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.
In a short while, I will be joined by Hervé Ladsous, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations who will be here to talk to you about his recent trip to the Central African Republic.
**Colombia/Venezuela
A short while ago, the Secretary-General met with the Foreign Minister of Venezuela and I’d just like to offer a readout of that meeting as well as of his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Colombia.
The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Delcy Rodríguez, Foreign Minister of Venezuela. The Secretary-General also met on 8 September with H.E. Maria Ángela Holguín, Foreign Minister of Colombia.
During the two meetings, the Secretary-General took note of the Foreign Ministers’ views regarding the situation along the Colombia-Venezuela border while reiterating that he is following the situation with concern.
The Secretary-General conveyed to the two Foreign Ministers that he trusted both countries would address border challenges through constructive dialogue. He offered his good offices if both countries so requested.
That is now online.
**Peace Operations
We are issuing a statement by the Secretary-General in which he says he is presenting his agenda today to take forward the recommendations of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. He sets out what he believes to be the priorities for United Nations peace operations and the steps we need to take to achieve them. In so doing, the Secretary-General draws on his experiences over the past eight years and the Panel’s comprehensive recommendations.
The Secretary-General believes three fundamental changes are urgently required to adapt UN peace operations to today and tomorrow’s challenges.
First, we need to prioritise prevention and mediation if we are to break the cycle of responding too late and too expensively. Second, we need to change the way we plan and conduct UN peace operations to make them faster, more responsive and more accountable to countries and people in conflict. Third, we must put in place a global-regional framework to manage today’s peace and security challenges. The Secretary-General believes it must start with a reinforced partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. He sets out a detailed action plan to set in motion these changes.
The fundamentals of UN peace operations will not change. Our job is to support the negotiated settlement of conflicts and to protect civilians and advance their right to security, justice and development. It is essential that we are accountable and responsive to the needs of the people we serve. Critically, we cannot be the source of additional suffering. The report therefore outlines over a dozen new measures that the Secretary-General is taking to rid the United Nations of heinous sexual exploitation and abuse.
That full statement is online. Also, as a reminder, the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, will be briefing the General Assembly in an informal meeting at 4 p.m. this afternoon. At least the opening part of the meeting will be open and webcast so you can hear what the Deputy Secretary-General has to say and his speech will be made available as well.
**Nepal
Also I was asked earlier about the situation in Nepal on the political process. I can say the Secretary-General is closely following the situation in Nepal and is concerned about the recent violence and saddened by the loss of lives. He stresses the importance of dialogue and non-violence, as well as respect for peaceful protest and freedom of assembly.
The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of the political parties to temporarily pause the constitution voting process. He urges all stakeholders to use this opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue. He notes the historic opportunity that Nepali leaders have to promulgate a constitution that addresses the root causes of past and potential conflict and has the widest popular support.
**Syria
As you will have seen yesterday, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General welcomes the authorization by the Security Council of the Secretary-General’s recommendations to establish and operate the OPCW–UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM). It underlines once again the importance of addressing the use of toxic chemicals as weapons, and the need for the perpetrators to be held to account.
The Secretary-General, in close coordination with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and all other relevant parties, shall, without delay, undertake all steps, measures and arrangements necessary for the speedy establishment and full functioning of the Joint Investigative Mechanism.
The Secretary-General reiterates the call on all parties in the Syrian Arab Republic to cooperate fully with the JIM. He counts on the continued engagement and support of the members of the Security Council as well as the entire UN membership to ensure the effective implementation of this resolution.
**Yemen
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, welcomes the commitment of the Government of Yemen, the Houthis and the General People's Congress to join peace talks that he will convene in the region next week.
The peace talks, for which a venue and a date will be announced in the coming days, are aimed at creating a framework for an agreement on the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2216, a cease-fire and the resumption of a peaceful political transition, in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism and the Outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference. That note to correspondents is online.
**Libya
Turning to Libya, as you know, a new round of UN-facilitated political dialogue with Libyan parties started in Morocco yesterday.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León, said he remains hopeful that the parties will reach an agreement by 20 September — an agreement that will help the Libyan people out of this crisis.
He added that the UN is working to make sure that all the process is inclusive and completely transparent. The talks are expected to continue today and possibly over the weekend. More information on the Mission’s website.
**Refugees
Today, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) welcomed the European Commission's proposals unveiled to address the current refugee crisis in Europe.
It said that, given the urgency of the situation, these proposals need to be implemented fully and swiftly, and that the proposed relocation scheme for 160,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and Hungary would go a long way to address the crisis.
UNHCR said that their initial estimates indicate an even higher need, but that the focus must now be on ensuring that all Member States take part in this initiative, and that it is swiftly implemented.
When relocating refugees, their needs, preferences and specific qualifications should be taken into account to the extent possible, it added, stressing that the relocation scheme can only succeed if it is accompanied by large-scale emergency reception, assistance and registration efforts in the countries impacted the most by arrivals, particularly Greece, Hungary and Italy.
UNHCR is already ramping up its capacity in all countries affected by the current refugee flows and is ready to fully support all measures by the European Union in effectively responding to the crisis.
**Roma
Another note from Geneva, our colleagues at the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed serious concerns about ongoing forced evictions of Roma and Travellers in a number of European States, including most recently in France and Bulgaria.
The High Commissioner urged Bulgaria to halt forced evictions, saying they were devastating to the affected communities.
In France, he said that it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is a systematic national policy to forcibly evict the Roma. He called on France to replace this punitive and destructive policy with a policy of genuine inclusion.
**Forests
Also, I just want to flag the conclusion today of the 14th World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa.
This congress was the largest gathering on forests this decade and set out its vision of how forests and forestry should look in 2050, adopting the Durban Declaration after a week of debate. If you are interested in forests, go to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) website.
**Press Conferences
At 12:30 p.m., in this very room on Monday, the outgoing President of the General Assembly, of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, will be here to hold his final press conference and underscore highlights of the sixty-ninth session.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. From Yemen, reports coming from Aden speak about the systematic killing of Sufis, targeting their mosques. This is the area which is under the control of the [Abd Rabbuh Mansur] Hadi Government and supported by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. So how does that, I mean, conform with the legality, when these people are targeting minorities?
Spokesman: I think all the violence that we have been seeing in Yemen, especially increased levels of violence throughout the country in the last few days, just underscore the need for all parties to join with all the goodwill possible in the talks that are proposed by the Special Envoy.
Question: But this is an area which is under the control of the so-called legal government.
Spokesman: I think, I feel I've answered your question. Mr. Lee?
Question: Well, the question seems like it's peacekeeping day around here, so I wanted to ask you. I'm a little unclear. There was a background briefing, and somehow, is this somehow — was this embargo entailed by the statement by the Secretary General or where is the underlying report? It’s a little hard… his response to the HIPPO (High-Level Implementation Panel on Peace Operations)…
Spokesman: The report will be posted very soon, if not just now.
Question: One thing I wanted to ask you something directly. I understand from an unnamed senior UN official…
Spokesman: My best friend! They are all my best friends.
Question: This one… We'll use that moniker — that the issue of the deaths caused by cholera in Haiti and accountability or recompense or compensation for that are somehow not addressed in any way in this reply. I was here when [José] Ramos-Horta spoke about this issue. It seemed like it's a big development in peacekeeping under the tenure of the Secretary-General. What's his view of it? Does it not have any part in the reform process?
Spokesman: I think on the specific issue of cholera in Haiti, I think our position is unchanged. And I would urge you to read the final report and then we can talk about it.
Question: Relatedly, since I'm unclear, but if I'll be allowed to ask Mr. Ladsous this question, I want to ask you this question. While he was in CAR (Central African Republic), it was reported that he spoke to ambassadors of countries whose soldiers were charged with sexual abuse and exploitation. So I tried to… I wanted to know whether he spoke with France specifically, given the interrelation between MINUSCA (United Nations Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) and Sangaris and the statements made in his background briefing about human rights due diligence of the UN's partners.
Spokesman: I think the issue of sexual abuse has been raised between the UN and French officials at various levels, levels of the Defense Ministry and at the highest levels, so it's — I think they are very well aware of our position on the issue. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. With regard to the refugees’ crisis in Europe, footage came today and yesterday. Syrian refugees in camps in Hungary are being treated close to the way the animals in cages are treated. Food rations are thrown to them into the crowds. Police brutality against refugees, which contradicts with the 1951 Convention with regard to asylum as well as assurances given that they would be treated with dignity. What are the measures that the UN, it can take and can choose to stop this humiliating situation?
Spokesman: I think we've all been shocked by the pictures we've seen out of Europe recently, in many places. And we've also been heartened by other pictures of civil society, of individuals reaching out in various countries in central Europe and in western Europe and all over the crisis, of people helping refugees and migrants. I think it is clear that every country has a duty and a responsibility to treat both refugees and migrants with respect and within the full confines of international law. UNHCR is, as I just mentioned, is offered and has been working with a number of countries to help set up the right kind of processes that ensure that people are treated with dignity. But I think we keep coming back to this issue of dignity and human dignity, and I think some of the pictures that we've seen are an affront, exactly an affront to that.
I'll come back to you, Nizar, and then we'll go to you, Joe. Go ahead.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Leopoldo Lopez is a political prisoner in Venezuela. He was sentenced yesterday to 13 years and nine months in prison after 18 months being detained. The Government of Venezuela justifies his detention and now his sentence, saying that he provoked the events on 12 February 2014. The United Nations has made the statements in the past asking for his release and the international community has declared his detention illegal. Can you tell us what the position is and then today, the Secretary-General has spoken directly with the Foreign Minister. What can you say?
Spokesman: Sure. The Secretary-General did raise the issue of Mr. Lopez directly with the foreign minister in his meeting earlier today. He made a point of doing that. There is, I believe, a statement issued by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. I would refer you to that. If I have anything else to say, to add, I will.
Question: It's been talked, and they are part of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Isn't this a possibility or could be a backlash to Venezuela, maybe they might be asked to not participate?
Spokesman: I think the issue of membership to Human Rights Council is one that is decided by the Member States themselves. Every Member State of this organization, whether member of the Council or not, has a responsibility to uphold the ideals of the Charter. Mr. Klein?
Question: Yes. You noted the fourteenth anniversary of some event related to forests, but I didn't hear anything noting the fourteenth anniversary of 9/11. Is the Secretary-General expected to put out any statement recognizing the fourteenth anniversary of the horror of 9/11?
Spokesman: I think the attacks that took place in New York and Washington and in Pennsylvania, I think, remain very much the forefront of the Secretary-General's thoughts today. He was here on 9/11 as part of the team of the General Assembly President and it’s something, that as I said, today is very much on the forefront of his thoughts. Abdel Hamid and then Carole?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Yesterday, you were asked a question about Mr. Mahmoud Abbas calling on Israel to allow Palestinian refugees to return. And the question indicates some kind of like accusation…
Spokesman: Sorry, if I could ask the two colleagues behind you to stop whispering in class. Go ahead.
Question: So in your answer to that question, you almost endorsed what he said, that this is discriminatory in nature when he calls only for Palestinian refugees to go back to Palestine. I just want to ask you, is it appropriate to mention that there is a resolution called 194 adopted on 11 December 1948 that calls on Palestinian refugees to return to their homes? So when he calls for Palestinian refugees to go back to their homes because they were originally displaced from homes, so why endorse…
Spokesman: Abdel Hamid, I think I was responding in very general terms to the issue of refugees and international law. Obviously they are very relevant General Assembly resolutions dealing with Palestinian refugees and it's not for me to contradict those. They are a body and they are well-known. Olga. Sorry, Carole, and then Olga.
Question: Stéphane, I wanted to ask about the Palestinian flag. I don't know if this has been raised. I've been away for a few days. How is it going to work now? You have 20 days? Does it go up one day? Does the flag just go up one day? Or is there a ceremony?
Spokesman: No, I think there needs to be work done on the plant. Our colleagues in the Office for Central Services who deal with these things will start, I think on Monday, putting up, finding… putting up the base for the flag poles, but it will be done in time to meet the requirements of the resolution. As to whether or not there will be a ceremony of some kind, that is up to… that is up to the Member States or to the General Assembly to decide.
Question: So where will it be?
Spokesman: My understanding is that it will be at the south end of the row, so that will be closer to 42nd Street. Yes, Madam?
Question: What about the flag of the Holy See?
Spokesman: I think there are two — my understanding is that there two flag positions are being prepared. Olga. You don't have a question. Excellent, I can finish then. But Oleg does. [laughs]
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. On Syria, there are reports that Russia is increasing the support of the Government and fight against ISIS and these reports indicate that this could include conducting military operation against the terrorists by the Russians. So did Russia notify the Secretary-General about any activities of this sort? And if this is in fact true, what is your understanding, should the countries… did the Member States inform the Secretary-General prior, before today taking action… was this the case…?
Spokesman: I am not aware of any official notification. So I don't have any independent confirmation of these reports. I think the Secretary-General's overall position is that the focus in Syria should be on getting the parties back to the political table. Did you have a follow-up?
Question: In the case of the US led coalition, did they inform Ban Ki-moon prior to the beginning of the air strikes?
Spokesman: My understanding is there was a letter sent to the Security Council, but I would take that with a small grain of salt. I’ll have to check. Anne?
Question: Yes, on 9 September, New York Times referred to a UN report from Geneva, which stated that nearly 8,000 people have died in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and blamed the continuing influx of fighters and weaponry from Russia as the major obstacle to peace. Do you expect the UN Secretary-General to issue a statement here in New York on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine following the 16 May-15 August report by the Office of the High… of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary-General has routinely expressed his concern for ongoing situation in Ukraine. He has asked for all to recommit themselves to the Minsk protocol. The human rights monitoring mission, as you will remember, was set up at the request of the Secretary-General, and he does feel it is a very important mechanism to ensure that a light is shined on what is going on in Ukraine. Edie?
Question: Stéphane, are we going to have the privilege of the Secretary-General's presence here for a news conference?
Spokesman: Yes. We've already talked about this. It will be next Wednesday at noon. Yes, you will have that privilege. And I will have the privilege not having to answer questions that day. Nizar and then Matthew?
Question: Saudi Arabia has banned Yemeni pilgrims from visiting Mecca this year. These are not refugees. They are just pilgrims who want to go and pay their regular ceremonies in Mecca. So how…
Spokesman: Let me look. It's the first I've heard of it. Matthew, Oleg and then I know Mr. Ladsous is waiting.
Question: Sure. US, South Sudan and Edmond Mulet. On the US, I wanted to know, I've seen the Secretary-General comment on various aspects of the refugee crisis and many others have come… there's now a US proposal to increase, but by only 2,000, the number of Syrian refugees taken. I'm wondering, does he have any view of this?
Spokesman: I think in broad terms the Secretary-General always welcomes countries doing more and I know we've had also the US, a number of Latin American countries have also stepped up and offered to take refugees. All those are steps in the right direction and are to be welcomed, and I think there is a greater need for more global sharing of the responsibility.
Question: Okay. On South Sudan, I'm asking again because there continue to be reports not only of fighting in Malakai, but troubling reports that things people say that UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan) is aware of and is not reporting. What is UNMISS, which has a presence in Malakai, what's their position on the fighting that's taking place and the type of armaments that are being used?
Spokesman: I don't have an update for you today.
Question: On Mr. Mulet, I wanted to ask this. It's unclear to me, seems he went representing the UN and gave a speech at something called the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul and said the following. He said that global collective action is needed to fight the latest transitional type of conflicts, including those caused by North Korea's proliferation of nuclear weapons, Mr. Mulet said Thursday. So in what context was he there?
Spokesman: I'll check if I can get a copy of the remarks. Nizar?
Question: I have a question on the mechanism of the chemical weapons. Is the Secretary-General consulting with relevant States regarding the composition of the commission?
Spokesman: Obviously he's consulting with… he's consulting where he needs to consult. We will obviously need to hire people with the right type of background, the right knowledge in these issues, and that's really where the OPCW comes from. I think we worked very well with them on the previous joint mission. I expect the same on this one.
Question: Just a quick follow-up on this. Would Syria have any say in that?
Spokesman: I think the decision as to who to hire remains that of the UN and of the OPCW.
Question: Thank you. On 31 July, the Secretary-General issued a statement condemning the burning alive of the child Ali Dawabshe. However, two weeks later his father also perished in the same fire. And just a week ago, his mother died and there was no statement from the Secretary-General. Putting this whole tragedy and perspective. On the other hand, the Defense Minister of Israel, [Moshe] Yaalon, said that those who are the three arrested, they are not expecting that this family will see justice and nothing will happen. Their homes were not demolished. There was no trial set for those three suspects who are in custody. So why the Secretary-General is silent about all this?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary-General has not been silent on the issue. I think we've expressed his sentiments very clearly at the time of the incident. Obviously our condolences go to the family after the death of the mother and the father in this heinous attack. We do hope that the Israeli authorities will do whatever they can to bring the perpetrators to justice. Mr. [Nickolay] Mladenov, I think, two days ago at the funeral expressed his concern along the same lines. Oleg?
Question: As a follow-up to Nizar’s question, in the case of hiring staff for the JIM, is there any restrictions based on the countries? I mean, in the case of the previous joint mission, the P5 members were excluded from the pool.
Spokesman: I don't have that level of detail to share with you, but it will be those decisions will be made by the UN and OPCW.
Question: Also, any reaction to the action taken by the US Senate yesterday, basically safeguarding the Iran agreement?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary-General from the beginning has expressed his support for the agreement. He's not going to comment on every step taken by the legislature in Washington. Carla, and you will have the last word.
Question: As you know, Foreign Minister [Hector] Timerman cancelled his stakeout yesterday, and so I'm going to give you the question that I was going to give to him.
Spokesman: But you know, I am not him. I am not — I have great passion for the Argentineans, but I will not speak on behalf of the Argentineans.
Question: This is on behalf of the post-2015 development agenda. I don't see in it any reference to the sovereign debt restructuring activity that was, I believe, passed by the General Assembly yesterday. Is there, in fact, any focus on sovereign debt restructuring in the post-2015 development agenda?
Spokesman: I think I would encourage you to look at the agenda in itself and I think you can answer that question and I'm sure the Argentinean mission would be happy to answer it. I will get Mr. Ladsous for you.