is having as they happen.  He has just arrived.  As the meetings happen, we will be able to confirm; and, obviously, the goal remains a political solution.  Yes, sir?

Question:  Thanks, Stéphane.  South African President [Jacob] Zuma is in Lesotho today for crisis talks, I guess trying to avoid some sort of military escalation.  Did the SG speak with him before going or with any leaders in the country ahead of these talks?

Spokesman:  No, I’m not aware of phone calls to the Secretary-General.  Did you already ask a question, Nizar? 

Question:  Yes, I want to ask another question.

Spokesman:  Wait a second, then.

Question:  Stéphane, I just want to ask how long would this investigation on the South Sudanese crash take?

Spokesman:  I don’t want to give an end date.  I think these investigations are very technical.  They are technical in the best of circumstances and they take a long time.  And I think you can imagine in an area such as South Sudan, which is under conflict, they do take some time.

Question:  I want to ask about Mr. de Mistura’s visit.  Which country in the region he will visit and when?

Spokesman:  As with the meetings, given the fluidity of the situation, obviously, for other concerns, we will announce the visits as they happen.  Yes?

Question:  Will there be readout today on the Secretary-General’s meeting with Mr. Fernando Cardoso, the chair of the global commission on drug policy, and their issuing of the latest report?

Spokesman:  We can always ask for one if you are interested.

Question:  On the school which was used by the IDF (Israel Defense Force) in Gaza for operations, can you please tell us which school was that, which UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), and how did they manage to take it?

Spokesman:  Okay, I have not gotten an update since you last asked but I will keep asking.  Masood?

Question:  Stéphane, can you tell us what point the Secretary-General is going to ask the members of Security Council that ISIS — that it’s now time to pass a resolution on ISIS, declaring it a threat to international peace and security, because Secretary-General can do it?  He has the authority at least to ask the Security Council, and, once he deems it a threat to international peace and security, he can ask the Security Council to do it.

Spokesman:  I think the Security Council is already well seized of that matter.  Oleg?

Question:  Thank you.  Any reaction to the preliminary results of the investigation into the crash of the Malaysian Airlines, Boeing, in Ukraine?

Spokesman:  Obviously, we have taken note of the results.  We have seen it, the results of the preliminary investigation, just one of a number of investigations, which was done by the Dutch Safety Board.  I think we are obviously — I think, you know, the memory of this horrific event must impel us to redouble our efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.  And the Secretary-General also commends the Dutch investigators for their work so far and looks forward to the release of the final report.  Masood?

Question:  There is a G-77 resolution which is critical of Chase and other banks which already, what do you call it, stopped accounts of United Nations personnel, diplomats and so forth.  Does the Secretary-General have any reaction?  Because they are asking the United Nations should cease having any relationship with such banks?

Spokesman:  You know, I think if I’m not mistaken, first of all, it’s just a draft resolution.  If I’m not mistaken, some of these issues have been taken up by the Host Country Committee.  But, obviously, we would like to see institutions in the host country be able to service the United Nations and its community in the best way possible.

Question:  But on this suggestion that the United Nations should cease?

Spokesman:  That is what I have to say.

Question:  Very quickly, since an Apple product has already made its way into this briefing, I’ve got to ask:  Does the Secretary-General use Apple products for his official UN business?  Angela Merkel and others use the iPhone; does the Secretary-General?

Spokesman:  I would not drag the Secretary-General into product placement of any kind.  Yes, sir?  And maybe we will make this the last.

Question:  There is ample evidence that US banks are now targeting the Muslim community, denying them access to financial services more and more because of regulation requirements.  Does the United Nations have any say?  That is a very serious matter, especially for remittances to third-world countries.

Spokesman:  I don’t have anything for you on that.  Thank you all.  Have a good day. 

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For information media • not an official record