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.
**World AIDS Day
The Secretary-General has released a message ahead of World AIDS Day, which will be observed on Thursday, 1 December.
In the message, he notes that 35 years since the emergence of AIDS, the international community can look back with some pride — but also look to the future with resolve as it tries to reach the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The number of people with access to life-saving medicines has doubled over the past five years, now topping more than 18 million. However, supporting the young, vulnerable and marginalized people will be critical for changing the course of the AIDS epidemic.
And related to that, tomorrow my guest at the Noon Briefing will be the Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General Michel Sidibé, who will speak to you in advance of World AIDS Day.
**Syria
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, says he is extremely concerned about the fate of civilians as a result of the deeply alarming and chilling situation unfolding in Aleppo city. He said the intensity of attacks on eastern Aleppo neighbourhoods over the past few days has forced thousands of civilians to flee to other parts of the city. The latest reports indicate over 20,000 people have been displaced, many into uncertain and precarious situations. It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and local NGO (non-governmental organization) partners have initiated a response to those displaced. The UN is also present on the ground with prepositioned supplies to complement the on-going response and ready to provide immediate assistance and medical evacuations for civilians inside eastern Aleppo.
Mr. O’ Brien asks the parties to the conflict to restore basic humanity in Syria. He calls on them to lift sieges, ensure that they do not target civilians and civilian infrastructure, and that they allow humanitarian organizations safe and unimpeded access to bring life-saving help to those displaced or under siege.
Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on all parties to the conflict to follow and respect international humanitarian law. Pro-Government and Kurdish Forces must ensure that civilians fleeing the fighting are afforded every protection and are not subjected to acts of retribution due to their perceived support or affiliation to opposition groups. And it calls on armed opposition groups to follow their obligation to allow civilians who wish to flee areas under their control.
And also yesterday, inter-agency convoys delivered humanitarian assistance for 60,000 people in the besieged towns of Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kefraya — the so-called Four Towns. UN, Red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams crossed the conflict lines with food, nutrition and health supplies for people in the besieged towns; those were last reached on 25 September of this year.
The UN continues to call for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need in Syria, particularly to those who are in hard-to-reach and/or besieged areas.
**Central African Republic
And late last night you would have seen that we issued a statement on the Central African Republic in which the Secretary-General said he was deeply concerned over renewed violence last week in the country. Two armed groups, both factions of ex-Séléka — the FPRC (Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique) and the UPC (Union pour la paix en Centrafrique) — have clashed in Bria, Haute Kotto prefecture, with dozens reportedly killed and wounded and over 11,000 persons displaced. Many of the victims are reportedly civilians. A large number appear to have been targeted based on their ethnicity.
The Secretary-General recalls that the recent Brussels conference on the CAR [Central Africa Republic] underlined the willingness of the international community to support the country on its path towards recovery and stability. For this to happen it is important that the right circumstances prevail. Accordingly, he calls on armed groups to immediately stop the violence and genuinely commit to ongoing efforts to address the root causes of the conflict including through the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes recently approved in Bangui.
The Secretary-General hopes that the extraordinary summit meeting of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States, expected to be held in Libreville on 30 November, will reinforce the efforts undertaken by the Government of the CAR and President [Faustin-Archange] Touadéra to consolidate peace and place the country on a path of recovery and stability.
**Palestine
And today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, spoke at a special meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People this morning. He said that sadly, in many ways the last 10 years can be described as a lost decade for Israeli-Palestinian peace-making. If the stalemate continues or deepens, he warned, the two-State solution may well slip out of reach.
The Deputy Secretary-General said that the Secretary-General will leave office with a profound sense of sadness, since he did not see an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Secretary-General has visited the region 11 times, including during times of war, to see the situation first hand and help negotiate ceasefires and push the peace process forward. The Secretary-General will cover this issue and his persistent efforts at peacemaking in a special report to the Security Council that will be issued later next month.
And this evening, our colleagues at the [Division] on Palestinian Rights in DPA [Department of Political Affairs] have asked us to announce that there will be an exhibit called, "Palestinian Embroidery: Threads of Continuity, Identity and Empowerment", in the Visitors Lobby and that will be this evening.
**Iraq
Meanwhile, I wanted to flag from our colleagues at the High Commissioner’s Office for Human Rights continues to receive reports of serious breaches of international human rights and international humanitarian violations by Da’esh in and around Mosul in Iraq. Da’esh has been installing rocket launchers and placing snipers on the rooftops of civilian houses. Those who refuse to allow their houses to be used this way are threatened or killed.
The Human Rights Office is also deeply worried about the fate of hundreds of people who have reportedly been abducted by Da’esh and moved to unknown locations. Da’esh is also continuing to abduct and forcibly move civilians, and kill those it suspects of leaking information to the Iraqi Security Forces. Reports suggest that on 25 November, the group publicly shot to death 27 civilians in northern Mosul city. More details available online.
**Myanmar
Also from the Human Rights Office, the High Commissioner says he is alarmed by reports of serious human rights violations during security operations since attacks were carried out early last month on three border guard police posts in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State.
These reports include allegations of extrajudicial killings, mass destruction of civilian infrastructure, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence, and hate speech.
The Government needs to condemn such inflammatory and potentially dangerous rhetoric, no matter who is responsible. The High Commissioner for Human Right added that, failing this, there is a real risk that it could exacerbate the current spiral of violence.
He also unequivocally condemns the reported use of violence by armed individuals in Rakhine State, and recognizes that this is not something the authorities can ignore. However, it is essential that the Government ensures that its attempts to restore security are firmly grounded in international human rights laws and standards, and that this is recognized by the affected population. You can read more about it online.
**Bulgaria
Also, our colleagues at UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] today expressed concern that a protest at Bulgaria’s largest reception centre which has prompted calls for asylum-seekers to be expelled on national security grounds.
Tensions escalated in the past week at Harmanli, Bulgaria’s largest reception centre, after access was limited to the already over-crowded site. Asylum-seekers protested the decision, leading to more than 300 arrests.
UNHCR is urging the Bulgarian Government to decongest the reception centre and improve living conditions there. UNHCR adds that establishing a constructive dialogue with the asylum-seekers is of utmost importance.
**Ambassador Reed
And as you will have noticed, a bit earlier this morning, the Secretary-General and the United Nations community paid tribute to former Under-Secretary-General Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Jr — the Secretary-General, in his remarks, calling him the dean of all UN staff.
Speaking at the memorial service, the Secretary-General said their friendship spanned nearly three decades.
He heralded Ambassador Reed’s work in the UN Arts Committee to make the Headquarters complex, not just an interesting place to visit, but also a beautiful sight to behold. Ambassador Reed was crucial in getting the loan of the Guernica that hangs outside of the Security Council which we are able to see every day.
The Secretary-General said that the UN family is fortunate to have had such a wonderful supporter, giving thanks for his life of global service.
As you know, Ambassador Reed’s long and distinguished service to the United Nations encompassed four Secretaries-General and many roles, complementing a career in the private sector and in the US Foreign Service.
**Press Briefings
Tomorrow, in addition to Michel Sidibé at noon, at 11 a.m., there will be a briefing by the Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development at DESA [Department of Economic and Social Affairs], Ms. Daniela Bas, and the Senior Social Affairs Officer, also at DESA, Ms. Marta Roig, who will launch the World Social Situation Report 2016.
**Sustainable Development Goals
And a quick planning note for you — at 6:30 this evening, the Secretary-General will speak at the New York Society for Ethical Culture on “The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals”.
There are still a few places available to journalists who want to attend that event. You can contact Veronica in my office if you’re interested.
Correspondent: 64th Street.
Spokesman: 64th Street. Thank you, Mr. Abbadi.
**Questions and Answers
Mr. Klein?
Question: Okay. Actually two questions. The first is a follow-up. I had asked you some time ago, on the letter that was sent by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to, I believe, the Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson and the response, and this concerns suggestions for a boycott of firms doing business in the West Bank. So I… you know, I'd like to… it's been some time now. I'd like to know a follow-up…
Spokesman: I apologise. I do owe you an answer on that. The fault is mine and not any of my colleagues, so I will buckle down and give you an answer this afternoon.
Question: Yeah, whether there was a response and what, if any, impact it's having on UN procurement, because that was part of the suggestion.
Spokesman: Yeah.
Question: My other question is the Houthis in Yemen have announced that they're setting up a provisional government there. And I wonder if the Secretary-General would have any comment on the impact that action could have on attempts at the peace negotiations and a unity government.
Spokesman: Sure. We're obviously well aware of those reports. We were in touch with the Special Envoy's office this morning, and we expect a statement to come from his office during the course of the day, which will cover your answer. [He later issued a statement by Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, which said in part: The announcement by Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress on the formation of a new government in Sana’a represents a new and concerning obstacle to the peace process and does not serve the interests of the people of Yemen in these difficult times. Such unilateral actions contradict the recent commitments provided by Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress to the United Nations and to United States Secretary of State John Kerry in Muscat.] Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I have some new stuff, but I'm wondering the questions I submitted to you on Friday, are you going to buckle down? Same…
Spokesman: I buckle down all the time.
Question: All right. Some of them, at least?
Spokesman: Yeah.
Question: All right. So I wanted to ask you, on South Sudan, this is something new. The monitoring and verification team has been blocked from going to Yei, which is a town that's been very much discussed in terms of risk of genocide, and also there appears to be Government bombing of East Mundri. So I'm wondering, what… I know that you had a statement yesterday at the top, but since then, what's the UN… how does it see things going? On the one hand, the Government is saying that they might allow in the Regional Protection Force. On the other hand, there are these attacks and ethnic-based militias going into Equatorial. So what is the UN doing to actually counter this?
Spokesman: Sure. I think, as you know, we've expressed our concern at the risks of even more spiralling violence and direct clashes between the army, the Government army, and the SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] in Opposition. It continues to be a great risk. Mr. [Adama] Dieng was there recently and flagged his concern. The mission is continuing to monitor the situation. I didn't… I've not received a fresh report from them today. Obviously, I'll look into the issue regarding the monitoring and verification mission. If, in fact, they have been blocked by forces… by external forces, we would want them to have the freedom of movement they need to have in order to conduct their work on behalf… as mandated by the Security Council.
Question: Okay. And do you… I just… I wanted to ask you again about Uganda. Yesterday I'd asked you about this, 55 dead. Now it's 87. It's a pretty major thing in the world… [Cross talk]
Spokesman: I agree with you. I'm waiting for some language. I would have expected to have received it by now. In order of entrance into this room, the gentleman in the back.
Question: Je peux vous poser la question en français?
Spokesman: On peut essayer.
Question: On va essayer. Le ministre des Affaires étrangères français demande une réunion d’urgence du Conseil de sécurité concernant Alep. Est-ce que vous pensez que ça a des chances de se produire et est-ce que, plus généralement, la situation a une chance de se débloquer ici ou il va falloir attendre de toute façon fin janvier la nouvelle administration américaine pour qu’il se passe quelque chose ici?
Spokesman: Je crois qu’on peut… Pour les civils qui sont à Alep, qui vivent sous les bombes, je crois qu’eux n’ont pas le temps d’attendre, que ce soit une semaine, deux semaines ou un mois, ou plus, jusqu’à la fin janvier. Ce qui est urgent c’est que les combats cessent et qu’il y ait un accès humanitaire de façon urgente. En ce qui concerne le Conseil de sécurité, c’est à la présidence de voir pour la prochaine réunion. Il est clair que nous continuons à voir des blocages et des clivages au sein même du Conseil de sécurité. La solution reste politique. Bien sûr, le Conseil de sécurité a son rôle à jouer, mais nous voulons voir de façon immédiate une cessation des combats.
Correspondent: [inaudible]
Spokesman: With great pleasure, if I can recall what I've just said. No, no. It's a different side of my brain. No, the question was about whether or not the… there would be Security Council meeting on Syria, as called for by the French Foreign Minister, and also whether things would just have to wait until a new US administration came into play. What is clear is that for the civilians of Aleppo, who are living under the bombs, there is no time to waste. They cannot afford to wait until a new President is sworn in or until next week or two weeks or three weeks. They need to see a stop to the fighting now. We've repeated our call to stop… to halt the military activities. We need to get the humanitarian aid into Aleppo. We need to get civilians out. We, unfortunately, are continuing to see divisions within the Security Council. I think the Secretary-General would wish for unity on the Council. We know… when that happens, we know what is possible, as we've seen it with the issue of chemical weapons. And there needs to be a political alliance to resolve this conflict. On Uganda, we've obviously learned with great concern the reports of clashes between the Ugandan Police and the royal guards of Charles Wesley Mumbere, the tribal king… the tribal Rwenzururu King, which resulted in the loss of life. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to resolve their differences peacefully and refrain from all actions and statements likely to exacerbate tension. Sidi Rais?
Question: Thank you.
Spokesman: Mr. Abbadi? Go ahead. Just go ahead.
Question: [inaudible]
Question: Stéphane, I would like to ask concerning two things, Syria and Yemen. In Syria, the Russian ambassador just told us that Castello Road is under their control, meaning, I suppose, the regime's forces' control, and that they informed the UN that they can use it to enter assistance, humanitarian assistance. What do we know about that? And, secondly, the Government of National Salvation being formed in Yemen yesterday by the Houthis and [Ali Abdullah] Saleh, what's the United Nations view on that? And is it helpful…?
Spokesman: Sure. Taking your question backwards, one of your colleagues just asked about this. We are… we've been in touch with the Envoy's office. We expect a statement shortly on that, on the situation in Yemen. On the Castello Road, our humanitarian colleagues through the humanitarian hub in Geneva and the humanitarian coordination task force are in touch with the parties. I think, as soon as we feel that we have enough security guarantees from all those we need to receive them, the humanitarian aid will roll. But as we've said, we need a certain amount of time to get the trucks in. It's about the safety of humanitarian workers. We've seen convoys attacked in the past, so it's important for us to have the security guarantees for us but, most importantly, for the Syrians who drive those trucks into these besieged and hard-to-reach areas.
Question: And these guarantees, you're seeking them from the Government of Syria?
Spokesman: Our colleagues on the ground are seeking them from all those they need to seek them from, in each specific area. Mr. Abbadi and then Masood. I think we're doing it in order… trying to do it in the order people came into this wonderful briefing room.
Correspondent: Thank you, Stéphane. [Cross talk]
Spokesman: But I’m not moving. Go ahead. Yes, sir?
Question: When would the Secretary-General give his last press conference in this room?
Spokesman: Mr. Abbadi, I'm disappointed that you don't read the transcript of the press briefings. Yesterday, one of your colleagues asked, and I announced that it would be on 15 December at 11:30, if I'm not mistaken. Yes, Masood-ji?
Question: Yes. On this editorial written by former President Jimmy Carter saying that the United States should support a Security Council resolution on full statehood for Palestine, does the Secretary-General also support such a call? Does he believe that it's time that the Palestinian statehood was granted by the UN Security Council? Does he think this…
Spokesman: You know, I'm… we read with interest former President Carter's editorial.
Question: Op-Ed.
Spokesman: Op-Ed. We have no particular comment on it but that, obviously, in terms of the Secretary-General's well-stated position, is that these need to be negotiations between the parties, and they need to negotiate the final outcome.
Question: But does… does the Secretary-General… asking does the Secretary-General have an opinion, since he has been at the helm of the…?
Spokesman: I know what you've asked me… [Cross talk]
Correspondent: And he also is sorry for not being able to resolve this issue.
Spokesman: Indeed, Masood, I think, again, you may have come in a little late, and I would refer you to the Deputy Secretary-General's speech this morning in which, clearly, the Secretary-General, through the DSG [Deputy Secretary-General], expresses regret of leaving office with this conflict unresolved. Before he leaves office, he will report to the Security Council and issue both a written report and a verbal report, probably around the middle of December, which will… really will encompass his views over the last… as he comes to an end of his decade at the helm of this organisation.
Question: So in that context, do you think the Secretary-General will support such a…?
Spokesman: In that context, I would ask you to wait to see what he actually has to say, as opposed to what his Spokesman says. Mr. Klein?
Question: Yeah. Do you know whether there's going to be any stakeout following the Security Council consultation on Syrian chemical weapons?
Spokesman: No, I do not know. What I can tell you, since you reminded me about the Security Council, we do expect the Secretary-General to be present at the… tomorrow's meeting of the Security Council on DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) sanctions, and he is likely to address the Council as well during that meeting. Mr. Lee?
Question: Just because… since… he… that would confirm that there's going to be a vote on a resolution. Is that his understanding?
Spokesman: I will let the Presidency confirm anything that the Council does.
Question: All right. I wanted to ask you if… if… if… there's been back and forth about Nepal peacekeepers or a guard unit deploying to Libya. Now it's being reported in Nepal that they're… it's all systems go. Is that the case? Has the…
Spokesman: Yeah, I haven't heard anything to the contrary.
Question: Okay. And also there are reports of UN aid workers abducted in Darfur, in [El] Geneina camp. Are you aware of that?
Spokesman: I am aware of those reports but we will not be speaking about the situation.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to… seems like the Secretary-General, according to published reports, did an interview with Japanese reporters yesterday. And one of the questions… the question that seemed to get the most play was about South Korea and his statement that he's deeply humbled by the protests. So I wanted to know, now that he's actually speaking about this, President Park [Guen-hye] has said that she's willing to resign. There's an enormous standoff. Farhan [Haq], in your absence, said that he's following it closely. So, as he would in other countries, do you have some kind of a… I don't want to say a canned statement, but what is his view on the current state of play in South Korea, both as it relates to his own possible things but also just as Secretary-General…? [Cross talk]
Spokesman: I think Farhan already… we've answered the question. I think he has no particular comment as Secretary-General. He's expressed his opinion more as a Korean citizen, as someone who obviously loves his country. And, as he said, he has full confidence in the resilience and maturity of the democratic institutions in Korea, as well as the unity, wisdom and the ability of the Korean people to build on their proud history.
Question: And The Korea Times quoted a source saying that he will return sometime between January 22nd and January 25th. It seems pretty specific. So I just want…
Spokesman: My understanding is… as he told me, in fact, this morning, is that he probably plans to go home around the middle of January. Okay? Thank you very much.