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.
**Security Council
The Secretary-General spoke at the Security Council’s open meeting this morning on the threat to international peace and security posed by terrorism and violent extremism. He told Council members that the threat of foreign terrorist fighters and the scourge of violent extremism are not just security challenges, but they can affect the stability and the social fabric of communities, countries and regions.
He called on the international community to think more deeply into the fundamental conditions that allow extremism to thrive. Looking at these challenges solely through a military lens has shown its limits, he said. And he added that a rights-centred approach to counter-terrorism must be upfront in all planning and not merely as an afterthought.
The Security Council issued a Presidential Statement at the meeting, in which it emphasised that the threat of terrorism is expanding and intensifying, affecting a greater number of Member States across most regions. The Security Council further expressed its concern that, according to reports, more than 15,000 foreign terrorist fighters from over 80 countries have travelled to join or fight for terrorist entities associated with Al-Qaida.
**Middle East
You will have seen that the Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack yesterday on a synagogue in Israel, which claimed five lives and injured several people. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
A statement we issued yesterday afternoon said that clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli security forces continue on a near daily basis in many parts of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence against civilians. Attacks against religious sites in Jerusalem and the West Bank point to an additional dangerous dimension to the conflict which reverberates far beyond the region.
The steadily worsening situation on the ground only reinforces the imperative for leaders on both sides to make the difficult decisions that will promote stability and ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The full statement is online.
**Ebola
On our Ebola update: the Head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Anthony Banbury, is in Mali today to discuss the country's efforts against Ebola and see how the UN Mission can support those efforts. He is meeting with international and national partners involved in the response, including the President of Mali.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that nearly 1.5 million people have received food assistance since April in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The World Food Programme is using innovative methods, including cell phone surveys, to assess how the Ebola outbreak is disrupting farming and markets, and eroding people’s purchasing power.
**Libya
From Libya, the UN Support Mission in that country (UNSMIL) has announced that the different parties to the conflict in Benghazi have agreed to an unconditional humanitarian truce in the affected areas. The truce, which was facilitated by the UN Mission, commenced at 7 a.m. local time today and will last for 12 hours. As agreed with all parties, the Libyan Red Crescent will evacuate civilians from affected areas, remove dead bodies and facilitate the removal of sewage. Civilians can also attend to the injured as well as restock food and other necessary supplies. The UN Mission has urged all parties to fully abide by their commitments during the truce.
**Somalia
And regarding Somalia, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, along with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nicholas Kay, addressed the High-level Partnership Forum for Somalia, which opened in Copenhagen, Denmark, today.
Mr. Feltman called on the international community to continue supporting Somalia in stabilization and building sustainable security, under the leadership of the federal government. He added that this must include a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism. Talking about Somalia’s political instability, Mr. Feltman warned that the country cannot afford to repeat the pattern of division and paralysis that has led to 10 Prime Ministers in a dozen years. He urged the President and all Somali leaders to ensure that the current crisis is resolved rapidly and in a way that ensures political stability through 2016. And more information on the Copenhagen Forum is available online and Mr. Feltman’s remarks are on the counter in my office.
**Burkina Faso
On Burkina Faso, the Secretary-General underscores the importance for the transitional leaders and institutions to uphold the aspirations of the people of Burkina Faso and ensure a smooth transitional period leading to the holding of elections in November 2015. The United Nations will continue to work closely with the African Union as well as the Economic Community of West African States and other international stakeholders to support the people of Burkina Faso in achieving those objectives.
**Central African Republic
On the Central African Republic, our humanitarian colleagues report that aid agencies are warning that approximately 1 million people in the country may need assistance by the next lean season — that’s considered from May to September next year — as household food and income sources remain significantly disrupted due to the conflict.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that even though current harvests are easing the assistance needs right now, there are high levels of food consumption gaps particularly among displaced people. And there are also very high levels of acute malnutrition and mortality in camps in Cameroon hosting refugees from the CAR [Central African Republic]. OCHA says assistance is urgently needed to help households meet minimal food requirements and treat acute malnutrition.
**Nutrition
And speaking of malnutrition, ministers and top officials from over 170 countries endorsed today the political Declaration and Framework for Action to tackle hunger and obesity at the Second International Conference on Nutrition that just opened in Rome.
The Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, said that the Rome Declaration and Framework for Action were the starting point of renewed efforts to improve nutrition for all.
Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stressed that the world's food system — with its reliance on industrialized production and globalized markets — produces ample supplies but creates public health problems, with millions vulnerable to death or disease caused by nutrient deficiencies, while widespread obesity pushes life expectancy figures backwards and the costs of health care to astronomical heights.
In a video message, the Secretary-General said this Conference marked a new stage in our quest to banish global hunger and malnutrition for good, and pledged the UN system’s effective support to achieve that goal. More on this is available online.
**Climate Change
And in a separate video message to the First Pledging Conference of the Green Climate Fund, which began today in Bonn, Germany, the Secretary-General said that all countries have played a part in the Fund, from the smallest and poorest, and the biggest and wealthiest. He called the Fund a victory for people, the planet and multilateral cooperation. He added that we must build on September’s successful Climate Summit, adding that this momentum has been further boosted by recent moves by the European Union, China and the United States. He noted that the Pledging Conference for the Green Climate Fund is another milestone in our common efforts to address climate change. And his full message is available on our website.
**Press Conferences
And today is World Toilet Day, and I will be joined very shortly by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, along with Ambassador Karen Tan of Singapore and Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization and Chair of UN-Water, who will brief you on that topic. Immediately following that briefing, at 1:15 p.m., Jean Victor Nkolo, Spokesperson of the President of the GA [General Assembly] will be here to brief on the Annual Parliamentary Hearing co-organized by the President of the General Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
And tomorrow our guest is José Ramos‑Horta, who, among other titles, is the Chair of the Secretary General’s High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. At 1 p.m., there will be a press briefing here by Stefan Löfven, the Prime Minister of Sweden. And he will brief you on the High‑level Meeting on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is spearheaded by Sweden. And then at 2 p.m., there will be a briefing by Stefan Feller, the UN Police Adviser. And he will brief you on UN Police Week, because it is UN Police Week. That’s it. Marcelle?
Questions and Answers
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. I have a couple questions about Libya. The 12‑hour humanitarian ceasefire expired a few minutes ago. Do you know going to be extended? And do you have any information about what was accomplished in those 12 hours? Were they able to evacuate civilians or remove some of the bodies?
Spokesman: Unfortunately, I do not have an update. We very much hope people were able to restock on food and tend to the wounded, but as you said, it just ended. So our colleagues on the ground will be able to harvest information. We'll give you an update.
Question: And what about the prospects for an extension?
Spokesman: Well, we hope… obviously, we always hope these things are a first step, but I think we have to see what happened in this first 12 hours.
Question: Okay. Just another question. The General National Congress in Tripoli has said that they don't recognize Ambassador [Ibrahim] Dabbashi as the representative of the Libyan Government, and they've said that they're sending another ambassador to the UN. Does the UN still recognize Ambassador Dabbashi as the Permanent Representative? And what's procedure if they want another person?
Spokesman: I have no information there's been any challenge to his credentials. Obviously, we continue to work with him. There's a procedure that is led by Member States through the Credentials Committee if there is a challenge to those credentials so that is not a process — that challenge does not involve the Secretary‑General directly. That is up to Member States and to the General Assembly.
Question: And just the last question, on the… a few weeks ago, the Supreme Court decided that the Parliament in Tobruk is no longer valid. You said at the time that they were studying that decision, and we haven't heard anything since then. Can you update us on the UN's position?
Spokesman: I have not heard of any change in the UN's position. As you know, the Secretary‑General was recently in Libya and met with representatives of that Parliament. Mr. Abbadi, Linda and then Matthew.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. As you said, the Secretary‑General this morning before the Council declared that despite strength and efforts to combat the threat, the number of foreign terrorist fighters in the Syria and Iraq conflicts have grown to over 15,000 for more than…
Spokesman: Eighty countries.
Question: Eighty countries. Thank you. This despite the number of resolutions and declarations and statements of Security Council — isn't this the time for the Security Council to review its approach to this problem? And since there is a resolution declaring that terrorists and terrorist extremists pose a threat to international peace and security, isn't this time for the Council to declare war on terrorists if they are serious towards confronting that problem?
Spokesman: Well, I think, you know, I would hate to speak for the Council, but I would say that obviously this is a topic that's been very much on their agenda, as we see today. The issue of foreign fighters is one that almost… countries from every part of the world have had to deal with, from countries in North Africa to Europe to the United States, Canada, all around the world. It's something that all countries of the international community have to try to tackle together, and it involves obviously controls at the border. But I think it is something that the Council itself is well seized of. Linda and then Matthew and then Evelyn.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. This is just a follow‑up to the previous question. You said that the SG [Secretary-General] said there was approximately 15,000 foreign fighters associated with Al‑Qaida‑related groups. That number seems to be lower than what's been projected over the past few weeks and that it's been said, I gather, that more than 15,000 to 20 or 25,000 foreign fighters are just associated with ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant/Sham]. So I was wondering if you could clarify that. And the second question is: is there a breakdown in terms of which countries are really providing the most foreign fighters? And following up on that, what is the UN doing perhaps to work with countries that are providing, you know, the greatest number of foreign fighters in terms of helping them prevent…
Spokesman: Sure. I would refer you back to the Secretary‑General's speech, where he talks extensively about the work of the Counter‑Terrorism Committee and the Counter‑Terrorism Centre, which works exactly in that way, to try… and I would also… I don't think I would use the word “provide”. I think a lot of these young people are going to fight despite what their Governments or their home country would like them to do. So I don't think it's a matter of providing them. That's just where they come from. But the UN, through its various counter‑terrorism centres, the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, the Security Council Counter‑Terrorism Committee, is helping countries strengthen institutions, which deal with these issues and try to stem the number of foreign fighters. I will try to get you some clarity on the sourcing of the numbers in any breakdown that I can. Mr. Lee and then Evelyn?
Question: Thanks. I want to ask about Darfur and Security Council affairs. Some other ones, but I want to make sure I ask these two. On Darfur, there's new news reportedly Radio Dabanga quoting a spokesman, Mohammed Minawi, that the Sudanese Air Force is bombing in Um Baru and Karnoi; on Tuesday that they bombed a school, that they bombed residences and that the goal was to drive people back into the camps. So given that UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur] is there and has a mandate to protect civilians, have they seen this report? Have they gone to check it out? And why, what are they doing?
Spokesman: I don't have anything on that particular report.
Question: On the rape inquiry, have they taken any steps in the last 24 hours?
Spokesman: They have continued… they still have not received clearance from the Government. As soon as we get clearance either to travel by road or by air, we will do that.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to ask you there's a controversy arisen in the Security Council where Chad's programme for work of December was given to the Australia, the current President and circulated to all the members along with some commentary about Chad knowing or not knowing about Christmas. But the controversy in the Council is who gave Chad's programme of work to Australia? Chad's said they didn't do it. The assumption is sort of that Security Council Affairs did it. And what are the rules and does Security Council Affairs provide similar services to all members or only to some members?
Spokesman: I haven't seen the report. Obviously, Security Council Affairs is there to provide Secretariat support to all members of the Security Council.
Question: Equally?
Spokesman: Yes. Evelyn? Please use your microphone if you're going to ask a question.
Question: Sorry. Linda did the same question. I just wondered when you analyse it further if this includes just ISIS, does it include Boko Haram? Does it include…
Spokesman: We'll try to get you… obviously, you know, I think any number talking about foreign fighters has to be somewhat of an approximation, given the situation in trying… the difficulty in trying to get those numbers. Yes, go ahead.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I have a UN‑related question. It is my understanding that in order to be a P‑2 at the UN, you have to be under 33 years of age, and this is decided by the Member States. Don't you think that's sort of ageist, considering many of the delegates are over the age of 62 years when they retire or do not retire at age 62?
Spokesman: I'm not sure I understand the question. And I'm…
Question: The question is, they have to be under 33 with the understanding that you give 30 years of service to the UN and retire at 62. Yet Secretary‑General himself is 70.
Spokesman: Okay. You know, I think the rules concerning all these things are set by the General Assembly. They're decisions made by Member States. I…
Question: But it's sort of discriminatory and ageist to say if someone's 33 or 34…
Spokesman: I really don't know what to say to your… I don't know the answer, and I don't think I have a comment. Mr. Iftikhar and then Evelyn?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Does the Secretary‑General support a proposal made by a panel of the Security Council that oil from Islamic State-occupied territories to and from should be intercepted by Governments?
Spokesman: Well, obviously, I think those Governments who have the ability should do what they can to halt the trafficking of oil from areas controlled by extremist groups. I think yesterday we were talking about the trade in artefacts. Whether you're trading in stolen artefacts, whether you're trading in stolen oil, those are always for terrorist enterprises, criminal enterprises to increase their financing, and I think every Member State has a duty to try to put a stop to it. Pam?
Question: Stéphane, at the Third Committee yesterday on the North Korea vote for the draft resolution, there were… the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] representative implied the possibility of some kind of nuclear action if the ICC [International Criminal Court] provisions, clauses didn’t get taken out under the amendment and they were not. Did the Secretary‑General… does the Secretary‑General, both in his official capacity or in national capacity as South Korean, have any comment on it?
Spokesman: Well, Secretary‑General has no national capacity. [laughter] He only has his capacity as Secretary‑General. Obviously, we were watching the vote. It's still making its way to a General Assembly… to a General Assembly vote. We're not going to comment on it, and I think the Secretary‑General's position on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula remain the same.
Question: Just a quick follow‑up. Does he believe that this is… this may set back those talks?
Spokesman: We're not going to comment on it. As I said, this resolution is making its way through the system. Mr. Abbadi and Mr. Lee?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I would like to go back to the question I ask about testimony. As you know, the Secretary‑General in the statement this morning on, before the Council, said resolution 2178 also recognized that violent extremism pose a broader threat to international peace and security. If the Council is serious about fighting and dealing with terrorism and extremists, why haven't they invoked Chapter VII to declare war on terrorism?
Spokesman: I think you would have to ask that of the Presidency of the Security Council. Mr. Lee? Then we'll go to our guests, because I hear a lot of the noise back there.
Question: I hear it as well. Central African Republic and South Sudan. In the Central African Republic, the ex-Seleka rebels remain in Bangui, and they threw up roadblocks. I'd like to know if you had an update, particularly since the International Organization of Migration says that now food to the ex‑rebels is going to be suspended until it's revolved, which seems like starving them out. Is it the goal of the international community to starve out armed rebels in the capital?
Spokesman: No, it's never the goal of the UN or the international community to starve out anyone. Just as I was walking in, we received the transcript of the weekly press conference in Bangui. We can share that with and you see if there's anything in there.
Question: And just on South Sudan, I wondered if… there are reports that there was another bit of fighting in the protection of civilians camp in Malakal and including a report by Radio Tamazuj that UN peacekeepers were injured, so I'm wondering can UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan]…
Spokesman: They didn't provide anything for us today. They're usually pretty good about giving us any information. So we'll check on that.
[On Monday, the Spokesperson had reported the following: The UN Mission in South Sudan reports that the situation at the Malakal protection of civilians site was tense over the weekend after a series of clashes between Nuer and Shilluk internally displaced persons (IDPs) that resulted in injuries to civilians. Three UNMISS peacekeepers were also injured when they intervened to contain the situation. The Mission continues to protect more than 17,000 people in Malakal, with some 102,000 IDPs seeking shelter in UNMISS sites across the country.]
Question: Okay.
Spokesman: Alright. We'll go get the DSG [Deputy Secretary-General] and the rest of our guests. Stand by.