Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
Good afternoon.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General arrived in Riyadh [Saudi Arabia] a short while ago, where he will attend the opening of the Fourth Summit of Arab and South American countries, which opens tomorrow. The Secretary-General will also hold talks with a number of Saudi officials, as well as South American officials attending the summit.
The Secretary-General is scheduled to return to New York and be back in the office on Wednesday.
**Burundi
A statement on the situation in Burundi - the Secretary-General condemns the killing of at least seven people, including a United Nations staff member, in a bar in the Kanyosha neighbourhood of Bujumbura on 7 November. Preliminary reports suggest that the attack was conducted by people wearing police uniforms.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate end to the recurring violence and killings. He urges the Government to swiftly conduct a full investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this terrible crime are brought to justice. He reminds the Government of its responsibility for protecting civilians and ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel in the country.
The Secretary-General has seen the troubling reports today that several people, including a policeman, were killed during the ongoing forcible disarmament campaign in Bujumbura. He strongly urges all Burundian security forces to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid further escalation of the tense situation in the country.
The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal to all national stakeholders, in particular the Government of Burundi, to keep the interests of the people of Burundi uppermost and resolve all outstanding issues through an inclusive dialogue.
That statement is available in my office and online, in English and French.
**Myanmar
Also, I was asked earlier today about our reaction to the elections in Myanmar – and I can say that, as you are aware, the Secretary-General and various members of the United Nations family have been commenting over the past days expressing their hopes and concerns over the 8 November election in Myanmar. We are likely to have more considered comments on the election results in the coming days.
The Secretary-General, however, wishes to congratulate the people of Myanmar for their patience, dignity and enthusiasm as they participated in Sunday’s historic polls. He commends the Union Election Commission as well as its various state, regional and local institutions for their important work. Observers to the process, both domestic and international, have also witnessed this momentous event.
The Secretary-General notes that the results of the polls have started to come in. He encourages all stakeholders in Myanmar to maintain the dignified spirit, calm and respect throughout the completion of the electoral process.
**Somalia
And this morning back here – the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) – which will provide support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the Somali National Army on joint operations with AMISOM.
Following that, the UN Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, briefed the Council’s ministerial meeting on Somalia on behalf of the Secretary-General. Stressing that the next year will be a momentous year for Somalia, she said that a peaceful, constitutional transition of power would mark an extraordinary milestone on the country’s path to democracy.
The Secretary-General has urged Somali leaders to complete the consolidation of its federal system by the end of 2016, as well as to achieve genuine, inclusive reconciliation in all regions.
And the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, also addressed the Council. He warned that any scaling back on support or resources now will only endanger peace and security in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, bolster violent extremism and risk a renewed exodus of refugees.
**Security Council
And following the Security Council meeting on Somalia, Council members took up the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They adopted a Presidential Statement welcoming the appointment of Maman Sidikou as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC and head of the mission.
They also expressed deep concern over the persistent high levels of violence, violations and abuses of human rights and international law in the eastern part of the country.
This afternoon, at 3 p.m., Jeff Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and also the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, will brief the Security Council on the situation in Burundi.
**Central African Republic
From the Central African Republic, the mission in that country (MINUSCA), reports that this morning its peacekeepers blocked an armed group, predominantly made of Muslims, from moving past the Pont Jackson Bridge in Bangui. At the same time, the UN received reports indicating that anti-Balaka individuals were planning to advance from the south-east of Bangui towards the group of Muslims.
Some of the members of the group of Muslims set houses on fire in the third district of Bangui, but they eventually withdrew to PK5 after UN peacekeepers fired warning shots and tear gas.
The security situation in Bangui remained tense throughout the weekend, with a total of six people reportedly being killed in the capital. A joint patrol made up of internal security forces and peacekeepers from MINUSCA investigated some of the deaths but was fired upon on Sunday, with no injuries reported.
**Yemen
Turning to the situation in Yemen, Tropical Cyclone Megh passed over Socotra, Yemen, yesterday. Initial reports suggest six people have been killed and 60 injured, with the storm causing significant damage. There has reportedly been damage to whole villages, including in some on the smaller islands to the west of Socotra.
A UN inter-agency convoy of eleven trucks, containing 35 metric tonnes of household goods departed Aden on 8 November in the evening for Al Mukalla. There are reports of damage on the Aden-Al Mukalla road, including [to] several bridges.
The World Food Programme (WFP), for its part, says that Yemen’s fragile food security is deteriorating fast. Ten out of 22 governorates are classified as facing food insecurity at ‘Emergency’ level – one step below famine. Humanitarian organizations need to be able to move freely and safely to provide assistance to reach all those in urgent need before they fall deeper in crisis.
Despite colossal challenges, in October, WFP assisted more than 2.5 million people across the country – compared to a monthly average of 1 million [people] since the conflict started – and is scaling up to reach 5 million people a month by the end of February next year.
**South Sudan
And from South Sudan, following weeks of fighting and displacement, a humanitarian team has reached about 24,000 displaced people in South Sudan’s Maridi County in Western Equatoria State with child protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation support.
Aid agencies have also reached neighbouring Mundri East and West counties, also in Western Equatoria, to conduct a rapid needs assessment and deliver health supplies and equipment.
The assessment team estimates that around 50,000 people are displaced and urgently need food, water, shelter and healthcare in the two counties.
Reaching people in need of assistance in Western Equatoria has been challenging, as most people are hiding in the bush and have deserted the main villages.
**Sudan
And the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that more than 4 million children under the age of 5 have been targeted with oral polio vaccine during a three-day national immunization campaign in Sudan.
The campaign was carried out in 18 states of Sudan, which remains at high risk of the spread of wild polio virus because of large numbers of people moving throughout the country, mostly due to conflict and displacement - more information on WHO’s website.
**Iraq
And Iraq this week completed its first round of oral cholera vaccination campaign for Syrian refugees and displaced people inside Iraq. And that campaign is being supported by the World Health Organization and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
**Ukraine
And moving on to Ukraine, for the first time since the suspension of its activities, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has delivered vital winter aid — including plastic sheeting, timber and thousands of blankets — for distribution to up to 12,000 highly vulnerable people in an area of eastern Ukraine that is beyond Government control.
The UNHCR convoy of nine trucks loaded with basic relief items and construction materials passed through checkpoints to arrive in Luhansk on Saturday. It was the first UN convoy in three months to take supplies to the city, where thousands of civilians have been caught up in the conflict that erupted last year.
**World Meteorological Organization
And the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, today warned that the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached yet another new record high in 2014.
According to the latest Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, since 1990 there has been a 36 per cent increase in radiative forcing – the warming effect on our climate – because of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities - more information on WMO’s website.
**Egypt
Also, I was asked a bit earlier today for the Secretary-General’s reaction of the arrest of Hossam Bahgat. And I can say that the Secretary-General has learned with concern of the detention of Egyptian human rights defender Hossam Bahgat on 8 November, reportedly in connection with an investigation in which he is accused of publishing false information that harms national interest. Mr. Bahgat is a member of UNDP's (United Nations Development Programme) Global Civil Society Advisory Council and the founder of the group Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
This is just the latest in a series of detentions of human rights defenders and others that are profoundly worrying to the Secretary-General.
The Secretary-General again underscores the importance of safeguarding freedom of speech and association in Egypt. He strongly believes that pluralism and vibrant civil society are key for achieving long-term stability in the country, including the guarantee that all peaceful voices are heard and represented.
**Amina Mohammed
And a personnel announcement - the Secretary-General congratulates Amina J. Mohammed, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Post-2015 Development Planning, on her appointment as Minister in the cabinet of President [Muhammadu] Buhari of Nigeria.
The Secretary-General is deeply grateful for Ms. Mohammed's outstanding service and contribution to the shaping of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Across three years of complex negotiations and the most inclusive consultation process in the history of the United Nations, her vision and voice helped to bring people together, enlist new partners to the cause, and reach global consensus on the Sustainable Development Goals – the world’s inspiring new framework for ending poverty and building lives of peace and dignity for all on a healthy planet.
The Secretary-General wishes Ms. Mohammed every success in her new role as Minister and looks forward to her continuing engagement with the United Nations.
**Police Week
And as we speak, the Chef de Cabinet is delivering remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General – this time at the opening the 10th meeting of the UN Police Components, which kicks off UN Police Week, which starts today.
Addressing police commissioners and senior police advisers, the Secretary-General said that police are on the frontline in the transition from violence to post-conflict societies.
He added that the officers that they command every day work tirelessly to build new police services from the ground up and protect civilians. He called on them to work together, to protect the good name of peacekeeping and uphold the trust placed in the UN by the people who need us most.
**Umoja
Today, for those of you who don’t know – we launched Umoja, the new central UN administrative system. It went live today for thousands of new users, including at the UN Headquarters here in New York, as well as in Geneva and Vienna.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Ms. Malcorra said that the launch is a milestone and an essential part of transforming the UN into a more modern, flexible and nimble Organization.
The pilot launch for Umoja, which for those of who don’t speak Swahili, means “unity”, took place in July of 2013 with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as well as the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL). Today’s launch will allow an additional 12,000 staff to start using the new system.
**Press Conferences
Tomorrow I will be joined by my usual guest, John Ging [Director of Operations in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs], who seems to like it here. He will be here to brief you on his latest travels to Mali and Senegal.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thanks, Stéph. Question on Burundi. Are you able to just update us on what the role of the United Nations is on the ground there? There is a Special Envoy. Is his process… is the work he's doing, is it complementary to that of Yoweri Museveni of Uganda? Is it in parallel? What is the UN doing to bring the parties back to the negotiating table?
Spokesman: On the political front, the UN's focus is on supporting the efforts of the East African Community, which are led by the President of Uganda. And that's where we're putting our work. Mr. Lee and then…
Question: Follow‑up. On today's meeting, first of all, is… can you say whether Uganda, the… ostensibly, the mediator was asked to speak and will they speak?
Spokesman: That's a question for my British friends.
Question: Was the Secretary‑General planning on speaking before he announced this Saudi Arabia?
Spokesman: Yes.
Question: So the Saudi meeting preempted…?
Spokesman: Since he's travelling, Mr. [Jeffrey] Feltman is speaking on his behalf.
Question: And I wanted to ask about a… a… there are a number of journalists, but there's a high‑profile journalist that's been taken into detention by the Government there, Blaise Celestin Ndihokubwayo, and I guess I'm just wondering, what is the… in terms of on the ground, beyond mediation, what is sort of human rights/press protection/presence of the UN? And can you confirm this detention? Has anyone from the UN spoken to security services?
Spokesman: I cannot confirm the detention. I will see what we can find out. And the UN has a full country team there and, obviously, looking at issues of human rights as part of their work, and I think we've spoken out strongly on these issues.
Question: And UN staff member that was killed, is it a UNDP staff member? Can you say a bit…?
Spokesman: I believe he was a UNDP staff member, yes. Erol, then Joe, then…
Question: Yes. Stéphane, any warning from the Secretary‑General on the approaching twentieth anniversary of Dayton peace accord? As you know, we know each other about that time and we are older that much.
Spokesman: I don't have anything to answer your very probing question on this twentieth anniversary. Mr. Klein?
Question: Yes. I understand that Mr. [Staffan] de Mistura is supposed to be at the UN headquarters, possibly tomorrow. Is there any plan to make him available to us for questioning?
Spokesman: I would like nothing better than to make him available to you. We're trying to figure that out. Yeah?
Question: Okay. I have two questions. The first one is, there is a statement by the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, talking about the arrest of you… one of the arrests that… for 19 years old, Anas Khateeb, because he posted on Facebook, "Jerusalem is Arab" and slogans like "Long live Intifada", and "I am in the waiting list." He was arrested mid‑October and in detention until the third week of November. And, according to the Center, this is not the first time that people are arrested just for… so I'd like your comment.
Spokesman: I'm not aware of the specific case, but I will look into it.
Question: Okay. So I expect an answer tomorrow or today, later? [laughter]
Spokesman: I… soon… I don't like to hold on to answers. As soon as I have something, I will share it with you.
Question: I have a question regarding the Israelis are having at least, I think, 20 bodies of Palestinians who were killed in latest incidents, and they are refusing or they're not giving these bodies back to the families of Palestinians. So what's your comment on this?
Spokesman: I think… we would hope that the authorities do return the bodies to their families.
Question: But is there… sorry. I mean, a follow‑up? But is there anybody from the UN who's trying to see what's going on, on the human rights level?
Spokesman: I know the Special Coordinator is in touch with the Israeli authorities on a host of issues having to do with security and human rights. Carole? Go ahead. Abdelhamid, then Carole.
Question: Thank you. On Wednesday, the Israeli mission is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of adoption of a resolution which was annulled later — the resolution which equated Zionism as a form of racism. It was annulled in 1991, as everyone knows. But they're doing celebration here in the UN, and they invited the Secretary‑General… they said in their statement the Secretary‑General will be there. Doesn't that give the wrong message, when Israelis violating human rights? It is adopting so many racist laws against Palestinians, and then we can go through many of them, at least 42, that touch on the Palestinian Arabs who live in Israel. They carry the Israel citizenship. So why the Secretary‑General should be there? And something…
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General is there to… at the invitation… will be there at the invitation of the Israelis to mark the repudiation of that… the annulment of that resolution. I think the fact that he is there does not mean that he has not raised his voice in defence of human rights and the rights of Palestinians and in the search for a two‑state solution, for Israel and Palestine to live in peace, side by side. Carole? And then Majeed. Don't worry.
Question: Stéphane, I also have two questions. On the Secretary‑General's trip to Riyadh, can you specify which issues he might be discussing with the Saudis? And, as I understand it, this was an unscheduled trip. What prompted this travel?
Spokesman: The trip was prompted by a change in the Secretary‑General's schedule. He will meet with senior… very senior Saudi officials. The meetings are still being scheduled. So they will take place tomorrow. We'll obviously share with you the list of meetings he's having. I can assure you that the situation in Yemen, in the Middle East, in Syria will be discussed, as will the preparations for the climate change summit in Paris, the COP (Conference of Parties). Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries have an important role to play in the discussions leading up to the COP and during the COP itself. Majeed? Please go ahead.
Question: Sorry. On a different subject, on Western Sahara, you may have seen the comments of the king, who basically rejected the call for new negotiations or at least said there was nothing more to negotiate on Western Sahara during his visit. Where does that leave the Secretary‑General's envoy?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General's stance is very much reflected in the statement we issued last week, and his activities and his work continue to be guided by the hopes of settling this conflict that we've seen going on for 40 years and the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Question: Is Christopher Ross planning something?
Spokesman: Not that I'm aware of. Majeed?
Question: Yes, thank you, Stéphane. I have two question related to ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and Sham]. The first is about the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) report that confirms that ISIS used chemical weapons in Syria and that the three reports that has been distributed to Member States has also been sent to the Secretary‑General. First, has he looked at the reports, and what is his reaction? Because John Kirby… the… the Spokesperson to the State Department said it's very alarming or concerning. And my second question is: the Somali Prime Minister this morning said that the connection between Al Shabaab and ISIS is now confirmed, and it's very alarming, should not be taken lightly. And he said that the conflict in… he indicated that the… I'm paraphrasing… that the conflict between Yemen and Somalia is very intertwined, as strong as Yemen… how will this change the UN's or Secretary‑General's view about finding a solution for both conflicts, Yemen and Somalia?
Spokesman: Obviously, I think both the fact that there are weak central institutions in Yemen, that the Government of Somalia faces the challenges that it faces creates atmospheres and environments in which terrorists and radical groups can thrive. And one of the main drivers to strengthen the Government in Somalia is to also to eliminate the threat of extremist groups. So I would refer you back to both what the Secretary‑General said through his Chef de Cabinet and what Nicholas Kay himself said. But… and we've seen it as well in Yemen, the fact that we have no credible peace process at this point and the fighting that has continued has opened up a space for radical extremists and otherwise terrorist groups. On your first question, obviously, all these reports of use of chemical weapons are extremely alarming. I think the Secretary‑General has spoken out strongly against it, strongly in support of the work of the OPCW and obviously the joint mission that is now being again fielded with OPCW and the UN following Security Council vote, and we hope to have a little update on that mission, which is led by Ms. [Virginia] Gamba, to share with you.
Question: May I follow up on that?
Spokesman: You may.
Question: Has the Secretary‑General seen the three particular reports by the OPCW?
Spokesman: I have to check if they've been transmitted to his office. [He later said that the report has not been sent to the Secretary-General yet.] Yes, sir. Ali?
Question: Just a quick follow‑up on Western Sahara. Does Mr. Christopher Ross planning to go to the Western Sahara, or does he have a request to the… to any government, to the Moroccan Government to go there and what's the…
Spokesman: Well, you know, Mr. Ross has no immediate plans to visit Western Sahara, but he has a right to do so, taking due note of sensitivities as to timing, but his right to visit is not put into question. But there are no plans at this point. Mr. Lee?
Question: Okay. On this very topic, the foreign minister of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezouar, told EFE that Mr. Ross cannot visit the, quote, desert regions of Western Sahara by order of the Moroccan Government. So is he going to? I guess I want to ask you to tailor this generic statement to the foreign minister saying… [cross talk]
Spokesman: What I'm saying… what I said to Ali, which I will repeat, is that, while he has no immediate plans to visit Western Sahara, he has a right to do so, and that right should not be open to question, whether it's the scope of Mr. Ross' work and his range of activities are set forth by the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Secretary‑General.
Question: Right. So… I guess what I'm just saying is, was this statement that you're reading, this is… you're aware of this Moroccan foreign minister statement?
Spokesman: You've asked me a question. I've answered it.
Question: Okay.
Spokesman: My answer is a direct response to the question you've asked.
Question: All right. Here's a question that you haven't answered, and it has to do again with this UNDP document. I'm sorry to ask it. The document that was signed in public on camera in Macau by a UNDP representative, Teresa Liu, by Mr. Ng Lap Seng and the Prime Minister of Dominica. The reason I'm asking is now the opposition in Dominica has formally requested from the Prime Minister that he disclose the document. And it seems like, in the U.N., it talks about transparency. Where is the document?
Spokesman: It is a document signed by… not by UNDP but by a representative of the South‑South Cooperation office. I hope to have a bit more to share with you on that in the coming days. But, at this point, I would ask… refer your questions to [the] South‑South office.
Question: But I have an email pending there for a long time. And what I want to ask you is, since you said on Friday that they're not part of UNDP, I have done, I checked into it and they were reporting things up the chain. I understand there's an audit to begin today, so it is under UNDP. Apparently, it was allowed for long time to not report…
Spokesman: What I said to you is it is housed in UNDP, and UNDP is giving it administrative support, but it is not technically a UNDP office per se.
Question: Is the Shanghai office of OSCE… OSSC (Office for South-South Cooperation) going to be audited? Because that's what’s on the letterhead.
Spokesman: I would ask that… I would ask that question to the office…
Question: It was Ban Ki‑moon said he's going to get these reports from the funds…
Spokesman: I already said so I'm sure they're doing all the relevant work they need… [cross talk] I hope to have something for you on that tomorrow.
Correspondent: Okay.
Spokesman: Mr. Klein?
Question: Yes, because my questions is prompted by that exchange. I'm a little confused here. We were told when the auditor for the Secretariat was here that we should consult with the UNDP's controller with respect to whether procedures were properly being followed by the Office for South‑South Cooperation, and now I'm hearing that they're not necessarily accountable to UNDP hierarchy.
Spokesman: No, I… It's not that they're not accountable. As I said, I would beg for your patience, and I hope to have something for you tomorrow, which would ex… give you a little bit more explanation and hopefully remove any cloud of doubt that may be hovering over your seat. [laughter]
Correspondent: Mañana.
Spokesman: Abdelhamid?
Question: Question. So do you think that attending this celebration doesn't give the wrong message to a state that is in violation of all UN resolutions, including using of excessive force, as the SG himself said? And…
Spokesman: Abdelhamid, I think you and I, as we sometimes do, have a different interpretation of events. Whether… you're entitled to your opinion. You've raised the issue with me. I think I've… I've answered it.
Correspondent: Okay.
Spokesman: I wish… Mr. Lee…
Question: I have another… can I…
Spokesman: Please, please.
Question: Thank you. This old lady, Tharwat Sharawi, was killed on Friday afternoon by about 15 bullets near Hebron. She tried to avoid tear gas. She went to a gas station. The Israeli checkpoint thought she's running away from something, and they fired at her and killed her instantly. Are you aware of this incident?
Spokesman: I have not seen this particular case, but I can tell you that the Secretary‑General has raised publicly and privately the issue of excessive use of force by Israeli security forces in their interaction with Palestinian civilians. Mr. Lee?
Question: Great. Thanks. One is Yemen and the other is Tabit in Darfur. On Yemen, I just… I'd wanted to ask you this. I'd asked you about this before on the travel of the envoy. Maybe I didn't have enough information to ask correctly, but now I want to ask correctly, which is that I heard his travel to Dubai took place, UN funded, 11 May , 3 and 5 June, 1 and 4 August, 12 and 15 September, 9 and 11 October…
Spokesman: I get it… Matthew…
Question: Two more upcoming.
Spokesman: I get the message…
Question: It's a lot of travel. And you said we may disagree whether there might be a lone Houthi in Dubai, but what is all this travel? I'm saying it because the allegation among some who even work in the UN is that this is private business trips being taken on the UN dime. So please tell me what he was doing in Dubai all these days.
Spokesman: The Special Envoy, by the very definition of his work, I think, can be expected to travel to various places in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and others in conduct of his business. I have absolutely no reason to question the validity of his travels. Mr. Klein?
Question: Yes. Just as part of that cloud of doubt that's hanging over my seat, will you in your dis… providing more details, hopefully by tomorrow, also indicate whether the office for South‑South Cooperation is bound by the guidelines and risk assessment tools that the UNDP has published in evaluating relationships with private… the private sector?
Spokesman: That is on my to‑do list to dissolve the cloud.
Question: Okay. Okay. Dissolve the cloud. All right. And then, in a related cloud, in the area of procurement, if a vendor is… appears on a World Bank list of debarred companies, is it… does… as a matter of course, does the procurement officers evaluating a vendor… a prospective vendor to be included on the UN approved list look… look at the World Bank list as some other international…
Spokesman: I'm sure there's a very clear yes‑or‑no answer to that question, but it's not in my head at this point. So I will give it to you hopefully before the end of the day.
Correspondent: Thank you.
Spokesman: Last one.
Question: There's Tabit but…
[Cross talk]
Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you've seen this. Philip Alston, the special rapporteur on extreme poverty, said in this room at great length he was hoping the Secretary‑General would speak to Dr. [Jim Yong] Kim of the World Bank, which he, Mr. Alston, calls a human rights‑free zone. Is the Secretary‑General… maybe it's just a pipe dream that Mr. Alston has, but is the Secretary‑General aware of this pretty devastating UN special rapporteur's report about the lack of human rights and what would he say to it? Will he pass it on to Mr. Kim?
Spokesman: I don't know it if that report's been passed on. Obviously, the work of the special rapporteurs is independent and reflects their opinion. The Secretary‑General and the World Bank has… the Secretary‑General has a very strong working relationship with the World Bank and the UN system as a whole. If I have more…
Question: Sure. And the Tabit one is very simple. You may have seen the independent article.
Spokesman: I did, but I have nothing to add to what we've said on Tabit.
Question: And the underlying report they're reporting on by the NGO [non-governmental organization] in the U.K. makes various recommendations that UNAMID (United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur) have community liaisons that they don't leave West Darfur. If there's… is there a DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations) response?
Spokesman: I do not have one with me.