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.
**Cyprus
The Secretary-General was in Mont Pèlerin, Switzerland, this morning, to open a week of intensive negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.
Speaking to the press before the start of the meeting, the Secretary-General noted that the leaders have expressed their hope that this meeting will pave the way for the last phase of the talks, in line with their shared commitment to do their utmost in order to reach a settlement within this year.
He said that the leaders have reached a critical juncture in their talks and he encouraged them to make the most of the moment and the momentum.
The Secretary-General commended them for their vision, courage and leadership, stressing that the prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach.
He emphasized that Cyprus offers tremendous hope to people around the world that long-standing conflicts can be resolved peacefully through negotiations.
His full remarks are available online and the Secretary-General is now on his way back to New York, where he will arrive later this evening.
**Climate Change
And the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, otherwise known as COP (Conference of Parties) 22, kicked off today, just three days after the Paris Agreement came into force.
In her opening address to the Conference, Patricia Espinosa, who heads the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said that while the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement is a cause for celebration, it is also a reminder of the high expectations now placed on governments.
She stressed that achieving the aims and ambitions of the Agreement is not a given, adding that the peaking of global emissions and attaining far more climate-resilient societies is urgent.
As you are aware, the Secretary-General will be attending the high-level segment of COP22 which begins next week. And we’ll have more details on his trip a bit later on this week, hopefully.
**Peace Operations
Back here, the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, told the Security Council’s debate on peace operations facing asymmetric threats that terrorism and violent extremism are a reality in many contemporary conflicts.
In response, our action and footprint have to be more nimble and comprehensive, and we need more flexible support and arrangements, as well as sophisticated and predictable uniformed capabilities, he said.
Mr. Eliasson stressed the need to ensure the safety and security of our personnel and to adapt how we deliver our mandates, and to fully take into account how and when the United Nations can support national and regional efforts to prevent violent extremism and terrorism. His full remarks are available.
**Mali
And you will have seen that last night we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms the deadly complex attack that occurred north of Douentza, in the Mopti region of Mali, claiming the lives of two Malian civilians and killing one peacekeeper from Togo, while injuring seven others.
The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the Governments and people of Mali and Togo.
**Police
And the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous, spoke this morning at the launch of the 11th UN Police Week. He said the UN Police faced three major challenges: the protection of civilians, performance and accountability. He said the abhorrent acts of sexual abuse and exploitation and violence have shaken peacekeeping and the UN to its core.
And he noted that the Secretariat is taking action on three fronts: prevention, accountability and victim assistance. Mr. Ladsous asked the police leaders to ensure that officers understand what it means to be a peacekeeper. He said that with great power comes great responsibility.
**Iraq
And our humanitarian colleagues in Iraq now say that more than 34,000 people are internally displaced in the context of the military operations in Mosul. This number is expected to further increase with military operations underway inside Mosul’s more urban neighbourhoods. An increase of 5,000 displaced people was recorded from 5 to 6 November alone.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, said yesterday that we are deeply disturbed by reports of civilian deaths and injuries from crossfire and improvised mines, forced recruitment of children and the use of [families] as human shields in areas under control of Da’esh.
The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns reported attacks using ambulances to target civilians in Tikrit and Samarra. WHO received reports of suicide bombers driving ambulances, killing more than 20 people and injuring dozens more at a checkpoint in Tikrit and a car park in Samarra.
The reported use of medical vehicles as weapons threatens the ability to deliver health care and urgent medical services. When ambulances are suspected as potential security threats, their freedom of movement to care for the sick and injured is at risk of life-threatening delays. Such delays will leave vulnerable people with even less access to life-saving care.
**South Sudan
And from South Sudan, the UN Mission in that country (UNMISS) reports that shots were fired last evening in Bentiu by unknown gunmen attempting to attack soldiers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) at a checkpoint located in close proximity to the UN base. As a result, ten civilians were injured. UN peacekeepers immediately responded to the incident, causing the assailants to flee. The wounded received medical treatment and are in stable condition. The UN Mission continues to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ellen Margarethe Løj, met with local and state officials during a visit to Yambio yesterday and reiterated the need to give unfettered access to UNMISS in order for it to implement its mandate.
The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, will be visiting South Sudan from today to 11 November to assess the situation from the perspective of his mandate. And we will try to update you on his trip.
**Afghanistan
And from Afghanistan, the UN Mission there (UNAMA) is investigating allegations that at least 32 civilians were killed and 19 others wounded in air strikes in Kunduz city last Thursday.
The vast majority of those killed were women and children.
The US military forces in Afghanistan have acknowledged carrying out air-to-ground engagements in Kunduz at the time of the attacks and express their deep regret for civilian deaths.
UNAMA has stressed the need for a full investigation, as well as accountability and compensation for the victims.
**Appointment
And lastly, a senior personnel appointment: The Secretary-General is today announcing the appointment of Mourad Wahba of Egypt as Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Mr. Wahba will succeed Sima Bahous of Jordan. The Secretary-General is grateful to Ms. Bahous for her dedication and commitment to the Organization during her term in this post.
Mr. Wahba brings many years of leadership and experience to his position. More in his bio note and we add our personal congratulations to Mourad.
**Questions and Answers
Khalas. Masoodji?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Sorry. Thank you, Stéphane. Can you tell us something about Iraq, Mosul in particular, where today, according to the Iraqi authorities, hundred people were found beheaded in a sinkhole or something like that, and as to what is going on? Does United Nations have any idea how these people… how these ISIS people are behaving, killing right, left and centre? There’s nobody to stop them?
Spokesman: Well, you know, I think, just a few minutes ago, I read and shared with you the update we had from Mosul. Obviously, our concern is for the humanitarian situation. About 34,000 people have now left. We expect that number to grow. Lise Grande herself said they were very disturbed at the report of civilian deaths and injuries from crossfire, forced recruitment, and obviously the use by Da’esh of human shields. I think we can only condemn such atrocious behaviour. We very much hope that the military operations in Mosul will be completed quickly and within the framework of international law, international human rights and humanitarian law, so that the people of the town can start to rebuild their lives. And, obviously, there will also need to be accountability for those committing these atrocious crimes.
Question: Is United Nations in the loop of this operation that is undergo… undergoing at this point in time?
Spokesman: Well, it depends which loop you’re talking about. I think in the broader loop… in the broader loop, yes. We’re obviously there to focus on the humanitarian impact of the military operation. We are not involved in the operation itself, in the planning or the executing of the operation, but we’re obviously in touch with the various security and military folks in the area to ensure that, on the back end, the humanitarian machinery is ready to work. Yes?
Question: Yeah, images coming from those who are fleeing Mosul show that they are digging in the sand and trying to find… make holes just to live in. They say the tents that have been given to them are totally empty of anything, not even a blanket or anything of that kind. So it seems the rescue operation which has been long touted and prepared for months earlier is not up to the challenge here.
Spokesman: Well, you know, I don’t know which particular case you’re talking about. Obviously, we’re all seeing very disturbing images coming out of Mosul. The UN has set up a number of camps. There may be other places which don’t have the facilities that are up to the level that we would like to see. It is an ongoing military operation. It’s… sometimes it makes it very challenging for people to be able to get and out to reach safety, but we’re… our colleagues on the ground are trying their best to get to and reach everyone who needs help.
Question: On Yemen, is there any progress on the humanitarian side, at least to alleviate the famine there?
Spokesman: Nothing that we’re able to report, unfortunately. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I want to ask about South Sudan and Kenya. One is, it’s reported that in… in… in… in the aftermath of the firing of the force commander that there have been threats made to Kenyans inside South Sudan in IO [In Opposition]‑controlled areas, including in the Bentiu… in and around Bentiu and that people’s passports have been taken. I wanted to know what is the UN…
Spokesman: Are you talking about UN staff?
Question: I’m talking about NGO [non-governmental organizations] staff, of NGO’s in Bentiu of having their passports taken, of having death threats given in writing to… to… to UN staff. And also, in Kenya itself, the arrest of South Sudanese. Now, I’m asking you mostly because it’s said that the… the IO representatives have asked Ban Ki‑moon to somehow get involved in terms of deportations being made to safe countries and on the issue as a whole, and I wanted to know what role the Resident Coordinator in Kenya…
Spokesman: Obviously, I think, on the issue of deportation, especially of people who may already be… may already have been granted refugee status, we saw what happened last week to the Spokesman of the opposition. Our colleagues at UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] in Nairobi intervened directly with the Kenyan Government, and I know they’re on top of the situation in regards to other people who may be under threat. So the UN system is responding through the appropriate agency. On the question of Kenyans in South Sudan, I’ll obviously… I’ll take a look, but it’s obviously important that NGO workers, humanitarian workers, be allowed to do their work and do their work without the threat of intimidation or worse.
Question: And… and is there… I’ve heard there’s a… a joint S… SPLA/UN action on Yei, a convoy that’s heading there, and I wanted to know, what is the status of… of UNMISS working with the Government to either open up humanitarian ar… areas or to recapture more areas?
Spokesman: That’s… I shared with you the only update I’d received from the mission. So if I get more, I’ll share it with you. Abdelhamid?
Question: Thank you. Can you tell us when the Security Council team is leaving to Congo this week or next week or?
Spokesman: I could, but I can’t right now because I don’t have the details.
Question: And there is some news says there is a draft resolution tabled by Egypt, Venezuela, and Spain, I think, on Syria. Can you confirm that?
Spokesman: No. That’s a question for the Security Council presidency.
Correspondent: Okay. Thank you.
Spokesman: Nisar?
Question: On Bahrain, today, the authorities are due to sentence Mr. Sheikh Ali Salman, who is the Secretary‑General of Al‑Wefaq organisation there, on the basis that he was calling for rights. I know the United Nations has called for his release a long time ago, but, obviously, all these calls have been ignored. Do you have anything new on that…?
Spokesman: We’re watching a lot of these cases in Yemen and reiterate…
Correspondent: Bahrain.
Spokesman: Sorry, in Bahrain. Thank you. We’re watching all these cases in Bahrain and reiterate the need for people’s basic rights to be respected. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I’ve heard… thanks for the update on COP22. I’d wanted to ask you this. I’d been asking you last week about this map on the cop22.ma website. The website’s now been changed over the weekend. The map is not there. But it continues to have a claim of a Morocco/Mauritania border, which is contrary to the map the UN uses. And I can… more pressingly, it’s said that an African Parliamentarian, Sulima Baruk, was detained at Marrakech Airport and told to fly away, not to participate in COP22. She’s part of the Pan‑African Parliament that participated in COP21. So I wanted to know, you’ve said that the website is run by Morocco, but UNFCCC…
Spokesman: No, we… on the website, we raised those concerns that we were made aware of to our colleagues at UNFCCC. I know they’re in touch with the organisers, so obviously, there’s some movement on that end. I can’t comment on the particular case of the person you mentioned, because I don’t have any of the details that would enable me to issue a… to say anything.
Question: As a general matter, does a host country of COP… of a COP… of a COP given… especially the Secretary‑General’s interest in it, have some duty to allow in people that have participated in the last one?
Spokesman: Of course they do, but that’s a general rule. I would have to get some details as to the particular case that you mention. Masoodji and then Derek.
Question: As to the situation in the border of India and Pakistan and the LoC [Line of Control], where continuous attacks are taking place between the two armies and the people of Kashmir are still suffering because of Indian Army operations over there, does the Secretary‑General, who was very circumspect in speaking about this issue, has anything to say about this ongoing struggle between the people. Since July, you’ve not said anything…
Spokesman: What we’ve said and reiterated our position on the urging of both the Government of India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and encourage them to continue their efforts to resolve their differences peacefully and through dialogue. And, obviously, the Secretary‑General continues to watch the situation along the Line of [Control]. Abdelhamid, my colleagues… it’s good to know my colleagues in the office actually watch the briefing, because they’ve given me a note saying the Security Council will be in DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and Angola from the 10th to the 15th of this month. Sylviane and then Zach.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. My question is, tomorrow or very soon, more than a million and a half Afghan refugees will come back to Afghanistan. Is it possible… is it… do you… does it also apply for the refugees that are in Syria, the Syrian refugees that are in Lebanon and Jordan and Turkey, since some places are very safe in Syria? Is it… Does it…
Spokesman: The general rule with refugees is that people should not… there is a principle of non‑refoulement, and people cannot… should not be made to go home against their will. Yes, Zach?
Question: Stéphane, any update yet on the flash appeal for Haiti?
Spokesman: On the… for the hurricane?
Question: Yes.
Spokesman: From last week, I think… I can’t remember what I said last week. But I’ll get you an update right after the briefing.
Question: Last week you said it was one‑third funded.
Spokesman: Okay. That’s what I thought I remembered. I don’t have new numbers. I would tend to doubt that it’s gone off… gone up dramatically since then. [The flash appeal is currently 36 percent funded.] Abdelhamid, then Matthew.
Question: Yeah. If you have any update on the movement of Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Last time he just arrived in, I think, two days ago in Sana’a and where’s… where is he now?
Spokesman: He’s gone… last I heard, he’s gone back to Sana’a. He remains very much in the region.
Question: I have another question on Palestine. There is a little boy; his name is Ahmed Manasra, and he was arrested when he was 12 last year. And today an Israeli court sentenced him to 12 years in jail. Any comment on that? He was accused, of course, of wielding a knife against settlers.
Spokesman: I will take a look at that case and see what I can tell you. Mr. Lee?
Question: Couple things. But just, even on Haiti, I just wanted to make sure that the Mourad Wahba whose promotion you announced today is the same one that appeared here as the humanitarian coordinator in Haiti?
Spokesman: There’s only one Mourad Wahba that I’m aware of.
Question: Sure. I mean, What’s the procedure for… it seems like it’s a pretty important time in Haiti on the humanitarian front.
Spokesman: He will be replaced, I’m sure, as quickly as possible. I don’t have the dates of when exactly he will take up his office, but obviously, we’re more than aware of the importance of continuity on the humanitarian front in Haiti.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to ask something about Cambodia, but it’s related to what I just asked you about Kenya. It’s said that in Cambodia the Government is saying… is very angry at the UN and has communicated this to the Resident Coordinator that it believes that criticism of trying to exile Sam Rainsy is… makes the UN Office of High Commissioner Office… of Human Rights Office in the country, quote, illegal. But this was communicated to the Resident Coordinator. The Resident Coordinator responded. So I wanted… first of all, I wanted to know if you have any comment on this move by Cambodia. But, two, I wanted to understand better the role of Resident Coordinators. Do they speak for the UN system? Because I’ve asked twice whether the Resident Coordinator in Kenya has gotten engaged on this pretty serious issue between Kenya and the Secretariat, and you seemed to say…
Spokesman: I think it’s… you know, I mean, I know your interest in Kenya. The Resident Coordinator is the coordinator of the UN system. He sits at the head of a table where, just depending on the country, almost every… sometimes every UN agency is concerned. He is there to coordinate the work of the UN system. Each Resident Coordinator will get involved as necessary. Obviously, in Kenya, on the issue of refugees and deportation, that’s a UNHCR matter. If there is a communication to be given to the UN, it is usually given to the Resident Coordinator as a matter of course. And on the issue of peacekeeping and the Kenyan troops at UNMISS, that’s a question that is really being dealt with, at this point, between the peacekeeping department and the Kenyan Government. But I have no doubt that the Resident Coordinator’s office is fully aware as… of the situation as it should be.
Question: Because it seems like there’s a… there’s an issue. There was an arrest over the weekend or a raid on a South Sudanese wedding party in Kenya, pretty much, seemingly, related to the issues. And this is neither a UNHCR issue nor a DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations) issue. It’s a straight‑up Kenya acting against people of a certain nationality due to an action taken at headquarters. So I don’t… did this fall through the gap, or is there somebody addressing that issue?
Spokesman: I have to… I haven’t seen those reports.
Question: And just… just… because I think you’re guessing why… I’m interested in this in part because one of the issues that arose on the promotion was, for example, Ban Ki‑moon, it seems like, unilaterally just made the decision to hold accountable the Kenyan force commander. It was his decision. This is my understanding. There was no appeal. There was no panel…
Spokesman: It was his decision.
Question: Right. So who has that same power as to the Resident Coordinator in Kenya? Is there any proc… if he were to make a mistake… and I’m not saying he made a mistake, but the problem of having a familial relationship is…
Spokesman: The resident coordinators are appointed by the Secretary‑General, and they report to him. Masood?
Question: Yeah. Stéphane, about this UN investigation into this Kunduz incident in which 20 people were, I think, killed, has the United States agreed to cooperate with the United Nations in the investigation, or does it matter?
Spokesman: I’ll have to check and ask our Afghan colleagues. Yes, sir?
Question: Okay. I… I… I know I’d asked you last week about the Ethics Office, and you’d said there were too many connections in terms of Han Seung‑soo and Ban Ki‑ho, but I have one specific question. I see you waiting, so I’m going to…
Spokesman: Go ahead.
Question: Okay. And the question is as follows: There’s a published article, whose link I can provide you, which says that Ban Ki‑ho’s… the company Bosung is involved in magnesium mining in Eastern Shan State in Myanmar, which is a highly controversial human rights state. And the article states that Bosung went on a tour with, quote, a visiting delegation of the United Nations. So I think… you may or may not say this is a legitimate question, but if the brother of the Secretary‑General is on a business delegation in Myanmar that’s described by a publication there as being with a delegation of the United Nations, I’d like to ask you, who was on that delegation?
Spokesman: I have… this is the first I’ve heard of it. I have absolutely no way to verify the information you’ve shared. Apparently, I said something about non‑refoulement which may not have been perfectly correct. Non‑refoulement is no return to a country in which refugees are liable to be subjected to persecution. Thank you. Nizar, you’ll get the last word.
Question: Yeah, the last question. Recently, Canada found a nuclear bomb off the shores of Canada, a remnant of 1950 war. Since this is a very serious matter to find a nuclear bomb offshore by a diver, was there any contact by the United Nations with the host country, for example, about whether there are other bombs dropped somewhere in these seas which remnant of the 1950s…
Spokesman: It’s an interesting story. I will look into it. Thank you.