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 Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Iran
The Secretary-General issued a statement earlier this morning, one year after the Security Council adopted resolution 2231 (2015), which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (known as the JCPOA) agreed by the E3+3 and Iran. The statement details how resolution 2231 heralded a fundamental shift in Iran’s relationship with the Security Council, and provided a defined time schedule for the removal of the Iran nuclear issue from the Council’s agenda.
The Secretary-General commends Iran for implementing its nuclear-related commitments, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also commends the steps taken by the European Union and the United States of America in accordance with their sanctions-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He urges JCPOA participants to uphold their respective commitments and Member States to support the full and effective implementation of this agreement. It is of the utmost importance that the JCPOA works for all its participants, including by delivering tangible benefits to the Iranian people. The full statement is online.
**Iraq
Humanitarian partners in Iraq are appealing for $284 million to start preparing for an operation in Mosul, which could affect as many as 1.5 million civilians.
Lise Grande, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, said that the impact of the Mosul military campaign on civilians will be devastating. Mass casualties among civilians are likely and families trying to flee are expected to be at extreme risk.
Although front-line partners are racing to provide support, virtually every camp and reception centre receiving newly displaced families is already at full capacity. Families who are displaced require a broad range of assistance. The most immediate needs are for water, food, emergency shelter, and medical assistance.
At the beginning of this year, the UN appealed for $861 million to help 7.3 million Iraqis who were already in trouble. We have received only 40 per cent of that appeal. We now need funding for the original appeal, as well as an additional $284 million at least 2.5 months before the start of the Mosul operation to prepare.
We have a press release online with more details.
**Middle East
Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, expressed concern today at reports of yet another arson attack on the home of the Dawabsha family last night in Duma in the occupied West Bank. If confirmed, this despicable act would be the third incident in this particular village in the last year.
Since the 31 July 2015 terrorist arson attack in which Jewish extremists torched the Dawabsha home, killing three family members and leaving four year-old Ahmed orphaned, indictments have been made, but the perpetrators of this terrible crime have yet to face justice. Mr. Mladenov called upon the authorities to move swiftly in bringing the perpetrators of this terrible crime, as well as this latest incident, to justice.
He also urged Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure that vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are protected in line with its obligations under international law.
**South Sudan
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that approximately 1,000 people demonstrated in front of the Mission's Tomping Compound in Juba today. The protestors, some of whom initially threw stones at the gate, dispersed after handing a petition to the Mission. A peacekeeping Quick Reaction Force and Formed Police Unit personnel were on the ground to control the crowd and no casualties were reported.
Yesterday, two national staff members were physically assaulted by youth protestors in Bor, following a speech by the local governor.
UNMISS condemns physical attacks against its personnel and property and calls on all parties to respect the operations of the UN, its staff and assets.
The Mission also reports that restriction of movement continues. The UN was informed by the Government today that flight safety assurances for its rotary wing aircrafts would only be granted for flights to the Greater Upper Nile and Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions. This notwithstanding, flight safety assurance for an UNMISS helicopter scheduled to fly from Juba to Bor was not approved yesterday. UNMISS is concerned by these developments, which are a clear violation of the Status of Forces Agreement signed with the Government, and which are preventing the UN from implementing its mandate in the country.
The Mission, meanwhile, reports it continues to conduct patrols, but with restrictions, in and around its PoC sites in Juba as well as in Juba city.
**Mali
In Mali, the UN Mission in the country (MINUSMA) today strongly condemned the attack that took place yesterday against a military camp and its checkpoints in Nampala. Several members of the Malian armed forces lost their lives and others were wounded. During these events, MINUSMA, which does not operate in the area of Nampala, mobilized major aerial reconnaissance and medical resources, in coordination with the Malian authorities.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali, Mahamet Saleh Annadif, presented his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. He stressed the need for all Malian parties to work together to prevent terrorist organisations from taking advantage of the situation to derail the peace process.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
I also want to flag today a joint communiqué of the UN, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union on efforts to neutralize negative forces in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region.
Ministers of Defence from the Great Lakes region met today in Nairobi to review progress and challenges, and reinforce the common strategy to cut-off illegal trade activities in the region.
The Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Said Djinnit, stressed that the protection of civilians from all forms of violence must remain a priority in actions to neutralize armed groups.
**Malawi
The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun a new round of operations in Malawi where as many as 6.5 million people — nearly 40 percent of the population — may require emergency assistance in the coming months.
This is set to become the largest ever emergency food relief operation in the country’s history.
The food security crisis in the country is not only due to this year’s unprecedented drought but to the impact of severe flooding and prolonged dry spells last year.
Across southern Africa, as many as 18 million people will require emergency assistance in El Niño affected countries between now and next March, with needs expected to peak in January.
**India
The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says that a recent reported gang rape of a young Dalit woman in India by the same five men who had raped her three years ago underlines the heinous culture of impunity that surrounds violence against girls and women.
UNICEF says that approximately 120 million girls worldwide — 1 in every 10 — will experience sexual violence. The majority of these girls are violated for the first time between the ages of 15 and 19.
Anju Malhotra, UNICEF’s Principal Gender Advisor, said that we need action now to end this brutality that has become routine and to give the victims of violence the justice and protection they deserve.
**Press Encounters Today
For press encounters, at around 12:25 p.m., so just a few minutes from now, Ségolène Royal, President of COP21 and Minister of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs of France will brief at the Security Council stakeout following her meeting with the Secretary-General.
And, in a short while, just after I am done here, I will be joined by Elliot Harris, Director of the UN Environment Programme New York Office and Janez Potoènik, Co-chair of the International Resource Panel (IRP). They will brief you on the launch of the International Resource Panel’s Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity report.
Any questions? Yes, Joe and then Masood.
** Questions and Answers
Question: Yes, in what you read out at the beginning of the briefing regarding the Secretary‑General's comment on the implementation of the JCPOA, as I understand it he was commending Iran's cooperation in implementing it with the Security Council. But in the remarks that Mr. [Jeffrey] Feltman made summarizing the Secretary‑General's report, he noted Iran's persistent testing of ballistic missiles which are designed to carry nuclear weapons, which is in violation of the letter and spirit of the Security Council resolution 2231. So how does the Secretary‑General square his praise for Iran in cooperating with the Security Council with its persistent violation of this resolution relating to missile testing?
Deputy Spokesman: First of all, violation is your word. Ultimately it's for the members of the Security Council to determine any violation. I would just refer you back to what Mr. Feltman said regarding both the letter and spirit of the agreements, but also regarding the overall spirit and mood. What we want is for Iran and all parties to continue with a constructive mood; but, of course, we are also trusting that all of them will abide by both the joint comprehensive plan of action and the terms of resolution 2231.
Question: [inaudible] call upon Iran not to test or develop ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, it did so anyway, so rather than quibble on the word violation from a legally technical sense?
Deputy Spokesman: It's not…
Question: Wait.
Deputy Spokesman: It's not in a technical sense.
Question: Can I finish the question?
Deputy Spokesman: My point to you is not a technical one; it's that it is up to the members of the Council to determine whether there has been any violation.
Question: No, no, that is not what I was trying to ask you here. Whether it's determined if there was a technical violation of the resolution by the members of the Security Council, it's indisputable that Iran's actions were inconsistent with the calling upon Iran not to test and develop these missiles. So why isn't the Secretary‑General tempering his praise for Iran with at least acknowledgment and request for them to honour at least the spirit of that resolution?
Deputy Spokesman: The information you're citing is, in fact, from the Secretary‑General, Joe. It's from his report which was presented to the Security Council by Jeffrey Feltman, so this is all his information. At the same time, even as we point out specific concerns that we have, it's clear that the overall contribution of this has been too harrowed as I just mentioned a fundamental shift in the relationship between the Security Council and Iran, and we would like to encourage that. Yes, Oleg.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. After I asked you yesterday about this air strike in Syria, presumably air strike in Syria, by the coalition members, the Syrian authorities said that they wrote a letter to Ban Ki‑moon asking to condemn it, what is the status of things? Are you trying to find out, did you find out what happened over there, are you concerned at all?
Deputy Spokesman: We are trying to find out the details about this incident. And, of course, as you know, we are concerned about all air strikes that disproportionately kill and harm civilians. We have been wanting all such activity to stop. At the same time we would need further information about what precisely happened in this case.
Question: In previous instances when somebody else, other parties in Syria were blamed for the air strike you happened to come up pretty fast with some sort of reaction. I mean, you were quoting some sources on the ground. Does this mean that maybe the problem is in that region, you don't have any sources? What is the problem?
Deputy Spokesman: The basic point is once we have information that we feel is solid enough to act upon we act. It varies from time to time, but it really just is a question of having a certain amount of facts at our disposal. Yes.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Thank you. As this, I mean, due to the continued uprising in Kashmir, has the Secretary‑General and Secretary‑General offered his good offices, has the Secretary‑General or anybody from the United Nations spoken to anybody in the [Narendra] Modi Government? Has he done that so far?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't really have anything to add to what Stéphane [Dujarric] said about this about a week ago and I would just leave it at that.
Question: Another question about India, about this rape of this girl that you just read, this is a pattern in India, these five men have their say in the press we say, had earlier raped this girl and they have done it again, this culture impunity, if that exists over there and the Secretary‑General had in the past said, has United Nations, would he have any conversation except for the statement by the UNICEF?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, the UNICEF statement has come out today and then we hope that it will be followed up on. But certainly regarding this case our point is it goes beyond this particular case, in this particular country. As I just pointed out, according to UNICEF, this is a problem affecting 120 million girls worldwide, so it's a huge, huge problem and when we talk about ending this culture of impunity we mean it needs to be ended across the board, in every country.
Yes, Carol.
Question: Farhan, South Sudan, yesterday you mentioned that there were cases of rape and sexual violence, I'm wondering if you have an update how many are we talking about and any further information about that investigation? And also do you have information about UN police units that left their posts during the recent violence and whether any action has been taken?
Deputy Spokesman: Okay. First of all, on the question of the rapes, yes, as I pointed out yesterday we were very concerned about reports of rapes of women by uniformed South Sudanese personnel. And so we want that to be followed up. And, of course, we are going to continue monitoring and trying to get more details about this. But this is a matter of tremendous concern and the immediate aftermath of the violence that these sorts of horrible violations continue to be going on. Regarding police, yes, I can say that there have been… we are made aware that there were some UN police that did not stay at their posts during some of the recent violence, that issue is being taken up with the relevant police contributing countries who would be informed that those particular officers would be withdrawn and would not be replaced by personnel from the same nations. Yes.
Question: Can you say how many countries the police?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't have any details on number of countries to give to you. It's a small number of people involved. Yes.
Question: Thanks, Farhan. Also the question on Syria, have you seen any report about terrorists beheading a young Palestinian guy in Aleppo, and, if so, what's your reaction?
Deputy Spokesman: We've seen the media reports of this. I'm aware that there is some efforts to get at the details about this particular beheading. Of course, we stand against all sorts of… all of these types of atrocities. You've seen in recent years that there are in some ways no boundaries to the behaviour by some of these groups and that gives further reason for why we need to be united in our efforts against terrorist outfits, including Da'esh.
Question: My understanding is that Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria also sent you to the Secretariat and Security Council a letter about this incident, calling for a statement, anything about that?
Deputy Spokesman: I'm aware of the letter. I believe that once the letter comes in it would be circulated as a document. Yes, yes, you.
Question: Thank you. I wanted to ask you about a meeting between Secretary‑General and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China [Li Baodong] this morning. Did they talk about the South China Sea issues or DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] ballistic missile launch tests or the possibility of Secretary‑General's visit to DPRK, thank you?
Deputy Spokesman: I'll see whether we can get a readout of that particular meeting. It just happened a little over an hour ago. We will try to get whatever details we can. Yes, Matthew.
Question: Ask you on Mali, beyond what I asked yesterday, now there is reports of a deal reached in Niger under which the Azawad Group who controlled Kidal. There is also reports of an attack on a military station in the middle and central region in Nampala, so I wanted to know, first, did the UN have any involvement in this negotiation of the security arrangement in Kidal? Is it aware and does it have comment on the violence in Nampala and do you have any answer yet from DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] about what Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous said at IPI about NATO versus the Mordanian agents?
Deputy Spokesman: To take those roughly in order, in Nampala I read what we said at the top of the briefing so you can get those details later. On the question of the agreement of Kidal I don't have any reaction to that at present. Regarding what you were asking yesterday, I can confirm that the UN's currently updating its protocols and procedures to address issues of access to assets and information in all UN missions.
Question: Right. So I'm asking, a couple months ago I asked directly whether the Chadian peacekeepers could use NATO equipment in the possession of the Dutch peacekeepers and it was never answered. And can I know, from what you have said, is this true it has been a problem for months?
Deputy Spokesman: I mean, this is an issue that we needed to deal with. We are not able to speak about particular arrangements by troop-contributing countries, that is not in our ability. But this is something for which we needed to update protocols and we are currently updating protocols and procedures in order that you will have access to assets dealt with in a better way.
Question: But isn't the mission responsible when, for example, the Netherlands contingent deployed to know whether an extremist went under attack by terrorist or extremist forces, whether these can be shared with other peacekeepers?
Deputy Spokesman: We try to work out things, but, you have to remember, the UN itself is not the owner of this equipment and the UN itself is not the employer of the peacekeeping troops. These are national contingents in service to the UN and their equipment are equipments by the national contingence. You know, having said that, what we are trying to do, we do have protocols and procedures in place and we're trying to update those so that the access to assets and information will be shared.
Question: When they say same chain that is one on this because it comes up in South Sudan where they say they want the soldiers to be all in the same chain of command, doesn't this somehow imply that you don't have one contingent with much better equipment than the other ones, not sharing it when people are under attack?
Deputy Spokesman: The point of UN peacekeeping operations is that the peacekeepers coordinate their activities with each other so that they work efficiently together, that's what we try to do. Yeah.
Question: Farhan, Iran has said that the ballistic missile, that it exploded, is a conventional one and it's not the violation of any nuclear deal. Do you have any comment on that?
Deputy Spokesman: I've told you what we said in the statement just now and I would refer you back… and I would refer you back to the language of the report and of Mr. Feltman's briefing on Monday, both of which discussed this at length.
Question: But have you determined if it's a violation or not a violation, it's not a violation?
Deputy Spokesman: I've had this very discussion with your colleague, Joe, just seconds ago.
Question: Yeah.
Deputy Spokesman: Ultimately it's up to the members of the Security Council to determine whether the resolutions are being implemented. Yes.
Question: Yes, on South Sudan, there is ongoing protests against the possibility of additional action of troops to 12,000 UN peacekeepers, you might say before I came, I was late, so do you have a comment on that?
Deputy Spokesman: No. I mean, it's very clear that we need additional ways of ensuring that the people of South Sudan will be protected, particularly in light of the incidents of the last two weeks. As you know, a number of nations, including in the African Union and the Security Council, have been exploring and dealing with this issue. What we need to see now is what kind of response the Security Council will give in terms of seeing how the UN mission in South Sudan can be strengthened and the operations on the ground can be enhanced to ensure better protection for civilians.
Question: But, according to African news, it seems that the action is in responding to President Salva Kiir call for peaceful protests in that direction, so it seems like authorities and South Sudanese authority not ready for additional troops.
Deputy Spokesman: We will see once they are ready to accept or not as this discussion proceeds. Ultimately we have a common cause, which is that we all have an interest in making sure that the sort of violence that beset the country a week ago does not return. And what we're trying to do is explore with the Government, with the SPLA and opposition and other forces, and with countries in the region and how best we can make sure that any such of occurrence can be prevented. Yes.
Question: Thanks. If I could just follow‑up on Iran, have you seen the comments made by the head of the Iranian Parliament? He said that Iran should prepare a plan for Iranian enrichment and he also criticized heavily what Ban Ki‑moon said and the American comments on the program.
Deputy Spokesman: We are aware of the remarks that were made in the media. As for that, our basic point is we want to make sure that Iran adheres to all its commitments as do the other parties that were involved in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Question: And also on Syria if I could follow‑up with what Olga said, when you say that you're going to circulate the letter, the one that you received from the Syria on the beheading of the boy in Aleppo, does this mean that that's the response that people in Damascus are going to get the letter? Because previously you may remember that the Syrian Ambassador was saying that he didn't receive any reaction to 600 letters he sent to you.
Deputy Spokesman: As you know, many of the letters themselves request circulation as documents and do request those as documents, and that is part of the response. Things that involve responses by the Security Council are in the hands of the members of the Security Council.
Question: Yeah, but this one requests a response from Ban Ki‑moon himself condemning this incident.
Deputy Spokesman: We stand opposed to all of the violence that has happened in Syria and we will gladly condemn anything that involves something so clearly hideous as the beheading of an innocent person. Yes, Masood.
Question: Thank you. Besides issuing this strong statement from the Secretary‑General about Turkey and the continued incarceration of journalists or workers of education and everything, has the Secretary‑General had any conversation with the Turkish Government since then?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe he… now that he is back in town he is trying to see whether he can have that kind of a conversation in the coming day or so. We will have some details for you if we get some contact. Yes.
Question: Sure. Speaking of another letter to Ban Ki‑moon, an open letter to Ban Ki‑moon, in South Sudan a number, almost all media organizations have written an open letter to Ban Ki‑moon urging that after a week of being ban from entering that they be allowed to access and report on the protection of civilian sites and UN House in Tomping say that there is no basis for keeping them out, that they are unable to report, so they have asked him directly in this open letter that I'm staring at to change the policy and allow them access. What is the overall policy of the UN and why hasn't it been implemented, if it is what I think it is, in this case?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I'll check. I mean, as you know, we've had security concerns about the various sites, including Tomping, given the events of last time, so there has been a need to make sure that the populations that we're caring for in those areas will be protected. Beyond that I will check if there is anything.
Question: Sure. Even in other circumstances the UN sees the benefit of having a reporting of even the dangerous situations. They know that it's dangerous. They want a report on it.
Deputy Spokesman: Certainly. And we try to open up sites as quickly as we can, but we try to do that with respect for the security concerns; and, as you know, the last week and a half has been a fairly exceptional circumstance in that regard.
Question: Can I ask about Bangladesh?
Deputy Spokesman: Sure.
Question: There is a call after that terrorist attack on the Holey artisan bakery, a number, some of the hostages, at least two by name, have been… haven't been either released or charged, and so a number of human rights groups have said that the Government should either charge them as being part of the plot or release them rather than keep them incommunicado and not even said where they are. Is the UN system aware of that and what is their view of it?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't believe we would have any comment on this at this stage because this is a matter that is being handled by the local, that is to say the domestic legal authorities; but we hope that they will follow basic due process in terms of their follow‑up activities.
Question: Has the Secretary‑General seen that the new… I had asked you about Mr. [Rodrigo] Duterte before and you said he still… had not yet taken office, now he has taken office in the Philippines and said he is going to renounce previous commitment to the Paris Climate Accord and he said that openly and I wanted to know is there any response by the UN?
Deputy Spokesman: We certainly hope and expect that all countries will take the commitments made in Paris seriously and we want all of them to sign on to this climate change agreement for the benefit of each individual country and for the world as a whole. Now let me get to our guests.