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.

**Secretary-General’s Press Encounter

As you’re all aware, the Secretary-General is now back in New York after participating in the opening of the COP [twenty-first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] in Paris.

Tomorrow, he will be holding a brief stakeout at 12:30 p.m. in front of the Security Council, where he will take a few questions and talk to you about the progress at the conference in Paris so far and other issues, as well.

And, in lieu of the noon briefing, we will have the Secretary-General, so we will not be seeing you at 12 p.m. tomorrow. 

**Secretary-General’s Travel

Then, tomorrow, the Secretary-General will hop on the plane to go back to Paris to attend the continuing climate change conference.

He will then, on Tuesday, 8 December, leave Paris for Helsinki, in Finland, where he will participate in a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Finland’s United Nations membership.

While in the country, the Secretary-General will meet with senior officials, including the President [Sauli Niinistö], the Speaker of the Parliament [Maria Lohela], and the Foreign Minister [Timo Soini].

In the capital, the Secretary-General will also visit an asylum seekers’ reception centre with Finland’s Minister of the Interior [Petteri Orpo].

And, on the evening of 9 December, the Secretary-General will return to Paris to attend the conclusion of the COP21 conference.

**Climate Change

And, at that very conference, which continues today, several new international partnerships were unveiled to help the world’s most vulnerable people from the impacts of climate change.

The partnerships recognize how building a climate-resilient world is essential to secure hard-won development gains and ensure the future investment is not lost to climate change.

They include early warning systems for more than 50 of the least developed countries and small island States, as well as providing access to insurance for over 400 million people in the most vulnerable countries over the next five years.

And all of these new partnerships are available online if you are interested.

**Middle East

Meanwhile, from the Middle East, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, expressed his concern today that, four months after the arson attack against the Dawabsha family in the West Bank, the incident has still not been resolved.  He said that he is concerned by the slow progress and calls on the Israeli authorities to move swiftly to bring the perpetrators of this terrible crime to justice.

Amid the current escalation of violence, Mr. Mladenov says it is essential that all people firmly and consistently reject terrorism and act decisively to stop hatred and incitement.

**Iraq

And, in a statement we issued yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General condemned the two bombing attacks that took place in Baghdad on 30 November, which killed at least 15 civilians and injured several dozen others, many of whom were marking the Shia religious observance of Arbaeen.

The Secretary-General stresses that no cause can justify such acts of terrorism.  He hopes that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes will be swiftly brought to justice.  And, that full statement is online.

We also put out today a report by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict describing the situation for children in Iraq since 2011.  The report details a large number of abuses against Iraqi children, including killing and maiming, acts of extreme violence, and the abduction of close to 1,400 boys and girls, and recurrent attacks on schools and hospitals, and the recruitment and use of children, as well as sexual violence used as a tactic by Da’esh and other extremist groups.

**World Food Programme

The World Food Programme (WFP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as the German Red Cross, have all joined forces to unveil a new initiative aimed at transforming the humanitarian system.

The new approach, called Food Security Climate Resilience Facility, or FoodSECuRe for short, will help release funds for disaster preparedness and response before a crisis hits while providing the necessary support for resilience-building activities.

WFP says that a shift in the humanitarian model from a reactive system to one that looks forward could save more lives, time and money.

That’s it.  Sherwin?

**Questions and Answers

Question:  Thanks, Stéph.  My question's on the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].  Do you have any information on the Force Intervention Brigade's South African contingent attacking the ADF [Allied Democratic Forces] in an offensive late yesterday?  There are reports also that this offensive was blocked by the DRC… well, attempts were made to block the offensive.  Can you just talk about the relationship?

Spokesman:  I don't have an update to what we said yesterday, which… that the UN peacekeepers were participating in an operation against the ADF, using helicopter gunships as well as artillery.

Question:  What's the relationship between the Government and the UN?

Spokesman:  The UN is doing these operations in support of the Government.  Mr. Lee?

Question:  I wanted to ask something… some other things, but I mean, on that, there are very detailed quotes from South African military officials saying that the Government said, “Don't do it,” and that the Government is trying to use non-cooperation or orders against the attack on ADF as leverage to both reduce the troop strength of MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] and to get the war… generals accused of war criminals to participate in UN war activities.  So, it seems like you should… like, is that not the case?  Do you maintain that the Government is fully cooperating with this…?

Spokesman:  I think what I'm telling you is that the UN operates its… fulfils its mandate in these particular instances in support of the Government.  As for operational or tactical details, I don't have those.

Question:  Just the one follow‑up on that would be, if it's, as seems to be, at least, South Africa is stating, the UN feels comfortable taking military actions that it thinks is in support of the Government without the Government's full support.  Why hasn't it taken any of those against the FDLR [Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda], where the lack of Government cooperation is used as the excuse?

Spokesman:  I think each operation has its own… is sui generis, and I'm not going to second‑guess the military decisions taken by the commanders on the ground.  Mr. Abbadi?

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Few days ago, the European Union asked Israel to label the products exported from occupied territories, and Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu responded by excluding the European Union from the Middle East peace process.  What does the Secretary‑General think of that decision?

Spokesman:  Well, I think… as I said, we very much hope the European Union will be able to participate fully in the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians.  They're an important partner and, obviously, as you know, part of the Quartet.  Please, Olga?

Question:  To follow up on this, any plans for Quartet to visit the region scheduled for December?

Spokesman:  We understand there may be a visit by the envoys later this month.  But I don't have any hard dates to give you, but I know it is something that may be in the works.

Question:  So, it's understanding?  It's not the plan to visit?

Spokesman:  Sorry?

Question:  So, it's just understanding that they are…?

Spokesman:  Yes, and if I have dates to share with you, I will.  Mr. Charbonneau?

Question:  Thank you.  Yesterday, Ambassador Samantha Power said that President [Paul] Kagame of Rwanda should step down at the end of his term next year to set an example for the region.  What is the UN's position on this idea of changing the constitution to extend term limits, given that it has proven to be a sensitive issue that has led to conflict in a number of countries?

Spokesman:  I would refer you back to the Secretary‑General's speech earlier this year at the African Union, where he addressed those very issues.

Question:  So maybe if you can just refresh our memory…?  [laughter]

Spokesman:  I would be happy to share the speech with you.  All right.  Matthew and then Olga.  This feels like Friday.

Question:  I want to ask about Haiti and also about the memorial to slavery, given it's the… what day it is.  In Haiti, you're probably aware of this, that a number of academics, professionals, and also elected… deputy elected official have accused the UN and UNOPS [United Nations Office of Project Services] of being involved in electoral fraud in the 25 August election.  They've written a long open letter signed by many people.  What is the UN's response?  And, what was UNOPS’ role during the election?  And, why do so many people believe that it was engaged in fraud?

Spokesman:  I'm sure the letter was addressed to the UN Mission.  They will respond.

Correspondent:  It was a public letter.

Spokesman:  This was also a Haitian‑led process.  There are procedures through which people can appeal or file complaints through the national election bodies, and we would encourage them to do so.

Question:  Against… can they file complaints against the UN?

Spokesman:  They can raise issues as to the conduct of the elections.  Yes, what was your next question?

Question:  Okay, yeah, I wanted to ask… I'd asked you this… today… today is the International Day of Remembrance of the end of transatlantic slavery.  So, I wanted to ask, there's the Global Sustainability Foundation, one of the two entities, I guess, are being subject to some kind of a review by OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services].  They contribute… I found the document.  They contributed $60,000 to the memorial that's out in front of the GA [General Assembly].  I wondered, one, do you have… in terms of the… given that the founder of the organization has been indicted for bribe… use of that organization for bribery, do you have any comment on that?  And what's the status of the OIOS review of the two organizations' interactions with the UN?  And, is Mr. [Edmond] Mulet the head of the task force?

Spokesman:  That is still ongoing.  The work that was being done by the Chef de Cabinet's office will continue by… with the Chef de Cabinet… with the new Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Mulet, who was sworn in today.

Question:  Is there a deadline for the OIOS review, given the… I mean, there was a lot of heat around the issue and…?

Spokesman:  Not that I'm aware of.  Obviously, they're trying to do this as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Question:  And when they finish, will we know or… from you?

Spokesman:  I hope to know, because I would like to know.  Olga, and then Evelyn.  Sorry.

Question:  Stéphane, could you please update us on the Joint Investigation Mission in Syria?  You said, previously, there are three offices, in Damascus, New York, Hague, but the staff wasn't complete.

Spokesman:  Yeah, the clock has started.  They've begun their work.  And, if I'm not mistaken, Ambassador Power said that Kim Won‑soo, the High Representative for Disarmament, will brief the Council soon on the status of the Mission.

Correspondent:  He's doing it now.

Spokesman:  There you go.

Question:  But he's not briefing us.

Spokesman:  I will try to get an update from him.  Okay?  Evelyn?

Question:  Should, by some chance, there be an agreement that there be a peacekeeping force to Burundi, can the UN get one ready before a disaster happens?

Spokesman:  Well, I think we're… we're obviously getting a few steps… steps ahead of ourselves.  The focus right now is on beefing up Mr. [Jamal] Benomar's efforts on the ground.  That is being done.  Obviously, you know as well as I do, the creation of a peacekeeping force and the generation of forces for peacekeeping force takes a little bit of time, but our colleagues in DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] and DFS [Department of Field Support] are continuously doing contingency planning.

Question:  What does that mean?

Spokesman:  That means they're trying to get ready for any contingency that may arise.

Question:  Stéph, a follow‑up on Lou's question.  Is there a scenario where the Secretary‑General would accept the changing of a constitution to extend the term of a president?  For example, in the Rwanda case, the Senate unanimously approved this move, and there is going to be a referendum in lieu of the finalization of this decision.  Are there instances where it's acceptable?

Spokesman:  I think it's not for the Secretary‑General to accept or not accept these issues.  I think the Secretary‑General, in his speech in Addis, made clear his view on… broad views on these issues.  But, it is not for him to accept or not to accept changes.  Mr. Abbadi, and then I want to go.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Does the Secretary‑General think that the decisions at the Paris climate change conference should be mandatory?

Spokesman:  Well, obviously, this is an issue for Member States to decide.  They're in the heat and in the midst of those discussions right now.  The Secretary‑General would like to see a strong, robust accord.  He's spoken about the need for periodic review of the commitments that were made, but the legal… the exact legal framework of the accord is something that is being discussed by negotiators right now.  Mr. Avni, Mr. Charbonneau, Mr. Lee.

Question:  On that Mladenov statement, is he saying that the Israeli court system, legal system is not… is he doubting its ability to deal with this issue?  Also, does he indicate… does… is he calling for any similar process on the Palestinian side when it comes to terror?

Spokesman:  I think, when it comes to terror, we are always calling for the authorities in charge to investigate cases fully.  He's not calling into doubt the ability of the system.  He's just bringing to light the fact that, after four months, the incident itself has not been resolved.

Question:  Right, but he is issuing it a day after there are reports on all kinds of things that are happening in the legal system in Israel.  So he's obviously saying that that's not good or not good enough.

Spokesman:  He's saying that, after four months, I think he would like… we would like to see this case resolved.

Question:  Meaning… meaning that the system is too slow?  Is that what he's saying?

Spokesman:  You know, I would love…

Question:  Because, I mean, it's a very odd statement… very unique statement that he's making when it comes to the justice… a justice system to handle terrorism.  He hasn't made similar statements on the Palestinian justice system.

Spokesman:  I don't think it's a very unique statement.  Mr. Charbonneau?

Question:  I wanted to ask about upcoming possible meetings on Yemen and Syria.  There's been discussion for some time about a meeting in Geneva, possibly in the coming weeks.  Is there… is that still an option?  Is it possibly coming together?

Spokesman:  Sorry, in which country are we referring to right now?

Correspondent:  Yemen.

Spokesman:  Yemen.

 

Question:  And, then, for Syria yesterday, Ambassador Power mentioned that New York is an option.  I mean, people have also mentioned Prague, as well as Vienna and Geneva.  Is there any… do you have any updates…?

Spokesman:  No, I mean… the meeting… to head to your second question first, the International Syria Support Group is one that's been called by the US and Russia and other nations.  We are very much supporting that process.  They will decide where the meeting takes place and, obviously, we'll be there… Mr. [Staffan] de Mistura will be there, fully supportive and at the table as he was in the two previous Yemen… two previous Syria meetings.  On Yemen, you know, we're continuing to aim for a meeting in Geneva.  As we've said before, the discussions are continuing, involving the Special Envoy, and when he has date and when he's confident enough to announce a date, I have no doubt that he will.  Go?

Question:  Just a follow‑up to Lou's question.  Could it be inside the UN?

Spokesman:  I think, you know, the location is not nearly as important as the content.  We can always a host a meeting here.  We've hosted many meetings here, but it can be wherever those organizing the meeting wish it to be.  But, obviously, our rooms and our facilities are always available to the Member States.

Question:  Will it be here?

Spokesman:  We'll have to wait to announce.  [laughter]  Mr. Lee?

Question:  Sure.  I want to ask you about South Sudan.  And, I know that they're meeting in the Council this afternoon, but I… I've been asking you for some days now about… to confirm reports of fighting, and now I've seen something… an e-mail by UNMISS [United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan] to the security cell, acknowledging that they're aware of fighting between the Government and SPLA‑IO [Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition] in Western Bahr el Ghazal state, and they say fighting's still ongoing as of 2 December, quote…

Spokesman:  Matthew, I clearly don't get the e-mails you do, which is unfortunate…

Question:  Right.  I guess I'm wondering, check with the Mission, because my main question is, why does the Mission…?

Spokesman:  If I get an update from the Mission, I share it.  As I've told you, you also have a phone and you have access to e-mail, because you're clearly getting e-mails that I'm not getting.  You can e-mail the Mission.

Question:  My question to you is, what is the role of UNMISS in South Sudan as the Government and the rebels continue to fight?  Why does the UN not report fighting it's aware of?

Spokesman:  The UN… the Mission reports fighting as it deems fit.  It reports… we've reported in the past from this podium quite a lot of fighting.  Also, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] has a role to play in monitoring the cessation of hostilities between both parties.

Question:  The reason I'm asking is… I know you haven't seen this, so I'm going to tell you… this e-mail has a line, “no UN interest is involved at this time.”  So, I want to know, what does that mean?

Spokesman:  I don't know.

Question:  How does this relate to this mandate or…?

Spokesman:  Unless I get these e-mails, I can't answer your question.

Question:  I'll send you this one.

Spokesman:  I can't answer your question, Matthew. Thank you, all.