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 to you and all of you who are watching comfortably on the webcast.
**Pakistan
Earlier this morning, as you will have seen, the Secretary-General made remarks condemning today’s attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan. And he made those remarks at the opening of the open meeting of the Security Council. The Secretary-General said that the hearts of the world go out to the parents and families who have lost loved ones in the horrific attack at a school in Peshawar this morning, which has taken the lives of more than 130 people, the vast majority children. He said that it is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenseless children where they learn.
The Secretary-General stressed that schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every child’s right. Going to school should not have to be an act of bravery. He extended his deepest condolences to the people, Government and particularly those touched by today’s tragedy. The United Nations will continue to support the efforts of the Pakistani authorities in their fight against terrorism and extremism. The Secretary-General urged the Government of Pakistan to make every effort to bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice.
And in addition to the Secretary-General’s remarks, there were statements earlier today by Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund], who said that the attack in Peshawar today must summon us, all the more, to support the parents of Pakistan who wish their children the best possible education — and all those who are working to provide it. There was also a statement from Irina Bokova, the Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as Gordon Brown, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. And those statements are all available online.
**Security Council
The Secretary-General then delivered his prepared remarks at the open debate in the Security Council on the relationship between the United Nations and the African Union (AU). He said that over the years, cooperation between the UN and its regional and subregional partners has intensified. He said that the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council are working together more than ever and there is increased support for African-led peace operations and their transition into UN peace operations, as we have seen in Mali and the Central African Republic. And his full remarks are available online. And that meeting was presided over by the Foreign Minister of Chad.
**Lebanon
The Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, met today in Bkirki, Lebanon, with Bechara Boutros el-Rai, the Maronite Patriarch for Antioch and the East. He said afterwards that he and the Patriarch exchanged views on the refugee situation and the strains that Lebanese society feels. They also discussed the refugee situation throughout the Middle East, including the situation faced by Christians in Syria and Iraq. Mr. Eliasson said that in his meetings with the Prime Minister and other Lebanese leaders, the United Nations stands at Lebanon’s side in dealing with the refugee crisis and ensuring that people of many faiths and backgrounds can live peacefully together.
The Deputy Secretary-General said that he and the Patriarch shared their concerns about the vacancy in the Lebanese Presidency. Mr. Eliasson expressed his hope that it will be possible to find a formula to determine a Head of State that represents Lebanon. And his remarks are available in my office and online.
**Ebola
On Ebola, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) today announced that for the first time in Sierra Leone, hazard payments to Ebola Response Workers will be made using mobile money. Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director for UNDP in the country, stressed that one of the most difficult things about tackling the Ebola crisis had been getting trained people to come and run centres. In that context, the transition from direct cash to an electronic solution will help to improve overall efficiency, timeliness and security [of payments] for Ebola response workers.
The current cycle of hazard payments are being made from 15 to 19 December, and approximately 16,000 workers are being paid by the Sierra Leonean National Ebola Response Centre, and 13,000 are targeted to receive their pay through mobile money. And more information is available from UNDP’s own website.
**Hunger
Today, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of the Russian Federation signed an important strategic partnership agreement that will spearhead joint efforts to end global hunger and malnutrition. One of the highlights of WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin’s first visit to Russia was the ceremonial handover, on Red Square, of 15 KAMAZ trucks. Those trucks are especially suitable for reaching remote areas in countries like Afghanistan and the Central African Republic, where access to food has been cut off by conflict or disaster. Russia has donated a total of 218 trucks to WFP and is also among WFP’s top-20 donors, contributing more than $60 million this year alone. And we have more details on WFP’s website.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
The UN [Organization Stabilization] Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) took note with satisfaction of the sentencing today of Lieutenant-Colonel Bedi Engangel, who is otherwise known as “Colonel 106”, by a military court in South Kivu for crimes against humanity committed between 2005-2007, and those crimes include rape. The Head ad interim of the Human Rights Office in the [Democratic Republic of the Congo], Abdoul Aziz Thioye, said it was a strong message to perpetrators of serious human rights violations that their crimes will not be unpunished. More is available on the website.
**Press Conference
And as you would recall, tomorrow at noon, what will happen here? The Secretary-General will give a press conference. He will be here from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. And that’s it. I’ll take some of your questions.
Masood? Your microphone, please, so I can hear your question.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Okay, sir. Has the Secretary‑General spoke to anybody in Pakistan, the Prime Minister or…?
Spokesman: No, not since…
Question: Since the attack? No?
Spokesman: Not at this time.
Question: My other question is about this open season on journalists. What has happened in Turkey, 20 of them arrested — same thing is happening about Egypt — and on and on. So, has the Secretary‑General spoken to anybody in Turkey about this as yet?
Spokesman: On Egypt, this is an issue the Secretary‑General and others have raised repeatedly. On Turkey, the Secretary‑General is obviously aware of what's going on. The matter is currently before the courts. But, we trust that the Turkish authorities will ensure full respect for due process and as a matter of principle, as we've said here repeatedly, the Secretary‑General continues to emphasize the need for all countries to safeguard free and independent press or other media to ensure pluralism and to promote transparency and accountability. Matthew, then Nizar and then Matthew and then Olga.
Question: I want to ask about DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and Haiti. In the DRC, there's a report out by Human Rights Watch which has a quote that I want to ask you about, says that… I mean, it talks about the number of people killed in Beni and obviously calls on the Congolese Army and the UN to do better to protect. But it says: "UN officials have said the army has resisted its attempts to coordinate to protect civilians and has blocked troops from carrying out patrols in certain areas." It's referring to the DRC, not Darfur. Is that true? Who said this and where? And if so, why haven't we heard it in this room?
Spokesman: I haven’t seen the Human Rights Watch report. I don't know if the quote is attributed to anyone, but we can look into it.
Question: Yeah, I guess just to get details, have they been blocked or not. And also what's the reaction of [the Department of Peacekeeping Operations] or the Secretariat of the request by Joseph Kabila to begin to pack up and…
Spokesman: Obviously, I think that one always needs to plan ahead, to see the needs of the Mission, obviously to find out where the Security Council would like to do. But any draw‑down, any change in the presence would obviously have to be done… would have to be well planned and not done in any hasty manner.
Question: But, do you see as a trend, with the President of Sudan first and now the President of DRC saying in the course of a week that the big missions should begin to leave? What's behind it? What’s your reaction?
Spokesman: No, I don't think… I wouldn't see it as a trend. They're obviously two very different countries. Each mission has its particular challenges. And I think the issue with officials in Sudan calling for the mission to go wasn't… isn't just from this week. I think it's been going on for some time, as we've talked about, and there's a strategic review under way and as far as a part of the mandated… the Security Council has mandated us to do also, to look at the draw‑down, and that will be presented to the Security Council in the New Year.
Question: With the UN system, whether [the Department of Political Affairs] or[the Department of Peacekeeping Operations], want to play any kind of role in monitoring or advising on the DRC elections that are coming up and do you see the request to leave as somehow related to that?
Spokesman: I'm not going to interpret the request to leave, as to what it may be related to. Obviously, assistance, any assistance, is always done at the request of the country. Nizar?
Question: Stéphane, my question is regarding the financial crisis in Russia and its potential ramifications on neighbouring regional and banking system in Europe. How does the United Nations see that? Does it… I mean, this could result in instability in a very large, vast region. Does United Nations have any role, I mean, to preempt any potential crisis in that respect?
Spokesman: No, I think the Secretariat would not be involved in any economic… anything to that, in that regard, but it's obviously a situation that we're watching. Mr. Carpenter and then Evelyn.
Question: Hi, Stéphane. You said that the Secretary‑General has not talked to leaders in Pakistan, but does he plan on doing so? And also, does the UN plan on sending a representative to the location?
Spokesman: No, I'm not aware of any plans for the UN to send anyone to Peshawar. Obviously, if there's a humanitarian need, we'll be working with the country, with the Pakistani authorities to see where we can help. But, this is, at this point, a military/police operation which is, from what I understand, winding down, and if there's an update on the phone calls, I will let you know. Evelyn?
Question: Yes. Kenya has decided to disenfranchise about 500 NGOs [non-governmental organizations] on the grounds that there's some terrorists amongst them. Has that reached the Secretariat or any comment on that? Russia's doing the same, so it's a new trend.
Spokesman: As a matter of principle, I think civil society, NGOs have a critical role to play in healthy debate in any country. And civil society is increasingly a major partner to the United Nations in the implementation of our development agenda, to give you one example. So, it's important that NGOs be able to work free from harassment. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I wanted to… I know that yesterday, you'd said when you get something from MINUSTAH [United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti], you will announce it here, but given the clarity of the video, many people are starting… I mean, you'd said maybe the peacekeeper felt threatened. So, I wanted to know, is there any indication that… that… that other than the… the rock‑throwing youths, that there were actually people that would put a peacekeeper in threat? What are the terms of engagement for using a pistol?
Spokesman: As… I think what I said yesterday still stands. When I get something, I will share it with you.
Question: Has the peacekeeper himself been interviewed?
Spokesman: As I said, when I have something, I'll share it with you, but you're free to contact the Mission, as well. Thank you all. And we'll see you tomorrow.