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.

All right.  Good afternoon.

**Gabon

I will start off with a statement on Gabon:  On the eve of the presidential election in Gabon, the Secretary‑General calls on all Gabonese to exercise their civic duty responsibly and looks forward to the holding of the poll in a peaceful and credible manner.  The Secretary‑General commends the Government of Gabon and the Autonomous and Permanent National Electoral Commission for the timely preparations for the election.  He further welcomes the deployment of regional and international election observers in Gabon and stresses the importance of the free and responsible participation of the media.

The Secretary‑General urges all political stakeholders, in particular the candidates, to exercise restraint, abstain from any acts of incitement or the use of inflammatory statements, and maintain a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.  He calls on all candidates to contribute to the integrity of the electoral process by addressing any complaints that may arise through established legal and constitutional channels.  That statement is available online and in French.

**Syria

The situation in Darayya in Syria:  there was a statement issued by Staffan de Mistura on the situation in Darayya.  The Special Envoy said today it is imperative that people of Darayya are protected in any evacuation that takes place, and [that this] takes place voluntarily.  He strongly appeals to the Co‑Chairs of the International Syria Support Group and co‑sponsors of the cessation of hostilities and other Support Group members to ensure that the implementation of this agreement and its aftermath is in full compliance with international humanitarian law and protection standards.

He said that he had been made aware overnight of the agreement to evacuate residents, both civilians and fighters, starting today.  The UN was not consulted or involved in the negotiation of this agreement.  A UN humanitarian team is reaching out to all parties, including the local population.  He said it is tragic that repeated appeals to lift the siege of the city, besieged since November 2012, and cease the fighting, have never been heeded.  There is also a statement online of the Emergency Relief Coordinator expressing his deep concern at the situation in the town.

I also wanted to also flag a statement today by UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] Executive Director Anthony Lake on the humanitarian pause in Aleppo, Syria. He said that more than 100,000 children remain trapped in the eastern parts of the city since early July.  Today is another sad and dangerous day for the children in Syria, in particular those living in Aleppo, Mr. Lake added, stressing that every second of every minute counts when it comes to protecting and saving the lives of children.  Until there is peace, there is a desperate need for humanitarian pauses, ceasefires and constant access necessary to save lives and save hope.  UNICEF continues to be ready to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance, including medicines, vaccines and nutritional supplements.  More on UNICEF’s website.

**Yemen

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, was in Jeddah yesterday where he met with the US Secretary of State; the UK Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and Counter Terrorism; and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates.  The meeting focused on finding a peaceful political solution to end the conflict in Yemen and on the role of the international community.  A road map was presented that consists of a set of principles, details of sequencing and timelines.  The Special Envoy insisted that the Yemeni parties should first renew their commitment to “an immediate cessation of hostilities and facilitating humanitarian access” and engage in discussing a single comprehensive and sequenced agreement for both security arrangements as well as political arrangements.

**Colombia

Anticipating the peace accord that the Colombian government reached on Wednesday with the Farc rebels, the UN Peacebuilding Fund approved a total funding of $3 million for a project to support the collective reparations of victims [of] the armed conflict and help pave the way for the implementation of the peace agreements.  As you know, Jean Arnault was briefing the Security Council today, he will head up the UN Mission to that country.

**Under-Secretary-General Khare Travels

I wanted to flag a travel by the Under‑Secretary‑General for Field Support, Atul Khare:  he will be travelling to Nepal tomorrow and then to Pakistan.  In both countries he is expected to meet with senior Government, military and police officials to welcome and discuss their continuous engagement in peacekeeping.

**No Noon Briefings

Just to remind you that next week, we will be free from our daily lunchtime commitment.  We will not do live briefings, but the office will be staffed to answer your questions should you have any, so do drop in.  We will be posting highlights around 12 p.m..  And if there is breaking news, we will unfortunately all see each other in this room.  Edie?

**Questions and Answers

Question:  Thank you, Stéphane.  Does the Secretary‑General have any comment on France's top administrative court overturning a ban on burkinis?

Spokesman:  You know, obviously we… we welcome the decision by the court.  I think our opinion was expressed fairly clearly the other day on the need for people's personal dignity to be… to be respected.  Mr. Lee? 

Question:  Sure.  I wanted to ask you just first about what you read out about Yemen and the Envoy.  I was trying to ask you yesterday, and finally the transcript came out.  John Kerry said yesterday after announcing this new plan or new approach, he said, from today, Special Envoy Ahmed will immediately begin a series of consultations with the parties to work out the final details of this approach.  So, I just… I wanted to know how this… like, he's the Envoy of Ban Ki‑moon; right?  Or is he the Envoy of the Security Council?  In the sense of, like, if he's already promoting this plan that's been agreed to by four countries, is that proper?  Or what… what exactly does this mean?

Spokesman:  I think what is proper… what is… what is… what is proper is for him to put his full energy and efforts into finding a political solution.  He is the Special Envoy of the Secretary‑General.  He has a mandate from the Security Council.  His job is to consult with everyone that is involved, whether it's directly or people who have influence on the parties.  Different parties bring new ideas and fresh ideas to the process.  Obviously, there was an important meeting yesterday in Riyadh in which he participated.  He will bring these ideas to the various parties and continue his… and continue his work.

Question:  I'm just wondering… I'm asking about the idea… it was described that he's meeting with the parties to work out the final details of this approach.  So has the Secretary‑General been briefed on what the new approach is? 

Spokesman:  The Secretary‑General is fully aware of the latest developments.  And, again, I think this is part and parcel… in fact, this goes at the heart of… of Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's duties.

Question:  And does he have any… this Central Bank thing, the reason I'm asking about this is it's not just a few people.  There are major humanitarian groups saying that if the Central Bank is moved to Aden or is otherwise — they have tried to write to the IMF…?

Spokesman:  I mean, I have no particular comment.  Obviously, I think it's important that the institutions the current institutions be respected.  At least get a funnier tone ring… ring tone.  You know.  Ms. Nichols.

Question:  Hi, Steph.  The South Sudanese opposition leader Riek Machar has left hospital in Khartoum.  Has anyone at the United Nations spoken with him? 

Spokesman:  No.  I'm not aware of any conversations that have been had with him.

Question:  Steph, the Zimbabwe police today put down violently a court‑sanctioned protest calling for electoral reforms.  Part of those petitions are that the UN observe elections in 2018.  What are your thoughts on how the police reacted to that, to this protest? 

Spokesman:  We're obviously watching the situation in Zimbabwe very closely.  We urge the authorities, the Government of Zimbabwe, to ensure that people's right to peaceful protest and assembly be fully respected. 

Question:  Going back to the situation in Darayya.  During the evacuation of the civilians and the militants, some UN vehicles went into Darayya and then came out, in parallel with the Syrian Red Crescent.  What were they doing there? 

Spokesman:  Sure.  They were… as I've said, we were not directly involved in negotiation of this… of this deal, nor are we escorting the evacuations.  However, as you mentioned, a small team from the UN and the Red Cross was going to Darayya today to meet with all parties and identify the key issues for the civilians.  Obviously, we are using this lull in the fighting to try to get in and see what we can do and obviously see for ourselves what the situation is inside the city. 

Question:  Sorry.  A follow-up on that.  Why is the United Nations trying to distance itself from this deal? 

Spokesman:  It's not a matter… it's not a matter of distancing ourselves.  I think it's a matter of… if we are involved in cessation of hostilities deals and pauses, there are standards having to do with how civilians are… especially civilians… are treated, how all people are treated.  We always need to ensure that there's no forced evacuation, that people are not being moved against their will.  So, we're not saying this is the case in this particular situation.  We're just saying we were not involved, and we just hope that even if we're not involved, that the international norms and standards are respected.

Question:  Also, are you going to send any fact‑finding group or anything like that to where the civilians have been moved or are being moved?

Spokesman:  Well, obviously, you know, this is an ongoing situation where we've got people, small team going into the town to meet with key actors there to see what the situation is.  You know, wherever there is a humanitarian need and wherever we're able to access, we will be there.  Madame? 

Correspondent:  [Inaudible]. 

Spokesman:  You haven't been here in a long time obviously. 

Question:  Stop.  People are watching right now, Steph.  Stop.  Today, Canada announced it would commit half a billion dollars towards peacekeeping operations, up to 600 troops to be deployed to various missions.  Some of the countries being brought up are Mali, Central African Republic.  They didn't actually announce where, but I would like to get the UN's reaction to this announcement of this troop contribution and this financial contribution from Canada.

Spokesman:  We, obviously and clearly, welcome and very much appreciate the contribution of Canada to our peacekeeping efforts and their renewed reengagement in the complete spectrum of peace operations.  This will have a big impact.  It will help us bolster our efforts to broaden the base of our troop contributors and also to improve the importance… improvements of peacekeeping missions.  In advance of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in London, the Secretary has articulated its current and emerging capability requirements to Member States which include some critical capabilities that are urgently needed to fill the gaps.  In the coming days, the Secretary will actively engage with the Government of Canada to explore where and when the broad range of services and troops that they have offered can be best deployed to meet… to best meet the needs… needs of our mission.

Question:  A follow up.  Could you give us an idea of what these capabilities are that the UN is looking for or are desperately needed right now? 

Spokesman:  You know, it's a matter of… a lot of the needs involve transport, airlift, communications technology, specialized… specialized units.  And I'm sure a lot of the needs that we have, we have no doubt the Canadian Armed Forces can meet and can help us bolster our capabilities across the globe. 

Question:  Sorry.  And one final follow-up question.  There are some concerns among the Canadian public that the Canadian peacekeepers will be sent to missions, conflicts in countries that have been going on for a very long time, that are protracted, complex, or there are human rights questions.  I'm just wondering if there's anything the UN can say to allay the fears of the Canadian public about sending peacekeepers to these missions? 

Spokesman:  You know, I think the Canadian military has a long and illustrious history with peacekeeping, and we're happy in the sense they're re-engaging and coming back.  Peacekeeping by its very nature, especially in the past few years, has become increasingly complex, increasingly complicated, and we have no doubt that the contributions of Canada can help us meet those needs.  Mr. Lee.

Correspondent:  Sure.  And just… actually, on that, you may have seen this editorial by The Guardian in the run up to this London conference, and I wanted to just get your response to it.  They said that the choice of the Secretary‑General this year is an opportunity to push for change.  Many complain that peacekeeping has slipped down the agenda on Ban Ki‑moon's watch.

Spokesman:  They are obviously… they live in a different reality than I live in.  What can I tell you.

Question:  And this is… maybe this… I don't know if this is in your reality.  We've discussed in this room a particular case of… of police from Canada in Haiti that were charged with sexual exploitation, returned home to face nothing other than nine days of suspension and full pension.  So, I wanted to know, it was said at that time… I think Farhan said… that the UN tries to engage with countries to get them to hold… is that part of this discussion?  I mean, obviously it's a very large…

Spokesman:  I think there… there is an overall understanding [in] the discussions we have with troop contributors, that increasingly — I would say in the past year or two years — of the need to hold troops or police officers who commit crimes that are held to account and held to account in ways that are commensurate with the crimes that they have been charged with.

Question:  I wanted to ask you this one last time since the Council is meeting on Western Sahara today.  I mean, maybe… maybe Polisario misspoke in saying that they addressed the letter to the Secretary‑General.  At the beginning of the week, they issued a press release, they quote from their letter.  Did it somehow not…?

Spokesman:  It may… it may have had… I'll be honest with you, I forgot to check this morning.  I also just wanted to give you a little bit more details on the issue you had raised yesterday with Mr. Chatterjee and expand on what I'd said.  Mr. Chatterjee was chosen through the regular process which is basically that the candidates are chosen by an interagency advisory panel which… which does not… and especially in this case… did not involve the Secretary‑General.  I think he has been fully aware of the situation and has kept well away from the selection process.  For RCs, the candidates are chosen and recommended by the interagency panel.  The name of the recommended candidate is then given to the Secretary‑General to sign off on.  He does not involve himself… and as I said, especially in this case… involve himself in the selection… in the selection process.  And I would just, again, reiterate Mr. Chatterjee's, I think, very strong qualifications in his career with ICRC and the UN over the years. 

Correspondent:  I really appreciate that.  I looked into it, too.  It seemed like they sent it to the UNDG Chair and the Secretary‑General.  That's why I was asking yesterday. 

Spokesman:  No, I understand.  The Secretary‑General… the Secretary‑General is very aware of the sensitivities of this case and has stayed well away from it.  The final signature… because the way this works is the Resident Coordinator represents the UN, and it needs the agreement of the host country.  So, the letter of appointment, in a sense, has to be signed by the Secretary‑General.  But, his name is given to him by the interagency panel. 

Question:  Can I ask you one other? 

Spokesman:  I’ll come back to you.  Yes, Michelle? 

Question:  Thanks, Steph.  The Dutch said last month that they were going to withdraw seven essential helicopters from the peacekeeping mission in Mali.  Could they… or they're preparing to… Could those helicopters now be replaced with Canadian helicopters? 

Spokesman:  You know, I think it's… we would look towards those countries that have the capacity to replace helicopters.  We're going to have a discussion with the Canadians to see where and how their contributions can be best put to use.

Question:  There was… there was this recent scandal that top officials in the Syria coalition were involved in wide-spread corruption.  [Inaudible] publicly spoke about the $20 million she herself allocated for herself out of the eight which was supposed to be distributed to the refugees, the Syrians.  How does the United Nations deal with such? 

Spokesman:  First of all, I'm not aware of this particular case.  The aid that is handled by the UN is handled by the UN It is handled by the UN and distributed to the population.  We do not ask opposition groups or others to do the distribution for us.  We work in partnership, as you know, with the Syrian Red Crescent Society, and I think we can never honour [enough] the work of the humanitarian… the Syrian humanitarian workers on the ground.  So, again, the aid does not go through… we do not give aid through… through these groups.

Correspondent:  Through an interview she gave, she said that they were receiving money from different countries, and that's money of theirs they have been using.

Spokesman:  Again, I'm not aware of the case.  I think it's up to those donors to follow up on it.  Michelle and Mr. Lee.

Question:  Question on Sri Lanka.  This is the SG's first trip since 2009; is that correct?  So in the meantime, there was the internal review panel that found the UN failed on protecting civilians or highlighting the plight of civilians in Sri Lanka.  What message is the SG taking to Sri Lanka on this trip?

Spokesman:  I think it's a message… it's a forward‑looking message of the need for, obviously, for accountability, for reconciliation, and for development.  And that the UN will be there with the Sri Lankan people to help… to help them on their road forward.

Question:  On that, do you expect them to address this issue of whether there will be international judges in the internal…

Spokesman:  I think he will address a number of issues related to justice and accountability. 

Question:  I wanted to ask you about Geneva. I have heard — this may be common knowledge, but the UN is about to lease part of its land for a 99‑year lease for $20 million to help pay for its reconstruction.  And I wanted to know because to… for some kind of a music hall.  But, is it true that when the UN leases or otherwise alienates, that's the key word, alienates its land, sells or leases long term…?

Spokesman:  I'm not aware of any plans to build a music hall, and I would hope to be able to headline the first show…

Question:  You're not aware of any…?

Spokesman:  All joking aside, I'm not aware of any plans, but I would be happy to check.

Correspondent:  The other one, I'm sorry, I guess goes beyond the UN.  There's a story in The Korea Times, as per usual, about the possibility of the Secretary‑General running for president.  The only reason I'm asking is because it quotes what it describes as a Ban Ki‑moon aide at some length saying:  “Now that the Pro‑Park lawmakers have taken the helm of the party, many say it will be helpful to Ban in launching a presidential bid, but I and other confidents of Ban don't agree.”  So, it seems like… I just want to know, is it… this is described as a Ban aide, so I don't think he has any aides beyond UN staff.

Spokesman:  First of all, I'm not in the business of trying to figure out who anonymous sources are, how people describe themselves.  So, I can only say that, again… I mean, there's really nothing for me to say except that the Secretary‑General is fully focused on only being Secretary‑General until 31 December.

Question:  And would he encourage his UN‑paid aides to…?

Spokesman:  I will not speculate… I will not speculate that the person that's quoted is actually… who that person is.  Anybody who works for the UN, whether they are Korean, Nepalese or French, are only working on UN matters.  Madame?

Question:  Thanks, Steph.  On the Secretary‑General's trip to Myanmar, is he going to address the issue of the Rohingyas and Rakhine State at this conference on trying to promote reconciliation?

Spokesman:  He will be addressing a host of issues that are of importance to us in Myanmar, including minorities and development, in his various meetings and… and bilaterals and more public encounters.  I will be here, but I will not see you at this podium until after Labour Day.