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.
**Boutros Boutros-Ghali
As you know, this morning the Secretary-General signed the Book of Condolences for former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The UN flag in New York, as well as in other cities, including Geneva and Vienna, are flying half-mast today.
Speaking at the General Assembly memorial earlier today, the Secretary-General said that Mr. Boutros-Ghali, who was the first post-cold-war Secretary-General, broke barriers as the first African and Arab Secretary-General, and consistently gave voice to the poorest and least powerful members of the human family.
Thanking Mr. Boutros-Ghali for his lasting contributions to the work of the UN, the Secretary-General said that at a tumultuous time, he helped the organization find its footing in a new global landscape. He called on everyone to build on his legacy.
We also wanted to flag that UN Archives have informed us that 20 years after the end of his term as Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s archives are now open to the public. There are nearly 500 boxes containing records related to his responsibilities as the Head of the Organization, including documents ranging from his travels across the globe to personal correspondence to coordination with other UN entities.
The majority of the records are available for viewing and public research in the reading room of the UN Archives here in New York. For more information, including instructions on how to make an appointment, if you are interested, go to http://search.archives.un.org/.
Also a reminder that the book of condolences is open today and tomorrow in the Visitors’ Lobby, I believe, from 9 to 5.
**Latin America and Caribbean
Also this morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
He commended the community for its solidarity with helping people in need, including its contributions to Haiti, regional cooperation on humanitarian crises and generosity in offering to host thousands of Syrian refugees. He also thanked the community’s efforts to support the peace process in Colombia, including the Special Declaration adopted at their recent summit in Quito, as well as their willingness to send observers to join the Mission that will be responsible for monitoring and verifying the ceasefire.
Turning to Zika, the Secretary-General stressed that although we do not yet have a clear understanding of the virus, regional cooperation on best practices and strategies must clearly be part of the response. He added that the World Health Organization (WHO) stands ready to support their efforts.
**Deputy Secretary-General
The Deputy Secretary-General is in Paris today where he delivered a keynote address on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
The Deputy Secretary-General called on OECD countries to play a key role in building a close partnership with developing countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The spirit of solidarity is enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals, he said, adding that “each and every one of us has a responsibility to translate the Goals into reality”.
**Syria
Just to flag on Syria that Staffan de Mistura, the Special Envoy for Syria, had a conference call today with the 18 countries who are part of the International Support Group. He said the members of the Support Group were encouraged that 114 trucks have been able to reach 82,000 people in besieged parts of Syria, including Madaya, Moadamiyeh, Kafraya, Foah and Zabadani. He said that he was quite pleased that so many people had been provided with aid but added that we need to go beyond that and assist all those who are in need in Syria.
In Madaya and Zabadani, food, health supplies reached some 40,000 beneficiaries.
Food, basic household items and health assistance reached 22,000 people in need in Moadamiyeh and 20,000 beneficiaries in Foah and Kafraya.
Additional convoys to the same towns, as well as to other besieged areas, are planned in the coming days.
The humanitarian community continues to call for unconditional, unimpeded and sustained access to all the 4.6 million people in hard-to-reach or besieged areas across Syria. Assistance has been delivered only to a limited number of locations.
**Turkey
As you will have seen yesterday, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General condemned the explosion that took place in Ankara earlier that day, which took the lives of at least 28 people and injured dozens more.
The Secretary-General hopes the perpetrators of this attack, terrorist attack, will be swiftly brought to justice. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of Turkey at this tragic time.
**South Sudan
From South Sudan, the UN Mission there (UNMISS) has strongly condemned the violence that erupted last night at its Protection of Civilians site in Malakal.
Violence involving the use of small arms, machetes and other weapons broke out between youths from the Shilluk and Dinka communities late last night. According to preliminary reports of the Mission, five internally displaced persons were killed and some 30 injured.
The violence has continued this morning. The Mission is calling on all communities to refrain from violence, restore calm and resolve differences through dialogue.
The Mission has increased perimeter patrolling while physically securing areas in the vicinity of the Protection of Civilians’ site. It is also engaging with local authorities in Malakal to de-escalate the situation.
The Mission reminds all concerned, including security forces, of the civilian characteristic of the compound, and the sanctity of UN assets and personnel, as well as that of the civilians protected inside the UN compound. Such an attack against civilians and UN premises may constitute a war crime.
The UN Mission in South Sudan protects more than 47,000 civilians in Malakal — and almost 200,000 civilians at six bases throughout South Sudan.
**Yemen
On Yemen, the humanitarian community in that country today launched an appeal for $1.8 billion to provide critical and life-saving assistance to 13.6 million people who have been affected by the escalation in conflict across the country.
The 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan is a coordinated response of over 100 aid agencies to an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. In total, 21.2 million people — four out of five Yemenis — are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Relentless conflict with increased attacks on essential civilian and economic infrastructure has pushed basic social services to a near collapse, the economy has ground to a halt and millions of families have lost their livelihoods.
In January, the humanitarian community provided regular monthly food rations to approximately 2.6 million people; direct water deliveries to over 234,000 people; and supplied fuel to water pumping stations for more than 3 million people. Health facilities reached over 102,000 people.
**Occupied Palestinian Territory
In a press statement issued today, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Robert Piper, called on Israel to halt demolitions in the occupied West Bank immediately and to respect international law.
He said that the number of demolitions for just the first six weeks of 2016 is greatly alarming. More than 400 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes — equivalent to over half the number of Palestinians displaced in all of 2015.
Meanwhile, Nickolay Mladenov, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, spoke to the press in Gaza and once more expressed his concerns at the detention of Mohammed al-Qiq. He said that the UN has spoken very clearly against administrative detention everywhere around the world, which he said violates international humanitarian law.
**Honour Roll
Today, we welcome Belgium and Slovenia into the club of the Honour Roll members, as they have both paid their regular budget dues in full for 2016.
We thank our friends in Ljubljana and Brussels, which brings the club membership to 33. You have to even try, come on!
**Noon Briefing Guest
We will be joined by John Ging in a few minutes, Director of Operations for OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), who will brief you on his recent travels to South America, and will talk to you about El Niño. Thank you, I was about to say Zika but he will speak to you about El Niño.
**Questions and Answers
Happy to take your questions. Abdelhamid?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. It is scheduled that the Secretary‑General will visit Algeria and Morocco. Could you give us some dates about when he is going to land in Algeria and then when he is going to Morocco? But also my question, does he need the permission from Morocco to visit the headquarters of MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) in La… in the city of Laayoune?
Spokesman: As you know, trips are announced when they are announced from here, so while people may have scheduled things, once they’re scheduled and confirmed, we will announce them. Mr. Abbadi, then Mr. Lee?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. In his remarks to the General Assembly this morning in memory of Secretary‑General Boutros‑Ghali you referred to earlier, the Secretary‑General also said that Boutros‑Ghali considered independence of the Secretary‑General among the highest virtues for any Secretary‑General of the United Nations. Does Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon share this opinion?
Spokesman: Yes, I think he would strongly support the need for the Secretary‑Generalship to be independent and to be respected by the Member States in its functions, as outlined in the Charter. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I want… I’m going to ask about Malakal, but I just… on this trip issue, I’d very much expected you to announce the Burundi trip. And the reason I ask you is, the person that announced it was the UNIC, the UN office in Bujumbura. So is the… can you… and Member States have already been informed of it. Is there some reason that you’re not…
Spokesman: Once we’re ready to announce, we will announce the trip. In fact, I may have something related to that shortly.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to… on Burundi, substantively, the Defence Minister has proposed a reintroduction of the death penalty in the country, specifically with regard to the… to events since May. And I wanted to know… I mean, I know that the UN is presumably generally against the death penalty, but in this particular case, its… its reintroduction in light of the turmoil, do you have a comment on that?
Spokesman: I think not just presumably and generally, specifically we are against the death penalty, and I think we would deplore, you know, I think any… we would want to see a movement away from the death penalty and not towards the death penalty.
Question: Just one last thing on trips, do you mind? I just wanted… since we’re on the same topic, I wanted to… I’m trying to think of how the best way to do it is. On… if the… if the Secretary‑General is going to Burundi, presumably he’s not taking any press. But I wanted to ask you, on trips where press is done, just to explain how it’s done. I know that on the Council’s trip to Burundi, it was said it was done through your office. And I wanted to know, was that always the case? And if it’s not the case, how is it done in some other cases through particular Security Council members? Who decides that?
Spokesman: It’s up to the Security Council to decide.
Question: All 15, like…
Spokesman: It’s up… [inaudible]
Question: They just tell your office?
Spokesman: I work for the Secretary‑General, who I’ve just told Mr. Abbadi is independent. So I cannot speak… [inaudible]
Question: If one member contacts your office…
Spokesman: Matthew, you’ll have to speak to the Security Council members concerned or the presidency. Somini?
Question: Thank you. On Syria, could you please clarify if Russian planes will be used by the WFP (World Food Programme) to airdrop relief, particularly to Deir ez‑Zor? And if so, are there any concerns here about the impartiality of UN aid operations?
Spokesman: You know, I know our colleagues in WFP are obviously making contingency planning and what they’re telling us is that WFP works with a number of commercial aviation contractors in many parts of the world and is presently considering using a plane operated by one of WFP’s registered service providers, which is in this case a Russian contractor that has been used previously for airdrops in South Sudan. As you know, which… these are civilian contractors who work under contract for the United Nations. If there were any airdrop, I think, involved… any airdrop in Syria, you know, in Deir ez‑Zor and other places that WFP is planning would be a high‑altitude airdrop, which would demand some very specific skills and experience in terms of doing these kinds of airdrops. So that’s why they are considering using one of their contractors which has worked with them in South Sudan.
Question: A follow‑up on that: Any details on that contractor? And, again, to the concern that this compromises the impartiality of UN operations?
Spokesman: No, I think these are civilian contractors. We employ different civilian contractors from different Member States. We would expect them to live up to the terms of their contract and seek only instructions from the United Nations. And for more details, you’re free to call… contact Gerry Bourke or others at the WFP office here in New York. Ms. Lederer?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Could you give us some details on Staffan de Mistura’s travels and whereabouts for the next few days? I know you just said that he did a conference call, but where is he? Where’s he traveling to…
Spokesman: He was in Damascus, I think, as of earlier today. His travel is sort of done on a short‑term basis. If I have anything, I’ll check with my colleagues as soon as we’re done here.
Question: And as a follow‑up to that, the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) said that there should be a cessation of hostilities within a week. Within a week would… the last day of that would be today. Does the Secretary‑General have any comment on the fact that we see no signs of a ceasefire… cessation of hostilities today?
Spokesman: Well, you know, obviously, we would want to see a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible. Discussions towards that end, within the context of the talk… of the agreement in Munich, are ongoing at various levels, and we hope that all the members of the ISSG and all the parties contribute to the immediate de‑escalation of violence. I think, as the Secretary‑General has said, as Mr. de Mistura and others have said, ending the armed violence in Syria is long overdue. It’s important that all the parties put aside their differences and work together towards stopping the war. I think, within this context, what we’ve seen recently, the… you know, military activities, including the abhorrent attacks on hospitals and schools in Aleppo and Idleb, are extremely worrisome to the Secretary‑General. And he, once again, calls on all parties to avoid any further escalation of the conflict and to demonstrate their commitment to the UN Sec… to the Security Council resolutions, but I think, more importantly, moreover, to all the Syrian people who have suffered long enough. Nizar?
Question: On the same subject, yeah. How do you view the sending of Turkey of about 500 fighters, mostly affiliated with al Nusra front, to A’zaz town, which is controlled by al Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham, both are affiliated with Al-Qaida? How does that contribute to the cessation of hostilities? Also, Turkey accused Russia, Syria and the Kurds of the suicide bombing in Ankara and also threatening with more retaliation. How do you view that?
Spokesman: On the bombing in Ankara, I think the Secretary‑General’s statement was issued yesterday and condemned the terrorist attack. Obviously, what we want to see is a de‑escalation of the violence. We want to see movement towards a de‑escalation of the violence. What we’ve seen in the last… you know, recently is… goes against that. We’ve seen very worrying escalation of military developments. I think, once again, you know, you talk about different parties accusing each other. What is important is that all the parties who sit on the ISSG and others put aside their differences for the sake of the Syrian people.
Question: But still, I mean, regarding the sending 500 fighters, most affiliated with al Nusra, to A’zaz… [inaudible]
Spokesman: I feel… I’ve heard your question and I feel I’ve answered. Evelyn, then Sylviane?
Question: Thanks, Steph. On the aid delivery to the besieged towns, were there checkpoints involved, many of them? Do you remember the…
Spokesman: Yes, they did have to go through a number of checkpoints.
Question: But, I mean, was it delayed?
Spokesman: It was an operation that took longer than we would have liked to take. I think, again, these are very delicate operations when you are sending dozens and dozens of trucks filled with humanitarian goods through what is, to all intents and purposes, you know, often active… an active war zone. And I think we need to pay tribute to the Syrian humanitarian workers, the Syrian Red Cross, and all of our UN colleagues on the ground who pushed this through. Sylviane?
Question: My question is on the letter sent by Israeli ambassadors to the UN to Mr. Ban demanding that he condemn Hizbullah, Secretary Hassan Nasrallah, for threatening the ammonia storage near Haifa, in the Haifa, and he said that your silence is not an option. Any reaction, official reaction?
Spokesman: I have not seen that letter, but I will take a look right after this briefing. Olga?
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. In this humanitarian convoy in Syria, are there any specialists, like health team, to assess the situation of people? Because last time, in the case of Madaya, there were reports of starvation and malnutrition. And there were some professionals… [Cross talk]
Spokesman: I mean, there are… They’re not just delivering. Obviously, there are humanitarian professionals who are able to assess the situation and, obviously, ensure that the aid is distributed in the proper way and, again, report back to us on what the situation is.
Question: So when will that report be made available to the public?
Spokesman: As soon as we get information back here, we will share that with you. Abdelhamid, Mr. Abbadi, then Mr. Lee.
Question: Thank you. Are we expecting a statement from the Secretary‑General regarding the death of Muhammad Hassanein Heikal? He is the most prominent journalist in history in the Arab world. He left over 40 books, and he’s very well known around the world. He was former Minister of Information in Egypt. And he is considered like a pyramid in Egypt. So is he… can he issue a statement?
Spokesman: Obviously, we are very saddened to learn of his death and, obviously, salute his body of work. I will see if there’s anything else, either from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) or the Secretary‑General. Mr. Abbadi and Mr. Lee?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I understand Mr. [Jan] Eliasson is the person in charge of overseeing the implementation of COP (Conference of Parties)… the agreement of COP‑21, the Paris agreement on climate change. How is he doing so far? Is he noticing any progress or not?
Spokesman: Well, you know, obviously, the next very important step in the COP process is the signing agreement on the 21st of this month. And as the Secretary‑General said, we want leaders, the most senior leaders, to come with having the proper domestic sort of checklist having been checked off to ensure that everything is ratified and they can sign. But the progress, obviously, is a long‑term one, but I think the Paris agreement gave good impetus and good momentum in the right direction. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I… I… I wanted to ask you, you’d said on… on another… on the issue of Syria to ask WFP, but I wanted to ask you about Yemen and WFP. Yesterday, in front of the Council, the Permanent Representative of Yemen, Mr. [Khaled Hussein] Alyemany, said that the WFP ship that was diverted to Saudi Arabia had within it, his quote, “Iranian military equipment”. So I asked WFP, but they haven’t answered. The envoy did say that this was false. But what I’m wondering is, at what point was WFP or OCHA going to, not just sort of say that a ship had been diverted, but say that it was on false charges by a country that’s actually a maiden donor to the aid operation in Yemen…? [inaudible]
Spokesman: What I have from WFP, which I can hope answers the question raised, which said that WFP can confirm that, on 11 February, on Thursday, one of WFP’s charter vessels, the MV Mainport Cedar, carrying humanitarian relief supplies, travelling from Djibouti with a scheduled and approved stop in Hodeidah, was diverted by coalition forces to the Saudi Arabian port of Jizan. WFP is in communication with the coalition forces regarding the circumstances of the ship’s diversion to the port in Saudi Arabia. On behalf of the Yemen humanitarian community, the vessel was transporting commodities, including canned tuna, medical supplies for delivery to Hodeidah Port and United Nations Emergency Telecommunications Cluster IT (information technology) equipment for delivery to Aden. WFP has been asked by the coalition forces to resubmit the paperwork regarding the humanitarian IT equipment. The agency hopes the vessel will depart shortly. And WFP has been in touch with the owner and the crew of 13.
Question: No, but just one thing. I mean, thanks a lot. I wish they’d sent that yesterday if they had it. But I guess my question really is, given that the Permanent Representative is saying publicly and on the record that this was somehow Iranian military equipment, it seems like maybe there’s more… in other circumstances, I think the UN pushes back against this kind of allegation, and I think… I guess I’m just asking, because Saudi Arabia has been allowed to be the main, or even only, donor to this… to this Yemen humanitarian operation…
Spokesman: I don’t think this… [inaudible]
Question: … does this constrain…
Spokesman: I don’t think they’re the only donor. And I think the Special Envoy for Yemen spoke about it yesterday, and I’ve spoken about it today.
Question: Yeah. Did Saudi Arabia make any apology regarding this diversion?
Spokesman: Obviously, this issue is still being worked out, and we hope that the ship is released and it goes back on its regularly scheduled delivery route. Go?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Do you have any comment on the report that China has sent some surface to air missiles on the disputed island in South China Sea?
Spokesman: I would only refer you back to… to what the Secretary‑General has previously said on the situation on the South China Sea. Mr. Lee, then we’ll get our guest.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you, on Malakal, I’d saw that press release by UNMISS. But I’ve also seen an e-mail inside the UN saying that the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) entered the camp, shot and attacked IDP’s (internally displaced persons), that… that groups have been separated by ethnicity or tribe inside the camp and that there was looting of tents by the SPLA. So I’m wondering… I’m asking you, why wouldn’t the UN report… would characterize as ethnic violence something that actually involves the Government of the country entering a supposed protection of civilian camp?
Spokesman: I don’t have… you, obviously, have more operational details and are on more e-mail lists than I am, which is useful for you, not useful for me. It is clear, from what I’ve just read out, that the Mission reminds all the parties and the Government to respect the sanctity of the camp. And I think that speaks for itself. Yes, ma’am?
Question: Does the Secretary‑General [inaudible]. Oh, sorry. Will the Secretary… does the Secretary‑General intend to go to the Congo?
Spokesman: As I said, I should have something a little bit… later on that trip.
Question: And also do you have any news on the evacuations to hospitals from any of the besieged towns? There was all sorts of requests a month ago…
Spokesman: No, what is… I don’t have any details on that, but what is clear is that people who need to be evacuated for medical reasons need to be allowed to do so without any hindrance, whether it’s armed opposition or government. It is basic humanitarian law that those who need to be evacuated to medical facilities be given that right.
We’ll be right back.