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.
**Sustainable Development Goals Summit
You are aware, in a statement we issued recently — last night rather — the Secretary-General welcomed the agreement achieved yesterday evening by Member States on the outcome document of the UN Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda and that would be held, as you very well know, in this very building on 25 to 27 [September 2015].
The Secretary-General will be here to talk to you about that agreement that was reached last night. He will be here at 1 p.m. and he will be joined by Wu Hongbo, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Amina Mohammed, his Special Adviser for the Post-2015 [Development Planning]; and Ambassadors [Macharia] Kamau and [David] Donoghue respectively Kenya and Ireland — who were the Co-Facilitators who led the negotiations. The Secretary-General will deliver some remarks and then leave, and the rest will be here to answer questions.
**Burundi
We have a statement available on the situation in Burundi.
The Secretary-General notes with great concern the continuing deterioration of the security environment in Burundi following an electoral period marked by violence and the violation of human rights, including the right to life.
In this context, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana on 2 August. And he welcomes President Nkurunziza’s message to the nation to remain calm and to the competent authorities to expeditiously investigate this assassination in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Secretary-General calls on the Burundian authorities to investigate diligently other recent political assassinations.
And the Secretary-General renews his appeal to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay and peacefully settle their differences under the facilitation of President Museveni as mandated by the East African Community.
The Secretary-General remains committed to supporting peace consolidation and conflict prevention efforts in Burundi.
That statement is available online.
**Washington, D.C., Trip Announcement
And just as a reminder, the Secretary-General will travel to Washington [D.C.] tomorrow to meet with US President Barack Obama. The Secretary-General will then give some remarks following the meeting at the White House.
We’ve also been asked for our reaction to President Obama’s ambitious Clean Power Plan announcement, which we understand will officially unveil this afternoon at 2:15 p.m.
However, we do believe that this Plan shows the United States’ determination to address global warming while also saving money and growing the economy. It also recognizes the obligation we all have to leave future generations a planet which provides opportunities for sustainable development.
The Plan is an example of the visionary leadership necessary to reduce emissions and to tackle climate change.
The Secretary-General appreciates President Obama’s strong, personal leadership on climate change. And President Obama’s leadership by example is essential for bringing other key countries on board and securing a universal, durable and meaningful agreement in Paris in December.
**Central African Republic
And last night we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General condemned the killing yesterday of a peacekeeper from the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
MINUSCA peacekeepers were attacked in Bangui by an armed group during a search operation intended to arrest a suspected criminal in application of a judicial warrant from the Public Prosecutor Office in Bangui. One peacekeeper was killed and eight were injured. The Mission says that all wounded peacekeepers are responding well to treatment.
The Secretary-General deplores in the strongest terms attacks against UN peacekeepers and calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. And that statement is online.
Today, the Mission resumed the search operation for the suspected criminal — which is still ongoing. The Mission reports that new hostile shots were fired against peacekeepers but without any casualties from peacekeepers. And that statement is online.
**Iraq
And also today the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš, expressed serious concern at reports that up to 40 civilians may have been killed and more than 30 wounded in an airstrike in Rutba, west of Ramadi, last Friday. According to preliminary reports, three houses hosting internally displaced persons were hit in the airstrike. Children were reportedly among the casualties. Mr. Kubiš reminded all parties to the conflict that their obligation to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians from the effects of attacks.
He called on the Government of Iraq to investigate the incident, adding that it is necessary to ensure justice and accountability for violations and abuses, whenever they have taken place and by whatever party.
**Colombia
Turning to the situation on Colombia, following the invitation made to the United Nations by the parties to the Colombian peace talks, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča travelled with a small team to Havana on 1 August.
The team has held meetings with representatives of the delegations of the Colombian Government, as well as the FARC-EP, particularly with the members of the technical subcommittee currently discussing end-of-conflict issues. The team is receiving the views of the parties regarding the accompaniment potentially required from the United Nations and will subsequently inform the Secretary-General accordingly.
And the team should be on its way out of Havana tomorrow.
**Somalia
And meanwhile, the United Nations together with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as United States and United Kingdom today welcomed the commitments made at the High-Level Partnership Forum in Mogadishu.
According to the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), 32 delegations attended this landmark event, making it the largest international conference to take place in Somalia in decades.
Participants made commitments to deliver a transparent and inclusive electoral process in 2016, strengthen security, and accelerate the delivery of concrete results to the people of Somalia.
**South Sudan
Meanwhile, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) say that restrictions put in place by the authorities on the movement of barges from Bor to Malakal on River Nile, in South Sudan, as well as the lack of flight clearances to use the Malakal airport are threatening the aid operation in Upper Nile State.
The situation is dire for at least 65,000 people in Malakal and Wau Shilluk who are estimated to be affected by access and transport constraints, with humanitarian partners reporting shortages of medicine, fuel and water treatment chemicals. Negotiations are taking place to ensure supplies are delivered to Upper Nile and to avert a further deterioration of the already dire situation.
During his recent visit to South Sudan, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien, called for rapid and unhindered access to provide assistance to conflict-affected communities. He said that people need our help immediately. Families in desperate need are depending on aid to survive and humanitarian agencies need all possible help to reach them rapidly and safely.
**Myanmar
And our colleagues — another note from OCHA — they tell us that according to the Government of Myanmar, 39 people have died and more than 200,000 across large parts of the country have been affected by the heavy monsoon and the rains and the flooding.
Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar, Eamonn Murphy, commended the ongoing efforts being led by the Myanmar authorities and military, civil society groups, and local organizations, as well as the Myanmar Red Cross Society.
For its part, the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing at least 150,000 people in the worst-affected areas with one-month rations of rice, pulses, cooking oil, salt and other supplies.
And the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that vulnerable children in Myanmar face a ‘double catastrophe’ as floods and the hardship faced by children living in poverty and those recovering from violence and conflict.
**Press Conference Tomorrow
And tomorrow at 12.30 p.m., there will be a press briefing by the President of the Security Council for August, Ambassador [U. Joy] Ogwu of Nigeria. And she will be here to brief you on the [Council’s] programme of work.
**Questions and Answers
Edie.
Question: Thank you, Steph. Two questions about the Secretary‑General’s visit to President Obama. Aside from climate change, can you tell us what other issues are going to be on the agenda? And did the White House ask for this visit, or did the Secretary‑General ask for this visit?
Spokesman: We had requested this visit. It had been… the scheduling had been a little challenging, but we’re happy that it’s… it comes on the… on the weekend after the adoption of the Plan of Action for the Post‑2015 [Development Agenda].
Obviously, climate change will be on the… on the agenda, as well as the situation in the Middle East, Yemen, South Sudan, peacekeeping, humanitarian affairs. I would say that, in this… in this instance, the term “a wide discussion on a number of subjects” truly applies.
And, as I mentioned, the Secretary‑General and the President will be taking part in the traditional photo op and comments after the meeting, so the Secretary‑General will be able to give you a readout.
Yes, and then Matthew.
Question: Thank you. Forgive me if this question was asked when it was first announced. I was away last week. Can you describe what the decision is when information on Secretary‑General’s visits or events are decided between MALU [Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit] and UNCA [United Nations Correspondents Association] and how it’s decided when to send the invites?
Spokesman: Sure, we try to send the information out as… when we’re able to send it out. We traditionally use the vector of the UN Correspondent’s Association or MALU. If some felt that the information was not spread accordingly, we will try to do a better job.
Question: Thanks.
Spokesman: Matthew.
Question: I second that. But I wanted to ask you, on Burundi, having seen the statement… and I understand… you know, the assassination, and you said Ban Ki‑moon welcomes the President Nkurunziza’s message for calm. I wanted to know whether he or DPA [Department of Political Affairs] is aware of the beating of journalists, particularly an AFP and RFI journalist, who, according to press freedom organizations, was thrown into a van by Government security and essentially tortured after reporting on this killing. Is he aware of that, and how does it square with this idea of welcoming the President’s approach to what’s taking place in the country?
Spokesman: Well, I think this referred to the President’s approach following the assassination of the general, an appeal for calm. Obviously, we’re very much aware of the incidents involving journalists. We’ve… we’ve spoken out against the violence against… against journalists, and our colleagues in the Office [of] the High Commissioner for Human Rights are in touch with the family of the RFI correspondent. They’re closely following the case and this case… and other cases as well. And I think both the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary‑General would join a call for the Government to fully respect the right of journalists to do their work in an atmosphere that doesn’t endanger their lives.
Question: Speaking of the Secretary‑General, just… could you explain… he’s going to be here at 1. Why can’t he stay to take a few questions?
Spokesman: Well, he’s here. He’s going to speak to… he’s going to speak, obviously, to the… to the agreement that was… that was taken. Ms. Mohammed, USG Wu will be here to answer your question. This is something we’ve added on and squeezed into the SG’s schedule at the very last minute. And that’s the way it’s organized.
Nizar.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. With the heatwave in the Middle East, prevailing there… record temperatures are recorded, how does the humanitarian authorities are dealing with the refugees? Millions of people are in Iraq and Syria and other… and Yemen. Are there any contingency plans?
Spokesman: I think our humanitarian colleagues are doing the best they can in an environment that is chronically underfunded whether there is a heatwave or no heatwave. The focus is on providing food, providing shelter, trying to ensure that people live in refugee camps or within… within host communities with dignity. I think, whether it’s the appeal in Northern Iraq — you heard Ms. [Lise] Grande talk about the cutting of rations and support for internally displaced people in Iraq — whether it’s the lack of funding for Yemen, we are facing not enough money and too many people in need of immediate humanitarian aid.
Obviously, the current… the current weather is making things that much more difficult and that much more challenging.
Question: Have you received any notes from your missions there about fatalities happening as a result of the heatwave?
Spokesman: No, I have no… we’ll ask. I haven’t received anything that was specifically heat related.
Question: On…
[inaudible]
Spokesman: Nizar, I’ll come back to you.
Yes, go ahead and then Majid.
Question: Yesterday, the PKK, again, killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 35 others, and they also opened fire on a military hospital. What does Mr. Secretary‑General think about this ongoing PKK…
[inaudible]
Spokesman: I would… the Secretary‑General would reiterate the comments that he made to the press on Friday regarding acts of terror committed by the PKK.
Majid.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. About… something about lack of funding, and I’m going to ask about Iraq. Last week, the UNAMI (United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq) mandate was extended for another year by the Security Council, and given the severe lack of fund for the UN mission and the difficult situation in Iraq, should we expect to see, like, a reduction of US… UN presence in Iraq, especially in Baghdad and...
Spokesman: No. I think we’re—
Question: …or even pulling out?
[inaudible]
Spokesman: You’re kind of… no, I think you’re comparing two different things, and it’s sort of two different budget item lines. The cutback had to do with the shortfall in funding of humanitarian aid of funds that we need to provide support to refugees and to internally displaced people. That is money that we rely on Member States to continually give and to fund the appeals that we put out.
The mission itself, the political mission that is UNAMI that is in… in Iraq, is fully funded.
Question: A follow‑up on that. Rudaw obtained an internal UN document, strategic assessment mission, after they went to Iraq in April. And in one of the… point, the recommendation they make to the Secretary‑General, they say… they say, “Changing a UN presence on the ground should be done gradually in a manner it will not give the impression that the UN is pulling out.” Is it a standard recommendation or UN was seriously considering pulling out?
Spokesman: No, I think… I don’t know what document you’re talking about.
Question: Strategic assessment—
Spokesman: But, obviously, when… when there is discussion about a possible reduction of UN presence anywhere, it needs to be done gradually and with the least… the least impact neg… least negative impact possible.
Yes, sir.
Question: Thank you. Stéphane, a quick follow‑up on the previous announcement that you said regarding the floods in Myanmar. There are some reports that Rohingya Muslims minority are denied safe hand or help that otherwise was commended by the…
Spokesman: I think…
[inaudible]
Question: What the UN is intending to do?
Spokesman: I haven’t seen those particular reports, but what is clear is that humanitarian aid should never be politicized at any point in time and that people who need aid need to receive it, regardless of any other factors. I’ll see if I can get anything else on it.
Question: Okay. I have another question, please. Okay? It’s… does the Secretary… since we are approaching to the point when the official candidacy of the new Secretary‑General are going to be announced, does the Secretary‑General…
Spokesman: He’s fully aware of his mandate…
[inaudible]
Question: No, no, no, no, that’s not my question. My question is…
Spokesman: Yes.
Question: …whether he does favours the great role of the General Assembly, UN General Assembly, beside the UN Security Council. That’s my question.
Spokesman: That’s a very good question, Erol. My answer will be is that the selection of the next Secretary‑General is firmly in the hands of the Member States who make up these United Nations, all 193 of them.
Question: So it’s… he prefers more…
Spokesman: No, I just said that it is in the hands of the Member States, and I… it is up to them to decide.
Question: So he’s ambiguous on that issue.
Spokesman: He… it is not for him to express an opinion on that issue. It is for the Member States to conduct this process.
Yes, sir.
Question: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Stéphane. Is there any schedule to Secretary‑General visit to Bangladesh? The reason I’m asking, the members of Bangladeshi media reported, according to the Bangladeshi Mission in UN, the Secretary‑General will visit Bangladesh.
Spokesman: It’s news to me. I will see, but it’s news to me. Not that I’m the first one who’s ever advised of anything, but it is news to me.
[laughter]
As you well know.
Nizar, then Matthew.
Question: Yeah, can you update us on progress about humanitarian pause in Yemen? This conflict has… looks like…
Spokesman: There is none. I don’t… you know, it’s been said clearly by Mr. [Stephen] O’Brien, it’s been clear… clearly by the Secretary‑General, every day that is wasted, more people suffer. Every day that is wasted, we cannot get aid in. Trucks can’t drive in. Aid cannot get through. Despite the lack of humanitarian pause, we are able to get some aid in but not nearly on the scale that we need to have.
Question: Is there a famine in Yemen at the moment?
Spokesman: There is an extremely severe food situation, as it’s previously been said, and if we have an update, we’ll share it with you.
Mr. Lee.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you, there are these reports of UNMISS in South Sudan, the Yambio base, turn… turning away civilians seeking protection inside the base from fighting between the Government and rebels, and it seems to be true, because UNMISS is quoted as saying that, pursuant to their mandate, they informed the Government that it’s their… it’s their duty to protect people.
Spokesman: I… I… I’m happy… I’m happy to check. What I do know is that the UN mission in South Sudan is currently protecting more than 100,000 civilians, but I will check on this particular case.
Question: Yeah. And if you can figure out… just sort of… because they quote…
Spokesman: UNMISS…
[inaudible]
Question: …quote it…
[inaudible]
Spokesman: Whether it’s true or not true.
Question: Absolutely. Saying that they don’t…
Spokesman: No, no, I understand. I understand.
[inaudible]
Question: …so explain why they turn them away.
Spokesman: Have a wonderful time. We’ll see you at 1.