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 Travel
I will start off with an announcement of the Secretary-General’s upcoming travel. He will leave New York for Los Angeles tomorrow. In Los Angeles, he is scheduled to attend various events, including those organized by the World Affairs Council and Loyola Marymount University. On 6 April, the Secretary-General is expected to receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University Loyola of Marymount, as well as participate in the ECO:nomics Summit, which will bring together a diverse group of global CEOs, entrepreneurs, environmental experts and policy makers to discuss energy policy, sustainability and climate change.
The following day, 7 April, he will depart Los Angeles for Geneva, Switzerland, where he will take part in the high-level segment of the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism at the Palais de Nations on 8 April. At 1 p.m. on that day, he and Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, are expected to speak to the press. The Conference is co-organized by the United Nations and the Government of Switzerland, and will provide an opportunity for the international community to share experiences and good practices in addressing the drivers of violent extremism and to build support for the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action. More information available online.
**World Humanitarian Summit
Shortly, if not right now, the Secretary-General is talking to the Member States right now about the preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit, which is scheduled to take place next month in Turkey. The Secretary-General is to say that, during the past three years, we have greatly benefitted from the engagement and contributions of Member States and other stakeholders to advance the World Humanitarian Summit process. He will also underline that the Summit is a unique opportunity to generate the momentum for change and send a message of solidarity and support to the 125 million people who are dealing with immediate crisis.
**Nagorno-Karabakh
Over the weekend, you will have seen that we issued a statement on behalf of the Secretary-General on the reports of large-scale ceasefire violations along the so-called line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. The Secretary-General expressed his deep concern by the reported use of heavy weapons and by the large numbers of casualties, including among the civilian population. He urged all relevant parties to put an immediate end to the fighting, fully respect the ceasefire agreement and take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation.
The UN Office for [the Coordination of] Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that there were at least 33 fatalities during the flare-up of hostilities on 2 April. The agency says that there have been no reports of population movement in the conflict areas. OCHA warns that except for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international humanitarian actors cannot access Nagorno-Karabakh and that the limitations of in-country emergency stocks in both Armenia and Azerbaijan would impede timely humanitarian assistance in case of sustained hostilities.
**Central African Republic
An update for you on the Central African Republic: a joint team led by the Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Diane [Corner], and including representatives of UN agencies and the Conduct and Discipline team travelled today for the second time to Kemo prefecture as part of the information gathering and fact-finding mission we announced last week. They also met with a number of relevant local actors on the ground.
Joint investigations with the Office of Internal Oversight [Services] (OIOS) and concerned troop-contributing countries are expected to be launched in the next few days. In addition, just to let you know that the Secretary-General's Special Coordinator on improving UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Jane Holl Lute, will travel to the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the next few days. This is her first field visit to peacekeeping operations since she took up her post on 1 March.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
Speaking of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you will have seen that over the weekend, the UN [Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] (MONUSCO) announced that it had received allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by members of the Tanzanian contingent of the Mission’s Force Intervention Brigade in Mavivi village, in the eastern part of the country. According to preliminary information, there are 11 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against the Tanzanian contingent in the area; all of them involve paternity claims. Four of these allegations are linked to the current contingent, while the rest are linked to the previous one. The Tanzanian Battalion Commander has detained implicated contingent members in the base awaiting further investigation. Additionally, all troops have been confined to base camp.
**Iraq
From Iraq, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that, since 24 March, more than 2,200 people have been displaced by military operations in villages in the Makhmour district of Iraq’s Erbil Governorate, which is on the edge of Mosul. The displaced were initially accommodated in Makhmour town. However, ongoing security threats prompted their relocation further away from military frontlines to the Debaga IDP [internally displaced persons] camp on 1 April. The majority of the displaced are apparently women and children.
Humanitarian workers have distributed ready-to-eat food, clean water and basic household items, as well as clothes, as people fled with very few belongings. Medical assistance is being provided by the Iraqi Department of Health through four medical teams and [two] mobile clinics. Humanitarian groups are working with local authorities to set up additional emergency shelters for the newly displaced, as well as to identify space for new transit sites, as more people could be displaced by ongoing insecurity in the area.
**Middle East
Nickolay Mladenov, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said today that the United Nations has been informed by Israel of its decision to suspend the private import of cement into Gaza, following allegations that a substantial amount had been diverted from its intended legitimate beneficiaries. He said that the UN is working closely with its Palestinian and Israeli Government counterparts to assist in resolving the situation in order to prevent incidents that could lead to any future suspension of imports. Mr. Mladenov said that those who seek to gain through the deviation of materials are stealing from their own people and adding to the suffering of the people of Gaza. The reconstruction of Gaza remains critical to ensuring its stability and he urges a rapid resolution of the matter.
**Syria
A note just handed to me regarding Syria, an update from our colleagues in the humanitarian department: [they] say that today’s reported tragic death of a young Syrian man in Madaya is yet another sad event where medical evacuations have not been available for those in need. His death comes less than a week after three children in Bukkin in northern Madaya died after being injured by a landmine, as evacuations were not facilitated. The UN calls on all parties to the conflict to facilitate medical evacuation of the sick and wounded in a timely and systematic manner everywhere in Syria. Similarly, the UN calls on all parties, particularly the Syrian authorities, to allow for all necessary medical items and equipment, including surgical items, to be allowed in the convoys.
**World Food Programme
Another humanitarian note from Lebanon and Ukraine: our friends at the World Food Programme (WFP) announce that it aims to reach 270,000 of the most vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine with monthly food assistance over the first half of this year. They say that the two-year long conflict in eastern Ukraine has left 1.5 million people hungry, including 300,000 who are in need of immediate food assistance. And in Lebanon, WFP has launched a school meals programme, which supports both Lebanese and Syrian children attending public schools. The meals include milk, juice, snacks and fruit. Every month, WFP assists 600,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian children in Lebanon through food vouchers so they can purchase food from local markets. Since 2013, WFP injected almost $600 million into the Lebanese economy through food vouchers and other programmes.
**North Lawn
A note closer to home: the last parts of the beloved North Lawn Building have now been dismantled on schedule. The next step towards the restoration of the North Lawn — because the building was on top of a lawn — will be the demolition of the underlying concrete slab. The refurbished sculptures are scheduled to be returned to their former locations by mid-August. One hundred ninety-seven new trees will be planted, in place of the 110 trees that had to be removed during the Capital Master Plan. By this September, the original landscaping of the North Lawn will be restored.
**Press Events
Tomorrow at 1 p.m., there will be a press conference by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with the Pritzker Architecture Prize on architecture and sustainable development. Today is the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. In a short while, I will be joined by the Director of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), our friend Agnès Marcaillou, and the UN Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards, our friend Daniel Craig. Mr. Craig will make a short statement and then will have to leave. And in the meantime… I know, I know, if only I could make a short statement and leave. Exactly. Yes, go ahead.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Can you tell us a little bit about the process… Greece has started the process of sending migrants back to Turkey. What is the perspective of the UN of the whole process? We know that it's about 200 people that had been returned. What are we waiting to happen now?
Spokesman: Sure. Obviously, this is something we're looking at very closely. Our colleagues at the [Office of the] UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have expressed their concern about the process. We want to make sure that the rights of those who can claim asylum are respected, that the rights and dignity of all people, refugees or migrants alike, are respected and upheld. As you said, this is the first day. We're taking a look to see how things go and, hopefully, have a little bit more to say later. Sherwin?
Question: Thanks, Steph. A question on the MONUSCO statement regarding these allegations against the Tanzanian FIB [Force Intervention Brigade] troops: Are you certain that it's limited just to the Tanzanian contingent? Are there other contingents from South Africa and Malawi, involved there, or is this like the CAR [Central African Republic], the beginning of something that's going to be quite huge?
Spokesman: You're asking me to predict something I can't predict. I don't know if it's the beginning of something… of something else. What we do know is that with these specific allegations, currently, the only contingent being looked at is the Tanzanian contingent. Obviously, whether it's the CAR, the Central African Republic, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we would urge those who have information to come forward, and we want to make sure that the communities and those members in the communities who may have been abused feel free… safe enough to come forward.
Question: Can I ask about that? Thanks. The paternity claims… you said all of them are paternity claims, but the mothers of the children, are they minors in many cases as we've seen in CAR or are they adults?
Spokesman: I don't have that information at this point. I think it's something obviously they're looking into. Okay. Go ahead.
Question: Thanks, Steph. Another follow‑up: Is the UN going to initiate the same kind of investigation that's going on in Kemo? Are they sending… are they sending a team there or is there going to be a joint investigation?
Spokesman: Obviously, we are… I do not believe at this point it's a joint investigation. As always, we notify the troop-contributing countries. They have a number of days to tell us whether or not they will be sending a national investigative officer or we will do it ourselves. We're still preliminary days, so as soon as we have information, I'll share with you. Yeah?
Question: Thank you. A senior Iranian military official said today that Iran has sent military advisers to Syria. Do you consider this a violation to the Security Council resolutions that ban, clearly, Iran from taking these actions?
Spokesman: I have no independent confirmation from our end as to whether or not that is the case. Obviously, the overall general message to the… from the Secretary‑General is that we want to see a focus on the political process rather than the military… increase in military fighting or elements being brought in. But, again, I don't have any information on that end. Evelyn?
Question: Yes. On Syria, have any of the surgical supplies been returned or Syria… Damascus has taken them regularly?
Spokesman: None that I'm aware of. This continues to be a big problem of surgical supplies being taken out. Mostly by the Government, but we've seen it by other groups. Those supplies are needed. They're critically needed.
Question: And is… has anyone been evacuated, you know, Damascus? Have they allowed any evacuations?
Spokesman: I think, as we've just said, the problem of evacuations that have to be negotiated is a very, very difficult one. People should just need… if they need to be evacuated on medical grounds, they should just be evacuated on medical grounds. We shouldn't have to negotiate a medical evacuation.
Question: And… sorry. One follow‑up to the refugees: Amnesty just said that Turkey was returning Syrians… refugees to Syria. Do you have anything…
Spokesman: I don't have any information on that. Raghida. I'll get to you.
Question: Can you take Nabil's question, please, and see if you could get back to us with the answer tomorrow? If, in fact, such a statement was made by an official, would that be a violation of the Security Council resolution…?
Spokesman: I'm not going to speculate. If I get an answer…
Correspondent: It's not speculation.
Spokesman: I understand. If I get an answer… if I get something, I'll share it with you.
Question: The question is, would that be a violation of the Security Council resolution…?
Spokesman: No, I understand. I mean, the violation… if I have anything, I will share it with you. Lou and then Matthew.
Question: Thanks. On the audit that we reported on over the weekend, the… one of the key issues that's identified in there is a recommendation that responsibility be assigned to individuals for the amending of the document that is playing a key role in the case. Has the UN identified the individual or individuals involved, and what is it doing? Is it cooperating with the US authorities on this?
Spokesman: You know, with regard to the specific cases referred to in the audit, action is being taken to determine responsibility of individual staff members and any measures, including possibly disciplinary action that may be deemed appropriate. Obviously, we remain fully committed to working with the… with any requests that may come from the US authorities. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. It was said that this audit was… the scope of the audit had to do with the Sun Kian Ip Foundation and the Global Sustainability Foundation, but the audit mentions South‑South News. So, you've been saying, as I've asked you about South‑South News, that, when it comes out, you'll decide whether a further scope is needed. What I want to know is, it's become clear, for example, that David Ng, also known as David Ng Lap Seng, was, in fact, the main sponsor of a DPI [Department of Public Information] NGO conference. This was not mentioned in the audit. As we've discussed here, South‑South News gave money to UNCA [United Nations Correspondents Association], which, in turn, provided a photo op for Ng Lap Seng with Ban Ki‑moon. So, my question is, what now do you say, after this audit is out, about the need for a further audit? And can you comment on the fact that there has been an acknowledgment of receipt by OIOS of a complaint against Cristina Gallach as head of DPI for a variety of matters? And where does it stand, please?
Spokesman: On your second part, no. On your last question…
Question: No comment or no confirmation?
Spokesman: I have no comment and no confirmation. Or maybe no confirmation is a comment. I'm not confirming, and I'm not commenting. On your other issue, the status of South‑South News is being reviewed, is its accreditation here. The audit that was public… that was reported on over the weekend will be made public on 22 April following the standard operating procedures of OIOS, which gives it 30 days between sharing an audit with Member States and releasing it to the public.
Question: Given that the Global Sustainability Foundation… the things that come… that are in the audit about it, what now can you comment on the fact that, at the founding of the Global Sustainability Foundation in the Delegate's Dining Room, both Ban Ki‑moon's spouse and Vijay Nambiar were present? In what capacity were they present? And do they have any comment now that it's become clear that the entity was nothing more than a vehicle for bribery in…
Spokesman: I think, as we've told the press, we're obviously concerned at some of the things the audit showed. And if there's… as I mentioned, further action is being taken looking at individual staff members. Go ahead.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I have two questions. The first one, I want to ask about refugees. Does the United Nations think it's appropriate to deport refugees and asylum seekers, in general, from Europe as a measure… given we are about to see a World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey?
Spokesman: I think what is important is that countries respect international law when it comes to refugees and looking at their claims of asylum. There's a body of law. It needs to be followed. When it comes to migrants and economic migrants, if there is a need to return people, it needs to be done with utmost dignity and respect for their human rights. This is one of the issues that is leading the Secretary‑General to organize a meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly on the mass movement of people that we've seen, especially in the last few years, that will bring together… solve this problem. You need to have a conversation with the countries of destination, the countries of origin and those of transit. The overriding message is that the international law needs to be respected, and people's human rights and dignity needs to be respected.
Question: And my second question is about what's known as Panama Papers. Basically, the papers have documents that says private banks, like HSBC, serves clients that are blacklisted by the United Nations, including people related to arms trafficking, blood diamonds, bribery. These are documents. These are evidence. What will the UN do to… given all these documents that prove there are entities that… off-shore that helps people who are being blacklisted by the United Nations?
Spokesman: I haven't seen any documents besides what I read in the press. The overall issue of corruption is one that is… the UN has been dealing with for years as a scourge and a hindrance to development and to peace and security. As to whether or not people who were blacklisted by the Security Council or in other sanctions were, in fact, involved, it is up to Member States and the Member States concerned to ensure that the law is followed and that if there's criminal behaviour that it be pursued. Abdelhamid?
Correspondent: Thank you, Stéphane. In the statement you have just read by Mladenov, he said that he was informed by the Israelis that some material had been diverted. Then he continued, said those who divert the material are stealing from their people. That means he accepted the Israeli version without investigation, so he accused some Palestinian of stealing from their own people without evidence, without seeing what happened exactly, without asking UN officials to investigate if that's true. So, he accepted the Israeli version and went to judgment and to opinion that this is kind of a theft. That is one question. Second, today Israel cut the electricity from the city of Bethlehem. I wish that Mr. Mladenov saw that a whole city is now in darkness and he issued a statement on that. Thank you.
Spokesman: Your first part, I think, I didn't hear a question mark, but I'll answer the statement anyway. The… I think what Mr. Mladenov was calling for is highlighting the increasing concern of fewer resources being brought into Gaza, especially on the private… on cement. We know how much that's needed to rebuild all the housing stock that was destroyed. He's encouraging both the Israelis and the Palestinians to come to some agreement to ensure that we have a freer flow of goods into Gaza to help the people of Gaza. As to Bethlehem…
Question: The part about stealing…?
Spokesman: I hear what you're saying. I think Mr. Mladenov made a statement based on what he knows. Oleg?
Question: About Bethlehem…?
Spokesman: I'll check. I haven't had any…
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Maybe I missed. So, when is this audit going to be published?
Spokesman: 22 April. It will be on…
Question: Oh, right. And on a separate topic, on the Nagorno‑Karabakh situation, did Ban Ki‑moon contact any of the sides? Because his statement doesn't mention Armenia and Azerbaijan. He just calls on all sides. Did he actually… was there a phone call between them?
Spokesman: Not… not that I'm aware of. As you know, on the political end on the Nagorno‑Karabakh issue, the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] is very much in the lead, and we support their work. Olga?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Also, the follow‑up about Nagorno‑Karabakh. You mentioned the UN OCHA report, saying that only International Red Cross committee has some access to deliver humanitarian assistance. Can you please clarify, what's the UN presence there? What UN agencies do you have in the region?
Spokesman: I will check, and… I will check, and will get back to you. Yes, and then over to you, Michele.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. On migrants, two questions. Austria has closed its borders, and it has announced that it will be processing asylum requests at the border. The 1951 Convention on asylum seekers is clear. Essentially, the Austrians are saying that they will probably not be admitting any of these people because, in the neighbouring country in which they stand or exist, they're not in imminent danger, as one of the criteria of the 1951 Convention. Does the UN, the Secretary‑General, this podium, consider Austria's stance a violation of the rights of these migrants or a violation of international law?
Spokesman: I'm not in a position to adjudicate at this point from here. As I said, what is important is that each and every refugee's claim and request for asylum be examined along the proper lines.
Question: And the second question is, the Secretary‑General and the… his representatives have… I don't know if it's fair to say, but one gets the impression that the distinction between asylum seekers and economic migrants is sometimes blurred a bit. And though it's very clear that everybody's rights should be respected, is there a concern that… that in… of raising false expectations, false hopes in some of the aspirational language coming from the UN, that you're actually encouraging people to take the dangerous journey when there's really no hope that they're going to be accepted into the host countries?
Spokesman: I don't think… I think what motivates people to take that dangerous journey is what they're leaving behind. I don't think it's the UN's… whatever statements the Secretary‑General may have made. That's my opinion. What is… there is a distinction under international law between migrants, economic migrants, and refugees, and people who have a claim to asylum. That distinction needs to be respected. They have… there's a separate set of rights. But, regardless of international law, there is a universal issue of dignity and human rights, and that also needs to be respected. Michele?
Question: Thanks, Steph. A follow‑up to Lou's question on the audit: You said that action was being taken with regard to the John Ashe letter that was changed. Has the UN identified who was responsible for changing that letter?
Spokesman: I'm not going to go into further detail at this point. Yes?
Question: I have two follow‑up questions. Regarding Gaza, you said that… I thought until now… if I'm wrong, please correct me… that actually the UN is monitoring what's going… what's… what goes into Gaza and where it goes, et cetera. So, it's a little bit confusing for me, if the UN is saying that things are being… not working, they are the one who are supposed to monitor everything. And the second question, would you please give us the figures, how much money was paid actually to Israeli companies to export or sell cement since the starting of the process of free building in Gaza?
Spokesman: On your second part, I will have to look into it. On your first part… and I hope I'm correct… what Mr. Mladenov was referring was to the private importation of cement. I don't think he was referring to the mechanism in which the UN is involved, but I will double check for you. Yeah?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. On the Panama Papers, can you just remind us of the UN's position on whistle-blowing and the leaking of documents, especially it's… this large scope?
Spokesman: You know, I… we have policies when it regards to UN documents and whistle… UN whistle-blowers. Obviously, this was the work of, from what I understand, a group of international media and journalists, and the Secretary‑General supports the work of journalists. Sherwin?
Question: Steph, back to MONUSCO. Can I just get clarification? Are you saying the only allegations… the 11 allegations, are related to paternity tests or where there is a pregnancy involved? Doesn't that just speak to the fact that this might just be the tip of the iceberg?
Spokesman: You know… yes, it's 11 paternity claims. That's what they refer to. I can't speak to what we don't know yet.
Question: Do you know how far these individuals are in terms of how far they are in their pregnancies?
Spokesman: That I will check. I do not know. Go ahead and then Matthew.
Correspondent: I have a couple questions, on MINURSO [United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara] and on Libya. On MINURSO, some news says that there is discussion between some members of the Security Council and Morocco.
Spokesman: Who says, sorry?
Question: Some news — that to convince Morocco to take back those staff who had been already deported or left, about 80 of them. Is there any development on that? And how the… how the Mission going to function with that small skeleton of staff, if this decision has not been reversed? The second question on Libya: there are three members of the… three dignitaries in Libya had been placed under sanctions by European Union, Agilah and Abusahmen and Ghweil, de facto Prime Minister in Tripoli. Does the UN share the same decision with the European Union? Do they agree with that?
Spokesman: Well, the placing of people in sanctions is the work of the Security Council. On your first part, discussions are continuing to be had between UN officials and Moroccan officials. Obviously, the Mission is trying to fulfil its mandate, but it is doing so to the best of its ability. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I want to ask about the Panama Papers, South Sudan, Yemen and access. On the Panama Papers, I'm sure you saw that one of the cases profiled by the International Consortium for Investigative Journalists has to do with Kojo Annan. And since I know that you were the Spokesman for Kofi Annan and responded to a number of questions about the Mercedes and other things, what do you think of the appearance of… what… do you have a comment?
Spokesman: No.
Question: Is there a UN comment?
Spokesman: No.
Question: Or a personal comment? Okay. Why not?
Spokesman: Because I speak for Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon, and what… the affairs of the offspring of a previous Secretary‑General is really not for me to comment on.
Question: Okay. No, thanks a lot. Then I wanted to ask about South Sudan. South Sudan… it's reported in great detail by Radio Tamazuj that there are minders, that minders are assigned to journalists who seek to go and cover Malakal, Bentiu and other Protection of Civilians sites. And a number of the journalists quoted anonymously, because they feel retaliation by the UN, say that they believe that the purpose of the minders is to undermine their ability to hear about underperformance by UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] and other human rights violations in the camps. So, I wanted to know, what is the UN's response to that?
Spokesman: Look, the UN and the Mission in South Sudan are working over extremely difficult conditions, caring for more than 200,000 civilians, a number of Protection of Civilians sites. Over the years… over the last two years, we facilitated travel for over 180 journalists to various Protection of Civilians sites around the country, a greater number even in Juba itself. Travelling on UN planes and accessing UN sites is done according to established guidelines, which take into consideration, obviously, security and individual considerations. The guidelines have been in place since this particular conflict erupted. I think if journalists have any issues, they should contact the mission there. But, I know they do their best. And you know, we have some responsibility if journalists come into the site, it is a UN site; we have some responsibility to them.
Question: Have you read the article? Because they quoted journalists…
Spokesman: I've read the article, and I really have nothing else to say. I can't speak to anonymous quotes.
Question: Okay. Also, more generally, on Yemen, do you have any comment on the changes announced by President [Abd Rabbuh Mansur] Hadi?
Spokesman: No.
Correspondent: Finally on access. I want to ask in advance this time rather than this in the past, so I think… hopefully, you won't walk away, and Daniel Craig will keep you in place. There's… this afternoon, there's a meeting in Trusteeship Council about the World Humanitarian Summit, and more importantly, at least to me, tomorrow afternoon, in the Trusteeship Council…
Spokesman: Matthew, Matthew.
Question: There's a meeting about rapes in the Central African Republic. I would like to know if I can cover the meeting…? I'm asking…
Spokesman: Your personal issues should be dealt with our colleagues at accreditation.
Correspondent: Since I was removed before, I want to know if I can cover the rapes meeting without a minder since we're talking about minders.
Spokesman: Thank you.