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.

**Secretary-General in Geneva

The Secretary-General is in Geneva, where he addressed the Executive Committee dealing with the UN refugee agency, telling the Committee that never before in United Nations history have we had so many refugees, displaced people and asylum seekers.

He added that the world must do more to prevent forced displacement, address its root causes, and support solutions for those affected by it.  This requires greater resources and more political leadership.

The Secretary-General also welcomed UNHCR’s plans to launch a global campaign to end statelessness in the next decade and called on all States to support it.

He also spoke at a public forum of the World Trade Organization, saying that trade can — and should — benefit everyone.  That is why the international community needs to avoid protectionism.  He called for an open, fair, rules-based and development-oriented international trading regime in the spirit of the Doha Development Round.

**Ebola

Also in Geneva, the Secretary-General paid a visit to the World Health Organization and its Ebola Outbreak Response Operations team to express his appreciation for the work done since March in response to the outbreak in West Africa.

On the ground, Karin Landgren, the Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia, reiterated during a press conference for the eleventh anniversary of the Mission that the UN Mission will remain and support the country through the crisis, lending its resources to fight the Ebola outbreak.

She said that last week, a Liberian staff member passed away from probable Ebola.  She stressed it was a sad reminder of the ever-present risk, and that the Mission has actively taken steps since March to educate all personnel and help them protect themselves against the disease.

Meanwhile, Anthony Banbury, the Head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), is also in Liberia today to discuss with the Government and other partners the priorities for filling the gaps in the response.  He will hold a press conference there tomorrow and we will see if we can get you a sound or a video.

Mr. Banbury also said one priority for the Mission would be keeping its staff healthy and making sure no one else is at risk of catching Ebola.

**Africa

The Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, spoke at a meeting of the African Regional Economic Communities with the Member States today, and he applauded Africa’s remarkable progress and economic growth.  He noted that more African children go to school than ever before.  There are great advances on women’s empowerment and gender equality.  Participatory governance and institutions are also on the rise, he said.

The Deputy Secretary-General also commended the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States, otherwise known as ECOWAS, and the African Union in quickly mobilizing resources and awareness to reduce the impact of Ebola.  He said that the United Nations has mobilized to a degree rarely seen.  His remarks are online and we will have a press conference on this issue at 1 p.m., after the President of the General Assembly.

**Iraq

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has released new casualty figures.  In September, at least 1,119 Iraqis have been killed and another 1,946 people have been injured in acts of terrorism and violence.

However, we should note that the figures do not include casualties in Anbar Governorate, where UNAMI has not been able to verify the numbers and where ISIL and other groups have been active.  And the report is on UNAMI’s website.

**Joint Mission

The OPCW-UN Joint Mission on the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons has completed its mandate, and its operations drew to a close yesterday.  

Ahmet Üzümcü, Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said that the work of the Joint Mission has been vital to the success of international efforts to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons programme.  

From this point on, the OPCW will continue to deal with the destruction of chemical weapon production facilities and clarification of certain aspects of Syria’s initial declaration.  And we expect a statement of the Secretary-General on this very issue briefly.

Older Persons

Today is the International Day of Older Persons.

In a message marking the Day, the Secretary-General said that older persons are playing an increasingly significant role in society as they grow in number and as health care improves in some parts of the world.

They are expected to more than double in number — from 841 million in 2013 to more than 2 billion in 2050.

The Secretary-General noted that discrimination and social exclusion persist, adding that we must overcome this bias in order to ensure a social and economically active, secure and healthy aging population.

The Secretary-General’s full message is available in English and French on our website.

**Press Conferences

As you know, immediately following this briefing, you will hear from Sam Kutesa, the President of the General Assembly, who will be here to brief you on the activities of the General Assembly during the general debate.

And then, as I mentioned, at 1 p.m. there will be a press conference on this morning’s high-level briefing on the role of Africa’s Regional Economic Communities.

Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., Ambassador María Cristina Perceval of Argentina will be here to brief you on the Security Council’s programme of work for the month of October.  As you know, she will be the President for the month of October.

**Question and Answers

Spokesman:  And that is it from me.  What was it?  [looks at note handed to him.]  It's kind of like playing 20 questions with my children.  You have to be a little more detailed.  Sorry.  Yes, Pam? 

Question:  Stéphane, did that piece of paper relate to the statement of the Secretary-General that you were anticipating?

Spokesman:  No, no.  If it had I would have read it out to you.  I'm happy to answer.  Go ahead, Maggie, and then Matthew. 

Question:  Stéphane, I'm sorry, I'm still sort of hung over from UNGA (United Nations General Assembly).  You said the Liberia statement, you said that one staffer died from a probable case of Ebola? 

Spokesman:  Yes, a UN national… Liberian UN staff member.

Question:  Is that the first UN staff person to succumb?

Spokesman:  That I'm aware of, but I will double check.  [He later confirmed that it was likely the case, although no laboratory verification will be possible.]  Matthew? 

Question:  Sure.  I wanted to ask you about the Philippines and statements that are made up to the level of the President since… about the order to surrender and their situation in Golan Heights.  The President of the Philippines has said it's still unclear to him and as President of the country he could not countenance deploying any more soldiers into missions that are either unclear or mission impossible.  And I know the Secretary-General met with the Foreign Minister.  What is the current status of understanding between UN, UN peacekeeping and the Philippines, and what more has been found about the facts of how it came to be that trucks, guns and uniforms were given to al-Nusra?

Spokesman:  Well, I don't think anything was given to al-Nusra.  I think if you are talking about the Fijians, the release was secured.  We only were able to get the soldiers back.  Obviously, very unfortunately, their equipment and other material were not returned, so nothing was given to them.  You know, as far as the Filipino contingent, they worked under extremely difficult, complicated and challenging environment.  We are obviously very grateful for all the energy and the expertise and the selfless work that our peacekeepers and civilian personnel do all over the world and especially in a mission like UNDOF [United Nations Disengagement Observer Force].

You know, I don't know what else to tell you.  We've… as we've mentioned before, once the positions were vacated on 30 August, I think [positions] 68 and 69, we decided in cooperation with the Government of the Philippines to move up their repatriation since the positions that they had occupied could no longer be occupied.  And we facilitated that repatriation.  As I said, we are very grateful for their service and what Filipino peacekeepers have done for peacekeeping missions all over the world.

Question:  Just one follow-up.  The President of the Philippines said specifically that the Philippine contingent had asked for more weapons and that the request had been denied, and he said, quote, we are waiting for the investigation of the UN on that incident and it will be on that basis that we will decide how we will help the needs of the world community.  And what is the timeline for the investigation and is it true that providing additional weapons to them was denied?

Spokesman:  I don't have a timeline to share with you.  I think if you look back at the successive reports, the SG’s successive reports on UNDOF, you will see that UNDOF has had the capacity to ensure that we have the capacity necessary to fulfill the mandate securely and safely.  We over the past year have enhanced the self-defense capabilities of UNDOF, including increasing troop… excuse me, it's not a good day, including increasing the troop strength to about 1,250 and improving the self-defense equipment.  And that equipment is done within the parameters of the protocol to the Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria.  Yes, sir? 

Question:  On the same subject, however, all the reinforcements did not yield any substantial results and we are interested to know that al-Nusra is controlling the separation area and they are spreading into Mount Hermon, as I understand, into Shaba area.  Have you received any reports from UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] regarding that?  And what is the United Nation going to do in order to recover the equipment and the weapons which have been taken by al-Nusra Front?

Spokesman:  The operation, the area of operation of UNDOF, as you know, is in the midst of extremely tense and challenging times.  The mission is an observer mission.  It has a very specific mandate.  They are operating to the best of their capability, keeping in line their need to fulfil the mandate and also our need to protect the safety of our troops.  It is incumbent on anyone who is holding UN equipment, UN uniforms to return them and we would call on those groups that have them to return them.  International rules allow for peacekeepers to use force in self-defense; but, obviously, we are operating in a very challenging environment.

Question:  How do you categorize the Jordanian and Israeli cooperation and curbing such groups from entering the area and from having supplies, supply routes, also helping them with their medication, et cetera?

Spokesman:  I can't comment to the allegations you are specifically making, but I do know that those countries that surround the UNDOF area have a responsibility to the UN, and we've also appreciated the work and support those countries have given us.

Question:  It's not me, I'm making this.  Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous himself spoke from this desk here and he confirmed that they are getting support from the Israelis. 

Spokesman:  I'm not sure.  I'm not sure that…

Question:  At least on medication.  He… on record, he went on and he said yes, they are getting medical support.

Spokesman:  If Mr. Ladsous said it, then you have your answer.  Yes, ma'am?

Question:  Yes, Stéphane, to follow-up on this same topic, does the investigation on UNDOF include a review of the mandate of the mission?  Because the President of the Philippines also pointed out that the presence of rebels and non-State actors is complicating the mission and, as he said, it made it, quote, impossible?

Spokesman:  I think it's obviously complicating the mission.  The mission, the mandate was given at a very different time; but I would remind you that the mandate, A, is given by the Security Council, and the mandate is also an outcome of the disengagement protocol between Israel and Syria.  Mr. Abbadi? 

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Was there readout of the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Secretary-General?  I did not see it yesterday or this morning.

Spokesman:  Yes.  There was quite an extensive one, which was e-mailed out and tweeted out and available on paper in my office, so you are welcome to it.

Question:  Thank you. 

Spokesman:  Yes, sir?

Question:  On air strike in Syria, we interviewed Deputy Foreign Minister of Syria two days ago and he said the air strikes, without cooperation of Syrian Government, will not be effective.  Do you think that it's a reasonable proposal?  Do you think the United States and others and Syrian Government should be in cooperation?

Spokesman: You know, I think the Secretary-General has spoken out on that.  His position has not… and his position has not changed.  Yes, Oleg? 

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  There seems to be some renewed hostilities in Eastern Ukraine.  The reports say that there were at least nine people killed and 30 injured during shelling of Donetsk, seems like there were children killed, is the Secretary-General following this?

Spokesman:  Very much so.  I think we are very concerned about the reports of a flare-up of violence that we have seen over the last two days.  The shelling of the school is particularly alarming.  The targeting of schools is unacceptable in any… obviously, in any circumstances.  And the Secretary-General expects all concerned to strictly adhere to their commitments made in Minsk and the memorandum signed in Minsk on 19 September in order to ensure a sustainable ceasefire.  And I think we should all look for… all parties should redouble their efforts to find a diplomatic solution.  Mr. Lee?

Question:  Is that the piece of paper?

Spokesman:  No.  It wasn't the piece of paper.

Question:  I wanted to ask a follow-up on Syria and also about the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].  Just on Syria, yesterday was… it was reported the US has a standard that it uses for drone strikes, saying it will only do a strike if there is a near certainty that there will be no civilian casualties.  And they've confirmed now that this standard, this will not apply to air strikes in Syria.  And they said they are going to use a lower standard.  And I wanted to know, given what you said from this podium, the Secretary-General's expectation, that everything possible be done to avoid civilian casualties, if the US is saying that standard for them will not apply in this case, is that appropriate?

Spokesman:  I have not seen the statement you're referring to, but it's clear the Secretary-General's position is unchanged.  Anyone participating in a military operation needs to keep the protection of civilians at the forefront and needs to abide by International Humanitarian Law.

Question:  And just on the DRC, there is a report out that at least 100 people that have submitted to disarmament by the DRC Army were moved to a camp called Kotakoli and at least 100 of them have died of starvation and disease.  And it's a pretty damning report and seems to indicate, given that the UN was involved in trying to get some of the groups, including M-23, but others as well, to surrender and disarm, what is the UN's response?  They also say that Mr. [Martin] Kobler visited the camp but not shown the full extent of the camp.  And Human Rights Watch is a pretty credible group and they say 100 people are dead of starvation in an UN-supported disarmament program.  What is the UN's response?

Spokesman:  I think we've seen that Human Rights Watch report.  I think, to say the least, it's extremely disturbing.  The report is very disturbing.  You know Kotakoli is a military camp where ex-combatants have been placed.  And MONUSCO [United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] does not have a presence in these FARDC [Congolese Armed Forces] camps.  But, following the SRSG's [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] visit to Kotakoli Camp on 11 September, MONUSCO did reach out to the Government of the DRC to organize a joint assessment of living conditions in the three centers, three camps:  Kotakoli, Kamina and Katona, with a view to provide support for these camps.

Obviously, people need to be treated in humane and basic humanitarian conditions.  MONUSCO was also informed by the Government of the DRC that Kotakoli will be closed within a month and that ex-combatants will be transferred to Kamina and Katona Camp.  And the mission has and has offered to provide food rations to Kotakoli Camp on an emergency basis.

Question:  Will they have some presence in the two camps?

Spokesman:  I don't.  As soon as I find out, I will let you know.  Pam and then Evelyn and then Joe?

Question:  When you said on the Liberia staff death, was it the person from the staff member Liberian national?

Spokesman:  It's a Liberian national, working for the United Nation.

Question:  My question is just on the… there is a draft resolution to give a deadline on Palestine, on Israeli withdrawal of November 2016.  Does the Secretary-General have any position on that?

Spokesman:  We're not going to comment on the drafts that are floating around.

Question:  Is there any position on a deadline for withdrawal?

Spokesman:  I said if it's… we are not going to comment on it.  Evelyn? 

Question:  Yes.  Amid the chaos in Syria, Valerie Amos did say the Government had increased its barrel bombs.  They are not the only ones killing civilians, but that is a very disturbing sign.  Has the SG said anything or talked to Syria about it?

Spokesman:  Well, I think the report makes it very clear that civilians are suffering from violence from all sides, from rebel sides, from the Government side.  The people are paying the price of a lack of political settlement.  And we see it even just today, with a horrendous report that a school in Homs has been… was bombed with 30 children, have died.  I mean, it's an act of depravity which is unimaginable, that somebody would willfully target a school and kill 30 children.  And I think what this makes clear and what the violence that we have seen makes clear is that the efforts to reach a political solution need to be redoubled.  As if anybody needed a reminder, but I think today, when we see 30 children killed, it's fairly clear.  Mr. Klein? 

Question:  Yes.  Can you give us any update on the number of Palestinian civilians in Gaza still housed under schools and also the current figures in South Sudan on civilians still in the bases?

Spokesman:  In South Sudan, if I'm not mistaken, I said yesterday 97,000 people are still being housed in UN camps.  On Palestine, on Gaza, it's an extremely valid question; but I don't have those numbers with me and it would be good to get an update.  [He later said that there are currently 54,646 persons housed in 18 UNRWA buildings.]  Yes, and then we will go there.

Question:  Me?

Spokesman:  Yes, please.

Question:  I'm working with the media group based in Seoul, Korea.  According to South Korean media, one Congressman of the ruling party [inaudible] had proposed a meeting of Secretary Ban and South Korea President Park Geun-hye and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un to make a breakthrough on the Korean peninsula.  Do you have any response or any comments of the Secretary Ban on the suggestion?

Spokesman:  No.  I have not seen that report.  We will try to get you something.  Your turn.

Question:  Am I next? 

Spokesman:  You are next.

Question:  Just a quick question on Ebola.  Mr. Banbury is travelling to the three countries that are affected.  Are there any plans he would brief us here in New York or at any timeline?

Spokesman:  I think maybe when he gets back to Ghana we will try to organize a video briefing.  If he doesn't come back to New York, I think we will let him do his three-country tour and then we will ask him to be piped in here.  Nizar and then Matthew?

Question:  After the tragedy of the vaccinated children in northern Syria and the three Syrian Army-controlled areas, many children died as a result of vaccination, does the United Nations believe that there should be some more control on the material coming across the borders into Syria as humanitarian aid?  For example, it could happen that poisonous food have been smuggled, not just old vaccine. 

Spokesman:  No, I understand.  And I think you're mixing apples and oranges here.  What we saw with the tragedy that happened with the vaccine is… was a mistake made by one of the NGO partners, where people mixed the wrong liquids into the vaccine.  They took a muscle relaxant which is meant to be used as part of the anesthesia into the vaccine.  And it was a tragic and horrible mistake, but it had nothing to do with the quality of the aid that has been coming through the borders.  And I don't think we have seen any cases of, you know, food or medicine that has been old or tainted coming in through UN channels.  What happened with the vaccines was a real tragedy, but it was basic human error.

Question:  Another thing.  In his efforts of Mr. Ban Ki-moon to expedite any political settlement in Syria, how does he categorize the receiving Mr. [Hadi al] Bahra in his office?  The United Nation is a group of Member States, not of member rebel groups.  Is it normal, I mean?

Spokesman:  It is.  You are right.  The UN is an organization of Member States.  But the Secretary-General has responsibility under his good offices and he needs to meet with whomever he feels he should meet with to try to advance the political process.  The fact that he is Secretary-General of an organization of Member States does not preclude him from meeting with parties that are engaged in a political process.  It's very important for the Secretary-General to keep that freedom.

Question:  Even if they are war criminals, for example?

Spokesman:  That is your description of them.

Question:  I'm not talking about al-Bahra, you know.

Spokesman:  No, no.  The Secretary-General and his envoys need to meet with whoever they need to meet with in order to advance a political process, whether it be in Syria or wherever.

Question:  Why?  One thing.  Just one final thing…

Spokesman:  Nizar, I promise I will come back to you.  I may not give you the last word, but I will come back to you.  Sarah, please.  Or, Joe, did I ever get you, Joe?  You guys, go ahead.

Question:  Okay, and then Matthew I guess.  I just want to get an update on this establishment of the mechanism that the UN had presumably worked out with Israel and the PA [Palestinian Authority] for the importing of cement and other materials for civilian use.  Is that up and running or, and monitors that the UN is supposed to send in, where does that stand?

Spokesman:  I do not believe it is implemented.  We will ask our colleagues, there are still some issues to be worked out.  We will ask our colleagues at UNSCO [United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process] for an update.  [He later added that the mechanism has not been implemented yet.]  Sarah? 

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  When the World Health Organization had their press conference, they mentioned that some of the vehicles being diverted to UNMEER were vehicles that were going to be soon out of commission anyway and could be used just for transporting bodies.  So are those vehicles, are they going to be replaced by newer vehicles as the missions are being pulled from such as Darfur?

Spokesman:  I think, you know, each mission will have the number of vehicles it needs.  If they felt they could be taken, they would be taken.  It's a level of detail.  I can check, but not one I have at my fingertips.  Ann, you have been very patient? 

Question:  Yes.  During the statement delivered by Lithuanian President [Dalia] Grybauskaité in the GA, she spoke about the stopping or the withdrawal of the borders of sovereign States and creating one frozen conflict after another.  Is the UN doing anything specific regarding the frozen conflicts in Georgia, the Trans-Dniester region of Moldova and what some are now calling the frozen conflict in Ukraine?

Spokesman:  You know, the UN is always encouraging parties to find a diplomatic and peaceful solution to conflicts, whether they be frozen or thawed.  We currently do not have any good offices in some of the places you mentioned.  But, obviously, we are following the events in Ukraine very closely.  And, as I mentioned, we will have an update from the human rights monitors this Friday.  Mr. Lee? 

Question:  Frost-bitten conflicts.  I wanted to ask something generic and something specific, and the generic one, which may be your piece of paper.  Does the UN have any statement on the Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces agreement reached in Afghanistan yesterday?

Spokesman:  No specific mention.  It's a sovereign right, obviously, of the Afghan — it's a sovereign decision by the Afghan Government.

Question:  Doesn't it impact the UN's ability, I mean?

Spokesman:  I don't have anything.

Question:  The other one is very specific.  It's a press freedom question having to do with Honduras in which a reporter, Julio Alvarado, has been banned from being a journalist or from practicing journalism for 16 months for basically reporting on a court case.  And I just wanted to know the Latin… this continent doesn't come up that much here, but I wanted to know:  What does the UN think about it?  And is there any response from the Secretariat to basically a country banning a journalist from plying, in this case his, but could be hers, trade?

Spokesman:  I have not seen those reports.  I think as often as you mentioned these things, the Secretary-General's stance on press freedom has been clear and spoken about it often.  But we will see what we can get from either our UN office down there or from the Human Rights Office.

Question:  Just a quick question: You had announced that the OPCW was drawing to a close.  What remains to fully close it down and what timeline do you have?

Spokesman:  The OPCW, I think this was outlined in the Secretary-General’s letter to the Security Council, and the OPCW and UN is keeping a good offices mission with some staff in Cyprus and some staff in Damascus to just handle whatever is left that needs to be handled.  Yes, a mechanism to do… a residual mechanism, I think is the term I was looking for.

Question:  Stéphane, regarding the meeting between Mr. Ban Ki-moon and Mr. al-Bahra, we were invited to film that and in the last second as the door was opened we were stopped from entering the room.  What's the reason behind that?  Although it was clear this was open for international media. 

Spokesman:  Your colleague, Matthew, asked the question yesterday.  You can look at the transcript; but, for your benefit, I will answer again.  It is usual during the GA that meetings with delegations representing Member States are open to international media, that delegations not representing Member States that are a party to the Secretary-General's good offices are only covered by UN Photo, and a readout was also supplied.

Question:  And in the case of Samir Geagea and Mr. Ban Ki-moon in 2007, Mr. Geagea, who represents a group in Lebanon at that time, he was… we were allowed to film it. 

Spokesman:  You know, I barely remember what I did yesterday; but I'm happy to look back to what happened in 2007.  [He later noted that the 2007 meeting was in Lebanon and not during the General Assembly’s general debate.]  Mr. Lee? 

Question:  On that very topic, I just wanted, yesterday you said to know who attended with Mr. Hadi al-Bahra to ask their delegation.  And I wonder, it seems like if the UN is meeting with people, we ought to get a list.  But I want to ask you:  Who attended on the UN side?  Because, obviously, they are not going to… it seems like one of the benefits of having these photo ops is to know who attended.  Can you give the UN list and maybe give the coalition list?  Because there were a lot of questions about not Mr. al-Bahra, but who some of the associates are, so it's important just to know who they are. 

Spokesman:  On the UN side it was no doubt representatives of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Political Affairs, and whoever else; but I can see if I can get you what other representatives.

Question:  Okay. 

Spokesman:  I hear the President of the General Assembly behind, and I don't want to keep him waiting, and it has been a pleasure and I'll see you tomorrow.

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