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 Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Good afternoon, everyone.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General today is in Geneva, where he met with the heads of UN agencies based there and held a town hall meeting with UN staff.
A short while ago, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and they are now taking part together in a high-level event.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will travel to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum.
**Mali
The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, briefed the Security Council on Mali this morning. He condemned the suicide attack that took place earlier today against the Operational Coordination Mechanism camp in Gao, saying it was clearly aimed at derailing the peace process.
Mr. Ladsous noted that the process is at a critical juncture. After more than 18 months of an interim period, following the signature of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, little significant progress has been achieved.
This is cause for major concern, he said, and raises questions about the will and commitment of the signatories of the agreement. Mr. Ladsous further asked Council members to examine the possibility of imposing targeted measures against those violating the ceasefire and voluntarily impeding the peace process.
Saying that the agreement remains the only way to peace and reconciliation in Mali, Mr. Ladsous stressed the urgency to make progress and called on the signatories to fully engage in the implementation of the agreement.
And the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali also condemned today’s attack. It is currently providing assistance to the wounded and has stepped up its efforts to secure Gao city.
**Nigeria
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, today expressed his shock at yesterday’s bombing on a site for internally displaced people in north-east Nigeria that left dozens of people dead. He stressed the need for the Nigerian authorities to urgently identify the failings that led to the tragedy.
The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) yesterday dispatched a helicopter with four medical personnel, 400 kg of emergency medical supplies and airlifted eight Nigeria Red Cross workers injured in the air strike.
Rann is one of the localities in north-eastern Nigeria that have recently become accessible to humanitarian organizations. Emergency assistance is gradually being ramped up in areas that were previously unreachable. Additional assistance and personnel will be deployed to Rann in the coming days.
**Côte d’Ivoire
The UN Peacekeeping Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) reports that soldiers from the Écoles des Forces Armées in Zambakro, close to Yamoussoukro, protested yesterday over unpaid wages. The situation in the area is currently calm but volatile. The UN Mission’s Quick Reaction Force continues to secure Yamoussoukro airport in support of the Ivorian security forces and conducts patrols within the city.
The Mission also reports similar demonstrations by some gendarmes and police in Abidjan. Protests by soldiers were also reported in a number of cities, including Bouaké, Ferkessédougou, Daloa, Gagnoa, Man, Abidjan and Bondoukou. The UN Mission reports that the armed forces contained the protests.
The Mission continues to closely monitor the situation and its helicopters are undertaking air reconnaissance over Yamoussoukro, Bouaké and Daloa.
**Data
The first-ever UN World Data Forum wrapped up today in South Africa, with the launch of the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data. This new Action Plan calls for better data to improve people’s lives.
The Forum brought together more than 1,400 data experts from more than 100 countries.
The next UN World Data Forum will take place in Dubai in late 2018 or early 2019.
**Honour Roll
And we are very happy to report two more full payments to the regular budget, this time from Canada and Singapore. Our thanks go to both Member States. This takes the 2017 total on the Honour Roll to 11.
**Questions and Answers
And that is it for me. Any questions? Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. With regard to the development in this sparking situation in Kosovo between Serbia and Kosovo, with regard to the train that was painted in the Serbian flag colours and inflammatory statements as “Kosovo is Serbian”, would the Secretary‑General, in his early tenure, consider exercising a sort of early intervention before it becomes a crisis and restart a… a confrontation that’s not needed at this time of the world affairs?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, without getting into any future course of action by the Secretary‑General on this, we’ve already made clear what our concerns have been about the situation in Kosovo. We do want the parties to avoid any unhelpful rhetoric or actions that could derail any prospects for dialogue. As you know, what we support is the efforts backed by the European Union to conduct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, and we are trying to support any such efforts for such dialogue to continue. Yes, Oleg?
Question: Yeah, a quick follow‑up. Do you think that what’s happening over there between Kosovo and Pristina and Belgrade underscores the need to continue… a continuation of an international presence over there? Because some parties were calling for it to withdraw.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we don’t want an open‑ended international presence as the leadership of the UN Mission, UNMIK, has made clear. What we hope for is a solution that will allow for that presence to be decreased over the course of time. As you know, there have been other efforts through the UN Mission. The European Union, through EULEX, has tried to strengthen institutions for the rule of law. And, like I said, what we’re trying to support is the ongoing dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. Of course, all of this depends on how well that proceeds. We don’t believe that any step backwards necessarily means that everything is going to go poorly from there on out, but we do want to avoid any further steps backwards. Masood?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. You know the Secretary‑General is now going to Davos, as you said. Pakistani Prime Minister is also there in Davos. Is there any possibility that the two will meet and discuss the Kashmir issue? And… because that seems that the Secretary‑General is avoiding discussing that, because lots of lives are at stake over there in Kashmir.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, regarding any meetings, the schedule for the Secretary‑General is being worked out right now. It remains in a bit of flux, because there’s quite a lot of potential meetings he may have. But we’ll provide you with those details starting tomorrow, once he’s actually in Davos, and let you know who he actually gets to meet.
Question: So it’s a possibility that he may meet with Pakistani…
Deputy Spokesman: There’s a range of leaders with whom he may meet, but we’ll really know for sure starting tomorrow. Yes, in the back.
Question: Thank you. Farhan, there are reports that there may be tens of thousands of would‑be Cuban migrants in Central America right now, perhaps also in other parts of Latin America. Has any country asked the UN for assistance? And would the UN be able to provide some kind of humanitarian assistance in what some people are calling a humanitarian chaos? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: I don’t believe that we’ve received any direct request for UN assistance. You might want to consult with our colleagues in the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which does deal more closely with that issue. Yes? Yes, you, your turn.
Question: As we know, today China’s President, Xi Jinping, visits the United Nations Office in Geneva and delivers a speech and has a meeting with Secretary‑General [António] Guterres. Do you have any comments on the visit, the speech, and the meeting?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we’re certainly very grateful for the visit by President Xi Jinping to our offices in Geneva. You’re right that the Secretary‑General did meet with him just very recently, and we’re trying to get some details to see what happened during that meeting. Yes?
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you about in… in… in the Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has declared a state of emergency. And, obviously, the deadline is impending. I wanted to know, one, is there any UN, I guess, response or comment on the state of emergency? What’s UNOWA (United Nations Office in West Africa) doing? And has there been any communication to the Secretariat regarding the continued representation of Gambia at the UN by Mr Sam Sarr or whoever is the acting Permanent Representative?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, yes, you’re right. Today was… is to mark the end of the tenure of Mr Jammeh following his defeat in the elections. President Jammeh continues to reject all efforts — from the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, and the United Nations — to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to President‑elect Adama Barrow. As you know, we’ve repeatedly asked for that. The regional body, ECOWAS, has reiterated its determination to take all necessary measures to ensure the transfer of power to President‑elect Barrow. Jeffrey Feltman, our Under‑Secretary‑General for Political Affairs, expects to brief the Security Council today on the latest developments and the continuous efforts by regional and international actors to ensure a smooth transfer of power. As you’re aware, the UN supports regional efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
Question: And what about the representation here? What… what… what would be the effect of the calendar turning to the 19th on Gambia’s representation at the UN, the individual who would represent the country?
Deputy Spokesman: As far as I’m aware right now, the representation remains unchanged. But, as you know, there are committee on credentials that can deal with the matter if they so choose. Yes, Stefano?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Any comment on… today, there was a hearing on next US Ambassador, Nikki Haley, and she had a comment on the freezing of funds, the US… they’re discussing in the Congress, there is a law that has been proposed that she… looked like she had a favourable… she supports a kind of a… she say like making the UN responsible on how it spends the money. Do you have any… any comment on that?
Deputy Spokesman: I don’t have any particular comment on the hearings per se. Regarding the relationship between the United States and the United Nations, we continue to try to make sure that the relationship will remain strong and will remain positive. The question of legislation really is still being worked out at the domestic level, but, from our standpoint, what we’re trying to do is provide as much information about how the UN works so that the incoming officials are aware of the work we do and the value of the work we do. Yes? Hold on. Olga, you haven’t had a question yet.
Question: Thanks, Farhan. Since UN is now officially participating in Astana talks on Syria, is there any special agenda that Special Envoy wants to bring in the Astana meeting, to prepare for the next meeting in Geneva?
Deputy Spokesman: We are considering how our participation will be carried out. At this stage, we’re still working out such issues as the composition of the delegation and other aspects of our participation, but we have confirmed that we will be participating, and we look forward to productive talks in Astana. Masood and then Oleg.
Question: Yeah. Farhan, on this Middle East peace process meeting that was held in Paris on… yesterday, I’m sure you were asked many questions about this. Did… did the… because the neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians attended it, but do you have… as to what were the proposals that were discussed over there, was there any substantive, what do you call, decisions made in that meeting at all?
Deputy Spokesman: There was a document issued at the end of that meeting with… which reflected the views of many of the participants, including of the United Nations.
Question: And does the United Nations concur with the views that were expressed in that document?
Deputy Spokesman: Yes. Yes, we do. Yes, Oleg?
Question: Yeah, if I could return to Gambia, there are some reports that Senegalese troops are moving in on the border with Gambia. Can you confirm that? Do you have any information?
Deputy Spokesman: I don’t have any confirmation on the ground about troop movements. Like I said, Mr Feltman, over the course of today, will also be briefing the Security Council on the latest developments. So he’s trying to gather up the latest information for that. Yes, you, and then you.
Question: Thank you. With a follow‑up on Olga’s question, the talks on Astana on the 23rd, the delegations have been announced, including those representing the Syrian opposition. What is the UN situation, if any, regarding those who are represented and those who are not represented on the table but they have already participated in the Geneva talks?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we want as wide and as inclusive of a representation in all of the various talks that are being held. Obviously, it helps to have as many parties on board. That said, we are not the people… the party who is inviting other parties to the Astana talks. We’re inviting parties to the Geneva talks, and we’ll continue with that effort. And it’s possible that there… that, if there are parties that are not in Astana, they can be included in the Geneva talks, as well.
Question: Hypothetically, if the Astana meeting came out with results and agreements of a sort, what would be the UN position on those agreement? Would the UN endorse the outcome of Astana vis‑à‑vis the… the ones in Geneva?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. First, we’ll… let’s see who shows up at the talks and what the talks produce. Yes?
Question: Sure. I want… I guess a follow‑up on the Nikki Haley confirmation hearing. I just wanted to ask you very specifically, she mentioned in her opening statement and in response to a question that the UN should not be paying peacekeeping countries that are trying to make money off peacekeeping if their peacekeepers engage in abuse. So I wanted to ask you, you say you’re trying to explain how the UN works. What is the basis for continuing to deploy 800 Burundians to the Central African Republic after OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services] found 25 cases of sexual abuse serious enough to refer to the country for prosecution?
Deputy Spokesman: We engage in dialogue with all the various troop-contributing countries to see, first of all, whether we can rely upon their troops. In this case, the decisions on Burundi are being made on a case‑by‑case basis. They decided that, for now, the needs on the ground in the Central African Republic are such that we can continue to use them, but we do monitor them, and they are being checked for their appropriate behaviour.
Question: Sure. And I wanted to ask… thanks for… I guess it was Stéphane [Dujarric] that sent the phone number of a second Ban Ki‑moon Spokesman. I did speak to him, but it’s… in fact, the coverage there is giving rise to a question I have to ask you as the UN. There’s a story in today’s Korea Times, the title of which is bribe… “Prosecutors say Ban Ki‑moon was ‘indeed on bribery list.’” And it describes a list that was provided by Mr Park of Taekwang Industry, saying he had given money to Ban Ki‑moon during the time frame that he was Secretary‑General. So the question becomes… there are… obviously, there are questions to Ban Ki‑moon there. The question becomes, was the… and maybe you’ll know or you can find out. When… did South Korean prosecutors… because this article says that what would have held them up was… was immunity, that, as Secretary‑General, they would be unclear whether they could even question him or go… or look into this matter. Was the UN contacted by the prosecutors about this Park list? And, if so, what did they do?
Deputy Spokesman: No, I don’t have any comment on that.
Question: It’s a UN question. I mean, do you acknowledge… because I talked to the guy for about five minutes yesterday, but he said those are UN questions.
Deputy Spokesman: I don’t actually have any comment on this. I’m not aware of any such questioning. Yes?
Question: I just want to know, when will the information or statement concerning the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Secretary‑General Guterres will come out?
Deputy Spokesman: We’re trying to get details from our colleagues in Geneva, and hopefully, we’ll have them later today.
Correspondent: Okay. Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: Okay. Have a good afternoon, everyone.
Question: [inaudible] the Myanmar question from yesterday. Do you have anything on the two people who were disappeared? Does the UN have any response?
Deputy Spokesman: No, we’ve asked our colleagues in the Department of Political Affairs for anything further. Have a good afternoon.