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.
Good afternoon.
**Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
I want to start off with an announcement from the Secretary-General on the UN’s response to sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Secretary-General, in consultation with members of the Executive Committee, has asked Ms. Jane Holl Lute, the Special Coordinator for improving the Organization's response to sexual exploitation and abuse, to convene a high-level task force to develop, as a matter of urgency, a clear, game-changing strategy to achieve visible and measurable further improvements on the Organization’s approach to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Task Force will consist of Ms. Jane Holl Lute; Mr. William L. Swing, Director-General of the IOM (International Organization for Migration); Mr. Atul Khare, Under Secretary-General, Department of Field Support (DFS); Mr. Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of the Legal Affairs (OLA); Mr. Christian Saunders of the Office of the Under Secretary-General of the Department of Management (DM); Lieutenant General Carlos Humberto Loitey, Military Adviser, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); Mr. Alfredo W. Forti of Argentina, Special Consultant to the Secretary-General; Ms. Nancee Bright, Chief of Staff, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and Ms. Francesca Marotta, Chief, Methodology, Education and Training Section, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Task Force will use the upcoming Report of the Secretary-General on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation to present the elements of the strategy and the Chair is, therefore, charged to consult widely and appropriately with all stakeholders among Member States, across the UN system, and with other relevant organizations. And that report, the Special Measures Report, should be out in February.
**Turkey
A number of you had asked for a readout of the meeting of the Secretary-General with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey [Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu].
The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister met yesterday. The Secretary-General expressed his condolences to the Government and people of Turkey for the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, including one in Izmir yesterday and on in Istanbul on New Year's Eve.
The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister discussed the situation in Syria. The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for Turkey's hosting of 2.8 million Syrian refugees. He also expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s support to the ceasefire and its commitment to a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister also discussed the Cyprus issue and the preparations for the Conference on Cyprus, which will be convened from 12 January in Geneva. The Secretary-General emphasized the historic opportunity for a breakthrough at the Conference. He underlined the need for mutually acceptable solutions that address the concerns of both communities and expressed hope is that all parties would demonstrate the necessary creativity in seeking innovative solutions. He expressed his appreciations for Turkey’s commitment to and support of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
And as you know, also later this afternoon the Secretary-General will meet with the Foreign Minister of Greece, Nikos Kotzias, and he will be having a meeting with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. [Shinsuke] Sugiyama. And we hope to have readouts of those meetings the day the meetings actually happen.
**Syria
Quick update for you on Syria: UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is worried about the possibility of an increase of diarrheal diseases among children in Damascus due to the water shortages and the poor quality and the price of water sold by private distributors. As you know, fighting in and around Wadi Barada on the outskirts of Damascus, where the two primary water sources are located, have resulted in damages to the water network.
UNICEF says there is a major concern of the risk of water-borne diseases among children. In many areas, families are paying a premium to buy water from private vendors.
A UNICEF team who visited several Damascus schools yesterday said that most children they had met walked at least half an hour to the nearest mosque or public water point to collect water. It took children up to two hours of waiting in line to fetch water often in very cold conditions.
UNICEF has helped to rehabilitate and equip 120 wells in and around Damascus, covering about a third of daily water needs. Since 22 December, those wells have been the only source of water for the entire city of Damascus.
As you know, I think we said about 5.5 million people have been impacted by this lack of access to water.
**Iraq
And on the Iraqi front, our humanitarian colleagues in Iraq report that more than 133,000 people have been displaced as a result of ongoing Mosul operations, which began in October. Of these, some 87 per cent have sought shelter in camps for internally displaced people and emergency sites around the Mosul area. To date, available camp space is still keeping pace with the rate of displacement.
**Central African Republic
And from the Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping mission in that country, MINUSCA, today deplored the death of another peacekeeper. UN peacekeepers on patrol were returning from the town of Koui in the Ouham-Pende Prefecture when they were attacked by some 50 assailants and one peacekeeper from Bangladesh was fatally shot.
The UN Mission condemns this attack, as well as aggressions and provocations against peacekeepers. We express our sincere condolences to the people and the Government of Bangladesh. The Secretary-General will be writing a letter to the Government of Bangladesh to express his own condolences.
**Côte d’Ivoire
And our colleagues on the ground in Côte d’Ivoire report that gunfire erupted overnight in Bouake reportedly by disgruntled soldiers of the army of Côte d’Ivoire, claiming overdue payments. The armed forces protestors blocked the Bouake north and south corridors, which are the main roads leading in and out of the town.
In Daloa, in the west of the country, soldiers erected barricades along the roads between Daloa and Eissia, and were firing shots into the air to stop vehicular movement. The Mission reports that daily activities in Daloa town ceased and schools have been closed. There were, however, no report of casualties and the situation remains calm but unpredictable.
Earlier today, helicopters belonging to the UN Mission conducted air reconnaissance in Bouake as a show of force. Peacekeepers from the Mission's Quick Reaction Force have also been deployed to Bouake in support of national authorities to protection civilians should the situation deteriorate. The Mission continues to closely monitor the situation.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
And lastly, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our humanitarian colleagues say they are increasingly concerned with the cycle of violence affecting civilians since 2016 in the provinces of Kasaï, Kasaï Central and Kasaï Oriental.
A joint mission travelled to Tshikapa, Kasai province, in mid-December, and determined that some 150,000 people have been impacted by the violence.
Funding is urgently required with only 15,000 people having received direct cash assistance to date, through UNICEF-supported activities.
And just yesterday the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) received reports of more violence.
**Questions and Answers
Carole?
Question: Stéphane, can you give a bit more detail about this task force defining a clear strategy? What specifically will they be looking at? And it's just odd, because I thought there was a strategy for dealing with this, and so what more will they be doing? And, generally, what can you say about cases of sexual abuse and exploitation in peacekeeping? Is it going down? Are you making any inroads?
Spokesman: The numbers are being posted regularly on our website by the colleagues in the peacekeeping department. You know, I think for the Secretary‑General, first of all, I think he very much appreciates all the work that has been done to date by Ms. Lute in terms of our improved engagement with victims, our strength and preventive measures. I think we've expanded the training of peacekeepers, developed increasing tools, lessened the times for investigations. I think we've also made a great effort in being more transparent in flagging cases when they occur. And Member States themselves have recognized and, I think, participated in this process. I think, for the Secretary‑General, I think, for him, he wants people to pay attention to this, not just when there are cases. There needs to be sustained engagement, constant engagement. The appointment of this team, which, as I said, will report fairly quickly on how we can move forward in new ways, in ways that are more bold that may break some china, but I think we'll move forward. It's about engaging, not only here with Member States, with… with diplomats, but it's about engaging with political leaders at lead… highest leadership in member… with Member States, which the Secretary‑General is very much willing to do, also engaging with the militaries in Member States at the highest level. The aim is for the task force to, rather quickly, as I said, by February, elevate the focus and pull together a strategy that changes the landscape. I think what we've seen are improvements, I think, in the way the UN system deals with this. But, obviously, even what works is not enough. The interest needs to be long-term. It needs to be sustained. And it also needs to focus not only on those who serve in uniform but also on civilians. Evelyn. Go ahead, go ahead. One of you.
Question: I have a follow‑up on Carole's question. Why so many people if there's going to be a report that has to be done in a matter of weeks? It's an awful lot of people.
Spokesman: First of all, it's not… you know, it's not that many people, but it's people that are engaged throughout the system in different ways, whether it's the Department of Management, which oversees our human resources and how we deal with issues internally. It's the legal office, the International Organization for Migration, human rights. It's not… you know, frankly, for those of us who have been around for some time, for a UN task force, I don't think it's that many people. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I wanted to know… I mean… whether the Secretary‑General… the new Secretary‑General, António Guterres, is aware of the critique by Code Blue of the current… of even the previously announced strategies and their proposal that there be a mechanism independent from the Secretariat to initially try civilian staff charged with such crimes and then make itself available to try soldiers. Is he aware of that?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General is extremely well versed on this. He was briefed obviously during the transition. He was briefed during his first week. He had a long briefing on this issue. He's very well versed on the challenges. And it's his assessment that he wants to see more, and he wants to see more at a… in a way that will break new ground. This is not… I don't think anyone would ever say that we're trying to stop abuse and wipe out abuse. Any organization, whether it's the UN, whether it's football associations, whether it's any organization, has had to face and will continue to face this issue. It's about how we react, how we put the victims at the centre, and it's about accountability, both of those who are accused of… especially for those who are accused of these crimes.
Question: Since you say he's been briefed on it, I wanted to ask, specifically, the decision by DPKO to override the recommendation of the Office of the High… High Commissioner for Human Rights and the panel of experts and redeployed Burundians despite 25 charges of sexual abuse… And does he support that decision or not?
Spokesman: I'm not going to get into the details of policy discussions. He's very much aware of the SCA issue. I think on the Burundians, we said DPKO and DFS said they would keep close eye on it, and they will. Edie?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. You mentioned the word "accountability." Is this review going to take into consideration the possibility of having the UN take over, in any way, attempts to achieve accountability for alleged perpetrators who are UN staff?
Spokesman: I think it's going to look at everything across the board. I think… what the Secretary‑General wants to see are new ideas, groundbreaking ideas, that build on what the system has already done in the last few years. These issues of accountability raise legal issues. You know, when it comes to uniformed personnel. Even when it comes to civilian personnel, the UN… how information is trans… it's transmitted to the right judicial authorities. It's… all these issues are to be raised, and I think he wants to put everything on the table. Mr. Klein? Sorry.
Question: Yes. During the Secretary‑General's discussion with Turkey's Foreign Minister, did the subject of the Turkish Government's crackdown on dissidents, continued jailing of journalists, et cetera, come up? And, if not, why not?
Spokesman: I have the… the readout I've shared with is you the readout I can share with you.
Question: But can you say why that subject did not come up?
Spokesman: No, I can't… I'm not… the fact something is not in a readout doesn't mean it wasn't spoken. It doesn't mean it was spoken about. Maggie?
Question: Stéph, also on the Turkish Foreign Minister, yesterday, he said that if the Astana talks happen the UN would have a leading role in them. What's your understanding? Are the talks firm, or are they tentative and what will be Mr. [Staffan] de Mistura’s role?
Spokesman: We'll, we're not organizing the talks. We're fully supportive of the talks, and I think we were pleased to hear some of the comments made in the press by the Turkish Foreign Minister, talking about their wish to have the talks as part of a UN process. So, again, these are not competing talks. This is… could be seen as a way station. We're obviously waiting to see the outcome of the talks, but we're supportive of the process.
Question: But did he discuss specifically with the Secretary‑General a role for the UN and give any sort of framework or idea of what that specific role would be?
Spokesman: You know, I think we're… let's wait till the talks actually happen, and then we can figure… just beforehand, we can get better picture. Right.
Question: I have a follow‑up before I ask my question on Maggie's question. Did Mr. de Mistura receive the invitation to go to Astana or not yet? And is it confirmed that he will not go?
Spokesman: No, we haven't… listen, the last I was informed, we had not yet received an invitation but we'll wait and see. Again, I think the discussions between the Turkish side and the UN side on the talks were supportive, were mutually supportive.
Question: I see. Mahmoud Hussein, he's one of my colleagues. He works for Al Jazeera Arabic in Doha, and he was arrested when he was visiting his family in Egypt. I'm not sure if you are aware about this or not, but does the SG has anything to say on this and about the freedom of the press in general in Egypt?
Spokesman: Sure, we're aware… we've seen the reports of the case of Mahmoud Hussein. We've also been made aware of the allegations by Al Jazeera that the Egyptian authorities have coerced Mahmoud Hussein to make a false confession. The UN trusts that the Egyptian authorities will safeguard Mahmoud Hussein's due process rights, including the right to a fair trial. We appeal for this case to be resolved in accordance with Egypt's own international obligations to protect freedom of expression and freedom of opinion. Mr. Sato?
Question: Thank… thank you, Stéphane. Regarding the Myanmar, do you have any update on the UN commitment to the Myanmar? There is one report saying the UN will send a mission to monitor and examine the humanitarian situation in Myanmar.
Spokesman: The… I don't know if we're talking about the same thing. The report I had seen is the upcoming visit of the Special Rapporteur for human… for Myanmar, Ms. [Yanghee] Lee. We're, obviously, aware of her visit, and I think, as a matter of principle, the UN has always called on countries to cooperate and cooperate fully and welcome visits by Special Rapporteurs. Yes, sir, go ahead.
Question: Thank you. Stéphane, does… the Secretary‑General reported meeting with the Pakistani Ambassador today in which she reportedly presented a dossier on… I mean, about the Indian interference in Pakistan's internal affairs. Are you aware what did they say…
Spokesman: No, I think what the Secretary‑General said he was about to meet her. I think he met her sometime after 12. I don't have any indication of what was discussed in the meeting. The meeting was held at the request of the Permanent Representative of Pakistan.
Question: But there are no… nothing… I mean, since then, he has met with her, and… but you don't have any readout…
Spokesman: I… I walked in here, I think, as the meeting was still going on so… and my earpiece is not working. Go ahead.
Correspondent: Okay.
Question: Thank you. I have a question, I don’t know…
Spokesman: Go ahead. Farhan is telling me what to say. Yeah. Go ahead.
Question: I have a question on the US Congress that… asking to repeal the latest Security Council resolution of Palestine. I know your answer, but I have to ask this question. Do you think any country as a representative can ask the UN to change its resolutions? Because…
Spokesman: Any legislative body is free to pass whatever they would like. This is an issue that should land in the Security Council and up to those 15 countries who sit in the Security Council. We have no comment.
Question: No, my… sorry. I… the SG, is he worried that the new Administration will affect the work of the United Nations, the funding, et cetera?
Spokesman: The Secretary‑General, as you know, had a conversation with the President‑elect, and he looks forward to working with him on the very important relationship that exists between the UN and its host country.
Question: Is he going to attend his inauguration…?
Spokesman: No, traditionally, Secretaries‑General do not… are not invited and do not attend the US inauguration. Erol?
Question: Thank you. Stéph, is the Secretary‑General going to meet any of the previous candidates for the SG position? My sources are telling me that somehow he do have a plans to meet in particularly Vesna Pusic, former Croatian Foreign Minister. If so, when it's going to happen? What they are intend to discuss?
Spokesman: I'm not aware. I can ask, but I'm not aware. Yes, sir. No, hold on. Behind you, and then I'll come back to Nizar, yes. I'm going to the second row first, and then we'll go to Benny and then Nizar. Yes.
Question: Halil Mula, Kosovo National Television, RTV21. I even e-mailed you the question, but I don't know have you had the chance to see. Three days ago, former Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, has been arrested in France on the… based on the arrest warrants issued in 2004 from Serbia to Interpol for his role during the war in Kosovo. Having in mind that UN tribunal in Hague did clear Mr. Haradinaj twice over these accusations, this is not only a misuse of Interpol, but disrespect for UN itself. And I'm concerned, not just me, but people from the region as well, that, by actions like this through Interpol against political leaders of Kosovo, Serbia may cause further tensions and animosities in Kosovo and wider in Balkans.
Spokesman: I think I hear a question in there. As you know, Interpol is not a UN… part of the UN system, so I have no comment on their activities. I would just say that the UN reiterates its longstanding support for efforts to facilitate dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Mr. Avni?
Question: Can I follow up?
Spokesman: You can try.
Question: Okay. Does… in that case, does UN support and honour decisions of the UN tribunals in this case? Mr. Haradinaj has been…
Spokesman: The UN tribunals are set up by the Security Council, and their decisions are fully independent. Mr. Avni?
Question: Yeah, follow‑up on the question of the Congress resolution yesterday. There have been… there has been talk both by the Administration and by Congress of cutting funds to the UN as a result of that resolution. Is there concern… and also, by the way, Israel has announced that it will cut $6 million from four Palestinian… pro‑Palestinian agencies at the UN. Is there concern at the Secretariat that there will be budget… budgetary problems as a result of that resolution of the Security Council?
Spokesman: I think the vote was taken by the Security Council. The vote was not taken by the Secretariat. I think it's… we, obviously, are reading and watching closely what is being said. And I would say, again, we look forward to fully engaging with the new Administration and… when that happens on 21 January.
Question: Has Ban… has Ban, sorry. Has Guterres raised that issue with Trump when they talked on the phone?
Spokesman: I think they had a very constructive discussion on… [noise from crowd] Gentlemen. From the Balkans. Please. They had… they had… sorry, what was I saying? They had a very constructive discussion on the importance of the US‑UN relationship. Oleg and then Ronda.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. On this task force, does that mean, when the new Secretary‑General comes up with the idea of having a new strategy to fight sexual exploitation, does it mean that the old ones, in his opinion, don't work?
Spokesman: No, no. I think what he's trying to do is build on what has already been achieved and the need to do more, on the need to ensure that people focus on this, not just when a case breaks, but permanently and constantly and that there is a… that we come up with a strategy that changes the landscape, changes the culture, and to ensure that the values of the UN are respected by each and every one of us throughout the system. Yes, sir?
Question: And I have a question on CAR. With, I think, a third UN peacekeeper killed this week, is Ban Ki‑moon… I'm sorry, Ban Ki‑moon. Is the new Secretary‑General concerned with the pullout of the French troops, the end of the Operation Sangaris, of possible…
Spokesman: I'm not… you know, I think I don't have enough operational details of the incidents to see if there was any linkage between the two, but, obviously, the fatalities that we've seen in the last couple of days are very much of concern to us. Ronda?
Question: Yes, do we have a date yet for the journalist press conference? And…
Spokesman: No.
Question: Okay. And will… is there any plan that we will resume the at least monthly press conferences with journalists so that we have a chance…
Spokesman: I think let's try to get to one, and then we'll take it from there. Nizar?
Question: I have another quick…
Spokesman: Oh, all right. Sorry. Finish your…
Question: And that is, some women sent a letter to the former Secretary‑General about 1325, and women who were trying to make a dent in what's happening with the… the Korean Peninsula tension. Might the new Secretary‑General look at that letter, or does that have to get started all over again with the people…?
Spokesman: Super question… I think that letter was from a while ago, so I would assume it was dealt with previously.
Question: No, there was no response, nothing.
Spokesman: Okay, I'll look into it. Nizar?
Question: A short while ago, there was an agreement about Wadi Barada and ceasefire there in order to allow for the operation of the water sources there. Has the United Nations been involved in any way in such an agreement?
Spokesman: No. Evelyn?
Question: Do you have an update on Aleppo, what's happening to the people there?
Spokesman: Not since what you heard straight from Aleppo. Go ahead and then Carla.
Question: I have [inaudible]. I watched your briefing yesterday. I'm going to ask the question, maybe it's clear, about Yemen, and then the work of the Special Envoy. I mean, like, the Special Envoy for Syria, in Geneva. Where is the office… the official office of Mr. [Ismail] Ould Cheikh Ahmed? This is one. And then what… actually, like, what the UN… does he have big office, like he has a support because he's been travelling alone or…? And then what is the latest on the… the… the peace process? We hear…
Spokesman: I don't have an update on his activities. Unless somebody will tell me that I'm wrong, but my understanding is that he's based… his office is based in Amman. And we can get you the staffing, but it's very big. Carole and then Carla. And then… go to the back.
Question: Stéphane, on Cyprus, since the new Secretary‑General is going to be going on Monday, is there… is he going to be bringing any new or fresh ideas? I mean, given this… these rounds of meetings, is there anything we can expect?
Spokesman: You know, I think he'll be there to open and chair… to be there to open and chair the conference. We'll obviously have a bit more of an official announcement probably on Monday. You know, we're at a very decisive phase in the Cyprus peace talks. It's the first time that we're seeing negotiations on the chapter of security and guarantees that will be addressed with the added participation of the guarantor powers. I think the… through the work of Mr. [Espen Barth] Eide, the parties… with his support, the parties themselves have made great strides. And, at this point, it's really about being supportive of the process and seeing how the parties can finally bridge the final gaps. Carla and then Linda. Sorry.
Question: Stéphane, is there any more information about the crash of that Russian jet on Christmas Eve, 92 civilians actually, going to Syria to entertain the…
Spokesman: 92?
Question: Ninety-two people were killed.
Spokesman: Oh, 90… I thought you meant in 1992. No. No, I don't… I have no… we're not involved in the investigation. As our understand… as you know, this was a military aircraft. I think the Russian authorities are doing their investigation. Obviously, we were saddened by the loss of life, including these cultural icons who were on board. But I have no more information than you have on this. Linda?
Question: Thank you, Stéph. This is just a travel question. Do you have any information if the Secretary‑General will be attending or taking part in any way in the upcoming Astana talks on Syria?
Spokesman: Personally, he will not be.
Question: Will he be attending?
Spokesman: No, no, personally, he will not… he will not be personally attending as far as I know, as far as the situation is now. We'll obviously, as I think… as I think I told… Please, let me… it was a pause. It wasn't a punctuation. See? Now you got me all confused. I think, as I told Maggie, we have not officially received an invitation. Obviously, those discussions are still going on. We're supportive of the… and we're very supportive of the process. In the back, Vezi?
Question: Yes, thank you. On Côte d'Ivoire, could you give us an update about the disarmament process and… because according to some media, some breaking news I already hear, the ongoing fight is between ex-combatants and former soldiers. So the…
Spokesman: I'll get… it's a very valid question. I don't have those… that information at the tip of my fingers or anywhere else. But I will try to get you something right after the briefing. Stefano?
Question: Thank you very much, Stéphane. A few days ago, here in this room was presented the programme, the agenda, for the Security Council for this month. It was noticed that Libya wasn't there. I… my question is, is the Secretary‑General… was a surprise that Libya was not going to be in the agenda of the Security Council? And Tuesday, when is going to speak at the Security Council, is it going to mention… address the problem of Libya, as preventing…
Spokesman: He will deliver a major address on prevention, preventive diplomacy and prevention, and that will be his first address to the Council on Tuesday in the presence of the Foreign Minister of Sweden. As for the calendar of the Security Council, it's up to them to set their own agenda, and obviously, if we feel we need to update them on the situation in Libya, we will. And if they feel they want to hear from us, they will ring the bell, and we will brief. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I wanted to ask you, in Haiti, it's report… there was a… a Senator‑elect, Guy Philippe, who was arrested, and I'm thinking… hearing that UN facilities were pelted with stones, and in a WFP (World Food Programme) facility some 66 people couldn't get out. So I'm wondering, one, can you confirm that? And, two, why isn't MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti)… why aren't you providing some… some announcement on that?
Spokesman: I have not received any reports from MINUSTAH on this. Doesn't mean they're not reporting it to local media, but I haven't gotten anything here.
Question: And the death of this… what Oleg asked about, the death of the third peacekeeper from Bangladesh, you're aware of that? Is there… what's the policy on announcement…?
Spokesman: I'm surprised that you didn't hear that I actually announced it.
Correspondent: Okay. All right.
Spokesman: Masood?
Question: This is a question about… again, about India and Pakistan and Kashmir. The Secretary‑General obviously is aware that the border of India and Pakistan has been a hotbed of, I mean, confrontation between the two armies. Will the Sec… the new Secretary‑General talk to the Indian authorities, the Indian Prime Minister, about these facts… about the United Nations…
Spokesman: You know, I don't have anything new to add to our well‑worn and well‑stated policy, but if anything changes, I will let you know. Mr. Abbadi?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. When the Secretary‑General addresses the Council on prevention, will he announce any new initiative?
Spokesman: I think we will wait to see and hear him. Carole and then Erol.
Question: Stéphane, I'm just… not to belabour this…
Spokesman: No, that's okay.
Question: …but the press conference, why is it so complicated to schedule a press conference?
Spokesman: It's not that complicated. I think we just have to…
Question: He's new in office. We'd really like an opportunity to ask questions.
Spokesman: I hear you. We're trying to find the right time, also for him to have something to announce, but will…
Correspondent: [inaudible]
Spokesman: I understand. Erol?
Question: Thank you. Stéph, just to follow up… thank you. Just to follow up on my colleague's question, when you say that you support dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which is main topic in every single Secretary‑General report, is the Secretary‑General concerned that this apprehension of a person who was twice cleared by The Hague tribunal will somehow hinder those talks?
Spokesman: I wish I had something more to say on this, but I do not.
Question: Just to… during the programme of work, the Ambassador of the Sweden, not 100 per cent sure, but he stated that the Foreign Minister and the SG will speak to the media.
Spokesman: There will be a joint photo op at which they both may say a few words, and then we'll let you know. But there will not be a joint press conference. Dulcie, you've been very patient.
Question: Yeah. Did António Guterres make a… schedule an appointment to meet with Donald Trump in the next few weeks given that they live in the same city? Thanks.
Spokesman: I think we're waiting to engage more directly after the inauguration.
Question: So that was what Trump advised or…
Spokesman: I think that's… you know, there is one Secretary‑General at a time. There's one President at a time. There will be further and deeper engagement between the Secretary‑General and the incoming Administration once that Administration takes office.
Question: A while ago, you promised you'd look into S/NC, why it was changed, and I wondered if you've had any progress…
Spokesman: I have not.
Question: Can you put that back on the burner…?
Spokesman: I will… obviously, I need to redouble that progress. Nizar?
Question: There is a fierce battle raging in al‑Bab north of Aleppo, between the Turkish forces and ISIS, I understand. Reports coming from there speak about dozens of civilians have been killed. Is there any monitoring what's going on there or any help to the civilians?
Spokesman: I don't have any specific information about that area, but I'm happy to check. Stefano?
Question: I have another one about Mosul. [inaudible] in Mosul… in Mosul, there's big advance by the Iraqi army. Also they have occupied couple of borders there. Is there any… also any flight by civilians from these areas?
Spokesman: Well, I think we've been updating you pretty regularly on the flight of people leaving Mosul, on our efforts to provide humanitarian aid as they leave. As I said, the camps right now in… available spots in the camps for internally displaced people is keeping pace with the demand, and we are around and trying to support the civilians as they leave. Matthew?
Question: Wanted to ask about the mission in Colombia. Obviously, it's been reported that the four people have been taken. Were they members of national contingents, or were they UN staff members? And what explains… often in these cases we were told, like, there's due process or whatever. Is the video evidence so compelling that…
Spokesman: They were repatriated by their home countries.
Question: What countries do they come from?
Spokesman: I don't have those.
Question: And was a decision made by the UN or by the troop-contributing country?
Spokesman: There was a discussion between the UN Mission and the countries… and the countries concerned. We can try to see if we can get you the list of the countries impacted.
Question: Okay. And I wanted to ask you about the whistleblower policy that's been pending. I'm sure you've seen that the Government Accountability Project has said that it's a… actually a step backwards in that it limits the scope of protected… things that will be protected. And given that there is already on the books from 2015 a law that would require or call for a 15 per cent budget cut by the US for not protecting whistleblowers, what is the Secretary‑General's thoughts on this policy…
Spokesman: I think…
Question: Potentially triggering that cut…?
Spokesman: We don't agree with the Government Accountability Office. We've told them that. I think our response to them is posted on their website. The new policy will come out. And I think it should be judged once it's out.
Question: But does he… does the Secretary‑General, António Guterres, have any role in reviewing it or now it's just a…
Spokesman: Well, obviously, these bulletins are put out in his name. Stefano?
Question: Yes. This is a follow‑up on the one asked about problem not only with new US Administration but especially with Congress. We concentrate on [Donald] Trump. In reality, the problem could come from Congress. I just met, like all my colleagues, the new Secretary‑General. I told them we count on your charisma. I think charisma in this job is an important thing. So my question is, how… it's not actually a question. It's a suggestion.
Spokesman: No, no, I don't want to hear a suggestion.
Question: Question, question, question.
Spokesman: If you have a question…
Question: How will the Secretary‑General will look at an invitation by Congress to go of Congress and have a speech and it will… it will… does he think it will be a good idea?
Spokesman: I'm not aware of any invitation by Congress. That being said, every Secretary‑General that I've worked for and probably others have routinely gone down to Washington and have met with individual members of the House, individual Senators, have met with the various committees. They've not testified, but they've met with the members of the committees, and I don't see why the policy of engagement with the US Congress will change. We've got congressional delegations coming up. I think there's one coming up in March. We engage with them. And voila. Carla?
Question: Thank you. Is there any more information about the terrible situation of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia?
Spokesman: No, unfortunately, I do not have an update. Yep?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Little confused. Does Secretary‑General and UN support the verdicts of the UN tribunals or not? If you can clarify this.
Spokesman: It's not for a Secretary‑General to say he supports or doesn't support the verdict. The courts are independent bodies established by the Security Council, and their verdicts are their verdicts. Thank you.