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.
**Yemen
Martin Griffiths, the Special Envoy for Yemen, told the Security Council yesterday afternoon that, after having consulted with the parties, he plans to invite them to Geneva on 6 September for a first round of consultations. These consultations, he said, will provide the opportunity for the parties, among other things, to discuss the framework for negotiations, to agree on relevant confidence-building measures and specific plans for moving the process forward. Mr. Griffiths warned Council members that, despite all our efforts, the pace of war has increased. He said that we have tried to find a way to avoid a battle for the city and the port of Hodeidah. But, he added that, even though the requirements for such a deal are not yet met, recent efforts have managed to narrow the gap between the two sides in a way that nobody expected. The Special Envoy said that we must not allow progress or the absence of it on Hodeidah deter us from our primary focus, which is on the search for a political solution to this conflict. John Ging also briefed the Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. And today, in a press release, Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said that strikes yesterday on Yemen’s largest hospital, Al Thawra, were shocking. She added, “Everything we are trying to do to stem the world’s worst cholera epidemic is at risk.”
**United Nations Disengagement Observer Force
I had been asked about the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) yesterday, and I would like to clarify that the Russian personnel mentioned in press reports are not part of UNDOF. In accordance with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and its Protocol, UNDOF comprises members of the United Nations who are not permanent members of the Security Council. UNDOF is implementing a gradual return to the area of separation. The ultimate goal for UNDOF is full return, conditions permitting. Currently, more than one half of the Mission’s military personnel is deployed on the Bravo side, including its headquarters at Camp Faouar. The safety and security of UNDOF and Observer Group Golan personnel remain paramount as the Mission continues to implement its gradual return. A key priority in the continued incremental return of UNDOF to the area of separation is the re-opening of the Quneitra crossing between the Alpha and Bravo sides as soon as security conditions permit, as reiterated by the Security Council in its resolution 2426 of 29 June 2018.
As the Secretary-General noted in his latest report on UNDOF, since the resumption of patrolling on the Bravo side in February, the UNDOF mechanized infantry company has conducted in excess of 30 protected patrols from Camp Faouar along designated routes in the northern and central parts of the areas of separation and limitation. The 2 August patrol to the Quneitra crossing point is part of UNDOF’s ongoing efforts to return incrementally to the area of separation. In this regard, UNDOF liaised with both the Syrian Arab Armed Forces through the Senior Syrian Arab Delegate and the Israel Defense Forces in advance of conducting the patrol to the Quneitra crossing area. The Senior Syrian Arab Delegate and Russian military police personnel simultaneously conducted a patrol to the area. Any Russian military police presence or planned deployment in the Syrian Arab Republic is separate and distinct from that of UNDOF.
**Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today said it is ramping up its response to the urgent needs of nearly 1 million people who have been displaced by recent violence in the south‑western part of the country. Upon request from the Government, UNHCR and its partners are providing life-saving assistance to the internally displaced people in the Gedeo and West Guji areas. The agency said current conditions are extremely dire, with many people sleeping on the cold ground, while others are living in makeshift shelters that cannot keep out the heavy rains of the season, leaving them at risk of serious health problems such as pneumonia. UNHCR is distributing 50,000 emergency kits. These include cooking sets, sleeping mats, blankets and plastic sheets. The agency has also deployed two Emergency Response Teams to the areas to support local authorities.
**Mediterranean
UNHCR says that more than 1,500 refugees and migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first seven months of this year. The bleak milestone was confirmed after more than 850 lives were lost in June and July alone, marking the Mediterranean crossing as the deadliest sea route in the world. UNHCR is particularly concerned as the rate of deaths is increasing, despite the total number of people arriving on European shores being significantly reduced compared to previous years. Around 60,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean so far this year, around half as many as during the same period last year, and a return to pre-2014 levels. However, 1 in every 31 people attempting the crossing in June and July died or are missing, compared to 1 in 49 during the course of 2017. UNHCR urges states and authorities along transit routes to take all necessary action to dismantle and disrupt smuggler networks. In order to save lives at sea, the agency says, we must use appropriate and necessary measures to hold to account those who seek to gain profit from the exploitation of vulnerable human beings. Yes?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you, Farhan. With regard to Martin Griffiths and his briefing to the Council yesterday, why the UN still live in denial that the true power in this conflict is lying between the Houthis, the Saudis, the Emiratis and the Iranians? Why Iran, Emirates and Saudi Arabia and the Houthis and… plus the legitimate Government are not invited into a conference similar to the Syrian? And until when this state of denial will prevail with regard to the Yemen crisis?
Deputy Spokesman: I would dispute your idea that there is any state of denial about this. Martin Griffiths has consulted widely, including with the parties that you've just mentioned, so he is in touch with all of them. He's working out among them what the best format for a meeting is and the format that he described on Thursday is what he has developed following those consultations with the parties, so let's see where we can go with that. Yes, Masood?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Farhan, on this impending Israeli deal brokered… being brokered by the Egyptians on Gaza and that Mr. [Benjamin] Netanyahu has cancelled his trip abroad, too. Do you have any information about this deal at all?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, what I can say on this is Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has been in touch with the various parties. You'll have seen from his recent comments his hopes that the efforts by the parties and others, including the Government of Egypt, can be helpful in resolving the situation in Gaza. He has called for an end to the provocations from Gaza, including the flying of incendiary kites, and he's called for restraint from… by Israel and the opening of all crossing points into and out of Gaza, so let's see whether the parties can come to an agreement, but he has been in touch with all of the various parties and is continuing can his efforts on that line.
Question: So, so far, there has been no agreement between… reached at all? It's still in limbo. I mean…
Deputy Spokesman: Well, as you notice, there has… as he made clear in his last briefing to the Security Council, there has been progress towards averting a crisis, but more needs to be done and he is in the process of doing that.
Question: What about the 14 Yemenis killed today by the Saudi coalition, following this Martin Griffiths briefing and all that?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I just mentioned a press release about our concerns about the attack on Al Thawra Hospital. This is the largest hospital in Yemen and the UN is shocked at the attack that took place yesterday, but we do have a press release out with further details that you can refer to. Yes, Nicos?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. My question is regarding Cyprus. Recently, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, name is OSCE, suggested to the journalists on both sides, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to prepare a glossary with words that should be avoided. For example, to avoid "Turkish invasion and occupation". The huge majority of the Greek Cypriot journalists disagreed with this, pointing out interference to the freedom of speech. An intent was for withdrawal and denounce the glossary to international organizations, including the United Nations. My question is: Does the United Nations agree that we should avoid using words like "Turkish occupation and invasion", but talk about "Turkish groups", as the glossary suggests, among others? I can understand that this has to do with a European organization. However, clarification from the United Nations would be much… will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, regarding that, as you're aware, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is separate and apart from us, so we wouldn't have any comment about any suggestions or reports that they have put out. Obviously, it's for them to comment on that. Regarding our own use of terms and nomenclature regarding Cyprus, of course, you can see from our own reporting, including the Secretary-General's many reports over the course of this dispute, the language that we use and that is our preference. Of course, we have no comment on what journalists themselves would use.
Question: Does the UN… thank you. A small question. On a daily basis, the United Nations are talking about refugees, 1,000, 2,000 people. Here, we're talking about 200,000 people. Are we still talking about refugees in Cyprus? Is it still an issue of invasion and occupation since 1974, or something has changed as regards to the United Nations' statements?
Deputy Spokesman: As you're aware, this is an issue which we are leaving to the parties to resolve. The UN has played a part in talks on Cyprus over the years and you'll have seen what our position has been. Yes, please?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Yesterday, there was an article in The Wall Street Journal and it was saying that Russia was letting thousands of new North Korean labourers enter the country and issuing fresh work permits, despite the UN Security Council resolution which was adopted last year. And it also cited some UN officials saying that they were probing potential violations. Do you have anything on that?
Deputy Spokesman: No. Not on this. We're aware of the media reports. If there are any questions of violations involving Security Council resolutions, it's up to the Sanctions Committee of the Security Council to deal with it. Yes, please?
Question: Two questions, Farhan. First, does the Secretary-General have any comment on the latest developments in Zimbabwe following the election, with the opposition challenging the results? And secondly, on UNDOF, the area that the UN is now moving into was opened as a result of an agreement that involved Russia, Iran, and Israel. There are reports that Russia is planning to station some troops in the area. Is that being done in coordination with the UN, even though, of course, those troops are not part of UNDOF?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, regarding that, as I had just pointed out, you know, the… we are aware that Russian military police, as well as Syrian forces, conducted a patrol to the area, and, as I said, any Russian military police presence or planned deployment in Syria is separate and distinct from that of UNDOF. Beyond that, UNDOF maintains regular contact with the Israel Defence Forces and Syrian Arab Armed Forces, as well as with relevant interlocutors, related to the de-escalation zone in the south-west part of Syria, particularly on the potential implications for UNDOF in relation to the implementation of its mandate and ensuring the freedom of movement of the force, as well as the safety and security of its personnel and so that will… those contacts would continue.
Question: And by that, I assume that you mean that those contacts would include Russia?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, you can interpret however you wish what we mean when we say "relevant interlocutors", but yes.
Question: Why should I have to interpret it? Can't the UN say that?
Deputy Spokesman: I get the cute phrases precisely so that I use them as‑is, but I'm sure you're aware what it would mean. Regarding Zimbabwe, by the way, the… you're aware of our statement from yesterday and we may have a further statement coming out later today concerning the elections. Right now, what I can say is that we urge political actors to peacefully settle any disputes through established legal and institutional channels, and we would also urge the competent authorities to resolve any disputes in a fair, expeditious, and transparent manner to ensure that the results are a reflection of the will of the people. And of course, you've also seen from our statement yesterday our call on all sides to exercise restraint and to reject any form of violence. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. On this reported conflict in… in… in reporting on this repatriation of Rohingya refugees. The… Myanmar is already saying that they are getting some refugees back, but the United Nations can confirm it, that it is happening or no, it's not happening?
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, our position remains unchanged: that we have said repeatedly that the conditions are not conducive on the ground for the large-scale return of the Rohingya. I have no returns of any particular scale to confirm to you. Yes. Yes, Carole?
Question: Farhan, just getting back to UNDOF. The Russians said that they escorted the UNDOF troops to Quneitra; is that correct?
Deputy Spokesman: I'm not going to dispute the language that they used, but the rather detailed description I provided is what we have on this. Yeah?
Question: I have a second question about the… a Chinese human rights activist, Sun Wenguang, who's apparently disappeared. Reports are that police stormed his house while he was talking… giving an interview to VOA. Has anyone at the UN asked about him?
Deputy Spokesman: This is the first I've heard of it. I'll have to check up on that. Yes?
Question: A question about this report published in The New York Times yesterday also, which reaffirms… reconfirms the, how do you call, statement… I mean, the report of the United Nations High Commissioner… Human Rights High Commissioner, Mr. Ra'ad, that… there is an… now, human rights abuses going on in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and that he has not been given access to either India or Pakistan's side, and the report says that now, this freedom movement in Kashmir has become endemic, and now, it is now all local. It is… nothing… it's not been financed from abroad. Can… do you have any comments on that?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I'll let the High Commissioner speak for himself. I know he spoke to the press here yesterday. Beyond that, you're aware that his office has come out with a report on Kashmir, and it's up to the members of the Human Rights Council to evaluate the contents of that report. And with that, have a good afternoon, everyone, and have a happy weekend.