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 Thursday! I will start off… I have a statement on Venezuela, and then a few updates on the Secretary-General’s travels.
**Venezuela
The Secretary-General is concerned by new reports of violence and loss of life in Venezuela. He has noted the Government’s stated willingness to undertake a full investigation.
The Secretary-General has also taken note of the call made on 20 February by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the building of a democratic space for dialogue in Venezuela.
The Secretary-General supports the current efforts by the Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) to re-launch the dialogue between the Government and members of the opposition, initiated in April 2014 and supported by the Union of South American Nations, as well as the Holy See, to help the country overcome its current challenges and guarantee the human rights of all Venezuelans. In this connection, he welcomes the UNASUR Secretary General’s announcement of an upcoming visit to Venezuela by a delegation of Foreign Ministers from South America. And that statement is online.
**Secretary-General’s Travel
The Secretary-General, as you know, is continuing his official travels to Paraguay today.
Earlier today, he visited the peacekeeping training centre for Paraguayan troops and praised the contribution of the country to UN operations, especially in Haiti. He then flew to Itaipu dam, the second largest in the world, where he encouraged Paraguay to share its positive experience in developing new renewable energy sources.
Yesterday, as you know, we issued a readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with the President of Paraguay [Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara]. He commended Paraguay’s progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in the area of poverty reduction.
The rights of indigenous peoples and other human rights issues were also at the heart of their meeting, and later in the day, with representatives of civil society and indigenous groups.
This afternoon, the Secretary-General will address a Special Session of the National Congress of Paraguay — we will issue the text as soon as it’s available. And the Secretary-General will then leave for Chile later today, to attend the high-level event organized by the Government of Chile in cooperation with UN Women. And that event takes place on Friday.
**Feltman Travels
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman continues his visit to Myanmar today. He is leading a UN delegation, which also includes the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Vijay Nambiar, to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-UN Regional Dialogue on Political Security Cooperation.
That two-day event was organized jointly by the UN, Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, as well as Myanmar Institute for Strategic and International Studies.
Mr. Feltman also had a series of bilateral meetings with leaders and senior officials in Nay Pyi Taw, in which he stressed the importance of the national elections, scheduled later this year, being an all-inclusive in order to avoid polarization or exacerbation of communal, ethnic and religious tensions.
He also expressed support for the continuation of efforts towards a comprehensive peace process. Following his visit to Myanmar, Mr. Feltman will visit Sri Lanka from Saturday onwards.
There, he plans to meet with senior officials of the Government, political parties and civil society groups in Colombo and Jaffa.
**Kaag
Visiting the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon today, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, said that the UN continues to support Lebanon as it faces the impact of the conflict in Syria. She also expressed her appreciation for Lebanon’s residents in host communities for their generosity and solidarity with the refugees from Syria.
Her talks with authorities in the Bekaa Valley covered the main political and security developments, as well as the humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges in the Bekaa.
Noting the presence of more than 410,000 refugees from Syria in the area, the Special Coordinator said that the importance of sustained assistance to reinforce the stability and stabilization of Lebanon, benefitting the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities alike.
And there is more information on her visit online.
**UNESCO Syria
Also in a related note on Syria, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, today launched a two-year programme to help promote access to quality secondary and higher education and teacher training in Syria and neighbouring countries affected by the conflict there.
UNESCO says that evidence shows that the impact of the Syrian crisis on education remains neglected.
And we have that statement available online.
**Gaza
With six months passed since a ceasefire ended the fighting in the Gaza strip, UN agencies and international NGOs today issued a joint statement expressing alarm at the limited progress in rebuilding the lives of those affected and tackling the conflict’s root causes.
The statement said that the Israeli-imposed blockade continues, and that the political process, along with the economy, has paralysed living conditions, and also that living conditions have worsened.
Overall, the statement says, the lack of progress has deepened levels of desperation and frustration among the population, more than two thirds of whom are Palestine refugees.
It stresses that we must not fail in Gaza, and that we must realize the vision of making Gaza a liveable place and cornerstone of peace and security in the region.
And in a related note, Japan announced today that is donating $32 million to UNRWA [UN Relief and Works Agency] to support urgent relief and recovery needs in Gaza. And that donation is the largest ever one-time contribution from Japan to UNRWA.
**Security Council
Back here, this morning, the Security Council held consultations on sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as Somalia. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous also briefed on the Central African Republic.
And this afternoon, Assistant Secretary-General Kyung-wha Kang and High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres will brief during an opening meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria. We were told that Mr. Guterres will take your questions at the stakeout after that meeting has concluded.
**South Sudan
Matthew, you asked us about more information on the abduction of children in South Sudan.
And I can say that the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that a joint team from UNMISS and UNHCR visited Wau Shilluk last Friday, following reports about the abduction of children from the area by gunmen in military uniforms.
Witnesses informed the UN team that boys as young as 14 were taken from the town.
The Mission says it is following up on reports that the abductors allegedly belonged to a pro-Government militia operating in Upper Nile State.
The Mission also says that the Head of the Mission, Ellen Margrethe Løj, met with President Salva Kiir on Wednesday, and she expressed concerns about the reports and urged the President to take action.
**Tobacco
The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week. Known as the single most powerful preventive instrument available to public health, the convention has been one of the fastest endorsed by the UN membership to date, with 180 Parties, covering 90 per cent of the world’s population.
And we have more information on WHO website.
**Tipperary
The Secretary-General has been named as the winner of this year’s Tipperary International Peace Award. In a letter, he thanks the Tipperary Peace Convention for paying tribute not just to him, but also, through him, to the staff of the United Nations who work with great skill and devotion to serve the world’s people.
This is a time of test for the human family, the Secretary-General says, noting that we face the long-standing scourges of poverty and intolerance, as well as newer threats such as climate change and violent extremism.
Despite today’s grave challenges, he says that he is convinced that our era offers remarkable opportunities to set the world on course towards a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all.
**Honour Roll
And lastly we end with the daily honour roll. Today, we thank Liberia and the Republic of Korea for paying their dues up in full this year to the Regular Budget. Which now makes how many countries paid up in full? 49, excellent, thanks for paying attention.
**Press Conference Tomorrow
Tomorrow at 2 p.m., briefing here by Ambassador Angelo Antonio Toriello, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sao Tome and Principe. He will brief on the forthcoming Ebola Relief Concert which will be held on 2 March in the General Assembly Hall of this very United Nations.
**Questions and Answers
Spokesman: Joe Klein?
Question: Yes. You mentioned Gaza. Can you give us an update on the status of the monitors, whether they are in fact back at their post and how many—
Spokesman: Yes, I do believe… they are back at their post. I think, yesterday we gave you an update on the reconstruction mechanism and number of projects that were online but they are back at their hosts as far as I know. Masood?
Question: Yes, Stéphane. Congratulations to the Secretary‑General for winning that award. On this Gaza thing, in view of the multiple agencies expressing concern on the situation over there, is the Secretary‑General going to bring this report to the attention of the Security Council and seek more help for the people of Gaza?
Spokesman: Well, I think, A, the statement is one way to bring more attention to the issue and also think in the periodic briefing on the Middle East whether done by Mr. Feltman or the Special Coordinator, those issues are brought to the attention of the Security Council. Nizar?
Question: Yeah, on Yemen, two countries open their embassies in Aden. How does that help with the integrity… preserving the integrity of the State of Yemen?
Spokesman: Obviously, Member States are free to post their embassies wherever they wish. The Security Council yesterday I think expressed its position on the situation in Yemen. Mr. [Jamal] Benomar is continuing his work in order to find a political solution forward. Mr. Lee?
Question: One follow‑up, then I’ll ask about FDLR. Do you know whether Mr. Benomar… I know he periodically visits Saudi Arabia, visits Doha. I mean… does he… has he expressed a view to them about this shifting and possibly setting up two countries in one?
Spokesman: You know, obviously, the aim is to bring a political solution to all of Yemen and that’s the focus of Mr. Benomar’s work.
Question: Okay. I wanted to ask on this… I guess it’s only the Congolese army going after the FDLR. Yesterday you’d said the Mission understood that three FDLR had been captured and the army there earlier in the day had said that three were killed. Many people are saying actually as… as the army gets there, the bases are all empty, i.e., essentially they knew they were coming and went back. Is there… I guess I’m asking both either right this moment or in the days to come, is there a way to be get… to get… it’s kind of an important mandate…
Spokesman: I don’t disagree…
Question: What’s happened?
Spokesman: …with that. Obviously since the Mission is not supporting this particular operation, I think the information is a little less clear, but as soon as we get something, we’ll share it with you.
Question: But just… I guess my request is under their kind of protection of civilians even mandate, seems like they can’t… even whether they support it or not…
Spokesman: As I said, I will… I will try to get you as much information as I can.
Question: Okay.
Spokesman: Ms. Lederer?
Question: Thank you, Steph. Two questions: first, on Libya, is there any update on the possibility of talks that Mr. [Bernardino] León is trying to organize, and is there any word from Mr. [Staffan] de Mistura on the outcome…
Spokesman: Sure.
Question: … of his visit to Syria?
Spokesman: No, Mr. de Mistura is not yet in Syria. He’s currently in Lebanon. He was just in Turkey. He will be heading to Damascus on Saturday to meet with senior Syrian Government officials to follow up obviously on the cessation of hostilities and to have further consultations. As soon as we know exactly who he’s meeting and so on, we’ll share that with you. On Libya, unfortunately, no, nothing… nothing to update. Nizar?
Question: Yes. Today ISIS displayed destruction of the Mosul museum or the treasures of Mosul, very old ones from Syrian Sumerian times were destroyed wantonly. I also would like to ask about the museum of Tripoli. It has been tampered with since Tripoli is no longer under protection by anyone.
Spokesman: I have no update on the museum in Tripoli. On what you mentioned in Mosul, I just spoke to our colleagues at UNESCO a few minutes ago. They’re taking a look at the video that was displayed online to see exactly what it shows. Obviously, I think the destruction of cultural heritage is a grave crime anywhere. We’ve seen it in Syria. We’ve seen it in Afghanistan. By these types of destruction, you rob a country of its future, you rob a country of its culture, of its history, of its heritage.
So we are checking… on your particular question on Mosul, I’m waiting to hear from our colleagues at UNESCO. As I said, I literally just got off the phone with them and they’re taking a look at the video.
Question: Since ISIS is already in Tripoli or around Tripoli—
Spokesman: No, I… as I said, I don’t have—
Question: Is there anything that can be done to prevent something from happening?
Spokesman: Obviously, again, you know, it shows the wide‑ranging impact of violence in the civil… civil conflict, not only on people, on the education as we said about UNESCO, the impact of the Syrian conflict on the issue of education, but on culture. If there is no State to protect cultural heritage, it places these things at great risk. Yes, in the back.
Question: Did you say that UNESCO is going to release a statement on this?
Spokesman: I said they’re taking a look at the video. I do expect them to release a statement. They’re analysing the video that is being shown online.
Question: We can expect a statement from them…
Spokesman: Yes, and if something comes up in the next minutes, it will be brought to me and then to you.
Question: Thank you.
[The Spokesman later made available the following statement from UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova: “I am deeply shocked by footage released today showing the destruction of statues and other artefacts of the Mosul Museum. I condemn this as a deliberate attack against Iraq’s millennial history and culture, and as an inflammatory incitement to violence and hatred,” said the Director General.
“This attack is far more than a cultural tragedy — this is also a security issue as it fuels sectarianism, violent extremism and conflict in Iraq. This stands in direct violation to the most recent United Nations Security Council resolution 2199 (2015) that condemns the destruction of cultural heritage and adopts legally binding measures to counter illicit trafficking of antiquities and cultural objects from Iraq and Syria. This is why I have immediately seized the President of the Security Council to ask him to convene an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the protection of Iraq’s cultural heritage as an integral element for the country’s security.”
Large statues from the UNESCO world Heritage site of Hatra, as well as unique artefacts from the archaeological sites of the governorate of Ninewah have been destroyed or defaced in the Mosul Museum, among many other pieces.
“The systematic destruction of iconic components of Iraq’s rich and diverse heritage that we have been witnessing over the past months is intolerable and it must stop immediately”, said the Director-General, reiterating her numerous previous statements on this matter.]
Spokesman: Masood and Mr. Lee.
Question: Yes. On this [inaudible]…
Spokesman: On the what? Sorry.
Question: Did I hear you correctly on this Myanmar visit Mr. Feltman, am I right?
Spokesman: Did you hear me talk about… yes, you heard me correctly.
Question: Okay.
Spokesman: Okay.
Question: My question is, is there going to be…he is going to also be visiting Rakhine area where the Muslims living over there…
Spokesman: I do not believe that he will be. If that…
Question: Okay. Will he release a report when he comes back?
Spokesman: I’m sure there will be some sort of briefing.
Question: Why is he not visiting Rakhine?
Spokesman: The main purpose of his visit is to participate in the joint UN‑ASEAN meeting but obviously, he is also having bilateral meetings with officials. Mr. Lee. Oh, and then…
Question: Thank you for the update on South Sudan, I wanted to ask you another question about that, that some of the… as these talks continue, some of the in opposition, SPLM‑G10 and SPLM in opposition leaders said they will only return to the country if they feel safe. They don’t feel safe and SPLM‑Juba has said UN peacekeepers can protect them. So I wanted to know is that within… is that something that UNMISS is offering, to offer, you know, personal protection to in opposition people return…
Spokesman: I don’t have any information on that. What I can tell you is obviously the focus should be on the various parties to find a political agreement to allow civilians to go home and to resume their daily lives and be able to feed themselves. Ibrahim?
Question: This question about ISIS, last week about 8,000 [inaudible] in north Iraq ISIS [inaudible] in the library. Do you have any comment about that?
Spokesman: Well, I think it goes to what I’ve just said… what I’ve said which is, you know, the destruction of cultural heritage is reprehensible. It’s criminal. You rob a country… a society of its past. You rob it of its future. And you destroy its culture. And it’s just one of the many horrible acts that we’re seeing in these conflict zones.
Question: Sorry. Follow‑up on that. Does this apply to the occupied territories, the Palestinian occupied territories where many mosques were being burnt on daily basis?
Spokesman: I think you know there was an attack on a mosque yesterday. Mr. [Robert] Serry issued a statement, but I don’t particularly agree, I think, with your comparison. Ms. Leopold?
Question: Thank you, Steph. I even have the mic on. Do you have any update on Ukraine? Whether the ceasefire’s holding? And I’m just curious, is Kyiv responsible to make sure the east gets supplies, water, bank services and so forth?
Spokesman: I don’t have a particular update on the ceasefire, but as a general answer to your questions, Governments have a responsibility to ensure basic services on their territory. Thank you. Have a great… I was about to say have a great weekend but I may see you tomorrow.