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.
**Secretary-General on Refugees
I will start off with a statement by the Secretary-General on recent telephone calls he made on the refugees in Europe.
The Secretary-General has spoken to the Heads of Government of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to discuss the arrival of refugees and migrants in Europe.
Recognizing the challenges this poses to some Member States, the Secretary-General stressed the individual and collective responsibility of European States to respond responsibly and humanely. He stressed that the large majority of people arriving in Europe are refugees fleeing war and violence, who have a right to seek asylum without any form of discrimination. Commending the efforts of many European leaders, he encouraged the European Union countries to live up to their obligations and the standards they have set. He underlined the need for compassion and global solidarity, and applauded the inspiring examples that have been displayed all over Europe by private citizens and civil society.
The Secretary-General appealed to these leaders to be the voice of those in need of protection and to quickly find a joint approach to address their basic needs. As European leaders, their stand against increasing xenophobia, discrimination, and violence against migrants and refugees in Europe is particularly important. He hoped that any manifestation of these phenomena would be addressed firmly and without delay.
The Secretary-General assured European leaders of the United Nations readiness, through its agencies, in particular UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees], to continue supporting their efforts to develop a response that is effective, feasible and in line with universal human rights and humanitarian standards, including the right to claim asylum.
With the adoption of the sustainable development goals later this month, the Secretary-General has invited leaders to a high-level meeting on migration and refugees. That will take place on 30 September on the side lines of the General Assembly.
**Refugees
Speaking to the press in Geneva today on the same issue, Peter Sutherland, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Migration and Development, emphasized that refugees have to be dealt with as human beings. He added that the broader migrant community, including economic migrants, cannot be dismissed with the wave of the hand and a simple statement that all economic migrants should be sent home.
Mr. Sutherland noted that the United Nations stands for the dignity and equality of the individual, and cannot condone or accept those in Government who say, for example, that refugees can be defined by their religion in the responsibility that is owed to them. He also said that it is not acceptable that within the regions, sharing is not conducted in a manner which is transparent, fair and spread throughout the region.
For its part, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today that women and children seeking refuge in Europe continue to pass through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia in growing numbers. Nearly 10,000 people — some 40 per cent of them women and children — were registered [crossing] into the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at Gevgelija from Greece between 1 and 6 September, while nearly 8,000 people were also registered crossing into Serbia through Presevo. UNICEF and its partners continue to expand humanitarian services at reception centres in those two countries. More information on the UNICEF’s website.
**Syria
On UNHCR, they say that deteriorating conditions inside Syria and neighbouring countries are driving thousands of Syrians to risk everything on perilous journeys to Europe. For the 4 million refugees already in neighbouring countries, hope is dwindling as they sink deeper into abject poverty.
Recent studies in Jordan and Lebanon have found a marked increase in refugee vulnerability amidst funding shortfalls for refugee programmes. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) has had to cut 229,000 refugees in Jordan from its food assistance earlier this month.
On a related note, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, spoke to reporters in Brussels and discussed how, after five years of conflict in that country, Syrians are giving up hope, with many fleeing to Europe as the fighting continues. He said that the arrival of Syrian refugees is placing enormous pressure on Europe at this moment, and he urged European leaders to respond by receiving refugees with dignity.
At the same time, Mr. de Mistura said, there is a need to create hope for the Syrians, and he noted that this has been the purpose of the Geneva consultations. He said that the Geneva Communiqué is a road map which offers an opportunity for discussion. The alternative, he warned, is that Da’esh will continue to advance, while the only losers will be the Syrians.
**Secretary-General on Responsibility to Protect
Back here, speaking at the General Assembly informal interactive dialogue on the responsibility to protect (R2P), the Secretary-General urged Governments and UN entities to do more to act early, prevent atrocity crimes and support States in protecting their citizens.
In 2005, world leaders adopted the World Summit Outcome to protect populations from the most egregious international crimes and to assist one another in this effort. Ten years on, the Secretary-General urged Member States, especially the Security Council, to move from understanding to action. He outlined three steps for action — the need to create political space to prevent and respond to atrocity crimes; a stronger connection between early warning and action; and courage in publicly confronting and addressing signs of risk.
Turning to Syria, the Secretary-General said that the parties to the conflict have shown wanton disregard for human life. The conflict is a colossal tragedy for Syria and a shameful symbol of international divisions, he added. His full remarks are online.
On a related note, at 1:30 p.m., in this very room, there will be a press conference on “Implementing the responsibility to protect”. You will be joined by Adama Dieng, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Jennifer Welsh, Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. That’s at 1:30 today.
**Ukraine
Moving back to Europe, nearly 8,000 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since mid-April of this year, the High Commissioner for Human Rights said today, releasing the eleventh and latest report by the Human Rights Monitoring Team in Ukraine.
The High Commissioner said that the shelling of residential areas on both sides of the contact line has led to a disturbing increase in the number of civilian casualties over the past three months. He stressed that more needs to be done to protect civilians and put a complete stop to the hostilities, in accordance with the February ceasefire agreement. In addition to the nearly 8,000 people who have been killed, 18,000 people have been injured. The full report is available online.
On a related note, as I think we’ve talked about it here before, our colleagues at the Humanitarian Affairs Office (OCHA), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working with the Ministry of Health in Ukraine to organize an immunization campaign to vaccinate up to 900,000 children, in both Government and non-Government controlled areas, for polio. This comes after two cases of polio were confirmed in the country’s south-west late last month and more suspected cases being verified. This outbreak is due to low immunization since 2008.
**Central African Republic
Moving to the Central African Republic, where the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, has just wrapped up his four-day visit. Earlier today, he announced the establishment of a “weapons-free zone” in Bambari effective today, from 5 p.m. local time, which is probably now passed. He said this decision was taken to ensure the free movement and physical integrity of the civilian population, as well as humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.
This also follows the Under-Secretary-General’s visit to Bambari over the weekend where the population called for further protection from armed groups. During his visit to the Central African Republic, Mr. Ladsous also met with the interim authorities and the national authority for elections to reiterate the UN support for the country, ahead of the elections scheduled next month. He said this was a crucial phase and that the calendar must be respected.
Mr. Ladsous also met with the personnel of the UN Mission (MINUSCA) and discussed the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse.
**Azerbaijan
Also from Geneva, the High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned today the ongoing crackdown on civil society and independent voices in Azerbaijan. He said that despite his repeated calls to the President and other top officials, undue pressure, harassment and intimidation against journalists, human rights defenders and activists by State authorities continue to be reported in the country.
**West Bank
One more thing. A report from OCHA on the West Bank shows that, according to official data released by the Israeli authorities, more than 11,000 demolition orders — affecting an estimated 13,000 Palestinian-owned structures, including homes — are currently “outstanding” in Area C of the West Bank. These orders heighten the vulnerability of thousands of poor Palestinian households, some of whom are at imminent risk of forcible displacement.
The report comes in the context of a rise in demolitions in the West Bank, with 143 Palestinian structures having been demolished during August 2015 — the highest such number in five years. As we have said repeatedly, the Secretary-General calls on the Israeli authorities to halt demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures, to revoke plans that would result in the forcible transfer of Palestinian communities and to implement an inclusive planning and zoning regime that will enable Palestinians’ residential and community development needs to be met.
**Literacy
Today is International Literacy Day, and in his message, the Secretary-General has called on Governments and partners, including the private sector, to join forces to make universal literacy an essential component of the future we want. That statement is online.
**Deforestation
Lastly, I want to flag the Global Forest Resources Assessment published by the FAO [yesterday]. They say the world's forests continue to shrink as populations increase and forest land is converted to agriculture and other uses.
And I made a mistake. I read it wrong. The press conference I mention is tomorrow not today — sorry, I will try again. The press conference is tomorrow, not today, the one with Adama Dieng. Okay.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. With regard to the Secretary‑General’s telephone conversations with leader… leaders in Europe, what was the reactions from the leaders, especially from Hungary, from Serbia, Czech Republic, etcetera, which seems to be more difficult to get the refugees through their territory into Austria and Germany and…?
Spokesman: Well, I think it's a very valid question, but as you know, we only speak for one half of the phone calls, so I think I would encourage you to check with those permanent missions. I think, you know, the call from the Secretary‑General, from Peter Sutherland, his Special Envoy, as well as António Guterres and others has been for the European Union to set up a unified policy that would help deal with this refugee flow so refugees are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Question: Follow‑up, please. On the September 30th side event that the Secretary‑General is calling for, do you have idea which leaders have already confirmed…?
Spokesman: No, we'll be able to give you that information a little closer to the date. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I want to ask about Yemen. First… I mean substantively, I want to ask about… it seems like over the weekend holiday, there's been increased airstrikes in Sana’a by many accounts and there's also been announcement by Qatar and some other countries that they're going to be sending troops to the country. One, is there a comment on that? And two, I wanted to ask, relatedly, you put out last night in which the Envoy regretted what is called the distortions in leaks. I guess I have to ask you, is the letter in his name sent to Jeff… presumably Jeff Feltman, is he denying that's an accurate document, or is he saying that doesn't fully convey his views because he says things like that the coalition is relying on troops aligned with AQAP, Al‑Qaida in the Islamic peninsula, which would be an extraordinary thing? I see you're reading something, but I'd like a…
Spokesman: I'm just a…
Correspondent: Sure.
Spokesman: Dieng is today.
Question: Exactly. I think we'll… It’s the little things I have trouble getting right. We'll figure that out, but people are giving me conflicting information.
Question: Qatar, Yemen and this leak…
Spokesman: Yes, sorry. We're not going to comment on the veracity of, or not veracity of documents. I would just encourage you to read the exact words in the note to correspondents. On Yemen, obviously, the continuing violence against the civilian population is troubling… is troubling to us. The Secretary‑General, again, would encourage all to recommit to a political solution. On that end, his Special Envoy has been working almost around the clock shuttling between various places. He's currently in Jeddah and, as you know, he was before that in Muscat. When we have something to announce, we will. But obviously, while we focus on trying to get the political track back on, we would also encourage all those who control the weapons to cease using those weapons and allow us to put humanitarian aid through.
Question: Well, just one follow‑up. I mean, there is an announcement by Qatar that they're sending ground forces — what they call special forces — into the country. Sudan has now said they're willing to send troops to Yemen, and given… I heard the Secretary‑General talk about Darfur and two areas. What would he, maybe specifically on the question of Sudan, armies whose troops are accused of the very R2P abuses that he's citing today would he say particularly it's not a good idea?
Spokesman: I haven't seen the reports on Sudan. But the solution is not the use of more weapons, of more troops. The solution is first a political agreement and a recommitment to the political process and a humanitarian pause. Mr. Lauria?
Question: Two questions on the refugee issue. You may have been asked this last week at the end of the week, but there was reports that the family of Aylan Kurdi had been denied refugee status by UNHCR in Turkey. Can you confirm or deny that?
Spokesman: The last I'd heard when I spoke to my colleagues at UNHCR is that the family had not been registered by UNHCR, and that, they think, was due to the fact that the registration of refugees in Turkey is being done by the Turkish authorities and not by UNHCR. I don't think they were denied… they were denied refugee registration by UNHCR. In different places, sometimes it's UNHCR, sometimes it's national entities that…
Question: Because the report said the exact opposite. Turkey said we couldn't do anything because UNHCR didn't give them register. Now, in his conversations with European leaders, did he suggest that Europe has a special responsibility since they've contributed to destabilizing Libya in particular and Syria and other places?
Spokesman: I think there is a global responsibility to refugees under international law. All countries need to share the responsibility, whether they're in the immediate region, whether they're in the larger region. We've seen some countries in the immediate region, notably Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, carry a very big burden, especially to the relative size of their own population — especially in Lebanon and in Jordan. I think I would encourage you to look at the transcript of the press conference by Mr. Sutherland, who I think very eloquently, and with more eloquence than I, talks about the global responsibility. I think…
Question: He didn't raise that point…
Spokesman: What I'm trying to say to you, I don't… is that the responsibility is a global one to refugees. Abdelhamid and then we'll go that way.
Question: Thank you. You mentioned the Secretary‑General urged Israel to hold demolishing of Palestinian homes and structures, and that has been repeatedly so many… so many times he calls on Israel to stop and they call again to stop, but Israel never stop. Is that the end of it, just to call and Israel will not listen? That is one question. And the second, today the US listed three Hamas leaders on the terrorist list that the US has. Can any country take it upon itself to decide? I mean, there is no standard, international standard, when a country can add a name on the list of terrorists?
Spokesman: Well, I think, you know, the debate on terrorists and terrorism lists, I think, continues. There is a process of listing organizations and people through the Security Council and that is an internationally accepted process. Obviously, national countries have their own processes and their own… their own definitions and countries do that. On your first point, this is an issue that has been raised by the Secretary‑General, that will continue to be raised by him and by his representatives on the ground. That is the role of the Secretary‑General, to raise these issues wherever and whenever they occur. Yes, sir?
Question: Regarding to the Syrian refugee crisis, some European countries finally start to accept Syrian refugees. However, they declared they will take only limited number of the refugees and some country will accept also only Christians. What does UN position about this?
Spokesman: First of all, it's very clear that there cannot be any discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnicity or any other related criteria or any criteria for that matter. There cannot be any discrimination. The international law regarding refugees is very clear. There is a global solidarity that we must all live up to. I think what the Secretary‑General was encouraging is for… is for the European Union to come up with a European‑wide policy to manage these flows and to manage the flows in a way that respects the rights of refugees and most importantly their dignity. Let's go… we'll go to the back and then we'll come back.
Question: Yes. What is the UN position overall on the differentiation between refugees and migrants? Certainly in the media, we hear a lot of conflations of the two.
Spokesman: They're two distinctive… they're used very clearly, two different groups. I would encourage you to look… UNHCR has a very good primer on that. The basic rule is that refugees are people who are fleeing violence, persecution, who have… who fear for their lives, who if they were to return home could be killed or persecuted. Those people come under the 1951, I think, International Convention on Refugees. They have a right to asylum and they have a right to protection. Economic migrants are a different class of people. People who seek better economic situations, people who, if they were to return home, would not fear death or persecution. Those flows need to be managed through legal channels and people need to have a right and an ability to apply for migration. So it's two distinctive groups. Obviously, what we're seeing currently in Europe are overwhelming refugees who are fearing for their lives. Again, look on the UNHCR website and it has a very good primer on that.
Question: But a follow‑up. The Special Rapporteur's report on the human rights of migrants says that migration is a part of an inevitable globalized world, apparently when it doesn't involve Israel, but the… so should countries accept 100 per cent of migrants as well as refugees?
Spokesman: No, I think the issue is migration with a small M has existed ever since we as humans were able to walk. I mean, populations move, have always been on the move. The issue is that Member States need to deal with the migration flows in a way where we avoid forcing, whether it's refugees or economic migrants, into the hands of criminal gangs, which is what we're seeing across the Mediterranean and in Asia in the Andaman Sea, where there are no proper… enough proper avenues to deal with the migration issue — even with economic migration issue. And that's one of the reasons the Secretary‑General will be bringing Member States together as part of goal 16 which talks about international migration, but for that, we need a dialogue between the countries of origin, the transit countries and the destination countries. And sometimes they're the same. You know, different people migrate to different countries. So hopefully that answers your question. Mr. Abbadi?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Regarding the war in Syria and it is a war, the Secretary‑General recognized that the Security Council has failed in its task of resolving the crisis or the war or the civil war. Many in the international community want the Secretary‑General to go beyond appeals and to make specific recommendation under Chapter, under Article 99 of the Charter.
Spokesman: Well, I think, you know…
Question: Is he going to do that?
Spokesman: One can always have differing views. I think the Secretary‑General has been bringing the Syrian situation to the attention of the Security Council since day one. His Special Envoy, Mr. de Mistura, as other Special Envoys before, have been making specific recommendations to the Security Council. Right now, we're trying to bring these groups together through the Geneva consultations, and hopefully that will start after mid‑September. So I think the Secretary‑General has been doing his duty. Majeed?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Two questions, the first one is about the joint investigative mechanism. It's been almost two weeks that the Security Council has received the Secretary‑General's proposal. Has the Security Council given any explanation about this?
Spokesman: My understanding that's a question for the Council and its presidency. As far as I was told this morning, we have not received anything.
Question: No explanation from the Security Council why it's…?
Spokesman: Again, I would encourage you to ask the Security Council.
Question: And the second question is, today, Secretary‑General talked about… in R2P remarks, talked about Syria a lot and the cost of inaction. Does that mean Secretary‑General think that elements of Syrian conflict should be dealt with in the framework of R2P, like in future, by the Security Council, to prevent the mass killing that's happening?
Spokesman: I think that part of the essence of R2P is also preventing situations from spiralling out of hand as we see in Syria. I'll come back to you. Olga?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Also about this conversation of Secretary‑General and European leaders on Sunday, so in their readout of his phone calls sent on Sunday, it was mentioned that Secretary‑General spoke to few European leaders. Why only two days later you mention who exactly, which coun… you name countries?
Spokesman: The phone calls were in the process of being completed over the last two days. So now that he's done the bulk of his phone, more will come, but we just thought this would be a good time since we're back here and it's a Tuesday, we thought it would be a good day to update you.
Question: The second question, as you know, Russian planes carrying humanitarian aid to Syria was denied to fly through air space of Greece and Bulgaria. Any comments on that? Can… How can it affect the humanitarian situation in Syria that we know is…?
Spokesman: I have not seen those particular reports, but I'll look into it. Mr. Erol?
Question: Thank you very much, Monsieur Dujarric. My understanding that the Secretary‑General liked to take distance from then and who is going to be elected as his successor, as the new Secretary‑General, it's… he is certainly concerned about how his successor will be elected. So there is a growing opinion of the growing consensus among the nations that the General Assembly should have a bigger role. What is the Secretary‑General's position on that?
Spokesman: Again, as you put it in the preamble to your question — and I'm happy to hear questions not being phrased like resolutions — the selection of the next Secretary‑General is clearly in the hands of Member States. I think we would all hope that, whoever the next Secretary‑General is, will come into the office with the greatest amount of support possible from all Member States. Round two. Mr. Lauria?
Question: Thank you. If I frame my question as a resolution, can you veto it?
Spokesman: If only. If I could only veto your questions, I would be a happy camper.
Question: Another one on the refugees. It cost 300 or 400 euros to fly from some of these countries into Europe and it costs thousands of euros or more to pay smugglers on a boat. Apparently, when the refugees go to a check‑in counter, they're denied because they don't have a visa. They're allowing the check‑in counter person to determine whether they have a visa. Does UNHCR work with Governments to try to get refugees visas before they… so they can go to an airport and fly safely and cheaply rather than risk their lives?
Spokesman: You know, there is a resettlement mechanism with UNHCR and the IOM [International Organization for Migration]. I think the issue you've pointed out underscores the need to help manage the flow of refugees as well as economic migrants so people are not, as you say, pushed into the hands of criminal gangs, of smugglers. This is why there needs to be a more sustained dialogue between the different parts of the equation, the countries of origin, the transit countries, countries of destination, the UN system as well as the IOM, in order to have, to manage these flows in a way where we avoid scenes like we've seen in the Mediterranean. Mr. Lee?
Question: I want to ask you about South Sudan and Côte d’Ivoire, but on this refugee situation, it is reported that the former Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms. Thorning‑Schmidt, has been raised to the Secretary‑General by the current Government as a candidate to replace Mr. Guterres. Can you confirm that?
Spokesman: No, I mean, I've seen the reports. There is a mechanism through which the next UNHCR Head will be selected. Once there is a new Head to be named, one will be named.
Question: I guess… because some people are saying it's ironic given Denmark's position on accepting refugees.
Spokesman: People see irony in a lot of the places.
Question: Let's see if we can generate irony. Does the Secretary‑General have any view of Arab Gulf States who are quite involved in the conflict in Syria in terms of having supported rebel groups etcetera, the number of refugees they've taken? What has… is he calling them on the phone?
Spokesman: I would — gentlemen… you know, my podium is your podium, but it comes with certain risks and irony. I think I would encourage you to read what the Secretary‑General's Special Representative on migration, Mr. Sutherland, said today in Geneva, where he talked about responsibility, about global responsibility towards refugees, and that that responsibility doesn't mean just giving financial support. It means taking people in. And that responsibility needs to be shared. Gentlemen, Abdelhamid, go ahead.
Question: In the news, Russia will be supplying the Syrian regime with weapons in its fight against terrorism and the State Department of the US was annoyed with this news because that will escalate the situation. Is there a position of the Secretary‑General on this?
Spokesman: I think… we have no way to confirm these reports one way or another. I think what we have been saying from the start to all the parties involved is that the solution is not pouring more arms. The solution is the political process, and to that end, we've also obviously supported Moscow's efforts to bring the parties together. Go ahead.
Question: Regarding… regarding terrorist attacks in Turkey by PKK, ethnic terrorist organization, which designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, EU and the United States. It launch campaign against Turkey and they killed Turkish soldiers and police officer in the [inaudible] and eastern part of Turkey. What is the UN position about this kind of terrorist organization?
Spokesman: Well, you know, I'm waiting for some specific language on these incidents. Obviously, we have in the past and we'll continue to condemn terrorist acts as they occur, but I'm waiting for some language on that. Mr. Abbadi, then Erol, then we'll come back.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I just wanted to ask, when is the date of the next Secretary‑General's press conference?
Spokesman: Please don't ask me. I'm really bad on dates today. [Laughter] But it is next week. And I believe it's either Tuesday or Wednesday. But dates is not my forte. Erol?
Question: Yes. I just like to touch another date, which is next Friday, September 11th, not because it's anniversary of the tragic event, but because of that resolution that is going to be in the General Assembly. Do we know the essence of the resolution? And actually, does it support the view of Secretary‑General…
Spokesman: I think there is, there is a draft floating around, but two doors down lives the Spokesman for the General Assembly President, and I would encourage you…
Question: I sent him an email…
Spokesman: Go knock on his cubicle. What can I tell you. Majeed then Matthew.
Question: Follow‑up on my question on Syria and R2P, Secretary‑General talked today a lot about Syria and how the international community failed in preventing what's happening, and he said, I appeal again for Security Council's action. I want to understand, like, in general, what does the Secretary‑General think that the Security Council do right now? What's the next step?
Spokesman: We are obviously happy to have seen a presidential statement supporting the work of Mr. de Mistura, but I think it is clear that there still remains divisions within Security Council members how to best frame, how to go about finding a solution to the conflict in Syria. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. South Sudan and Côte d’Ivoire. On South Sudan, over the weekend and over the holiday here, there have been more and more reports of not just fighting around Malakal, but airstrikes. Some people have actually talked about chemical weapons. I'd like to know what UNMISS is aware of in terms of the use of Ugandan aircrafts by the Salva Kiir Government to bomb rebel positions in and around Malakal?
Spokesman: I don't have anything from South Sudan today, but I'll check.
[The Spokesman later shared the following with the correspondent: “The UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, reports sounds of heavy mortar and gunfire from the south of Malakal town yesterday. The Mission also reports shelling towards the south later in the evening followed by small arms fire coming from the west bank of the River Nile towards Malakal. On Friday, an UNMISS patrol deployed to Malakal found the town deserted and devoid of civilians.”]
Question: Okay. And then… I just want… this issue came up before on the Deputy Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire, Bafetigue Ouattara. It's reported in Ivory Coast now that he's been asked by the UN to leave the building and return to his country based on the sale of posts in DPKO. I don't know if you have it or not, but can you get OIOS to confirm that or not?
Spokesman: I'll check. I don't… I know we've read the reports concerning this gentleman. It is not in the habit of the United Nations to ask Member States to remove its Permanent Representative or Deputy Permanent Representative. So if he's gone, he's gone, but if I have anything else to say, I'll add.
Question: Just a follow you‑up on that. At the time that I was asking about this report, the OIOS report that leaked and was published, it was said that he had sold these positions basically. And people were returned to their countries. Does OIOS, does it stand behind that report? Did they issue a new report? Because there obviously must, there's something behind…
Spokesman: I don't believe there was any new report. Seems to me like it may very well have been a decision made by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. I will see you tomorrow. The press conference of Adama Dieng and Jennifer Welsh, the last update is that it is indeed today, in 45 minutes. Yes, today. I apologize. Goodbye.