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.
I want to welcome a group of university students from Abu Dhabi, who are joining us today.
**Secretary-General Travel
The Secretary-General has just left Tunis. This morning, in the Tunisian capital, he participated in a National Conference on Employment, stressing that the persistent global jobs crisis is first and foremost a terrible waste of human potential. Without decent work, young men and women face very serious problems of lack of direction and alienation, which can make them vulnerable to extremist views, he said, noting that at 30 per cent, youth unemployment in North Africa continued to be the highest of any region in the world. He reiterated that the international community stands with Tunisia as all parts of society work to bring the democratic transition into the areas of economic growth and social progress.
The Secretary-General also discussed the current challenges faced by the country with the National Dialogue Quartet who, as you know, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015. And right before leaving, he gave a press conference. We will share the transcript of it as soon as it is done. And yesterday, also in Tunis, the Secretary-General met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Mousa al Kony. He commended the efforts of the Presidency Council in leading Libya's democratic transition and noted that peace and stability in Libya are of the highest priority for the United Nations and the international community.
The Secretary-General encouraged the Presidency Council to exercise strong leadership to swiftly establish the Government of National Accord in Tripoli. He urged those who obstruct the return of the Presidency Council to Tripoli to cooperate in the immediate, orderly and peaceful handover of power. The full readout is available online. The Secretary-General is now on his way to Geneva where he will attend the high-level meeting on the Global Responsibility Sharing for Syrian Refugees, which will take place tomorrow.
**Refugees Conference
That conference, which is organize and hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, follows February’s Conference on Syria in London, which examined the financial dimensions of the humanitarian challenge posed by the more than 13.5 million people in need inside Syria and the 4.8 million people who need help outside, in the surrounding region.
The Secretary-General will address the Conference, he intends once again to emphasize that we must do everything possible to give hope to the millions of Syrian women, men and children who have been forced from their homes and their communities. Representatives from some 92 countries will attend the meeting along with 6 intergovernmental organizations, 14 UN agencies and 24 non-governmental organizations. More on UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) website, and obviously, you will have the speech tomorrow.
**Report on Office of the President of the General Assembly
As you may recall, last fall following the announcement of charges against John Ashe, the former President of the General Assembly, and others, the Secretary-General created a task force to review the functioning of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, especially as it relates to staffing and financing, and to make recommendations in order to promote accountability and transparency. The task force’s report is now out as a public document and is being shared to Member States through the office of the President of the General Assembly. Most of the recommendations from the task force will have to be taken up by the General Assembly membership.
The task force is of the view that the allegations involving the President of the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly, John Ashe, which have tarnished the image and reputation of the Organization, occurred in an environment where there were significant loopholes and blind spots in the operational arrangements for the President and the Office. The task force observed that, despite the high level of visibility of the Office, there are insufficient transparency and accountability measures in the functioning of many aspects of the Office due to its position in the structure of the UN. This lack of transparency, together with the absence of an effective system of checks and balances, impacts on the nature and level of accountability of the President and the Office and presents a risk to the Organization as a whole.
The report also notes the initiatives of the current President to improve transparency in the Office. Some of the recommendations include greater transparency on staffing, including secondments from Governments, outside contributions, both in kind and in cash, greater use of the Trust Fund for the Office which is managed under UN financial rules and regulations. There’s also a recommendation regarding the creation of a much more structured process of transfer of knowledge and handover between one presidency and the next. The task force also suggests that the General Assembly provide an increase of budgetary resources to the PGA’s [President of the General Assembly’s] office through regular budget. As the report notes, the operating budget of the Office of the President of the General Assembly has remained static since 1998 except for adjustments for yearly inflation. While at the same time, the role and visibility of the President of the General Assembly has dramatically increased, especially in the last ten years.
We understand that this report will be taken up by the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on the revitalization of the GA on 7 April. I think, you will have seen a statement issued by the President of the General Assembly issued by Dan Thomas, who is here, and I think Dan will be happy to take some question on this after I’m done here with you.
**Mostafa Tolba
As you may have seen, Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who led the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) for 17 years passed away earlier this week. In a letter sent to his widow, the Secretary-General said that Dr. Tolba will always hold a significant place in the history of the United Nations and the ongoing quest for sustainable development for the whole human family. Dr. Tolba, the Secretary-General wrote, was a giant of the environmental movement. His tenure at the head of UNEP encompassed ground-breaking work to save the Earth’s invaluable ozone layer and firmly establish the link between environmental care and sustainable development. In expressing his condolences, the Secretary-General wrote to Mrs. Tolba that her husband’s legacy will touch generations to come.
**Sudan
And just to flag that we issued a statement last night in which the Secretary-General welcomed the signing by the Government of the Republic of the Sudan, of the Roadmap Agreement proposed by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel known by its acronym AUHIP. The full statement is online.
**Continental Shelf
I’ve been asked by a number of you both here and online about the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and I can tell you that on 11 March the Commission approved without a vote the recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in regard to the submission made by Argentina on 21 April 2009 with amendments. The Commission did not consider and qualify those parts of the submission that were subject to dispute and those parts that relate to the continental shelf pertinent to Antarctica in accordance with its rules and procedures. In this respect, I would refer you to the press release that was issued by the Commission yesterday and the Commission, which is a group of experts in their personal capacity elected by States parties to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas and is led by Mr. Lawrence Awosika of Nigeria.
**South Sudan
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has, since 24 March, extended its logistical support to the transportation of SPLM/A-In Opposition troops from Malakal to Juba as part of its mandate to support the Peace Agreement and its implementation through assistance to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. The first airlift took place last Thursday when the Mission used its air assets to transport 22 high-ranking officers including Generals of the SPLM/A-IO from Pagak via Malakal to Juba. Another 39 SPLM/A-IO soldiers were airlifted from Malakal to Juba along with their light personal weapons yesterday.
The Mission also supported the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission with the clearing of land in some of the designated cantonment sites, including flattening the terrain, preparation of areas for sanitation facilities and survey and unexploded ordinance clearance done by UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). The Mission will continue to support the implementation of the agreement in an impartial manner and provide logistical support within its existing capacity while maintaining its regular aviation commitments and provision of support to its locations across South Sudan.
**Sudan/South Sudan
And also related to South Sudan, the UN refugee agency said in Geneva today that it was concerned about the increasing number of South Sudanese fleeing into Sudan because of increased food insecurity caused by the ongoing conflict and deteriorating economic conditions.
**United Nations Children’s Fund Unfairy Tales
Our colleagues at UNICEF today launched a series of animated films to help frame positive perceptions about millions of children and young people fleeing from conflicts around the world. Called “Unfairy Tales”, the three animations represent true stories of children fleeing from conflict. They have been animated in the style of a fairy tale and will be supported by an interactive e-book. If you are interested go to the UNICEF website.
**Florence Hartman Release
And just to flag that we received information from [the President of the United Nations] Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, they say that they released the former spokesperson for that tribunal, Florence Hartmann, who had been in detention.
**Noon Briefing Guests Tomorrow
Tomorrow my guests will be President of the UN Economic and Social Council, Ambassador Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea and Jeffrey Sachs, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Sustainable Development Goals. They will be here to brief you on the importance of tackling inequalities to achieve sustainable development for all.
**Honour Roll
Today we thank three countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Myanmar and the Republic of Korea for paying their dues in full. So far, 59 countries have paid [their UN dues] in full. Okay. Yes, go ahead.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you. Yesterday, about Western Sahara, the SG [Secretary-General] recognized that the use of the word "occupation" was not deliberate or appropriate. He's also willing to address the issuing in a collaborative manner. So why not simply present formal apologies and why linger?
Spokesman: You know, in as much… I don't agree with your interpretation of what the Secretary‑General said yesterday. He said he regretted the misunderstanding and consequences of his personal expression of solicitude, and he did say that his word was not planned or deliberate and it was a spontaneous, personal reaction. As I said, you know, all we can do is, again, explain what the Secretary‑General said and why he said it and the context in which he said it and very much look forward to moving forward in our relations with the Kingdom of Morocco. Mr. Avni.
Correspondent: Sorry about that.
Spokesman: That's okay. I can come back to you if you need to ruminate some more.
Correspondent: I just don't understand this button. It's like it disappears… anyway, the Geneva Conventions written in the aftermath of the Second World War have very strict, very precise rules of what can and cannot be done in an occupied territory. You and other spokesmen habitually, almost weekly, explain what is being done in occupied territory and how it relates to international humanitarian law. Since this is such a precise, according to… to your statements, such a precise definition of what can and cannot be done in occupation, why can't you clarify whether, when he said "occupation", he meant it in a legal sense that entails a lot of actions that can or cannot be done? And you're just saying that it's a misunderstanding, so let's understand.
Spokesman: You know, Benny, I think that's what I've been trying to do for… since the Secretary‑General's trip, which is to make sure that everybody understands the context and the meaning of the way the Secretary‑General spoke and his use of the word "occupation". Again, as I said yesterday, he used it a single time in response to a question noting that he had been moved by what he'd just seen in the camps. His use of the word, again, not planned or deliberate, it was a spontaneous, personal reaction. I don't know what more words I could use to try to clarify…
Question: Did he mean occupation in the legal sense?
Spokesman: It was a personal, spontaneous reaction.
Question: So, that's not in the legal sense? Is that what you're saying?
Spokesman: I mean, I'm just look…
Question: Look, Stéph what you're saying basically is there were extenuating circumstances. He didn't plan it. This is all about his mood and his… and his thinking. It's not about the meaning of the word. The question is, is today… according to Ban Ki‑moon and the UN, is the… does the word "occupation" in the legal sense apply to Western Sahara?
Spokesman: I think it's in… what I've been trying to say is to explain exactly what he meant. Mr. Lee.
Correspondent: Sure. I want to ask you about, about the announcement you made at the top about the John Ashe/Frank Lorenzo/Sheri Yan… you called it the John Ashe case, but it's obviously a series of indictments.
Spokesman: I mean, I didn't call… I just used John Ashe as a point of reference and I said John Ashe and others.
Correspondent: What I want to ask about is the Secretariat itself. It seems like this task force, the way you've presented it, is entirely about flaws in the structure of the PGA's office. But, as I'm sure you know, in the criminal complaint, there's a number of portions where it talks about bribery or misdoings by UN Secretariat officials. In paragraph 40, it talks about a DGCAM official…
Spokesman: I'm well aware of the complaint.
Question: Okay. It also talks… yesterday, you'd said nobody knew that South‑South News and David Ng were problematic. And since then I've learned that there's a memo by Éric Falt, then D-2 of DPI, about David Ng. I'd also like to show you this. This was an ad taken by David Ng South‑South News after which Ban Ki‑moon did a photo op with David Ng. So I wanted to know, what is Ban‑Ki… how is it possible that if documents existed in the UN system contemporaneous with Ban Ki‑moon's interaction with a now indicted David Ng or Ng Lap Seng that it took place, and what does it say about weaknesses of the Secretariat, and who is going to do a report on that?
Spokesman: There is an audit of… that is ongoing of the relationship with David Ng and his various NGOs. That audit has been done. It is available for Member States to be shared. And according to OIOS' existing rules and regulations, it will be made public, I think, within a couple of weeks. From that, we will see where that goes on. Again, not to beat old horses with whatever one beats old horses with, but it was not a… there was no official photo op with the Secretary‑General and the gentleman you mentioned. He obviously came up to the Secretary‑General, took a photo.
Correspondent: It was taken upstairs at Cipriani. I have video…
Spokesman: I understand. You and I have different views.
Question: No, different view of a video? I just have one question, because it seems like Ban Ki‑moon has done a report on another part of the UN system…
Spokesman: Matthew, I think I just answered your question.
Correspondent: You didn't. There's an audit…
Spokesman: An audit has been done. It's done. Member States…
Correspondent: There's an audit as opposed to a report. I'm just asking. Finish, please.
Spokesman: Okay. It's an audit. It's available with Member States. If further investigations need to be done following that audit, they will be done. What the Secretary‑General's task force examined, in fact, and it talked to, I think, almost all, a whole number of, as you will read it yourself in the report, a number of former Presidents of the General Assembly. It's about structural issues and the weaknesses of the Office as they then existed.
Question: But, are you saying there's no structural weaknesses…?
Spokesman: I will come…
Question: …Secretariat?
Spokesman: As I said, there is an audit, and whatever else needs to be done afterwards, it will be done. Mr. Reuters.
Question: Thank you, Stéph. I wanted to follow up on Benny's question. It sounds like with these… you've had several statements about the use of the word "occupation". And it really sounds like you're basically saying that the Secretary‑General sort of messed up, that he didn't intend to say the word "occupation", and you know, he meant something else; it was an emotional thing; it was a personal thing. It wasn't intended to have the legal meaning that is often associated with it. I mean, why not just sort of present it that way?
Spokesman: I didn't say he… I didn't say… I don't think I said… and I don't mean to imply that he messed up. I'm just trying to frame the moment in which the word was used and try to explain to you what his frame of mind was when he used that word. Then we'll come back.
Correspondent: Thank you, Monsieur Dujarric. Just to follow up on Matthew's question, I know you're going to say “read the report”. Before I read the report on these task force on the General Assembly, whether is only dealing with John Ashe office or some other…
Spokesman: No, it is not an investigation into what happened in John Ashe's office. It is the point that what happened with the indictment of John Ashe and others revealed structural flaws in the way the Office of the Presidents of the General Assembly is organized, including severe underfunding, which leads… which has led to a number of President of the General Assemblies having to seek funding outside. What it… what the proposals aim to bring to, to bring the structure of that office in line with existing financial rules and regulations, to increase… and increase transparency. It is not an investigation at all into what happened with John Ashe and the criminal aspects of it, which is being handled by the US Attorney's Office.
Question: I have two questions, one on Western Sahara too. Farhan said last week, on this, on this "occupation" issue or maybe the week before, that the use of this word was not without a legal foundation. And he referred us to resolutions that were taken… taken in Security Council or the General Assembly. So, my question is actually what is then the legal foundation that you are talking about? Can you give us your interpretation for this… or his…
Spokesman: I'm not going to… Farhan said what he said, and I have no, obviously, no issue with what he said. The General Assembly resolutions are there for everyone to see. They're not secret documents. Again, I'm just trying to explain the Secretary‑General's frame of mind and frame the moment in which he said what he had to say.
Question: Yeah, but [inaudible] I mean, clear that they are there, but they are not always interpreted the same. There are always different interpretations… I guess… He has an interp… so what's the legal foundation…?
Spokesman: This is not a legal interpretation. This is about trying to explain what he said and when he said it. As I said, again, it was a personal reaction to a question, and obviously, to what he had just seen in the camps.
Question: Okay. On a different matter or… okay. On Gaza, there is an infant who died from cold, I think, yesterday, if I'm not mistaken, in one of the caravans. And we know that the rebuilding of Gaza is not working as quickly as it's supposed to work, and the siege and all these things that we were… have been talking and hearing about all the time. Is there a serious… talks from the UN with Egyptian… since the Israelis aren't going to ease the siege and there's a border with the Egyptian parts, but it seems to be that even there nothing is working. Is the UN working to help…?
Spokesman: I would agree with you that the reconstruction of Gaza is painfully slow, especially for those, for those residents of Gaza who have not had their homes rebuilt. I will check with my colleagues at UNSCO to see what the contacts have been with the Egyptians. Mageed.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I have two questions about Iraq. The first one is about recent SG's visit to… to the country, and I wanted to ask, he was with the President of World Bank Group and also the President of the Islamic Development Bank. What was the purpose that they were with him? Did they make any promise about international loans for Iraq because they are in a severe financial situation right now. Both…
Spokesman: I think it's to underscore the need to address Iraq's both immediate problems, whether it be political and humanitarian, and also to ensure that the development banks, including the World Bank, are there to support Iraq and its neighbours with increased available financing to address all the needs that they have in terms of humanitarian and, obviously, in terms of rebuilding.
Question: Have they made any promises for international loans to Erbil and Baghdad?
Spokesman: Let me check with our World Bank colleagues.
Question: Okay. My second question is about the situation in Baghdad right now. As the Secretary‑General was visiting, the protesters, thousands of protesters started going in the street and surrounding the green zone, and the influential Shia leader Muqtada al‑Sadr right now is leading those protests. They are demanding the end of corruption right now or the government to resign. It's a lot of pressure on the Iraqi Government. What is the UN's, the SG's take on this? Have this issue been discussed in a concrete manner with the Iraqi leaders?
Spokesman: Well, I think the, the message that the Secretary‑General delivered to the Prime Minister, as well as to the members of parliament, was one of unity and the need for them to act as one in the best interests of the Iraqi people. There are obviously great challenges in terms of peace and security, in terms of securing access to all of its territory, which we know we cannot do because of the activities of Da’esh and other extremist groups, but that there is a need for all of Iraq's political leaders to unify for the best way forward for their own country.
Question: Stéphane, can I have one more quick follow‑up on this? Has he discussed the issue of corruption in Baghdad?
Spokesman: I think the issue of governance was raised in a number of meetings.
Question: Thank you. Two questions on Syria. First of all, is Mr. de Mistura going to brief the Council anytime soon on the talks in Geneva?
Spokesman: I have no doubt he will. I'll try to find out when.
Question: And on the political transition, I would like to understand your position, what does political transition mean? Should the talks discuss the fate or the future of President Assad, or should be this issue… like, should… put it for later, sometime later, to discuss it in…
Spokesman: I think the issue of political transition is outlined in the relevant Security Council resolutions, which guides Mr. de Mistura's work. And, as a matter of principle, it's something that he has, and the Secretary‑General have said repeatedly, it will be up for the Syrian people to decide who leads them. Evelyn.
Question: The EU is considering a cut in funding for Burundian troops in Somalia to put pressure on the government. Can this be done for one conting… in one contingent in AMISOM or do you know…?
Spokesman: Obviously, that's a decision that the EU…
Question: Any reaction here?
Spokesman: We obviously recognize Burundi's contribution to AMISOM. They've played a significant role in confronting Al-Shabaab and assisting the Federal Government of Somalia in controlling its own national territory. We hope that Burundi will be able to continue its involvement in Somalia and that an arrangement will be found to allow Burundian troops to help maintain their presence in that country. Yes, sir.
Question: Yeah, on Yemen, of course, the report today by WHO [World Health Organization] and the fatalities among children in Yemen is damning to everyone, especially to the coalition, which is conducting all these air attacks. Is there any improvement since UNVIM has been put into action? Is there any improvement in delivering food, aid to Yemen, about the commercial trade coming into Yemen? How is this mechanism working?
Spokesman: I think the… Let me get an update for you on the mechanisms and the numbers. What we have seen over the last couple of days are a number of confidence‑building measures in terms of exchange of prisoners. And we hope that the parties will build on that. But, we'll get you some numbers on the exchange of… on the aid.
Question: Staying on Yemen, this exchange of prisoners, how was the United Nations involved? Was it involved in that?
Spokesman: This is something that the Special Envoy has been repeatedly encouraging the parties to do, which is to help move the process in a more positive manner by creating these confidence‑building measures such as an exchange of prisoners.
Question: Sorry, about the same subject. About the negotiations in Kuwait, is it confirmed? Will it take place on…
Spokesman: No, I don't have anything to announce on that.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Back to this word used by the SG which you said came as personal reaction to the situation of people living in those Polisario camps as he saw it when he was there, my question is, why did the SG fail so far to conduct any registration of the people living in those camps as he was called upon by Security Council's resolution 2218 of last year? And my second question is, can you give us a UN figure of how many people live in those camps?
Spokesman: I don't have a figure off the top of my head, but what I can tell you is that the issue of registration and the counting of the people who are actually in the camp is something that the Secretary‑General raised directly in his meeting with the Secretary General of the Polisario Front. Mr. Avni.
Question: Follow‑up, if I may. The country which hosts those camps has refused any registration, such registration, for the population living in those camps. Did… what are the actions that the SG's intending to do before the…?
Spokesman: This is an issue that he has raised during his meetings during his visit.
Question: Did he raise it with the Algerian Government?
Spokesman: This is an issue that he raised during his visit. Yes, sir, Mr. Avni.
Question: Two questions, one follow‑up on Western Sahara and one about Syria. On Western Sahara, is there any attempt by any UN member, Security Council member, to mediate between the Secretary‑General and the Government of Morocco, which seem to be the warring sides here?
Spokesman: I always appreciate your characterization of the situation, Mr. Avni. We very much… I think the Security Council has an important role to play in that regard. Mr. Lee.
Question: Sorry, and… on Syria, can you… I don't know if it's a question to de Mistura or to the Secretary‑General. How would you characterize the apparent takeover of Palmyra over the weekend? I mean, in the sense, in the… in the context of how will it play in the negotiations…
Spokesman: You know, I'm not going to predict what impact it will have on the political negotiations. Obviously, I think, as the Secretary‑General said, he welcomed the defeat of Da’esh in Palmyra. As to what impact it will have on the talks, I think that's something we have to wait and see. Matthew. Sorry. Then we'll go.
Question: Follow‑up on Burundi and a question on Yemen. This… the Reuters story that was quoted about the Burundians and Somalia, it didn't mention that the UN is paying the Burundian troops in the CAR [Central African Republic]. And I wanted to know, because the article says, in the case of Somalia, $800 a month goes to the troops, and $200 a month goes to the Government, and there have been allegations that, in fact, the ratio is more pro‑Government in MINUSCA that the UN allows the Government to take a higher percentage of the salaries, what is the percentage? If M… if the AU knows what percentage of money goes to the Government of Bujumbura, what is the UN's…
Spokesman: The way the troops are paid is outlined in various reports. I can get you the… I can try to get you the information.
Question: Don't you think the UN should have as much control…?
Spokesman: I'm… I'm just saying… I don't have that information at my fingertips.
Correspondent: I'm asking as a matter of UN…
Spokesman: I think the… the rules to which contingents are paid are… exist and they're clear.
Question: And also on… okay. On Burundi, there's a communiqué that was put out by the ruling party, the CNDD‑FDD, and it says that they will never sit with putchists. It says the journalists are connected to the putch. Many people see it as a genocidal communiqué. It's online. It's widely available. And I'm wondering, since it's the ruling party of the President in a country where Prince Zeid has expressed concern about a possible genocide, what is the response to the UN to this ruling party communiqué that has come out?
Spokesman: The Secretary‑General remains very concerned about the volatile political situation in the country, and I think we always encourage any of the parties to avoid any sort of inflammatory statements. Erol?
Question: Mr. Dujarric, just to clarify on Florence Hartmann, did you actually welcome her release? And is that mean you followed her detention? And what the Secretary‑General think on the… would like to… actually to think on the situation that she was in the same position like accused war criminals?
Spokesman: You know, I'm not going to comment on the case. This was an issue having… from what I understand, having an issue of contempt of court. We're obviously glad the issue is being resolved.
Correspondent: [Off mic, inaudible].
Spokesman: I just said what I just said. Yes.
Question: Thank you. Regarding the SG's visit in the Middle East, what was the purpose of his visit in Lebanon and Jordan? And… and also, in view of the importance of including women in the process of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, did he mention that, and did he address a message regarding…
Spokesman: Yes, I think this was an issue that he routinely addresses, the need to include women in rebuilding country and peacemaking. The goal of the trip was one to highlight the need by the international community… for immediate support to countries like Lebanon, like Jordan, whose economic outlook, whose development outlook has been severely and negatively impacted by the Syrian crisis, both in terms of the instability and in terms of the number of Syrian refugees they're generously hosting, whether in camps or in communities. The World Bank part of it was to unveil a number of financing facilities that are available to middle income countries like Jordan and Lebanon.
Question: On the same subject, did the... while the World Bank President was there, did he con… in Lebanon, I mean, did he conclude any deals with the Lebanese government to offer loans or facilities, financial facilities…
Spokesman: You know, I have trouble enough speaking for the Secretary‑General that I will let the World Bank speak for itself.
Correspondent: But, since he was…
Spokesman: I know. He was there, but I will let the World Bank speak.
Question: Another thing, now, Da’esh seems to be attacking some… Eastern Lebanon, especially after they have been squeezed out of Palmyra. They are trying to go. Are you aware about any aid coming to the Lebanese army to support them in defending Eastern Lebanon from an ISIS…?
Spokesman: No, I mean, obviously, we've always advocated for the need for the international community to support the Lebanese armed forces, which are a critical institution to Lebanon to the unity of Lebanon. Mr. Lee.
Question: Sure. I want to ask you about Yemen and I think… I think OLA [Office of Legal Affairs]. On Yemen, I'd wanted to ask, there was a… I think a… 5 March, Inner City Press published an e-mail from Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed to Jeff Feltman. And today, I've been informed by Mr. Felt… I was informed before, but he's confirmed attempting to… to… what some have called a witch‑hunt in DPA [Department of Political Affairs], i.e., many people called in, grilled about whether they're the source of the leak. And, you know, Mr. Feltman, to his credit, says journalists do their job. But, he also denies… so, I wanted to ask, what is the policy, if there is one, of the UN in terms of how far a department can go in terms of trying to plug a leak? And also, what safeguards are in place to ensure that a media that is leaked to is not… doesn't find itself, as you'll find in my next question, faced with summary eviction from the UN? What safeguards… I know that UN staff have an Ethics Office where they can assert retaliation, but what protections, if any, are there for journalists in the UN system?
Spokesman: First of all, I don't think there's been a witch‑hunt. I think it's only natural that, if there's a leak, somebody asks questions, but I'm not aware of any official investigations or any witch‑hunt, whatever that, whatever that means. As far as media, I think, you know, most of the journalists here have, one time or another, been the happy recipient of leaks and have enjoyed it, and that is their, that is their right to do that. If you're referring to your particular case, as you know, it has nothing to do with whatever questions you may want to ask, whatever leaks you may or may not have received or e-mails you…
Question: I actually don't know that. But, I'll ask it in the form of a question. I don't know it because the very thing we were just discussing, South‑South News and funding of the UN Correspondents Association is what I was covering on 29 January for which I'm being thrown out. But, my question has to do with a letter from Miguel de Serpa Soares… excuse me, who seems to say that there's no… there's absolutely no right including a due process right or even a freedom of speech non‑retaliation right to accreditation and/or resident accreditation status in the UN. And I know it's a topic that was raised to you when you were in DPI [Department of Public Information] by the New York Civil Liberties Union when they asked, what are the standards? So, given that Mr.… he's a lawyer. He's the head of the UN. He's Ban Ki‑moon's lawyer. Is it the case that there are, in fact, no rights at all for journalists in the UN, that “privileges” and abilities to report can be stripped without any review, without any right to be heard? And if so, how is that consistent with your policies…
Spokesman: I think, Matthew, if you'll allow me then to violate your client privilege, because you're obviously quoting from a letter that was sent to your lawyer.
Correspondent: I'm waiving it right now because I find it so laughable that I'm asking you…
Spokesman: Ok. I'm glad… well, I'm glad you do.
Correspondent: Please.
Spokesman: The Secretary‑General and the UN system stand for freedom of the press. I think we spend quite a lot of time here… I happily spend a lot of time here answering… answering questions. There is no right to an office. Offices here are provided free of charge to UN resident correspondents. Some may have issues with the media guidelines as they are, but they are what they are. Anybody who accepts a pass signs on to them, agrees to them, whether they're resident correspondents or non‑resident correspondents. If there is maybe a need to review those guidelines, that is fine, but they are not secret guidelines. They are what they are. I think we spent a lot of time and effort, as we should, in answering questions from the media and in defending freedom of the press, as I am doing this very minute.
Correspondent: The guidelines that you quote don't have any reference to interpreter's booth. I've looked… I've read them a number of times…
Spokesman: Matthew.
Correspondent: I want… and that's what's being cited. This is the question that I want to ask you. This is the question that I want to ask you since you say… you do speak a lot about freedom of the press. But, it seems to… it seems extraordinary that an attempt to cover a meeting related to an expanding UN corruption scandal can result in… in the ejection… please.
Spokesman: You and I… you and I…
Correspondent: I love it. I love it.
Spokesman: You and I have different interpretations.
Correspondent: No, and here's the question I want to ask you. You seem to say… I'm not asking about an office. Did you hear me say the word "office"? I said, since resident accred… correspondent accreditation status alone gets you through the turnstile on the second floor so that, if you don't have it, you cannot cover meetings in ECOSOC, Trusteeship…
Spokesman: Matthew, you have…
Correspondent: It is… I'm asking you…
Spokesman: You have the access that you have.
Correspondent: No, it's not…
Spokesman: We stand for the freedom of the press and…
Correspondent: You do not. You do not.
Spokesman: …accommodate journalists. And, Dan, if you'd like to come up and answer questions, I'd be happy, otherwise, we are done.
Question: What are the recourses for retaliation by journalists? Where do they file in the UN system since you're immune as Mr. de Serpa says, immune from any legal process?