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.

Good afternoon. 

Iraq

UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos arrived in Iraq yesterday as part of a four-day mission to the country.  Today, Ms. Amos met the President of Iraq in Baghdad and discussed the constraints faced in delivering humanitarian assistance.  Later in Erbil, she met with the Kurdish Minister of the Interior.  Ms. Amos assured the Minister that the UN will continue to support Iraq’s efforts to help displaced people in the Governorate.  Ms. Amos said that the biggest challenge now is shelter, adding that finding a place for all Iraqis is a top priority, as winter will arrive very soon.

Since August, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its local partners have fed more than 264,000 displaced people in Dohuk and Erbil cities, bringing the total number assisted by WFP since the start of the crisis in Mosul to 800,000.

Over the past three months, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has distributed 10,000 hygiene kits to internally displaced Iraqi women and 2,500 to female Syrian refugees in different parts of the governorates in Iraq.

The World Health Organization, public health clinics and the Kirkuk General Hospital are preparing for another polio/measles vaccination campaign due to start 14 September.

UNDOF 

Regarding the Golan Heights, the forty-five previously-detained Fijian peacekeepers were welcomed back yesterday to the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Camp Faouar by the Force Commander, Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha, as well as other UNDOF colleagues.  The 45 soldiers have undergone a medical assessment.

Senior Appointments

Two senior appointments to announce today — the Secretary-General is announcing the appointment of Mohammed Ibn Chambas of Ghana as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).  Mr. Chambas will succeed Said Djinnit of Algeria to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and effective leadership at UNOWA.

Mr. Chambas brings to the position extensive experience in both international and governmental forums, most recently as the African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) since December 2012.

The Secretary-General is also announcing the appointment of Franz Baumann of Germany as Umoja Senior Deployment Coordinator.  For the unenlightened, Umoja will be the United Nations’ new central administrative system, replacing multiple and fragmented legacy systems, and is designed to help harmonize the way the UN works, providing a single data repository with reliable, real-time information. 

Having served since 2009 as Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Management (DGACM), Mr. Baumann brings to this position extensive results based management experience within the United Nations.  He has been a strong advocate for reform and business transformation using new and improved management and technological skills. 

And we have biographical notes on both these gentlemen in appointments in my office. 

Ebola

Just an update on the figures this week:  the total number of probably, confirmed and suspected cases in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone, stands at 4,366 with 2,218 deaths. 

Also from Geneva, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the impact of the epidemic on children continues to grow.  In Liberia, health services for children have been severely disrupted and schools have closed.  So far, an estimated 2,000 children have lost their parents due to Ebola.  And UNICEF also says that many of these children are facing stigma and rejection in their communities, as they are seen in their communities as a source of infection, bad luck and trouble.

To date, UNICEF, with support from the World Bank, has flown nearly 248 metric tons of supplies, including protection equipment, hygiene kits, oral rehydration salts and other emergency health supplies.  The distribution of chlorine has been the biggest ever in UNICEF’s history. 

Also, WHO (World Health Organization) indicates that Cuban doctors are expected to arrive in Sierra Leone in the first week of October for a period of six months.  They are there to provide physicians, nurses, epidemiologists and other specialists.   

Ukraine

Turning over to Ukraine, the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched its first operation in Ukraine, providing food for people affected by violence in Donetsk and Luhansk, following a request from Ukrainian Government.

Since the beginning of September, WFP and its local partners have so far distributed 10,000 daily rations, enough to feed 2,000 people for five days.  It plans to scale up its operations before the end of the month. 

Those being assisted are mainly internally displaced people with serious medical conditions, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly, as well as large families. 

WFP has procured food locally to try to inject money into the local economy.  It will launch a food voucher project to allow people to purchase food in their own communities.  And WFP has more information online. 

Sri Lanka

From Geneva, our colleagues from UN refugee agency (UNHCR) today expressed its grave concern over the resumption of arrests, detention and deportation of asylum-seekers and refugees in Sri Lanka. 

The Government restarted an operation on 3 September, and as of yesterday, 62 Pakistani and 3 Afghan asylum-seekers were arrested and detained, with 40 of them subsequently deported. 

The refugee agency believes there are still more than 100 people of concern to the agency in detention.  It appeals to the Government to refrain from any further arrests and deportations and to uphold its responsibilities under international law. 

The agency once again calls on authorities to allow access to the detained so that it can assess their international protection needs.  And more information on this on the agency’s website. 

Next Week

On Monday, we are starting to get into the busy season.  Monday at 10:00 a.m., UNICEF and the World Health Organization and the World Bank will release the latest child mortality estimates following the launch of the report:  Levels and Trends in Child Mortality 2014. 

11:00 a.m. — briefing by Selwin Hart, Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team.  And that will be on the Climate Summit.

12:30 p.m., Monday — President of the General Assembly, John Ashe, is coming to do a wrap-up press conference for you, Evelyn, on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.  You asked and we listened, but the wrap-up will be broader, highlighting the achievements of the sixty-eighth Session of the General Assembly as a whole, including setting the stage for the post-2015 Development Agenda.

Tuesday, 16 September, right here at 12:00 p.m., the Secretary-General will give his press conference in preview of the General Assembly. 

We are also trying to get Tony Banbury for you here on Thursday to brief you on the Ebola crisis response. 

And also going back to Monday, at 9 a.m., there will be a briefing, I think, in Conference Room 4 by the former President [of Mexico], Felipe Calderón, on the launch of a new Climate Economy Commission report.  The Secretary-General will be there, as well.

Questions and Answers

Yes, first hand up in the back?

Question: Maybe I missed it.  Do you have the figures of how many Cuban doctors will be going to Sierra Leone?  Thank you.

Spokesman:I don’t have the numbers — I should have the numbers in front of me, shouldn’t I?  I don’t have — I think it’s about 165 medical personnel.  So it’s not just doctors.  It’s specialists, physicians, nurses, epidemiologists and other personnel.  Massoud, then Mr. Lee?

Question: On the Deputy Secretary-General’s visit to Afghanistan…

Spokesman: Mr. Feltman, yes.

Question: Yes, to Afghanistan.  Was he able to convince them or have a breakthrough, between Mr. Ashraf Ghani and…

Spokesman:I think we are all — I think whether it’s Mr. Feltman, Ján Kubiš, the Secretary‑General and the rest of the international community, I think everyone is working on the same path and putting the same pressure on, and that is to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan.  But I have nothing new to add to that.

Question: Okay.  And what about the Pakistanis that were [inaudible].  Do you have any update…?  You don’t have any update on that?

Spokesman: I do not.  I do not.  No, I do not.  Mr. Lee?

Question: Sure.  I wanted to add some other stuff but I wanted to ask you about Mr. Chambas.  Last week I asked you to confirm he’s getting the post; wrote the story; looks like he has the post.  The key question is this: if the UN is, in fact, as you’ve said, investigating potential cover‑up and underreporting of attacks on civilians in Darfur, how is it that… does that mean the investigation is completed and Mr. Chambas and UNAMID were found not to have covered up the attacks on civilians?  Does it telegraph the results?  Or does it mean that you don’t really put much weight into the investigation that’s being done?

Spokesman: No, not at all.  I think what we are conducting and what should be completed soon is a review of UNAMID’s reporting.  It’s not as if Mr. Chambas was the target of an investigation.  It’s a review of the mission, looking at investigation inquiries undertaken since June 2012.  It’s ongoing.  And I don’t believe you should take the announcement of his post as telegraphing…

Question: I just want to ask, if the person in charge of the mission during the timeframe that the ICC [International Criminal Court] has expressed these concerns about underreporting of attacks is given a promotion or a lateral move by the UN, does this — if the results come out negatively, can there be accountability?  I guess I’m thinking about isn’t that how it works?

Spokesman: I don’t want to prejudge the results.  If you’ll excuse me, I have a statement to read out on Ebola:

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the announcement by the Cuban Government that it will be sending 165 medical personnel to Sierra Leone soon to assist in the response to Ebola.  In addition, the African Union has begun to mobilize medical personnel for the response, and the Government of Ghana has agreed to use Accra as a key hub for flights into and out of Monrovia.  Offers of cash, equipment and personnel from governments, NGOs and the private sector have also begun to materialize. 

We are also grateful for the continued support of the US Government.  Last week, the US Agency for International Development announced plans to make an additional $75 million available.  More than 100 experts, most of them from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are deployed to the region in an effort to prevent, detect and halt the virus’s spread. 

The UK Government also announced that British military and humanitarian experts will set up a medical treatment centre for victims of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. 

The Secretary-General welcomes these signs of solidarity, particularly the deployment of skilled medical teams.  He calls on more countries and organizations to move swiftly to support the Governments of the countries affected, through the WHO Road Map and a complete overview of requirements, which will be released by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva on 16 September. 

As you will recall, the Secretary-General has held a number of calls with world leaders seeking their support for the countries most affected — Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and Nigeria.  He continues to reach out to leaders around the world on this issue. 

The Secretary-General also renews his call for countries to refrain from closing their borders to people coming from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and for airlines and shipping companies to maintain transport links.  Isolating the countries risks causing more harm and delaying efforts to stop the Ebola virus, rather than preventing its spread. 

On Monday, the Secretary-General activated the UN’s crisis response mechanism for managing a system wide crisis, and instructed all Heads of UN Agencies and Departments to give top priority to working together in support of a unified, effective response.  And our UN teams on the ground are engaged in active support of the national efforts, providing health services, food, supplies and outreach to communities. 

Nizar?

Question: I have a question about Syria.  Obviously, there are intentions to do some strikes in Syria against ISIL and other groups, maybe, and the Syrian Government doesn’t look like it’s agreeing that its sovereignty be infringed upon.  How does the Secretary‑General view such a strike if not coordinated with the Syrian Government?  How will that affect the mission, the Syrian mission and UN-Syrian mission there?

Spokesman: I think we have — I don’t know if you were here yesterday, but we had, you heard, we had quite a long discussion on this issue.  First of all, I’m not going to speculate to what may or may not happen.  We heard the President of the United States’ speech.  The Secretary‑General has made clear his condemnation for the acts committed by ISIS/ISIL and for the need to confront these groups.  As we’ve seen done in Iraq with the… and he also reminds all concerned that any fight against terrorism needs to ensure also the protection of civilians and respect for international law.

Question: How about the pledges to support the so‑called moderate armed forces such as the Free Syrian Army, which sold [Steven] Sotloff to ISIL and then [Jabhat al] Nusra is considered by Qatar as a moderate…

Spokesman: You know what I will say is that the Secretary‑General’s position on the flow of weapons into Syria has already been made clear in the past.  Stefano?

Question: Yes.  Two questions.  One has to again be on Syria, is just — like to know if the Secretary‑General is for any event known in Syria, any event of attack or bombing in a country, you need authorization for the Security Council.  And another question is on Ukraine, is Europe is announcing there are more sanctions for Russia, and in announcing this Europe is saying that this — eventually that the ceasefire holds, it will be, you know, will reconsider.  Does the UN — does the Secretary‑General think actually this new sanction help the ceasefire?

Spokesman: I have no particular comment on the decision in Brussels, but what I would say is that our focus, the UN’s focus, the international community’s focus should be to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine continues.  I think on Syria, I think we’ve gone around today and yesterday, and I really have nothing else to add.  Matthew?  And then —

Question: I have two questions.  One is:  can you talk about the result of the health check of the Fijian troops that returned?  Were there any signs of abuse or anything like that?  And also, what time will be the Secretary‑General’s press conference on Tuesday?

Spokesman: At noon, and he will be more punctual than I am.  [Laughter]

And — no, I don’t have an update.  I know there are ongoing medical checks.  As soon as we get something from UNDOF, we’ll let you know.  Evelyn and then Ali?

Question: Can you give some more details on the Fiji soldiers in UNDOF?  Are they going to stay?  And also, the captors wanted, among other things, humanitarian aid for some of their people.  Do you know anything about that?

Spokesman: As far as I’m concerned, no specific demands were made of us and no concessions were given.

Question: And any more details on how they were released?

Spokesman: No.  They’re undergoing medical check.  As I said yesterday, and I would assume there will be — they will be going home, some of them will be going home.  We’ll see what the logistical detail is of that and no other details on the negotiations.  Ali?

Question: Thank you.  Follow‑up on this:  So can you confirm that there was no ransom, no — nothing in return for these terrorist group in order to release the…

Spokesman: We paid no ransom, and as I said, no demands were made of us, and no concessions were given.

Question:And my — my — my other question is on the — whether the UN Office of Legal Affairs is studying the legality of attacks inside Syria without the consent of the Syrian Government?

Spokesman: You know, the Legal Counsel is there to provide privileged legal advice to the Secretary‑General; they spend a lot of time looking at issues.  That’s what their job is.  But whatever legal advice they provide to the Secretary‑General is confidential and is provided to him.

Question: Yeah.  Is there any update on the high‑level meeting on Ebola?

Spokesman: We’re not… I think we will be ready to announce a date very, very shortly.  There are obviously a lot of things going on during the 23^rd, 24^th, 25^th.  We’re trying to… we’re finalizing a time slot to ensure maximum participation, and a lot of Heads of State, a lot of moving parts, and so as soon as we can confirm a time — but it will, it will happen.  Yes, young lady back there?

Question:  Hi.  Good afternoon.  I’m a fellow from the Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for journalists.  I am Ayee Macaraig from the Philippines.  Just in relation to UNDOF and the Fijian peacekeepers, the Philippine Foreign Minister says he’s meeting with the Secretary‑General next week to discuss the call of the Philippines to review the rules of engagement and the mandate of UNDOF after the abduction of the Fijians and this standoff with the Filipino peacekeepers.  Would you have more details on this meeting and, two, is the Secretary‑General willing to recommend to the Security Council a review of UNDOF’s mandate?

Spokesman: UNDOF will be discussed in the Security Council very soon.  The report is on its way to the Security Council members.  I don’t want to pre-empt the report which will be made public.  The Philippines have already announced that they would withdraw their troops at the end of their term of duty.  I’m sure the status of the Philippines’ contribution to the UN peacekeeping department will be one of the agenda items discussed in the bilateral meeting with the Secretary‑General.  Yes?

Question: Regarding the high‑level meeting on Ebola, I know there aren’t many details you can share, but what is the… is there anything going to be discussed like on format?  Is it going to be open?  What kind of outcome you’re hoping other than it being a set piece?

Spokesman: I think you answered your open question:  that as soon as I have details on the time, the format, the expected outcome, the openness of the meeting, I will be the first to share it with you.  Edie?

Question:  Stéphane, thank you.  Does United Nations have any comment on an AP investigation in the Central African Republic, which was reported today, and found that at least 5,186 people have died in the country since fighting between Muslims and Christians started in December, which is well more than double the death toll of about 2,000 cited by the United Nations in April?

Spokesman: I think — I’ve seen the report.  The UN, it’s my understanding, had — because of the security situation and the lack of reliable sourcing, had suspended counting casualties, so I think the — comparing the AP number to the UN number is sort of like comparing apples to oranges.  Carla?  Ann, I’m sorry; Ann, I’m sorry.

Question: Concerning unresolved pros and conflicts involving the UN, the Georgia Ambassador sent a letter to the Secretary‑General and the President of the Security Council on what he said were so‑called presidential elections held in the occupied Abkhazia region of Georgia.  Do you know if the Secretary‑General has responded to this letter, which says that the ceasefire agreement continues to be violated?

Spokesman: Ann, I will check.  And I will get back to you.  I have not seen the letter.  Yes, sir?

Question: Good morning.  My name is Abdel Aziz Hali from Tunisia, from La Presse of Tunisia, one of the Daggies.  My question about the Ukrainian crisis.  So —

Spokesman: About the what?

Question: Ukrainian crisis.  Crisis.  There is a psychological war between the Ukrainian Government and the Russian Government.  And as I said this morning to the Ukrainian ambassador, Russia can eventually cut the gas alimentation in the winter.  So does the United Nations planning to prepare some sanctions if there is a cut?

Spokesman: Thank you for the question.  On the issue of sanctions, as you know, sanctions are decided upon by the Security Council.  But I think more importantly, the Secretary‑General’s general message in his contacts is to support the ceasefire, to ensure the dialogue that exists between President [Petro] Poroshenko and President [Vladimir] Putin continues, and that we see the ceasefire take hold.  We’re already seeing today WFP being able to deliver food to some of the impacted areas, which is a good sign.  But, you know, life needs to get back to normal in the east.  People need to start moving back in.  Children need to go back to school.  So I think anything that can be done to support the current climate is good.  And thank you for not wearing your Yankees cap today.  [Laughter] Massoud?

Question: Yes, sir.  I’d just like ask you two questions.  One is about this — has anybody, any other country, other than Cuba, responded with so many personnel to the Ebola crisis?  And besides that I would just like to also ask, why did the Deputy Secretary‑General feel it necessary to visit Afghanistan now?  Do you have any idea?

Spokesman: I think on your second question, it was the — excuse me, it was the Under‑Secretary‑General [for Political Affairs], Mr. Jeff Feltman, not the Deputy Secretary‑General.  Why it was felt necessary that he goes, I think the answer is obvious.  There’s a major crisis on the transition of power.  Time is short.  We expect the outcome of the audit to be released soon.  And I think we are all in the international community working for peaceful transition of power.  On your second one, with all due respect, Massoud, I read out I think a long statement.

Question: Yes.

Spokesman: Which lists a lot of donations.  So I — you know, you can — I’m not going to tabulate the number of people each country sends, but I think we flagged 165 medical personnel, more than 100 experts from the US, $75 million additional from the US, the UK sending military and humanitarian experts.  I think it’s kind of good that there is competition between the countries about who will send the most aid to the impacted areas.  I think Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea need it.  So if there’s a bit of friendly competition between countries on this, all the better.

Question: So when the Secretary‑General decided it is time to issue a statement welcoming what you…

Spokesman: I think you’ll look — you’re over-reading the statement.  The statement thanks a lot of people.  I thanked the [Bill and Melinda] Gates Foundation and the Secretary‑General just thanked the European Union.  If people keep giving we’ll keep thanking.  So let’s keep giving.  Nizar?

Question: Yes, one question regarding Gaza, and the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) school that was used by the Israeli army as a headquarters during the recent war.  Also, the progress on humanitarian aid to Gaza, how is it going?  Is there any deal in the future?

Spokesman: On your first question, which is more than valid, I hope my colleagues who I’ve asked for an answer hear me, because I’d like to have an answer maybe to give to you.  [He later said that the school involved was not run by UNRWA.]

On your second one, the UN, in the person of the Special Coordinator’s office, is continuing to work with both — with the parties to finalize a mechanism to kickstart shelter rehabilitation and construction in Gaza.  We’re not yet in a position to confirm that an agreement on a mechanism has been agreed, but we hope to do it very soon.  And also, Mr. [Robert] Serry will be here on Tuesday to brief the Security Council.  We’ll give an update, and I’m sure he will speak to either in this room or in the Security Council stakeout.

Question: In Saudi Arabia, today there are reports in the eastern province regarding the continued arrest of Sheikh Nimr al‑Nimr.  This is for the third year, in fact.  He was arrested in 2011.  After that, he was shot by the security forces.  Are you sending any pleas to the Saudis?

Spokesman: I think we’ve already spoken out on the Sheikh from here.  I don’t have anything new to add.  Mr. Lee?

Question: Sure.  For the record: Let’s go, Yankees!  I think it can be said and will be said.  [Laughter] Just, I don’t think it —

Spokesman: You know, I — let’s not go there.

Question: Okay.

Spokesman: We went there yesterday and you weren’t here.

Question: Okay, I wanted to ask you about Botswana.  There’s been an editor, Outsa Mokone, who’s been charged with sedition for writing a single article questioning the President, saying the President was involved in a car accident; and he was charged with, basically, incitement to resistance and insurrection against lawful authorities.  So a number of countries, a number of press organizations have condemned it.  And I wondered:  The UN hasn’t said anything.  What’s the UN’s view of criminal sedition laws against journalists?

Spokesman: I have not seen that particular report.  I will check with our human rights colleagues, but I think our general stance on the need to respect freedom of the press has been expressed quite a lot.  Yes, ma’am?

Question: Thank you, Stéphane.  On 11 September, yesterday, thank you for correcting me that the moment of silence was in fact held in the GA [General Assembly].  But is there a reason why it wasn’t held facility-wide, because those of us attending the Security Council might not have been aware it was being observed in the GA?

Spokesman: The General Assembly is by definition the most representative organ of the organization.  Sima?

Question: Hi.  Just a quick question about the orphans.  You had mentioned 2,000 orphans with Ebola.  What’s the UN doing to help them?  What’s their status?

Spokesman: I think you should check with UNICEF.  They’re the ones who are on the lead on this.

Question: Okay.  Thank you.

Spokesman: Thank you very much.

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For information media • not an official record