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.
**Syria
The Secretary‑General and his Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, participated in the meeting of the International Syria Support Group that is taking place outside, off campus, here in New York.
The Secretary‑General attended this morning and Mr. de Mistura is of course still there.
At 3 p.m., if the schedule holds, we expect the Secretary‑General to brief the Security Council in an open meeting about the latest developments concerning Syria, including today’s meeting of the International Support Group. Of course, Mr. de Mistura will be accompanying the Secretary‑General.
And the Security Council has also scheduled a meeting and consultations on Iraq, later today.
The three‑member leadership panel of the OPCW‑UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), led by its Head, Virginia Gamba, was in Damascus yesterday for meetings with the Syrian Government. The visit came after the signing of the Status of Mission Agreement in New York last week.
During the visit, the panel met with Faisal Mekdad, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria, and other representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic. They discussed the implementation of the Security Council resolution 2235 (2015) and the Status of Mission Agreement. The Syrian Government confirmed its readiness to cooperate with the Joint mission and the Joint Investigative Mechanism.
The Secretary‑General announced the JIM to be fully operational on 13 November, and its first report is expected mid‑February 2016 to the Security Council.
**Libya
You may have seen the statement we issued yesterday in which the Secretary‑General welcomed the historic signing of the Libyan Political Agreement by participants of the UN‑facilitated dialogue.
Calling it a critical step in continuing Libya’s post‑revolution transition, the Secretary‑General said that the door will remain open to those who wish to join the road to peace. He added that the UN will continue to support the process and the Government, moving forward.
Following the signing, the Secretary‑Generals Special Representative, Martin Kobler, highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in the country. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), internal displacement has almost doubled in a year and now affects nearly half a million people in Libya.
Mr. Kobler today expressed concern over the outbreak of violence in the northeast of the country. He called for the protection of civilians and reminded all parties that such indiscriminate attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and may constitute war crimes.
**Central African Republic
From the Central African Republic, the UN Mission in that country (MINUSCA) reports that the National Electoral Authority (NEA) announced yesterday that 90 per cent of voters are in favour of the new Constitution, according to partial election results related only to the capital, Bangui.
Results from the provinces are still being collected.
Yesterday, the Electoral Authority also published the final list of more than 1,600 validated legislative candidates retained for 140 electoral districts.
Meanwhile, the Mission says that the presidential campaign is under way in the provinces.
And in light of the recent declaration of autonomy by ex‑Séléka (FPRC) in the North‑Eastern region of the country, the Mission is discussing with local authorities in Birao security measures and electoral support issues.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN Mission in the country (MONUSCO) reports that yesterday, another camp from the armed group Force de Résistance Patriotique de l’Ituri (otherwise known as FRPI) was taken over in Ituri province.
The UN Mission supported the operation conducted by Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This is the sixth militia camp that has been cleared since the current operation against the armed group, launched on 14 December.
**Migrants
Today is International Migrants Day and the Secretary‑General said in a 2015 message that 2015 will be remembered as a year of human suffering and migrant tragedies.
He said that over the past 12 months, more than 5,000 women, men and children lost their lives in search of protection and a better life, while millions have been made into scapegoats and become the targets of xenophobic policies and alarmist rhetoric.
At a panel discussion this morning, the Deputy Secretary‑General, Jan Eliasson, stressed that International Migrants Day is an opportunity to recognize the positive and powerful contributions migrants and refugees bring to both host and home communities. All those remarks and messages are online and in my office.
**UNHCR
On a related note, the office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that this year, 2015, is likely to see a record level of global forced displacement, with nearly one million people having crossed the Mediterranean so far and conflicts in Syria and elsewhere continuing to generate staggering levels of human suffering.
UNHCR’s Mid‑Year Trends 2015 says that 2015 is on track to see worldwide forced displacement exceeding 60 million for the first time.
In a global context, that means that one person in every 122 has been forced to flee from home.
The High Commissioner, António Guterres, said that there has never been a greater need for tolerance, compassion and solidarity with people who have lost everything.
**Liberia
Turning to Liberia, a new report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) documents the negative impact of some traditional and cultural practices on human rights.
These practices include female genital mutilation or FGM, forced initiation into secret societies, accusations of witchcraft, and trials by ordeal and ritualistic killing. That report should be available online.
**Boko Haram
The World Food Programme (WFP) says it is concerned that the number of children under five and women suffering from malnutrition in areas of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger affected by Boko Haram violence may rise even further.
More than 5.6 million people are already experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. In the worst affected areas, under‑five malnutrition exceeds the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold by significant margins.
The World Food Programme aims to provide food and nutrition support to about 600,000 people in response to rising food insecurity, malnutrition and displacement.
**Wood
Global production of all major wood products is showing its largest growth since the global economic downturn of 2008‑2009, according to new data published today by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).
In 2014, growth in wood products ranged from 1 to 5 per cent, surpassing the pre‑recession levels of 2007. The fastest growth was registered in Asia‑Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. If you are interested in wood production, look on the FAO website.
**Press Encounters
At approximately 1 p.m., this afternoon, Federica Mogherini, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will be here to speak to you at the Security Council Stakeout.
**Questions and Answers
Spokesman: Mr. Lee?
Question: I want to ask about Yemen and Burundi. In Yemen, I’ve seen somewhere Farhan [Haq] quoted that the talks had not been suspended, but there are many quotes from the Houthi side, saying that they will not continue the talks until the UN says something about ceasefire violations by the Saudi-led coalition. Where does it stand, and do you have any comment on ceasefire violations on either side?
Spokesman: The Secretary‑General’s Special Envy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, today has had several sessions with the participants, which is the fourth day of the talks in Switzerland. The focus was mostly on security issues in Yemen, in light of the developments on the ground. He’s obviously deeply concerned about reports of violations of cessation of hostilities that we’ve seen earlier today. He urges all parties to respect this agreement and considers that the end of the violent conflict is vital in ensuring a stable and secure future for the Yemeni people. The consultations between the Special Envoy and delegations continue to take place to build on what was agreed upon in previous days. Bilateral and group meetings have been held over the last days with experts from humanitarian organizations and representatives of the international community to find an urgent political resolution on the crisis in Yemen – which, to me, all seems to say that the discussions are continuing in Switzerland.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to ask on Burundi. I’m sure you’ve seen that the African Union spokesman for them, for the Peace and Security Council, says that they have either are about to or some people said yesterday have decided to authorize 5,000 troops, peacekeeping troops to Burundi, with or without Government approval. Does the UN have any comment? Did it play any role? Did Mr. [Haile] Menkerios play a role? [cross talk]
Spokesman: We’ve obviously seen these reports. We’re in touch with the African Union. I think we’re looking for some clarity as to what was announced.
Question: Would it be a good idea?
Spokesman: We’re looking for some clarity as to what was announced. Evelyn and then Oleg?
Question: From what I’ve read, they have announced that they are going to do it, to send the troops, and they said it had to be approved by the UN. Does anybody know what part of the UN? It’s usually the Security Council… [Cross talk]
Spokesman: Well, as I said, we’re trying to get some clarity into what was announced.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I understand the ISSG meetings are being held behind closed doors, but can you provide some input to what was the message of Ban Ki‑Moon while he was there, what did he call the parties to do, and what’s happening over there, basically?
Spokesman: Well, as you said, it’s behind closed doors. Those doors are closed, and you and I are outside those doors. I’m not sure I can tell you what’s happening inside. Mr. de Mistura is there, and we very much hope there will be an opportunity for him to speak to you as it’s going on. The message for the Secretary‑General was a message of encouragement, a message of acknowledgement of the great work the support group has put together, so forth. A reminder of the human suffering we keep seeing every day in Syria, and of course, re-expressing the already known readiness of United Nations to work on the political process, to convene the political process, but obviously this initiative is one that he very much welcomes, has been supporting, and I think took time off to salute the leadership of both Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov and Secretary [John] Kerry. Madam?
Question: Can you confirm that the Jordanian list has more than 1,000 groups on it or…?
Spokesman: No, as I said, those… the doors are closed and I’m on the wrong side of them.
Correspondant: But you can call them. [laughs]
Spokesman: I can’t confirm. Obviously, this is a group led by those members, by Secretary Kerry, by Mr. Lavrov, Foreign Minister Lavrov, the UN through its Special Envoy very much supporting the group, but I think we hope to see a migration of all of the participants towards UN building later this afternoon in the Security Council. Hopefully they’ll be able to answer your questions. Evelyn?
Question: Is the UN supposed to monitor any ceasefire? Any idea how this will be done?
Spokesman: I think all of those things are very much being studied and contingency plans are being made.
Question: And would Mr. de Mistura, somebody else eventually give us the list of the Jordanian terror groups and the Saudi opposition groups?
Spokesman: You know, I think that will be also up for those members of the Support Group to speak for themselves.
Question: The meeting at 3 p.m. with Security Council, is it in stone or depends on the outcomes of the ISSG meeting?
Spokesman: Let me give you another answer. It’s on the schedule. All right. Yes, Matthew, question?
Question: One question, I saw Mr. [Jeffrey] Feltman’s over there and obviously, Ban Ki‑Moon was in and left. If he had spoken when he left, what would he have said?
Spokesman: I think he was scheduled to speak. First of all, I gave you some indication of his message and he will be speaking at the opening session of the Council.
Question: I wanted to ask you about… You’ve been asked several times about a case in South Korea, freedom of the press case, and it’s now resolved and an individual has been, I guess, acquitted of criminal defamation. I’m asking you because it was termed in ‑‑ the verdict came after a reading out of the South Korean Foreign Ministry statement saying, please exonerate him to improve relations with Japan, and some people related it to the comfort issue, the comfort women issue, so it’s an international solve the peace issue. Do you… does he now have any comment on either the propriety of criminal defamation laws as regarded for reporting on the president?
Spokesman: I have no comment to whatever I already said on this.
Correspondant: Which was nothing.
Spokesman: That’s your assessment. Yes, ma’am?
Question: Yesterday, you said that there was… maybe there would be a meeting… American, Russian and UN press conference. Is it still on?
Spokesman: You know, as many things here, things are on paper, I’ll wait… it’s a movable feast. So hopefully we’ll move from the… from Madison Avenue to First Avenue. Yes, Abdel Hamid?
Question: Sorry for coming late and if I missed that, I apologize. There are two days of meetings of the Quartet in Jerusalem, in Ramallah, so is there any update on that meeting?
Spokesman: You know what, I don’t have anything and I should have had something, so I will give you… let me give you something after the briefing. I thought I had seen something, but I don’t. [He later provided the correspondent with a statement issued by the Quartet Envoys on Thursday.] Yes?
Question: Thank you so much. Can you confirm that Yom Kippur is now an official UN holiday?
Spokesman: I have not… personally right now I can’t… we’ll have to see if there was a resolution of some sort. I know this was something that was under discussion. You may also want to ask Dan Thomas to see if anything’s moved on it in the GA (General Assembly), but I will check. Mr. Lee?
Question: I wanted to ask you again about yesterday’s released Central African Republic report. What I wanted to ask, in reading it more closely, that given the finding about the now left the UN head of OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight Services)… first of all, can you say… you answered yesterday that Mr. [Anders] Kompass is still under investigation. Given how pretty definitive the report is, is he under investigation in connection with the release of the CAR report or with the Western Sahara allegations or…
Spokesman: I have no… I don’t have those details.
Question: Given that Miss [Carman] Lapointe’s deputy, Mr. [Michael] Stefanovic, recused himself and spoke out basically against what she was doing and that a Mr. Finesse continued, is there any… of Mr. Finesse is the third one down…
Spokesman: I don’t think Mr. Stefanovic is her deputy. He’s the investigator chief.
Question: Exactly. I guess what I’m saying is the finding… I mean, for example, they looked at this chief of staff of Ban Ki‑Moon and not Ban Ki‑Moon. They looked at her activities at the meeting in Turin, in setting up the meeting, whether if it was appropriate or not. In the case of OIOS, is it… the things that OIOS did, is it entirely contributable to Ms. Lapointe or are they the continuing? Is the continuing of the investigation of Mr. Kompass consistent with the directive of the report?
Spokesman: The investigation, as far as I know, is continuing. And I’m not going to analyse the rest of your question.
Thank you.