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. Happy Friday.
**Gaza
Starting off with a statement on behalf of both the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, in support of Gaza.
The Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the League of Arab States express their deep concern over the situation in Gaza. They urgently appeal to donors to honour and disburse as soon as possible their financial commitments made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference. This support should also include funding for UN agencies that are carrying out vital operations in Gaza, in order to prevent a further deterioration in the already dire humanitarian situation.
The pace of reconstruction in Gaza remains slow. It is crucial now to expand the scope of reconstruction efforts thus far to bring hope to the people of Gaza and ensure stability, based on international responsibility in reconstruction and lifting the siege.
Both Secretaries-General note the progress made so far under the temporary Gaza reconstruction mechanism, which has to date enabled access to construction material for some 55,000 Gazan homeowners in support of shelter repairs. The operations of the mechanism are ready to be scaled up to facilitate the swift implementation of major large-scale projects.
**Female Genital Mutilation
Today is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. In his message, the Secretary-General calls on health workers around the world to eliminate the deeply harmful practice that affects at least 130 million girls and women in 29 countries.
The Secretary-General says that breaking the silence and disproving the myths around female genital mutilation are the first steps along the way to eliminating it altogether. He urges an end to the practice and create the future we want, where every girl can grow up free of violence and discrimination, with full dignity, human rights and equality.
UN agencies like UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) also issued messages, calling on all health workers to stop the medicalization of female genital mutilation and mobilize against this dangerous and deeply harmful practice.
**South Sudan
From South Sudan, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, and actor Forest Whitaker, who is, as you know, a Special Envoy for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), arrived in Juba this morning on a three-day visit to assess the humanitarian situation in South Sudan and the need for timely funding for the aid operation there.
They met with President Salva Kiir to discuss the humanitarian crisis, and are scheduled to meet with the Humanitarian Country Team later today. In the coming days, they are expected to visit displaced communities in the UN base in Juba and travel to Jonglei State to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground. Ms. Amos emphasized the need for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
Also from South Sudan, our colleagues at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warn today that a staggering 2.5 million people — about one fifth of the population — remain in either Crisis or Emergency level food insecurity as fighting continues. An additional 3.9 million people are in a state of stress regarding their food security, and the food crisis is expected to deepen between April and July, when the lean season reaches its peak. FAO is urgently seeking an additional $32 million to maintain and expand its current operations in South Sudan, as well as to procure supplies for the coming year.
**Security Council
Back here, the Security Council was briefed, as you know, by Farid Zarif, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo. That was done by videolink from Kosovo in an open meeting. He said that today’s meeting took place at a key juncture of Kosovo’s history. Last December, after a prolonged political impasse, a new Kosovo government was formed, and it has committed itself to strengthening the rule of law and continued dialogue with Belgrade.
Following that meeting, the Security Council will also meet on the situation in Mali, followed by consultations on Sudan sanctions and other matters. This afternoon, the Council is scheduled to hold consultations on Syria and other matters.
**Ukraine
From Ukraine, our colleagues at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said today that fighting in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region is forcing more people from their homes, pushing the number of people who have been registered as internally displaced close to 1 million.
In addition, since last February, some 600,000 Ukrainians have sought asylum or other forms of legal stay in neighbouring countries, in particular Russia, but also including Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Hungary and Romania. The agency’s teams have reported that heavy fighting in Donetsk over the last two weeks has resulted in massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and in the collapse of basic services.
Many people are still trapped by the fighting, including in basements and buildings under constant bombardment. Nearly 3,000 civilians have been evacuated from the towns of Avdiivka, Svitlodar and Debaltseve, which have seen fierce combat. Several incidents of shelling of buses carrying the evacuees have been reported.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
A couple of human rights notes from our colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. They expressed their concern about at least 300 people who remain in detention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after mass arrests during the recent protests in Kinshasa and in Lubumbashi.
**Burundi
On Burundi, they also said today that they remain very concerned about the continuing detention of Burundian journalist Bob Rugurika, the Director of the independent Radio publique africaine, otherwise known as RPA.
**Ebola
On Ebola, a quick note from UNICEF. They said today that some 16,600 children are registered as having lost one or both parents or their primary caregivers to Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. However, fewer than 3 per cent have had to be placed outside family or community care. UNICEF has been helping to identify children without parents or caregivers to provide them immediate care and protection.
**World Food Programme
In a statement issued today by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Ertharin Cousin, she paid tribute to Japanese journalist Kenji Goto for the support he had been providing to the World Food Programme in the last years of his life.
Ms. Cousin says that Kenji Goto was an ally in the fight against hunger, covering Syria operations extensively and traveling to refugee camps in Jordan with WFP staff on a regular basis. She added that we are all indebted to Kenji for his genuine interest and support and for telling the people of Japan the story of WFP’s work and the people it serves. Her statement is online.
**Serbia
I was just handed in a readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and Chair-in-Office of the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe].
They discussed the imminent resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina talks, which the Secretary-General welcomed. They also discussed the conflict in Ukraine in depth, with both agreeing on the urgent need for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians as a foremost concern, and a durable political solution to end the conflict.
The Secretary-General noted that both himself and the Deputy Secretary-General — who is currently in Munich for the Security Conference — are continuing to engage with key stakeholders in support of a quick end to violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Secretary-General also thanked Mr. Dačić for continued efforts of the OSCE toward this end.
**Appointment
A couple of other notes. Senior appointment today. The Secretary-General is announcing today the appointment of David Gressly of the United States as his Deputy Special Representative for Operations and the Rule of Law in the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known by its French acronym as MONUSCO. Mr. Gressly succeeds Abdallah Wafy of Niger, who had served in that post since 2013, and as Police Commissioner and Head of the Mission’s police component before that from 2010 to 2013. The Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Wafy’s dedicated service during those past five years.
**Honour Roll
Sadly, no Member State can be credited today for paying its dues in full and on time, but we hope that they are just taking Friday off and on Monday we can resume listing their names.
**Press Conferences
In just a few minutes, we will have Jean-Victor [Nkolo], who will brief you on behalf of the President of the General Assembly.
On Monday, Ivan Šimonović will be here as our guest to brief you on his recent trip to South Sudan.
Nizar?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Yeah. On Yemen, of course, a short while ago, there were announcements of the presidential developments, then unconstitutional ones, that changes in Yemen. Have you had time to look into that, and do you have any view about it?
Spokesman: No, I think this power vacuum is of great concern to us. The Secretary‑General and all those who are concerned with Yemen here are following the situation very closely. We’re trying to get an update from Mr. [Jamal] Benomar for you as soon as we can. So, obviously, these developments are ongoing. But, we’ll try to get you an update as much as we can.
Question: Is Mr. Benomar holding any talks in Riyadh regarding that?
Spokesman: No, as I said, we’re trying to get you his discussions. We understand he’s on his way back to Sana’a right now. Please, I’ll come back to you. Señora? And then we’ll go to Matthew.
Question: Hi, Stéphane. Is the Secretary‑General have any comments on the death… death of the American worker, humanitarian worker in… by the air strike in… by Jordan?
Spokesman: I have not seen anything on that. Obviously, if that were the case, we would extend our condolences to her and her family. But, we will look into it. Matthew?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I wanted to ask on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the… a senior… a self‑described senior UN official had said they have laid down an ultimatum as to two generals that are leading the Congolese stated fight against the FDLR [Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda]. And today Lambert Mende, spokesman of the Government, has said that they reject these ultimatums and so I wanted to know, the way it’s described is that the UN… I’ve been asking you here, but, obviously, something was said elsewhere in the building to some that the ultimatum is until 13 February or they would forfeit MONUSCO’s support to the operation. So I wanted… I don’t think it’s an operational detail. I want to know: Has the UN been providing support to units of the FARDC [Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo] engaged with the FDLR? Which units are those? And would it, in fact… will it now, given this statement, be suspended?
Spokesman: A couple of things. First of all, my understanding from here is that the FARDC operations have not commenced in terms of the military operations. The discussions regarding the human rights issues that we’ve raised about the two generals are ongoing and they’re ongoing in Kinshasa.
Question: Right. But can you react… the spokesman for the Government has said we will only replace them if there is…
Spokesman: Well, I did hear your question. My reaction is that the discussions are ongoing in Kinshasa.
Question: One last thing because I’ve seen there have been various statements about the actions have already started. “We welcome the action.” “We are fleeing the action.” Do you know…? [overlapping talking]
Spokesman: I’m just saying, my understanding is the military actual fighting has not, as far as we know, has not commenced. The operation is under way. But obviously, we understand that the actual… there’s been no actual fighting reported as of yet.
Question: Why can’t we get DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] on the record to speak about this matter?
Spokesman: Well, I think as I said this is a… this operation is being led from… our support for the operation is being led from the field, and I think the questions will be answered there.
Question: Was a senior official here in the building or…?
Spokesman: You know what? The one thing we do have a lot of here are senior UN officials. Thank you. Yes, sir?
Question: On the record, the President’s microphone is totally broken. But anyhow, Stéphane, I wanted to ask you, there is an official letter sent by group of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling themselves the… calling themselves citizens consuls from Sarajevo to Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon. In that letter, they are advising Secretary‑General about the difficult situation in Bosnia, especially in regard to the recent crackdown of the media and media freedoms and other freedoms. Does the Secretary‑General have anything to say about this?
Spokesman: I have not seen… I have not seen that letter, so we will look into it. Obviously, I think the Secretary‑General’s oft‑stated support for freedom of the press and expression remains the same. Sherwin?
Question: Are you able to flesh out in more detail what’s been received in terms of the 5.4 billion pledged in Cairo in relation to the…?
Spokesman: No, the actual accounting of the money is being handled by the World Bank, the Palestinian Authority and Norway. So, they will have the actual breakdown. What we do know is that not enough of the pledges have been converted to hard cash. We’ve also seen the situation in Gaza deteriorate over the last few weeks in terms of humanitarian issues. We’ve seen the demonstrations in front of the UN, both in front of UNSCO [United Nations Special Coordinator’s Office] and UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] which are, you know, a sign of the growing frustration at the lack of quickness of the reconstruction mechanism.
Question: Do you not have a percentage of what’s been…?
Spokesman: I don’t have one off the top of my head. Again these things will be handled by the World Bank, but we’ll try to get you one. Abdel Hamid and then we’ll move to the eastern front.
Question: I have a few questions about Robert Serry. Where is he? Is he leaving the United Nations altogether…?
Spokesman: No, Mr. Serry is still very much in his post.
Question: And when is [Nickolay] Mladenov going to take his place?
Spokesman: As soon as we have a hard date for the hand‑over, we will get you one. Obviously, the aim is to have a seamless transition. We hope that there is no gap, but obviously, if there is, there is an acting… there’s a number two; James Rawley, who is there.
Question: So, I want… also if you have any update on the visit of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Washington. Is he meeting any officials, like the President or Vice-President?
Spokesman: I do not believe he’s meeting the President of the United States. I know he’s had a meeting with Susan Rice or he’s having a meeting with Susan Rice, the National Security Adviser, and I think he’s having meetings… I know he’s having meetings… Congress… meetings on the Hill with congressional leaders. But, our colleagues at OHCHR [Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights] here can give you a full readout. I think he gave an extensive press conference today, as well.
Question: Just the last thing, it’s about Yemen, to follow up what Nizar said. They just issued what they called “decree of 6 February 2015”. It’s really a major development. All we need to know if Benomar was involved, he knows about it…
Spokesman: You know, you are all… you have a leg up on me, as I don’t have a live Twitter feed from my desk, my podium here. As I mentioned, we’re obviously very concerned about what’s happened in Yemen today, about the power vacuum. Mr. Benomar was in Riyadh. He’s now on his way back to Sana’a. We’ll have an update as soon as we can. Olga? Sorry. And then we’ll go to Nick.
Correspondent: Thank you, Stéphane. There are talks ongoing in Moscow…
Spokesman: Sorry?
Correspondent: There are talks ongoing in Moscow between [Vladimir] Putin, [Petro] Poroschenko and [Angela] Merkel on crisis in eastern Ukraine…
Spokesman: Putin and [François] Hollande.
Question: Sorry. Because yesterday, there were talks between Poroshenko and John Kerry. So, what’s the expectations and the assessment of these talks?
Spokesman: Well, I think it’s a little early to assess these talks, which are ongoing right now. I think President Hollande and Chancellor Merkel just arrived. We obviously… we would support any political dialogue, any dialogue that would lead to a political solution to what is going on in the Ukraine. I mean, I think you look at what’s just happened over the last year, where we’re about to hit the million mark on displaced… internally displaced people, from what I’ve just said, and the number of people who have been… who’ve had to resort leaving their country. We have a man‑made humanitarian crisis unfolding in front of our very eyes in the past year. So I think that just underscores the importance of a political agreement. Let’s go to the back bench and then we’ll come back.
Question: Stéphane, can I ask you about Syria and the plans to broker these local freezes? There’s been a lot of talk about stalemate, the freeze being frozen. I just wonder whether you could give us a sense of if there has been any progress.
Spokesman: I think this is obviously something that Mr. [Staffan] de Mistura is continuing to work on. It’s proved very challenging. But, I think Syria in the last four years has proven to be extremely challenging in terms of finding a diplomatic and a political solution. The aim of the freeze is really just to start to get a foothold on a cessation of hostilities in one location. And Mr. de Mistura’s efforts are continuing. Oleg and then Zach?
Question: Angela Merkel, she’s going to be in Washington in the next days. Is she planning to stop in New York?
Spokesman: I don’t have any information on her coming here, but maybe our colleagues at the German Mission would know before I do. Zach?
Question: Has any more money come in to Gaza through UNRWA since the suspension of the cash assistance programme, firstly? And secondly, I understand that Mr. Serry’s office was attacked once the assistance programme was suspended. Is there a link between the attack…?
Spokesman: No, I don’t… if I’m correct, I think… first of all, the programme wasn’t really suspended. We temporarily removed a number of people who were working at the crossings into Gaza. Some of the material was… some of the projects were suspended from various UN agencies for lack of funds, and I think that led to the upsurge of frustrations, understandable frustrations from Gazans, and there was an attack on the UNSCO office, I believe, last week. But, I think things have now returned… calmed down to a certain extent, in terms of those offices. Iftikhar, you’ve been very patient. And then Go.
Question: My question was on Gaza, was already asked. But, I will ask about [President Barack] Obama’s speech yesterday at Nashville prayer breakfast, in which he said that there was a connection between press freedom and religious freedom. Does the Secretary‑General have any comment on that?
Spokesman: We’ve talked already here about the issue of freedom of expression. I think the Secretary‑General’s commitment to freedom of expression is strong, and he’s strongly defended it publicly and privately in meetings with various officials. But what the Secretary‑General has also called for is an increased tolerance and respect for people’s beliefs or for people’s nonbeliefs. I think that’s also… it’s a very important point to stress. Go?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Could you give us your comment on that Jordanian intensified air strike against ISIS, which, as you know, as it was mentioned, according to ISIS, killed even the American hostage?
Spokesman: You know, I think the Secretary‑General’s point has been that the fight against terror and against ISIS in particular needs to be done within the confines of international law, international humanitarian law, and the issue of the protection of civilians is one that needs to be kept in the forefront of any action. Obviously, I think your colleague raised the issue of the American worker. I have… we have to check those reports and see what we can say. Ann?
Question: Yes. Regarding Ukraine, it has been reported in The Wall Street Journal today that behind the scenes, Russia has quietly asked Paris and Berlin for more territory in Ukraine and autonomy for the Russian‑backed rebels. The proposal was rejected. Despite several statements by the Secretary‑General, the talks in Moscow and remarks by the Ukrainian Prime Minister saying he would not agree to any deal that undermines the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, is there any peaceful way out of this conflict?
Spokesman: The peaceful way out of this conflict is to find a political solution, and that’s why we’re encouraging the parties directly to talk. That has been the Secretary‑General’s point from the beginning. And also for those who have an influence to bear to make sure that influence is positive and the UN’s position on the territorial integrity, which you raised, is guided by the relevant General Assembly resolution. Matthew, Nizar, Abdel Hamid, we’ll go round two.
Question: Sure. You said about the Secretary‑General and freedom of expression. So, I wanted to ask you, on this upcoming trip beginning today to Saudi Arabia, is the situation of the blogger, Raif Badawi, who’s been in prison and scheduled to be flogged, is that something that the Secretary‑General intends to bring up? I wanted to ask because I saw the announcement was made in a way where it was sort of, things then went off the record. It seems you were there; I saw what was put out by your office. Was this answered in that context? If so, was that asked even in that context? And finally, who’s paying for the travel on this trip? Is he flying commercial, paid by the UN? Or is he…?
Spokesman: He’s flying commercial, paid by the United Nations. The issue of freedom of the press is something the Secretary‑General routinely raises, and I think we will give you a readout of the meeting with His Majesty after it happens and the Secretary‑General also has a press encounter scheduled following his encounter with the King, and those remarks will be made public. But, you know, the issue of freedom of expression and freedom of the press is raised in many different contexts and many different countries. Nizar, Abdel Hamid?
Question: Yesterday, the armed groups in east Ghouta in Damascus bombarded the centre of Damascus and killed several people. There was no statement about that. Another thing: although the focus is on ISIS everywhere and Da’esh, [Jabhat] al-Nusra has been forgotten totally almost, forgotten whereas there are consolidating their positions in the Golan, with the help of many countries in the region. How does the United Nations view such amassment of forces of troops in a very sensitive area like the Golan?
Spokesman: I don’t think any of us have forgotten the most important part of this conflict, which is the toll on civilians, the death toll, the civilians that are being killed, whether they’re being killed by ISIS, al‑Nusra, by barrel bombs from their Government, as the Secretary‑General just reiterated in his latest report to the Security Council, so I don’t think anybody’s forgotten the victims. I think we keep talking about the victims here and highlighting their plight on a regular basis. The Secretary‑General has expressed his concern, his continued concern, over the activities of armed groups, the activities of Government, and in terms of the Golan, you know, the violations that we’ve seen in the… of the Disengagement Agreement.
Correspondent: But, such… I mean, such an amassment of forces in the Golan, thousands of Al‑Nusra supporters are there with their weapons, including tanks and vehicles…
Spokesman: We’re dealing with a very volatile situation in Syria and, notably, in the Golan Heights, and we would appeal for all those who can to do whatever they can to deescalate that situation. Abdel Hamid?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Again, I want to bring the issue of Palestinian children under occupation and I have a case in particular, if there is any comment. A young girl called Malaka Khatib was arrested on 31 December. She was brought to the court on 21 January. Both… chained by hands and legs and she was sentenced to $1,500 in fine and three months in jail. She was 14. And that brings the bigger issue. In the year 2014, 1,266 children were arrested. UNICEF said an average of two children a day. And yet these things pass without seeing some statement or strong statement from the Secretary‑General.
Spokesman: I think… Abdel Hamid, I think we’ve talked regularly either from here or other parts of the UN on the plight of children in Gaza and elsewhere. I’m not familiar with the specific case you mentioned, but I think there are laws that reflect how children are to be treated in detention or in criminal cases, and every country has the obligation to abide by the Conventions they’ve signed on to. But I’m happy to look into the case you raised. Mr. Lee and then we’ll turn it over to Jean‑Victor, who is jumping out of his seat to talk to you.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you about Burundi. I saw the statement about the High Commissioner of Human Rights about Bob Rugurika. I wanted to know, there also have been statements about various countries about killings by the Government of Burundi in a place called Cibitoke where some people came across from the DRC, apparently an attack, but they were stopped and then executed summarily. I wanted to know if that’s anything MONUSCO or this MENUB [United Nations Electoral Observation Mission] in Burundi can speak to. And also has the Government signed its agreement with MENUB, as had been projected?
Spokesman: We will get you an update and I will look into that situation you mentioned. [The Spokesman said later that the agreement had been signed on 21 January.] Oleg, you get the absolute last word.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Is there any reaction to what’s happening in Debaltseve right now? Ban Ki‑moon was pushing for ceasefire over there. Obviously, it is not holding on. Parties are shooting each other. What’s the reaction to this?
Spokesman: Obviously, continued concern and disappointment that civilians continue to pay the price for the lack of political agreement. I mean, we’ve seen schools, hospitals, public transportation targeted, and civilians pay the price. And this just increases the pressure and the need to find a political agreement.
Question: Are there any new talks planned?
Spokesman: Not that I’m aware of. Thank you. Have great weekend.