Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

**Syria

Good afternoon.  Just to let you know as you may have seen, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, said today that the latest reports of civilian deaths and injuries in Syria, including bombings of Syrian marketplaces and medical facilities, revealed a “monstrous disregard for civilian lives by all parties to the conflict”.  He urged all sides to step back from a return to all‑out war.  And he noted reports of mounting civilian casualties in recent days throughout Syria, notably Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Idleb and Deir ez‑Zour.  The High Commissioner warned that the violence is soaring back to the levels seen prior to the cessation of hostilities, with deeply disturbing reports of military build‑ups indicating preparations for lethal escalation.

In a statement last night, Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said that he was horrified and sickened by the news of civilians killed — two settlements where displaced people had sought sanctuary in Idleb Governorate.  He said that if this obscene attack is found to be a deliberate targeting of civilian structures, it would amount to a war crime.  He called for an immediate, impartial and independent investigation into this deadly incident.  And we do expect a statement from the Secretary‑General shortly on the same issue.

**China

Also, would want to flag today that the Chef de Cabinet, Edmond Mulet, and [Liu Jieyi], the Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the UN, signed an agreement covering a multi-year contribution of $200 million from China to the United Nations to finance activities relating to peace, security and development.  This is a follow‑up to President Xi Jinping’s announcement last September of China’s contribution to a strong United Nations.

Through this agreement, China has confirmed its intention to contribute $20 million annually for 10 years to the newly established United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund.  With respect to each annual contribution, $10 million will be utilized towards activities in the area of peace and security and $10 million support of the 2030 Agenda for [Sustainable] Development.  The Secretary‑General is extremely appreciative of this generous contribution to the United Nations.  The contribution is a further demonstration of a strong commitment of the Government and people of China to the goals and activities of the UN.

**Peacebuilding

The Secretary‑General also thanks the Government of Germany for its contribution of €10 million for 2016 to his Peacebuilding Fund.  He calls on other Member States to contribute to the Fund.  Coming in at almost $11.5 million, the new contribution makes Germany the fifth‑largest contributor to the Fund overall.  The Secretary‑General would also like to thank the Government of Japan for its recent contribution of $3.5 million.  A Peacebuilding Fund Pledging Conference will be held on the margins of the forthcoming General Assembly this September.

**Zika

And the Secretary‑General today established the UN Zika Response Multi‑Partner Trust Fund to finance critical unfunded priorities in response to the Zika outbreak.  The Trust Fund provides a rapid, flexible and accountable platform to support a coordinated response from the UN system and its partners.  The Fund will directly support the Zika Strategic Response Framework, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in consultation with UN agencies, partners, and international health experts.  We have a press release in our office with that announcement.

**Central African Republic

Our colleagues at the [Office for] the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs say that a recent wave of violence in Koui and Bocaranga, north-west of the Central African Republic, has forced more than 10,000 people to flee their homes.  The week‑long clashes between rival armed groups, include attacks against civilians, is a reminder that the security situation remains fragile and unpredictable despite improvements in security conditions observed in some areas.  Humanitarian partners are conducting verification and registration, as well as providing assistance to the displaced families.

And another report from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) — they tell us that in Bangui, a Muslim leader from a PK5 and a presidential candidate from the recent elections, Karim Meckassoua, was elected President of the Central African National Assembly.  The appointment conveys the spirit of reconciliation and the need for balanced political institutions.

**Iraq

And turning back here, Ján Kubiš, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, briefed the Security Council this morning and said that a profound political crisis has engulfed Baghdad and the country, bringing paralysis and deadlock in the work of the Government and the Council of Representatives.  He noted the past 10 months of protests and the recent storming of the Parliament.

At this stage, he said, the situation remains unpredictable and could unfold in many different directions.  He is concerned that the solutions currently being discussed would not meet the demands of the people, and that demonstrations are set to continue.  Mr. Kubiš strongly urged the Government, constitutional and political leaders and civil society to work together in a constructive dialogue that will not only resolve the political impasse but give Iraqis a clear perspective of better future to the people, which will unite them and their leaders.  The text is available for you should you be interested.

**Zimbabwe

And another OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] update from Zimbabwe — some 45 humanitarian partners in Zimbabwe are seeking $360 million in funding to provide lifesaving food, health, water and sanitation to support 1.8 million people.  The El Niño‑induced drought has exacerbated hunger and hardship for vulnerable people in Zimbabwe, leaving 2.8 million people — about 21 per cent of the population — food insecure.  The combination of a poor harvest, an extremely dry early season and forecasts for continuing hotter and drier‑than‑average conditions through mid‑2016 pose a risk of extensive crop failure, weakened power supplies and reduced drinking water for human and livestock consumption.

**Libya

And the World Health Organization says it is greatly saddened over the death of 12 newborns in the Sabah Medical Centre neonatal intensive care unit in southern Libya.  The deaths occurred as a result of a bacterial infection and the lack of specialized health staff to provide medical care.  WHO organization says that an already weakened health-care system in Libya is on the brink of collapse due to critical shortages in health care workers and medicine, leaving almost 1.9 million people without an access to health services — more information online.

**International Atomic Energy Agency — Amendment

And the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] tells is that an important amendment to the UN Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material will enter into force on 8 May.  The amendment makes it legally binding for countries to protect nuclear facilities, as well as nuclear material in domestic use, storage and transport.  The IAEA Director-General [Yukiya Amano] said that the entry into force of this amendment after 11 years of preparatory work will reduce the risk of terrorist attacks involving nuclear material.

**United Nations Children’s Fund

And UNICEF [UN Children’s Fund] is calling for urgent measures to protect unaccompanied refugee and migrant children in Europe ‑ who are at serious risk of abuse, trafficking and exploitation and whose number reached record of 95,000 last year.  INTERPOL estimates that 1 in 9 unaccompanied refugee and migrant children is unaccounted for or missing, but the figures may be much higher.  In Slovenia, for example, more than 80 per cent of unaccompanied children went missing from reception centres, while in Sweden up to 10 children are reported missing each week.  Earlier this year, 4,700 unaccompanied children were recorded as missing in Germany.

**Press Conferences

Press conference today — at 5:15 p.m., there will be a briefing here organized by the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the UN on the protection of the Palestinian People.  On Monday, my guest will the Deputy Secretary‑General, Jan Eliasson joined by the Special Adviser on the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, and that is Karen AbuZayd.  They will be here to brief you on the Secretary‑General's report entitled "In Safety and Dignity:  Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants."  At 1:15 p.m., stay in your chairs, there will be a press conference by the incoming Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous People, Alvaro Pop.  He will be joined by others.

**Honour Roll

And today we thank Algeria for its regular payment [to the United Nations regular budget] making it 83.  Michelle?

**Questions and Answers

Question:   Thanks, Stéphane.  As you just told us, O'Brien yesterday said the attack on the Syrian camp could be a war crime if it was found to be intentional.  They have since said the tents were there for wakes, so it's unlikely to have been an accident.  Does the Secretary‑General believe this attack was a war crime?

Spokesman:  If it turns out to be a deliberate attack, yes, it could very well be considered a war crime.  And I think the Secretary‑General has, on numerous occasion urged the Security Council to refer the number of the incidents we've seen in Syria to the ICC [International Criminal Court].  Carol.

Question:  You've probably seen… the Syrian military said that they're not responsible for it, and they've suggested that the rebels would have carried out air strikes.  Does that seem credible to you at all? 

Spokesman:  I think the location of the camp was well known for a long time.  It seems difficult to believe that it was… that it was a mistake.  And obviously, we need to… there needs to be further investigations to who was responsible for the attack.  Mr. Lee.

Correspondent:  I want to ask you about Yemen.  I don't know if the Envoy would know this or if the UN would have a way of knowing.  But, there are reports of US military, material and troops arriving at a port called Anad… Al Anad Air Force Base.  Black op helicopters.  Again, I'm asking…

Spokesman:  No, we don't have any… we don't have any… I mean, we've seen the reports, but I don't have any confirmation.

Question:  Would the Envoy view it as part of his mandate to reach out and find out if that's the case given the constant statement that there's no military solution?

Spokesman:  I think the Envoy, in the Secretary‑General's opinion, has always been that there should be a focus on the political track.

Question:  Also in Yemen, there's a very detailed Human Rights Watch report out today about the use of cluster bombs by the Saudi‑led coalition.  It was six specific instances, one as recently... one this year… most in 2015.  They talk about a specific weapon that they think is per se.  So, I'm wondering, they make this call that the US shouldn't export and that these weapons shouldn't be used.  And I wonder, one, does the Envoy or anyone else working on Yemen for the UN dispute these six uses of cluster bombs?  And two, would it even…?

Spokesman:  We have condemned in the past the use of cluster bombs in Saudi Arabia… excuse me, in Yemen.  And the Secretary‑General has, on occasion, called for those… underscored the need for those who sell weapons that they have a responsibility on how those weapons be used.  Yes, ma'am?

Question:  Yes.  The Kenyans say they're going to close Dadaab and Kakuma camps due to national security interests.  They want to do it as soon as possible.  It would impact 400,000 refugees.  What would the UN's role be in helping these people of the Kenyans abandon them?

Spokesman:  Sure. Obviously we've seen the reports.  The UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] has told us they have also just seen the press reports.  They're waiting to have an official meeting with the Kenyan Government in order to understand exactly the meaning of the statement and what its implications are.  Because obviously it could have some very grave implications for those refugees who have been in these camps for a long time.  Oleg.

Question:  Thank you.  Before you come up with a statement condemning an apparent air strike, what is… the camp… do you check with some countries concerned?  For example, like Russia and the US who have this joint centre monitoring ceasefire.  They obviously have some satellite data… were there any planes flying?

Spokesman:  From the Secretary‑General's standpoint, the condemnation is on the use of violence against innocent civilians.  The focus is on the victims.  Obviously, there needs to be an investigation as to who was responsible, whether or not it was deliberate.  And obviously, we do base our statements on information we have from various sources.

Question:  I'm saying in the statement, when you say it's an air strike or an attack or shelling, you usually say it's an air strike.  When are you saying it's an air strike?

Spokesman:  I think we base that information on reports that we use from credible sources.  We're not always in a position to identify the planes that are used.  But regardless, we condemn the act strongly.

Question:  Are you aware of the letter sent by the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] opposition leader, Moise Katumbi, seeking for UN protection?  What's the response of the Secretary‑General, the Security Council?

Spokesman:  Yes, we've seen the letter and the call for protection by the… by the opposition leaders.  The mission does not have a specific mandate to protect political figures; however, the mission does have a mandate for the protection of civilians.  Senior officials from the peacekeeping mission have met with the opposition leaders to explain the situation to them.  But, as I said, while we have no specific mandate to protect political leaders, we do have a mandate for the protection of civilians.  And we will act upon that mandate when needed.

Question:  Thanks, Stéphane.  Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu has invited UN staff in Israel to attend a seminar on Jewish history specifically for UN diplomats.  Do you have any idea whether UN staff based there plan to attend this? 

Spokesman:  I don't know. I had not seen… I had not seen that invitation, and I'm happy to look into that invitation.  Olga.

Question:  Thanks, Stéphane.  The question about the trust fund on the Zika virus that you mentioned in the beginning — do you have any understanding if there are going to be pledges?

Spokesman:  Well, the trust fund was just open.  So, obviously, we hope that it will be… that it will be filled.  But, I'll see if there is any money in it already, but I don't believe that there is.

Question:  Will the SG [Secretary-General] raise this in Istanbul on the humanitarian side asking for money in this fund?

Spokesman:  I think the Secretary‑General will… part of the message in Istanbul will obviously be an appeal to fund humanitarian causes.  We've never had a greater financial need to fund different… different causes. And obviously this will… this will increase the… obviously the Zika will be included in that.  Sorry.  Okay.  Let me just read out the statement which I just got and which I will read and discover with you. 

**Syria

The Secretary‑General is outraged by yesterday's attack on a makeshift camp for displaced persons near the Syrian village of Sarmada in Idlib Province.  The United Nations along with humanitarian partners on the ground are assessing the needs and mobilizing a response for the families who fled the camp out of fear of further attacks.  The Secretary‑General reiterates his call on the Security Council to send a strong message to all warring parties that there will be serious consequences for grave violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.  Those responsible for yesterday's seemingly calculated attack against civilians in the camp in Idlib which could constitute a war crime must be held accountable.  He again urges the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.  The Secretary‑General calls upon all Member States to take immediate, collective, and decisive action to bring about the tragedy unfolding in Syria to an end.  Members of the Security Council should build on resolutions 2254 (2015) and 2268 (2016) and follow through on the commitments they made in these resolutions to press the Syrian parties to stop their indiscriminate attacks on civilians.  Evelyn.

Question:  Who's flying… besides Syria and Russia, considering Russia's statement denying this, who else is flying aircraft over the area? 

Spokesman:  There are a lot of people flying aircraft in the skies over Syria.  Bouchra.

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Just a quick follow-up on the question that I asked two days ago.  Thank you for your phone call, by the way.  You said that this person is on leave without pay; is that right?

Spokesman:  Indeed.

Question:  Yeah.  But, you did not answer the second part of my question related to the conflict of interest.  As you know that Code of Conduct of the United Nations states that international civil servants have obligation and this obligation does not cease upon separation from service.  So, my question is:  Does this person, according to this guidance, have the right to work in the same subject as she was… used to work on…?

Spokesman:  This person has been cleared for the activities she currently… is currently undertaking.

Question:  But, she was working in the same…?

Spokesman:  That's my answer, is that she has been cleared, and she's doing this with permission.  Oleg.

Question:  Thanks again.  I couldn't not mention that you didn't call this attack on the refugee camp an air strike.  So, the Russian side today stated that there were actually no planes flying over this zone on 4 and 5 May which excludes the possibility of an air strike.  So, do you think it could be, like, a shelling or something since you have sources, credible sources, on the ground?

Spokesman:  You know, I think this is early days.  Our focus is on the outrageous nature of what has happened to these people.  As I said, it's something that could constitute a war crime.  The focus is on the victims.  Obviously, there needs to be more investigation to exactly what happened.  But, our focus is on the victims and trying to bring support to those who survived.  Carol.

Question:   Who's going to investigate? 

Spokesman:   Well, you know, obviously we will be talking to the sources we have on the ground. But I think there are various… it's… we're not calling that we're doing an investigation. I think obviously we will try to follow up with our partners on the ground to see what happened.  But, I think all those who have military assets should also take a look at the activities.  And the more information we have, I think the better the international community would be able to assess the responsibility.  Yes, Matthew.

Question:  Sure.  One follow-up on DRC.  But, also… first on your answer to Bouchra… when you say that she was cleared for this activity.  I'm sure you remember the case of Mr. Bernardino Leon who left from being SRSG [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] and went to work at a diplomatic academy for the UAE [United Arab Emirates], which is a combatant or, you know, participant in Libya.  Was he cleared for that?  Just yes or no?

Spokesman:  Mr. Leon's case is… it's a different one.

Question:  How is it different? 

Spokesman:  It's a different one.  Mr. Leon is gone.  It's a different one.

Question:  Okay.  And on the same… I'd asked you… you know, you were correct when you said that the stakeout of the representative Polisario [Front] was, in fact, added three days late to the UN's website.  But, it was added sort of as the tail end in the Algerian Permanent Representative's presentation.  And I wonder, given that there was a gap between the two and given that usually when that's done… was this a compromise reached after some lobbying? How was that reached?

Spokesman:  It is what it is, as we say.

Question:  Yes, Anne Charles, Baltic Review.  Today, The New York Times ran an article entitled “Missile Bases Bolster NATO” in newsstands of Russia saying that there is more clarity with Russia after its annexation of Crimea and armed involvement in Eastern Ukraine, its threats to the Baltic region, and intervention in Syria.  What is the Secretary‑General or the UN doing to focus attention on this part of the world since there are reports that Russia is even threatening to put nuclear warheads in the Kaliningrad territory bordering Poland and Lithuania that Moscow annexed after the Second World War?  What preventive measures can be taken if any?

Spokesman:  I think… you know, I don't have specific information on the situation.  I think the Secretary‑General would encourage any issues that arise to be dealt with on… through a political track.  Yes, ma'am?

Question:  The Zika trust fund, is there a figure that you're trying to reach? 

Spokesman:  That's a good question.  I mean, it's a very good question.  Let me try to find out.  Matthew?

Question:  On the DRC, I'd asked you yesterday about the surrounding of the candidate [Moïse] Katumbi's house.  But, I don't understand the distinction.  If they have a protection of civilians mandate and a candidate is also a civilian and among other things… for example, he's apparently tried to get his own security, and the Government has now sought to throw out of the country… there's a guy called Daryl Lewis who may… people who got visas, so once he's accused of having them be his mercenaries, may well be bodyguards.  So, clearly something is escalating there.  What exactly…?

Spokesman:  There is no specific mandate to provide close protection to political… to political leaders.  However, within its protection of civilian mandates, the mission can act to protect civilians under imminent threats and will obviously continue to closely monitor all the situations where there's a risk of violation of human rights or international law.  And as I mentioned, the Deputy Special Representative [David] Gressly met with the representatives of the G7 I think yesterday to explain to them the situation.

Question:  So, he's supposed to call when…?

Spokesman:  Matthew, there is no… as I said, there's no specific mandate to provide close protection; however, if there is an imminent threat, the mission does have a mandate.  Bouchra and then Oleg… I don’t always look to the people I talk to.

Question:  Thank you.  Just to follow-up on the follow-up.  You said that this person was cleared, right?  But, there is a contradiction because as paragraph 39 states…

Spokesman:  I think all of this…

Correspondent:  I didn't finish this.  This obligation does not say "upon separation from service."

Spokesman:  Listen, I think I'm well-versed in the staff rules.  This person requested a leave of absence, indicated what she would be doing.  That leave of absence, leave without pay was cleared by her superiors.  So, people can have different interpretation of the underlying nature of the rules and how they should be applied.  I'm telling you what the facts are from our end.  Oleg.

Question:  Stephane, there was a statement, a separate statement, on the attack on the Aleppo hospital on the 27 April.  Now there is a statement on the attack of this camp in Idlib Province.  But, some attacks, equal by nature, are somehow ignored.  For example, the attack on the hospital in the western part of Aleppo.  How do you decide which…?

Spokesman:  I don't… I don't think it was ignored.  I think… unless my memory fails me… it was addressed very directly in the Security Council by Jeff Feltman, by Stephen O'Brien and others in a very public setting in front of the 15 ambassadors.

Correspondent:  Yes.  But, there was no separate statement on that.

Spokesman:  I think we have on many occasions condemned attacks on civilians wherever these civilians happen to be, whether it's in Government controlled areas or non‑Government-controlled areas.

Question:  How do you decide which…?

Spokesman:  We try to condemn as much as we can every attack on civilians. 

Question:   Sure.  Maybe two UNDP [Unite Nations Development Programme] questions… one is… you said at the beginning of the week, I believe, that this UNDP South‑South office would be doing a press conference within days.  When is that?

Spokesman:  You can check with them.  That's what I've been told.

Question:  I guess now that you're discussing sort of the staff rules and seeking rulings in advance on unpaid leave. I'd asked you about Helen Clark and also about Ms. [Irina] Bokova and what rules apply.  Now, the New Zealand mission has responded that this Government is paying for her travel and she's on annual leave.  I just wanted, I guess, to know, either of Ms. Clark or Ms. Bokova, does the obvious potential conflict of interest, are these subject to any kind of rulings by the ethics office?  Is there something out there that says here's what you can use and here's what you can't?

Spokesman:  If Ms. Clark sought a ruling from the Ethics Office, that's not something I would be party to.  The Secretary‑General trusts that she will conduct her campaign at the highest ethical level and there's no indication that she is not.  The same goes for Ms. Bokova, although Ms. Bokova obviously reports to her own general assembly.  Evelyn.

Question:  Yes.  The Congolese Government spokesman alleges that Rwanda has been paying [inaudible] fighters to join Burundian opposition forces for a possible incursion into Burundi.  Do you know anything about this?

Spokesman:  No, I have not seen.  Brittany, did you have a question?

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  My question is all this strongly condemning that sort of goes around isn't really effectual.  It doesn't really help.  It's tantamount to waving a finger at a naughty child.  Is there something further that can be done?

Spokesman:  Well, I think, you know, we operate in the diplomatic sphere, and I think words matter, and words have an impact.  Thank you.