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.
**Colombia
Our colleagues at the UN Mission in Colombia hailed today the announcement of the beginning of the public phase of negotiations between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, known as ELN, as a positive sign of a collective hope for peace.
Yesterday in Bogotá, leaders of the UN Mission and the UN System in Colombia reiterated their support for the ceasefire and the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — People’s Army (FARC-EP).
And the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission, Jean Arnault, said in a press conference that Colombian society “is facing the uncertainties resulting from the 2 October plebiscite with maturity”.
And I did want to correct something that I had said yesterday, which is in fact incorrect. We mentioned yesterday the phone conversations between the Secretary-General and the President of Colombia, as well as the leader of the FARC-EP. I just want to make clear that the conversation with the President of Colombia took place Saturday and the conversation with Mr. [Timoleon] Jiménez took place yesterday. Yesterday, I think I had mentioned that both had taken place yesterday, so I apologize.
**South Sudan
And our colleagues from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) report sustained small arms fire, as well as mortar explosions and tank fire, to the north-west and south-west of Leer town on Sunday and Monday. The Mission also received reports of heavy fighting between Government and Opposition forces in Leer County over the weekend.
The peacekeeping Mission remains very concerned by the fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Opposition, which continues to impact the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. The Mission calls on both sides to respect the July ceasefire agreed to by the parties and reiterates the need for them to fully implement the peace agreement.
**Haiti
And just an update from our humanitarian colleagues on the response to Hurricane Matthew, as you would have heard yesterday, the United Nations appealed to the international community for a generous response and we need to have the assistance get to the people who need it the most as quickly as possible. Nationwide, some $15 million is required to reach the target population with water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Of the 750,000 people targeted by the Flash Appeal, almost 30,000 people in Jeremie alone are reported to have no access to safe drinking water.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) have teams embedded with the local authorities in Jeremie and Les Cayes to support local coordination and assessment of needs in areas which remain difficult to access.
**Democratic Republic of Congo
And in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in that country, Maman Sambo Sidikou, briefed the Security Council this morning, warning the country has entered a period of extreme risk to its stability.
He noted that the electoral crisis has become a constitutional crisis, with deepening political polarization and no immediate resolution in sight. The scope of the threats dramatically outstrips the Mission’s capabilities, he warned.
Mr. Sidikou also highlighted that the security situation in eastern DRC remains very worrying, characterized by severe protection of civilians risks to many communities.
The UN Mission (MONUSCO) continues to carry out military operations against armed groups, based on solid cooperation between the Force and the Congolese Army. The challenge ahead will now be to consolidate these gains and assist the national forces in building up their control in the area.
His statement from the Special Representative is available in my office and I understand he will be at the stakeout once consultations are over, which should be around 1 or so.
**Lake Chad Basin
Also, from Lake Chad, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) said today that a major health campaign is under way in the Lake Chad Basin area to vaccinate over 41 million children against polio. The re-emergence of the disease after two years with no recorded cases is a huge concern in an area that was already in crisis. Nearly 39,000 health workers are deployed in the region to deliver the oral polio vaccination in areas at high-risk for the virus. So far, approximately 30 million children have been vaccinated.
In the Lake Chad Basin, UNICEF’s response remains hampered by continued insecurity and by a lack of funding. Out of the $158 million needed for the emergency response in the region, only $50.4 million have so far been received.
**Thailand
And Stephen O’Brien, the head of the UN humanitarian response, Emergency Relief Coordinator, is in Bangkok today, where he took part in a meeting of representatives of aid agencies and militaries on improving responses to natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region.
National militaries are often the first responders in disasters, and in larger emergencies, these efforts can be strengthened by regional and international groups, including foreign militaries.
As we mentioned yesterday, from Thailand, Mr. O’Brien will travel on to Myanmar.
**Sugar
And our colleagues in the World Health Organization (WHO) today, in a report they have issued, urge global action to curtail consumption and the health impacts of sugary drinks.
The report says that taxing sugary drinks to lead to at least a 20 per cent increase in their retail price can lower consumption and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.
Worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1980 and 2014, with 11 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women, which represents more than half a billion adults, being classified as obese.
**International Day of the Girl Child
And in his message marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Secretary-General stresses that the well-being, human rights and empowerment of the world’s 1.1 billion girls are central to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
He notes that investing in girls is both the right thing to do, and the smart thing to do. It has a powerful ripple effect across all areas of development, and reaches forward to future generations.
The Secretary-General says that we need to make sure that our initiatives are reaching all girls: girls in extreme poverty; girls in isolated rural areas; girls living with disabilities; and girls in indigenous communities; as well as girls who are refugees or displaced within their own countries. His full message is on our website.
**Press Briefings
Tomorrow, there is a briefing after this noon briefing which will be headlined by Maged Abdelaziz, the UN Special Adviser on Africa; Dr. [Ibrahim Hassane] Mayaki, the CEO of NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency; Mr. [Erastus] Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of African Union Commission; Professor [Eddy] Maloka, the CEO of the African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat; and Abdalla Hamdok, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa. The briefing will be moderated by Margaret Novicki, of DPI (Department of Public Information), and this will take place in the context of Africa Week 2016.
**Questions and Answers
Khalas. Matthew?
Question: Sure. I’d asked you yesterday about Burundi doing a persona non grata statement about three UN officials. I’m wondering if you have some more formal, less generic response to it. And I also… they’ve now issued a letter today saying they suspend all cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
Spokesman: I didn’t think my response was that generic. I haven’t seen the letter. I’ve not been aware of the letter. I know, currently, there are about 51 staff members for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Burundi who are monitoring, reporting, protection officers. Obviously, we feel their work is critical in order to shine a light on the situation in the country, and we very much hope that they will be able to continue their work.
Question: And I guess I… I’d wanted to… to… one, I’d just make it an ongoing request on the… the… the individual who is going to be deployed to Darfur. It was said, maybe in your absence, by Farhan [Haq] that it’s on hold and under review, just that if that changes…
Spokesman: Sure.
Question: But I wanted to ask, there are a number of people in civil society and Burundi raising… there’s the… the… the chief of the security for the President, Idelfon Habaruama [phonetic], who they say is about to be deployed to AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia). And I think… you know, obviously, people have a right to due process, no question, but as the head of security of the President, he’s been listed as… by Radio Publique Africaine as a [inaudible]…
Spokesman: I think that’s a question you should reach out to the African Union.
Question: But does the UN… just to nail the point down, given that the UN provides support, has this support office… does the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy enunciated by the Secretary‑General apply to such a deployment?
Spokesman: Our due diligence policy applies specifically to UN Missions. Michelle, then Edie.
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. Can you tell us anything about these talks that are supposed to happen in Geneva on Saturday that President [Vladimir] Putin mentioned yesterday?
Spokesman: No, I’m not aware of any UN-organized talks taking place regarding Syria over the next few days. I think… I’ve seen the same press reports that you have. You may want to reach out to some of the Member States who are traditionally involved in this file.
Question: Just a follow-up, it appears that, after a couple of days of calm, the bombing has renewed in Aleppo. What conversations has the Secretary‑General had with Russian officials? Whom has he spoken with about maybe stopping the bombing?
Spokesman: There have been no direct contacts in the last two days with any Russian officials on the Secretary‑General’s end, but I know contacts are constantly being had, especially at the level of the Special Adviser. Edie?
Question: I was also going to ask about Putin, but two other things. One, on Haiti, has… is there any update on how much money has been generated as a result of Hurricane Matthew, as… Is anybody giving anything… anything else?
Spokesman: I have not gotten any updates from OCHA as of noon, but we’ll press and see if any money has actually rolled into the bank. We hope it does.
Question: And on Burundi, the Government put out a statement today basically on the suspension of… you have the UN Human Rights Office there, basically saying that this followed a meeting by the Foreign Ministry to review the activities of UN staff in Burundi, the entire UN staff.
Spokesman: As I said… as I just said, I’m not aware of this particular letter. Obviously, the work of the human rights component in Burundi is critical to ensuring that a focus is kept on the human rights situation in Burundi and the work of the UN system as a whole, but we’ll try to get a bit more details for you. Yep?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. The mission… the political Mission the UN has in the peace process, I understand that right now, because the plebiscite was now, then you don’t have the legal grounds to be able to stay in Colombia. How is that going to be managed? I understand the Colombian Government is asking the Security Council to authorize the permanence of the Mission. What do you foresee happening?
Spokesman: I mean, obviously, we’re in a very delicate phase. We… I think, as the Secretary‑General… as we said yesterday, the Secretary‑General is heartened to see the… there continues to be a commitment to peace and to a ceasefire both on the Government side and the FARC side. The UN Mission will help both sides inasmuch as it can to ensure that this new round of discussions leads to a positive outcome. On the legality and the questions of the mandate, obviously, that will be seen with Member States, but as of now, the Mission is staying, and I think it has… in this particular delicate phase, it remains to have a crucial role to play.
Question: Quick follow‑up. The ELN (National Liberation Army) announced that they will have the open talks in Ecuador. It starts on 27 October. And one of the requirements of the Colombian Government is to release all the people that are being kidnapped over the years. Is the UN going to be involved in that process? Is it going to be a similar process on that particular negotiation with the ELN?
Spokesman: I’m not aware of any specific role for us. Obviously, we are available and willing at the request of both sides to be supportive. I think the… Jean Arnault said he welcomed this development. The Secretary‑General obviously very much echoes his welcome. I think it’s a… it’s the announcement of the talks between the ELN and Colombia is a positive step, and the Secretary‑General clearly welcomes it. Oleg?
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. There was a story published today by the Syrian official news agency, SANA, criticizing Ban Ki‑moon. Among other things, they mentioned dropping Saudi… the Saudi Coalition from the Children and Armed Conflict report. And they say that Ban Ki‑moon is providing political cover for the Takfiri terrorism, as well as issuing baseless statements lacking proof and getting involved in the misleading of the public opinion and propaganda targeting Syria. What do you have to say about that?
Spokesman: You know, I’m not going to respond, except to say that, obviously, the Secretary‑General stands by every word that he’s said concerning Syria. First and foremost, his concern is for the Syrian people and the civilians who have been living in a state of fighting and of war in many parts of the country for the past five years and, again, urges all the parties involved and those who have influence over the parties involved to push for the political solution. Mr. Lee, and then Madame.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask a follow‑up on Haiti and then stuff about Yemen. On… at the stakeout yesterday, when the Secretary‑General was speaking about Haiti, he didn’t mention the… the second part of what Dr. [David] Nabarro had talked about, which is a… seemed to be $181 million to improve water, water and sanitation and an amount equal or greater than that to somehow try to make whole people that were… or try to, that were the victims who had family members die from cholera. Is that… was it just an omission on his part, or do you think…?
Spokesman: No, I think the plan as outlined in greater detail by Dr. Nabarro stands, and we hope to be able to announce something by the Secretary‑General soonish.
Question: And can… I understand the formal announcement is coming, but given that Dr. Nabarro said these things in an interview… it wasn’t a leak or anything else, what is the Secretary‑General’s plan, to meet with Member States and ask for money for each of these two baskets…? [inaudible]
Spokesman: He will come back to the General Assembly with a more formal proposal and, obviously, a need for those proposals to be generously funded.
Question: And just quickly on Yemen, I wanted to know, there’s… there are controversy in a number of countries, but the UK and the US are two of them, about continued arm sales to Saudi Arabia. And I wonder, given the things that the Secretary‑General said at the stakeout yesterday, does he believe that countries should review under the new arms… you know… control treaty, arms sales to Saudi Arabia at this time?
Spokesman: I think, you know, the Secretary‑General, I think, a few months ago had already spoken to this when he was in London. First of all, all those countries that sell weapons have a responsibility that those weapons are used in a way that does not violate international human rights law, international humanitarian law, as a broader point, that those States who are parties to the arms trade treaty need to set an example in fulfilling one of the treaty’s main purposes, which is controlling the arm flows to actors that may use them in a way that breach international humanitarian law.
Question: Right. And so… and so a double‑tap airstrike on a funeral building would qualify as… as the type of… [inaudible]
Spokesman: I think there’s no… I think the Secretary‑General could not have been clearer that there’s absolutely no excuse for what happened yesterday. Madame?
Question: Talking about Aleppo, do you have any update on the humanitarian situation on the east side and outside and west side…?
Spokesman: Not specifically today, but obviously, we have not been able to reach the people who are in need of humanitarian assistance. So we… I cannot foresee any improvement into the… in the situation.
Question: There is an idea of no‑fly zone in Syria. What’s the…
Spokesman: I think the… we… [inaudible] We would welcome any… I mean, I think the Secretary‑General and his envoys have been calling for a cessation of the violence for weeks now. We would like to see that. Yes?
Question: Thanks. Last year, there was a report from the WHO that I asked you about, linking processed meats with cancer. I know it’s a big shift in topic here but… [laughter]
Spokesman: It’s before lunch. [laughter]
Question: Exactly. I’d asked if that would occasion any changes here, which it really hasn’t at catering. This WHO report today is a little different, because it’s not about personal responsibility but institutional leadership. Any chance we’ll see an increase in sugary drink prices here at the UN?
Spokesman: I think, you know… we’re talking about Government‑imposed taxation. And if I’m not mistaken, I think there has been or there have been efforts in the past in New York City, if I recall, under the previous administration, to increase the price of sugary drinks with exactly that in mind. I think it’s not about vendors themselves increasing prices and increasing profits. It’s about taxing them in order to improve Government resources, which could then be used to help fight obesity. Michelle and then Ms. Lederer.
Question: Yemen again. Sorry. [laughter]
Spokesman: You left the… go ahead. [laughter]
Question: What is the Secretary‑General’s response to the Iranian request on the weekend for him to use his good offices to help them deliver… to help the Iranian Red Crescent Society deliver aid to Yemen?
Spokesman: The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is currently exploring options to get Iranian supplies in and to get the wounded out, including with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and find practical ways to enable evacuations and the delivery of supplies, given the urgency and gravity of the situation and, obviously, respond to Iran. In the ideal world, we would have a situation where aid can be… can flow in freely and where people can be evacuated outside of any political negotiations. I mean, I think we’ve seen similar situations in Syria, where there had to be tit for tat evacuations and political… and negotiations over the evacuations of those who needed medical attention. People who need medical attention need to be evacuated, need to be evacuated right now. It should not be subjugated to any sort of political negotiations. Ms. Lederer?
Question: Thank you, Steph. A suicide bomber attacked UN peacekeepers near Timbuktu in Mali last night. Peacekeepers were from Sweden. Nobody was killed, but this… this targeting of UN convoys, peacekeepers, officials seems to be prevalent and nothing happening to really stop it. What’s…
Spokesman: I think, obviously, it’s been an extreme concern to us the safety of our troops. The specific targeting of peacekeepers, which, as you know, is tantamount to a war crime. What happened in Mali yesterday was, in fact, that a suicide bomber with an explosive belt blew himself up near a convoy of peacekeepers. The explosion caused no casualties. The Mission coordinated its security efforts with the Malian army, who secured the scene and the peacekeepers also… UN Mission also sent a quick reaction force to investigate the site and I know I think a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) was also deployed over the area. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you about a decision of the UN Dispute Tribunal. It came out on Friday. It’s Hassanin vs. Secretary‑General, and it involves a… I guess a form… what I’m asking about is many cases, but this is a case in which the judge… the UN judge found that the Organization should have considered that the person that they fired and took the job from was a, quote, newly elected vice-president of the staff union. Had that factor been properly considered, in all likelihood, the organization would have reached the conclusion that the applicant’s appointment could not be terminated as a result of his staff representative status. So it’s being seen by people as… as confirming that basically there was retaliation against the staff union, which is now, obviously, in disarray. So I wanted to know, does the Secretary‑General intend to appeal this case? And what’s your response to this finding by a long-time Dispute Tribunal judge that basically there was retaliation for labour organizing?
Spokesman: I don’t know whether the case will be appealed. It’s not something I’m briefed on. And, obviously, there’s a judicial process. It will be followed. People have a dispute. They go to the Tribunal. The Tribunal issues its ruling. I have no comment to make on the Tribunal’s decision.
Question: And I wanted to just ask, just factually, Ernesto Baca, who was an official in charge of Umoja. I mean, I’m putting it in the past, but I’m not sure. They haven’t announced anything. Is he still employed by the UN? I’ve heard that he left on the day that the new Secretary‑General was picked, which some people read some significance into it. But I just want to know factually from you, is he still employed? It’s an ASG (Assistant Secretary-General) post.
Spokesman: I know who he is and where he works. It’s not in my book of answers, but I will try to get an answer. Thank you.