DARFUR SPECIAL ENVOY CONCLUDES NEW YORK CONSULTATIONS,


DEPARTS FOR ETHIOPIA, SUDAN FOR FURTHER TALKS


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:



The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, concluded initial consultations at United Nations Headquarters in New York today. In addition to meeting with the Secretary-General and United Nations officials, he also joined the Secretary-General for in-depth discussions with the African Union Special Envoy for Darfur, Salim Ahmed Salim, and carried out separate consultations with the permanent members of the Security Council, representatives of other Member States, including the Sudan, and a group of non-governmental organizations who are carrying out humanitarian work in Darfur.



Mr. Eliasson will proceed this evening to African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa for two days of meetings with the Chairperson of the African Union, other senior African Union officials and senior members of the Ethiopian Government, before travelling to the Sudan for meetings with the Government of National Unity and all other relevant parties, to discuss steps required to arrive at a durable solution to the situation in Darfur on the basis of the Darfur Peace Agreement.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sgsm10830.doc.htm

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 Michèle Montas, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.



Good afternoon, all.



**Deputy Secretary-General - Appointment



First, I have a statement by the Secretary-General on the appointment of Deputy Secretary-General.



“I have decided to appoint Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, as Deputy Secretary-General. Minister Migiro served previously as Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children of the United Republic of Tanzania for five years. In her academic career, she rose to the rank of a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Dar-es-Salaam.



“She is a highly respected leader who has championed the cause of developing countries over the years. Through her distinguished service in diverse areas, she has displayed outstanding management skills with wide experience and expertise in socio-economic affairs and development issues.



“I have deep confidence in and respect for her, and intend to delegate much of the management and administrative work of the Secretariat, as well as socio-economic affairs and development issues, under a clear line of authority to ensure that the Secretariat will function in a more effective and efficient manner.”



We have her CV available upstairs.



**Deputy Secretary-General



The Secretary-General spoke this morning, for your information, to Dr. Migiro and with President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. She is presently… Dr. Migiro is presently in Lesotho, where she is chairing a conference. She will try to be in New York in the next few days.



**Formation of New Team



Another statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, on the formation of the new team:



“In continuing the process he began a few days ago regarding the formation of his new team of senior Secretariat officials, the Secretary-General, yesterday, requested all Assistant and Under-Secretaries-General, except those whose appointments are subject to action/consultation by or with the appropriate intergovernmental bodies, to voluntarily offer their resignation from the appointments they are holding. This would allow the Secretary-General the flexibility he needs in forming his new team. He will review the offers of resignation and may decide to retain the experience of some senior officials to assist him in the discharge of his responsibilities.”



For your information, about 60 USGs and ASGs under the Secretary-General’s direct authority have received that letter. All those officials who turn in their resignations will continue to serve in their current positions until the Secretary-General has completed his review and has taken a decision on each specific case.



**Financial Disclosure Forms



Another statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General:



“The Secretary-General voluntarily submitted his financial disclosure statement to the Ethics Office on his first day in office. His statement will be reviewed, like those of all staff members required to file such statements, by the external financial firm -- Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Upon completion of the review, the Secretary-General has also decided to publicly disclose the statement.”



** Fiji



Another statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, on Fiji:



“The Secretary-General has noted the recent changes in Fiji, by which President Iloilo has been restored and the leader of the military takeover, Commodore Bainimarama, has become Prime Minister. The Secretary-General reiterates the previous call of the United Nations for the immediate reinstatement of the legitimate authority in Fiji and its return to constitutional rule and full democracy.”



** Sudan



On the Sudan, as part of the Secretary-General’s focus on efforts to seek a peaceful solution in Darfur, he is meeting now with his Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim, the African Union’s Mediator on Darfur. Jan Eliasson will brief you at the Secretariat lobby stakeout immediately after that meeting. That is expected to be at around 12:45 p.m.



**Chad/Central African Republic



On Chad and the Central African Republic, available today is the report of the Secretary-General on the multidisciplinary technical assessment mission to Chad and the Central African Republic. As you would recall, the technical mission team has a mandate from the Security Council to study the potential threat to regional peace and security posed by the situation in Darfur and its possible impact on the protection of refugees on the Chad-Sudan border. Among the mission’s preliminary findings, the Secretary-General notes, is the confirmation of a clear threat to regional peace and security due to cross-border activities by rebel groups and a persisting humanitarian crisis affecting more than 2.3 million people.



And the Security Council has scheduled consultations on 10 January to consider the recommendations of the report.

**Sudan-Chad



The UN refugee agency said Friday that the deteriorating security situation in eastern Chad had resulted in the displacement of up to 20,000 Chadians over the past two weeks and was posing a direct threat to refugee camps housing thousands of Sudanese from neighbouring Darfur. At least 100,000 Chadians are now displaced within their own country, which already hosts some 230,000 Darfur refugees, most of them in 12 UNHCR camps spread across the east of Chad.



**Security Council



On the Security Council, the Security Council will meet for the first time with Ban Ki-moon in his capacity as the new Secretary-General, in a formal meeting next Monday morning. The meeting, on threats to international peace and security, offers Council members an opportunity to hear from the Secretary-General about his plans during his time in office.



This afternoon, at 4, the Security Council has scheduled consultations so that it can discuss arrangements for next Monday’s meeting, as well as consider the text of a possible presidential statement that it could adopt on that day.



** Somalia



On Somalia, the Secretary-General's Personal Representative for Somalia, François Lonseny Fall, took part in the meeting in Nairobi today of the International Contact Group for Somalia, which issued a communiqué calling the current moment “a historic opportunity” for Somalia. The Contact Group, which includes the United Nations as a member, also welcomed a commitment made by President Abdullahi Yusuf to inclusive governance and to preventing a resurgence of “warlordism” in the country. It stressed the importance of launching without delay an inclusive process of political dialogue and reconciliation, while emphasizing the urgent need for the deployment of a stabilization force based on Security Council resolution 1725.



**Correction



I have one correction for you. Yesterday I told you that Under-Secretary-General for Management, Alicia Bárcena, had met with the Staff Council. What I meant to say was that she had met informally with the President of the Staff Union. And that was on Wednesday evening.



**Secretary-General’s Press Conference



For your planning purposes, the Secretary-General is planning his first press conference on Wednesday, January 10th. We will come back to you with the place and time as soon as they are finalized.



And we have upstairs the Week Ahead at the United Nations.



That’s all from me. Any questions?



**Questions and Answers



Question: The Secretary-General, when he spoke to staff, said that his criteria for appointments would include “meritocracy”, with due regard to geographical distribution and gender balance. Now, I understand that Ms. Migiro is an African and there needs to be Africans in the senior ranks at the UN, and that she is a woman, and there needs to be women in the senior ranks at the UN, but I don’t quite understand what her qualifications are as a manager. Can you point to her achievements, or any concrete achievements on her record, as a manager, so we can describe why she should be the person to run the UN?



Spokesperson: Well, we have her CV upstairs and we have quite a few details there about why she is qualified. And, in fact, the Secretary-General underlined to me that he has worked with her and he underlined the fact that she was named not because she is an African and because she is a woman, but essentially, because of her qualifications.



Question: The way you described her record, she seems to be an academic, who spent five years as the Community Development Minister. It does not seem that she has ever -– beyond the Community Development Ministry in Tanzania –- had to manage a large organization.



Spokesperson: Well, she was the Chairman, until about a few weeks ago, of a regional conference for the Great Lakes Region in Africa, and I think, she has shown definitely that she has the ability to manage.



Question: Just as a follow-up to James’ question: are you saying that the Secretary-General thinks that [inaudible] that since the other two criteria that you mentioned, that you ruled out somehow?



Spokesperson: I did not.



Question: But you mentioned that they are, on the secondary point –- from the secondary point of view -- that there is no better person to run -– to be first to take care of the management here at the UN?



Spokesperson: This is the way the Secretary-General feels, and he has studied a number of candidacies, and he has gone through a long process, as you know, before making a decision, and I think, his decision is based on her abilities to do the job.



Question: You said that he worked with her, and I may have missed it at the top -– where did he work with her, how often have they met? And you stated at the top, the Secretary-General is saying he will delegate much of the administrative work of the Secretariat –- does this mean he does not see himself now as what the US said they want –- a CEO? That she is running the shop and he is going to be free to be a diplomat and travel the world?



Spokesperson: No, this is not what he said. But he said that there will be clear lines of responsibility. That is what he is saying.



Question: But he is also making it public that he will delegate much of the administrative work in the Secretariat…



Spokesperson: Yes, indeed. That is because he feels that …



Question: So he does not see himself as the CEO then…



Spokesperson: Well, he is definitely going to have an overview of the whole thing.

Question: What about how often have they worked together where?



Spokesperson: He did mention to me today that he had worked with her. I don’t… They have met several times at international conferences and they have worked together when he was Foreign Minister and she was Foreign Minister. I will ask for you how often they met and, you know, additional information, if you need them.



Question: On the working together -– she has only been Foreign Minister since January 2006, so this would mean that they only met as Foreign Ministers in the last year. Did they meet when Mr. Ban went to Tanzania to lobby for support for his own candidacy for the Secretary-Generalship?



Spokesperson: I do not know. I assume he did.



Question: I guess, still the question is: it would be one thing if the UN had some clear blue skies the last 5, 10, 20 years, but the Organization faces massive problems, staff morale being down, Capital Master Plan –- the building being renovated, questions about corruption in procurement… It’s a huge job. Why is someone who has spent years as Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children’s Affairs remotely the best candidate for this?



Spokesperson: Well, I think you should probably give her a chance to show it. And, you know, you have … you know, it was the Secretary-General’s opinion that she is a highly qualified person and among the people he was choosing from, she is the best qualified.



Question: I just wondered if you could specify more clearly -- when he intends to delegate much of the management and administrative work of the Secretariat, as well as socio-economic affairs and development issues –- could you flush out what that actually means?



Spokesperson: Well, I am waiting first for the Secretary-General to meet with Dr. Migiro, before I can give you a clear line on that. In the next few days -- she is right now in Lesotho, so I don’t know how soon she will be able to come here.



Question: Is that when she will be taking up her duties?



Spokesperson: If she can make it this early, yes. Not immediately next week, at the beginning of the week –- definitely not. But within the next ten days, she probably will try to come to New York within that time. But we have absolutely no date set yet, because –- you know -- she gave her agreement today and we don’t have a clear line on when she can make it, when she can leave what she is doing right now, to make it to New York.



Question: What role did the head of the Group of 77 play in lobbying for this job?



Spokesperson: Well, I don’t think that role was very important, because they were only recently informed.



Question: About the financial statement, if I can. What will be on it -– will there be –- obviously, all of his holdings, his contributions to charities? Religious organizations? Will that be stated?



Spokesperson: He is planning to state everything, to be transparent.



Question: A lot of public officials put their holdings in a trust, a blind trust, so there is no conflict of interest. Is that something the Secretary-General is considering doing?



Spokesperson: I don’t have the details right now. I do know that he wants to make his statement public. That’s all I can say.



Question: How would you feel about making Kofi Annan’s statement public, in the interest of transparency for the Organization?



Spokesperson: How can we put someone else’s statement out?



Question: Well, he is the boss, he controls the documents, he could do that, couldn’t he?



[Laughter]



Spokesperson: This was a voluntary choice on his part.



Question: Actually, I feel that this choice for Deputy Secretary-General and the choice for management may be good choices, because they point in the direction of sustainable development. Now, my question is a follow-up to the questions of yesterday. And I found materials that, in this room on 20 December, Professor Jeffrey Sachs presented to us. Among the things he said to us at the time -- there are important treaties, real treaties of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. By and large, those treaties are not being fulfilled right now; they are not being implemented. Then he also said: “So I think this is a huge challenge the incoming UN SG will have to face. This challenge is very serious in a very serious way.” The commitments are already there, they need to be fulfilled. If they are not, the world will suffer large consequences as a result. Now, Professor Jeffrey Sachs is a gentleman who is Adviser to the Secretary-General who was able to take the MDGs and to make them into something that can become a reality. My question is, if the Secretary-General is ready to look into this material from Jeffrey Sachs…



Spokesperson: Well, he has met with Jeffrey Sachs and definitely, they are talking.



Question: Now, he has met with Jeffrey Sachs on MDGs. Now, this is about global warming and sustainable development -– has he discussed those subjects with Jeffrey Sachs?



Spokesperson: I don’t have the information right now. I will try to get it for you, what was exactly the subject of his discussion with Jeffrey Sachs.



Question: We were expecting a statement by the Secretary-General on the situation in the Palestinian Territory yesterday. Is there any reason why it has not come out?



Spokesperson: Actually, I can say that, recently, there have been some positive developments, such as the long-awaited Olmert-Abbas meeting, the Israeli decision to release some Palestinian VAT funds, and the meeting today in Sharm el-Sheikh, hosted by President Mubarak. We will hope that all parties will act with restraint to encourage the small steps back towards dialogue and away from violence such as the Israeli military incursion into Ramallah yesterday. This is what I have.



Question: I was looking on the Web for a picture of the Tanzanian Foreign Minister and noticed you had interviewed her recently. Is that when the Secretary-General met her, two weeks ago?



Spokesperson: No, actually, which picture are you referring to?



Question: You had interviewed her for UN Radio.



Spokesperson: Oh no, that’s because she was… I am sorry, she was interviewed by me. It was at the Great Lakes Conference in Nairobi. It was in her capacity as Chairman of the Great Lakes Region Conference. That’s why. It was not because we had any inkling then that she would be named Deputy Secretary-General.



Question: Did the Secretary-General interview her in person since he was appointed Secretary-General, for this job, or he just appointed her on the basis of what he already knew about her?



Spokesperson: He appointed her on the basis of what he knew about her.



Question: Have they met?



Spokesperson: Well, they met before.



Question: I know, but they have not met since Mr. Ban became Secretary-General?



Spokesperson: No, no.



Question: Is the Secretary-General going to encourage or require the people that he is appointing at the level of DSG and USG to also disclose their financial disclosures?



Spokesperson: Well, those who want to can do it. However, I would underline the fact that the General Assembly specifically decided that financial statements should remain confidential, and they may only be used for the limited purpose of –- you know, in case the Secretary-General requires financial disclosure in the interests of the Organization. So, if they voluntarily want to do it, I guess, they could do it. However, they are not in any way forced to do it. The Secretary-General said he wanted to give an example. He has disclosed his statement and he will make it available, so he is just encouraging people to be as transparent as possible. However, as you know, there are restrictions within the house itself on disclosures.



Question: Just one thing: the President of Serbia has now called on the UN system not to release its status proposals for Kosovo after 21 January, but to wait until a new Government is in place in Serbia. Is there any response from the Secretary-General to that?



Spokesperson: Well, nothing has changed from Ahtisaari’s last statement in November. It is still his intention to present his Kosovo status proposal to the parties without delay after the parliamentary elections in Serbia. I don’t know when the Security Council will take up Kosovo. Actually, it is not currently on the Council’s programme of work.



Question: Just a point of clarification on the formation of the new team. He asked all the Assistant and Under-Secretaries-General to voluntarily offer their resignation. Does that mean if they don’t want to offer their resignation, they can stay in the job?



Spokesperson: No. That’s one way to approach it. This is a new way of approaching it.



Question: So they have to voluntarily offer their resignation.



Spokesperson: A number of them have already submitted their resignations.



Question: I made a question two days ago about the United Nations cooperation with Israel on nuclear issues. I am still waiting for a response on that. Do you have it?



Spokesperson: We have put your question through, and we are still…



Question: Why is it taking so long? Two days!



Spokesperson: You are right, you are right.



Question: It was even published in the Israeli press.



Spokesperson: I will check on that.



Question: Another thing: Mr. Walid Jumblatt made a call very openly, publicly, the Lebanese Druze leader, calling for the assassination of President Bashar al-Assad. Does the United Nations continue to make contacts with your envoy in Beirut, dies he continue to make contact with Jumblatt after his calls for assassination of Bashar al-Assad?



Spokesperson: I am not aware of this and I’ll find out.



Question: Picking up on that same train James and I are on -- and I know we can ask him that on Wednesday -– but you would think with the importance of the Organization, that the person who would be running things, that Ban Ki-moon would meet with this person face to face before selecting the person for the job. Because they could not have met that much, since she has only been the Foreign Minister for a year, on the other side of the ocean, two oceans. How is that possible?



Spokesperson: I can tell you what he has told me, that he has a deep respect for Dr. Midiro. He has been in contact with her for a long time, and he knows her. The fact that they have not met since the decision was taken to appoint her, I don’t think that’s…



Question: Before. Before the decision was taken…



Spokesperson: Before the decision… as I said, they have met several times. I don’t know how many times, and I can check for you on how many times they met, but he feels that he knows her and he has the deepest respect for her.



Question: Was he sounding her out while he was campaigning? Do we know?



Spokesperson: I don’t want to interrupt this, but I was just informed that Mr. Eliasson is on his way to the stakeout at the Secretariat entrance, so those of you who …



Question: So when was that decision made to appoint her -– was it before he came here?



Spokesperson: No, no. It was done within the last ten days.



Question: After 1 January he decided this



Spokesperson: Well, no, no –- it was … the decision was taken after 1 January.



Question: Did he have a phone interview?



Spokesperson: Yes, he did. He did speak to her on the phone.



Question: Recently?



Spokesperson: Yes.



Question: Michèle, you pointed to her work with the Great Lakes Conference. Forgive my ignorance, but is the Great Lakes Conference –- does it have any staff, does it have any bureaucracy, and is it known as a very well managed organization?



Spokesperson: Well, it was a regional conference. I don’t know about the number of staff, but she was dealing with a number of countries in the region.



Question: Was that a management post, or was that a diplomatic post? It sounds to me that managing a regional conference –- that it’s a diplomatic post.



Spokesperson: Yes, indeed, but she had management experience within her own ministry.



Correspondent: I see.



Question: I won’t be around to ask him this question, but again, he had three months at least, he knew he would be in the job -– so why wouldn’t you have a Deputy Secretary-General appointed, so you’d start fresh 1 January, hit the ground running?



Spokesperson: Because he said he wanted to consult… to have additional consultations, which he did this week.



Question: Why is he announcing her today, when she is in Lesotho? Why didn’t he wait several days for her to come from Lesotho, so she could actually be here, make her own explanations to these difficult questions we are asking you?



Spokesperson: Well, they are not that difficult. I think, she has…



Question: But you have trouble, Michèle, explaining what management experience she has. She might have a better way of answering…



Spokesperson: Well, she will be here, definitely, to answer your questions, whenever she comes here.



Question: So why was the appointment made today, when she is apparently going to be in New York in several days, and we could have asked her all these questions ourselves…



Spokesperson: I must say, most of you have been insisting that that appointment be disclosed as soon as possible. So, I mean, he is pleasing you by doing so, isn’t he?



Question: Any news on Ms. Bárcena appearing here?



Spokesperson: Yes, yes, she is willing to come, and she will be coming, probably next week. We’ll try to find a suitable date for her, because, as you know, she has just started her new job. She is very willing to come and talk to you.



Question: How long was the shortlist? Were they all Africans on the list?



Spokesperson: No. There were several countries on the list and they were not all women.



Question: Do these resignation letters apply to Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, as well?



Spokesperson: No, they do not.



Question: What is going to be done with them? Do they just go on?



Spokesperson: Well, for the time being, yes. For the time being, what is being aimed at is restructuring the Secretariat, and decisions are going to be made first on the Secretariat.



Question: I noticed on his schedule that he met with Kemal Derviş today at 10:00. Do you have any readout on that meeting? What was the purpose of the meeting?



Spokesperson: Not yet.



Question: Was he planning to keep Kemal Derviş in his post?



Spokesperson: I don’t know.



Question: A follow-up on the Middle East, please. Is the Secretary-General worried about this latest incursion?



Spokesperson: He is very concerned.



Question: What is he calling on the Israelis to do?



Spokesperson: Well, for the time being, he expressed his concern. That’s, you know, what he could do at this point, since we are expecting further discussions on the situation in the Middle East.



Question: We haven’t heard anything about the humanitarian situation in Somalia after the Ethiopian invasion -- uninvited invasion? What is the Secretary-General’s follow up on that? Are we expecting any reports on the humanitarian situation there?



Spokesperson: We should have one shortly. In fact, we could ask the people over there what they can send us. We just have the political situation today.



Question: We do not yet have any condemnation of this attack. I mean, Ethiopia is taking liberties; they are invading a country, and this is the country that is supposed to be protected, or security and safety of the country should be safeguarded by the United Nations. We don’t hear any criticism of that -– why?



Spokesperson: Well, you know, the Secretary-General is discussing these issues with the African Union, and we…



Question: People are dying here. We need a clear statement on that.



Spokesperson: Well, his statement will certainly be forthcoming.



Question: And still, you have no idea how many people have perished as a result of that attack?



Spokesperson: No.



Question: I think, you might have partially answered Matthew’s question on this, but are you saying that the one dollar year salaried Special Envoy group -- will they still keep their jobs?



Spokesperson: For the time being, yes.



Question: And then…



Spokesperson: This is a process that will take some time. Right now, we are dealing with the USGs and ASGs, who are most of them here in the building, right here in the Secretariat. And it’s a process that will take some time. As you know, there are more than a hundred USGs and ASGs, and it will take some time.



Question: But why wouldn’t they fall under the same category as the USGs?



Spokesperson: Because you have missions in the field that have to continue functioning, and you have a number of things that have to continue to function in the field. It’s one step at a time.



Thank you very much.

http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2007/db070105.doc.htm

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY URGES GOVERNMENT TO STAY EXECUTION


OF DEATH SENTENCES IMPOSED BY IRAQI HIGH TRIBUNAL




The following statement was issued on 6 January by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:



The Secretary-General strongly urged the Government of Iraq to grant a stay of execution to those whose death sentences may be carried out in the near future.



His Chef de Cabinet, in a letter to the Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations, today reiterated the Secretary-General’s endorsement of the call made on 3 January 2007 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, for restraint by the Government of Iraq in the execution of death sentences imposed by the Iraqi High Tribunal.



The letter also refers to the Secretary-General’s view that all members of the international community should pay due regard to all aspects of international humanitarian and human rights laws.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sgsm10831.doc.htm

The Security Council met this morning to consider the situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



Opening Remarks



Security Council President for January, VITALY CHURKIN ( Russian Federation), said that a new page had been turned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All of the changes had been made possible thanks to the international community, the European Union and various regional organizations. The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) had made an important contribution to the success of the operations, with the joint efforts of the European Union under a mandate of the Security Council. All of those actors had assisted the Government in ensuring safety and security and law and order in the country. Today’s meeting would hear three briefings.



Statement by European Union



On behalf of the European Union and candidate countries, Turkey and Croatia, THOMAS MATUSSEK ( Germany) reported on implementation of the mandate of “EUFOR RD Congo”. A year ago, in late December 2005, the United Nations had requested the European Union to provide additional security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while the country went through the election process. The Union, after close consultation with the country’s Government, had agreed to support MONUC and assist in ensuring security in the interest of a successful transition. In April 2006, the Security Council had adopted resolution 1671 (2006), which had authorized the European force. In July, EUFOR RD Congo had been launched as an autonomous European Union-led operation within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy, with a total of 21 member States. As envisaged in resolution 1671, EUFOR RD Congo had been concluded after four months, at the end of November.



He said that operation “Artemis” in Bunia in the summer of 2003 had proved to be another milestone of cooperation between the Union and the United Nations in the field of peacekeeping in Africa. The two, both at the level of headquarters and country missions, had worked together intensively before and during the operation to provide stability, defuse tensions and deter potential spoilers during critical stages of the election process. The lessons drawn from that experience would be important for their future partnership in the field of crisis management, which was growing ever more intensive. That increasing cooperation must be accompanied by appropriate mechanisms of dialogue and exchange, issues that should be explored in the coming months.



The Union warmly welcomed the success of the first democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in more than 40 years and congratulated the Congolese people on that major step, he said. It called on all political players to engage constructively in the post-transition process. Future cooperation should be based on the new authorities’ strong commitment to good governance and to strengthening the rule of law. Appropriate flexible mechanisms should be developed with the new Congolese Government to ensure effective coordination of support and political dialogue. He thanked the people, the Government and the political actors for their confidence in the European force. He was also grateful to the Government of Gabon, which had allowed the force to use that country as an important base of operation. Hopefully, the successful elections would be the first step towards a brighter future for the Congolese people and the entire Great Lakes region.



Briefings



JAVIER SOLANA, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, said that the United Nations request of almost a year ago for military support had come at a crucial time, namely the transition period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as it entered its final phase. It had been essential at that point to create the necessary conditions and security environment to ensure a successful outcome. The European Union had worked very hard for several years to facilitate a democratic transition, for which elections were key to a final success. “We could not fail, and we answered positively to the UN request to put soldiers on the ground,” he said. Specifically, Europe had deployed a military force with operational headquarters provided by Germany, with a European Union presence based in Kinshasa and force elements in Gabon ready to be deployed as necessary.



He said that the deterrent effect of EUFOR had been a significant factor in limiting the number of incidents. Reinforcement by additional force elements from over the “horizon component” in Gabon had been undertaken on several occasions. In addition, a number of deployment operations to the geographically agreed points of application had been undertaken. That had also increased the geographic spread of the force’s deterrent effect. The incident with the greatest destabilizing potential had occurred on 21 August, with an attack on Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba’s residence. EUFOR intervention, in close cooperation with MONUC, had been decisive in containing the potential spread of violence at a particularly sensitive moment in the election process. In addition, EUFOR had confirmed its position of neutrality in the eyes of the Congolese population and had reinforced its credibility.



The mission had been a success, both in the way it had been conducted and in its contribution to the overall positive conclusion of the country’s transition, he said. Although a proper “lessons learned” review was under way, some key elements for its success could already be identified. Those included the definition of a clear mandate, both in scope and time frame, highly professional troops, a very high degree of interaction with MONUC and an active communication policy, both towards the Congolese population and to key actors in the electoral process. In a wider context, transparency and information sharing with African partners, with the African Union and with other African regional organizations invited to deploy liaison officers, had also facilitated the process.



Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, JEAN-MARIE GUÉHENNO, reiterated his deep appreciation to the European Union for the assistance provided by EUFOR to MONUC and to the 21 member States and Turkey contributing to the operation. EUFOR had carried out its activities in support of the Congolese people, to ensure a secure environment for the elections held in July and October 2006, in accordance with Council resolution 1671 of 25 April 2006. EUFOR’s presence had been of great value during the critical period of the elections, at which time MONUC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with international partners, had worked with the Government and the Independent Electoral Commission in organizing and conducting the complex endeavour; the largest electoral exercise the United Nations had ever supported.



He said EUFOR had complemented MONUC’s massive effort by adding its extra capacity and flexibility and by helping to address security challenges and any potential escalation of tension. That cooperation had been particularly effective following the violent incidents in Kinshasa in August. EUFOR’s presence had also been an important element in the overall deterrent provided by the United Nations military and police forces on the ground, which, in turn, supported the Congolese National Police. Over 40,000 of them had been trained by MONUC to help create a secure environment for the electoral process.



While acknowledging the European Union’s overall effort, he noted with appreciation the generous assistance of the German Government, which had provided the operational headquarters of EUFOR in Potsdam. He also noted the sizable number of troops deployed by the Governments of Germany and France. The outstanding collaboration between EUFOR and MONUC and between the United Nations Secretariat and the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union served as an example for future collaboration efforts. That collaboration included operational military aspects, as well as the logistical support provided by MONUC to EUFOR in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



The deployment of EUFOR was a further demonstration of the Union’s strong support to the international community’s collective efforts in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said. The joint implementation of Council resolution 1671 had produced many positive lessons, including the importance of early coordination at the technical level and of mutual understanding of each organization’s concepts and procedures. The Secretariat was keen to fully exploit the potential of strategic and operational partnerships with various multilateral organizations, including in the pressing area of security sector reform. In that regard, he welcomed the continued support of the European Union Security Reform Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the European Union Police Mission, which continued to provide valuable services in the areas of security sector reform and police planning and training.



He said it was difficult to overemphasize the significance of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to which the United Nations and the European Union, together with many other Member States, had contributed. Only a few years ago, few observers had believed that the Democratic Republic of the Congo would be able to rise to the challenge of ending the conflict and holding its first democratic elections since 1960. “The credit for these elections goes to the Congolese people, who conducted themselves throughout with patience, courage, great dignity and determination. Their desire for change has been the main driving force of the electoral process.” Credit was also due to the Independent Electoral Commission, which had operated in a war-torn country with little or no infrastructure, poor communications and limited transportation. Despite criticism, pressure and occasional threats from different quarters, the Independent Electoral Commission had carried out in full its historic mission. All international partners should take great pride in having supported the Congolese people and its institutions in successfully passing that milestone.



“MONUC has been the largest and most expensive United Nations peacekeeping operation in the world, with thousands of troops and over 100 aircraft, he said. Five peace accords involving African countries, more than 35 Security Council resolutions, African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) involvement, $500 million in international electoral funding and strong support from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had all contributed to the success of the peace process. The European Union had played a crucial role at several critical electoral junctures over the last several years, also deploying operation Artemis in response to a crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2003.



The events of the last few months had produced a new positive dynamic in the country, he added. On 30 December, President Joseph Kabila had appointed Antoine Gizenga, former presidential candidate in the first round of the elections, as Prime Minister. He was currently consulting on the formation of a Government, which was expected to be completed by this month. At the end of December, the National Assembly had elected Vital Kamerhe as President of the National Assembly, along with six other members of the National Assembly bureau. All seven were members of president Kabila’s Alliance for the Presidential Majority, the AMP.



In the meantime, in North Kivu, fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the renegade forces of Laurent Nkunda had subsided over the last few days, and discussions -- with United Nations assistance -- were being held between representatives of both sides. While the situation was still volatile, Rwanda’s Government had reported that it was facilitating discussions between representatives of FARDC and the Nkunda group in Kigali. On 4 January, an agreement had been reached in principle to form mixed FARDC brigades by merging the Nkunda forces with other soldiers presently deployed in North Kivu. MONUC continued to encourage the Government to find a peaceful and comprehensive solution to address the causes of the still simmering conflict in the eastern part of the country and, in that connection, had facilitated the establishment of working groups to implement the agreements reached, with a view to resolving the underlying issues.



In Ituri, a new ceasefire between FARDC and the National Integrationist Front, the FNI, led by Peter Karim, had been agreed upon on 2 January after fighting had broken out near the town of Fataki at the end of December. The situation remained very tense, with the United Nations conducting robust operations in support of Government troops.



He said MONUC stood ready to support the newly elected Government as it began to address the many challenges facing the country, including completing the transitional agenda and implementing the provisions of the new Constitution, particularly in regard to strengthening national unity, fostering the democratic process and embarking on a comprehensive governance reform agenda. The Government would continue to be assisted in rebuilding a State free from corruption that ensured the rule of law and good governance, protected human rights and civil liberties, encouraged participation and pluralism, conducted a major security sector reform and was committed to reducing poverty. The continued engagement of the international community was also required to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo complete a comprehensive electoral process, with local elections due in the second half of the year.



He added that the country’s achievements would be at risk if the international community, or the Congolese people, repeated some of their past mistakes. Early disengagement following elections elsewhere had resulted in the resumption of conflict a few years later, requiring a new, costlier international intervention.



“The [ Democratic Republic of the Congo] is the natural, yet still developing, pole of stability in the troubled region of Central Africa,” he concluded. The resolution of the crisis in the country would benefit Africa more than solving any other of the continent’s current conflicts. Moreover, if Africa’s worst conflict could be overcome, then other conflicts could be, too. The United Nations partnership with the European Union and other stakeholders would serve that strategic goal. He was also grateful of the Council’s support for a settlement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had been demonstrated, among other measures, by the Council’s numerous visits to the country.



IBRAHIM GAMBARI, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said the successful holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards the end of 2006 was now a matter of historical record. Although elections were never an end by themselves, they were, when credible, a critical part of any democratic process. Holding successful and credible elections was a testimony to what could be achieved when there was collective effort. Charged by the General Assembly with coordinating and supporting all United Nations electoral activity, the Department of Political Affairs, through its Electoral Assistance Division, had been involved with the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2003, when it had conducted the initial needs assessment, which had preceded the establishment of the MONUC Electoral Division.



The role of the United Nations electoral team, which included the UNDP-supported APEC (Project d’appui au processus electoral en RDC), had been to support the Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the Independent Electoral Commission headquarters, as well as in field offices nationwide. On 18 and 19 December 2005, the Independent Electoral Commission, with MONUC’s support, had organized the constitutional referendum, in which the Congolese had voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Constitution that had been promulgated on 18 February 2006. The voter registration exercise conducted between June and December 2005 had resulted in lists containing the names of 25.5 million eligible voters.



The first round of presidential and the national assembly elections had been held on 30 July 2006, he said. The Department of Political Affairs had also conducted several field missions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2006 to assist the MONUC Electoral Division with the operational planning for the 30 July and 29 October elections. In his capacity as United Nations Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Activities, he had visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo in early October, meeting with major stakeholders to encourage an environment of calm, tolerance and national reconciliation during and after the electoral process. In light of the disturbances following the first round of results, he had stressed the need for positive and constructive campaigning and had urged the acceptance of the results by all parties and avoidance of a “winner-takes-all attitude” by the successful candidates.



The presidential run-off and the provincial assembly elections had been subsequently held on 29 October, he said. The conduct of the elections by the Independent Electoral Commission, including the transparency of the count and tabulation process, had been generally praised by international observers, the press and several world leaders. Observers had noted that the elections had reflected the lessons learnt from the first round of elections, including more efficient collection of results from 50,000 polling stations in 12,000 locations and improved training of 250,000 polling workers, in spite of the massive logistical challenges.



The elections had resulted in the establishment of the first democratically elected national institutions in over four decades, “and of this we can be justly proud”, he said. Much still remained to be done, however. The 2002 Global and All Inclusive Agreement called for free and transparent elections to be held “at all levels”, including local elections. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was now in a post-transitional period, but that was by no means a post-electoral period. Indirect elections for senators, governors and vice-governors by the provincial assemblies were expected to take place by the end of the month.



Local elections for municipal and rural councils were expected to be conducted in the latter half of 2007, he said. Several legislative prerequisites were required for that to take place. The organic law establishing the post-transition National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) -- mandated under the Constitution to organize and conduct elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- needed to be passed. Similarly, the law on decentralization that would define the new provinces, as well as the local constituencies for administrative and electoral purposes, must be adopted. Following the passing of the legislative instruments, the Electoral Assistance Division would continue to assist the MONUC Electoral Division to provide capacity-building and support to the new election commission. That effort could take anywhere from 13 to 18 months, depending on the modalities chosen. The actual elections would not be expected to begin before September 2007.



The establishment of local structures and institutions that had been freely chosen by their constituents was essential for the legitimate extension of State authority, improved governance and the building of durable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He encouraged the Council and other partners to continue to provide the generous assistance rendered during the 2006 electoral process. The logistical challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained, and continued support to the electoral process would be critical in that regard.



OLIVIER LACROIX ( France) said France was pleased at having participated in the force at the end of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s transition. At the end of 2003, France had assumed a leading role in the operation, and the deployment in 2006 of a new European Union-led force had been a major development for the Union in securing its defence policy. He was pleased that it was taking place on the African continent. The success of the country’s transitional process was crucial for Africa as a whole. Beyond the transition period, it would be important for the international community to continue its support, and the European Union and the United Nations would have a role to play in that new period.



He said that the deployment of the EUFOR RD Congo operation had also been a demonstration of cooperation between the Union and the United Nations, cooperation that should deepen, especially in the area of conflict prevention and peacekeeping. He also welcomed the sense of responsibility of the Congolese people that had made the successful elections possible in a generally peaceful climate. That, in turn, had made it possible for the Congolese to take their future into their own hands. Continuing that path would be key to the nation’s successful future.



JOHAN VERBEKE ( Belgium) said that the briefing by Mr. Solana had once again reaffirmed that the Security Council had correctly paid attention to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Like previous speakers, he welcomed EUFOR RD Congo, in which Belgium had taken an active part in connection with information capacity. The mission in support of MONUC had made a great contribution in the country, especially in terms of its deterrent effect and for the proper conduct of the electoral process. The force’s intervention in the August events in Kinshasa had showed its ability and impartiality. There had also been excellent cooperation between the Union and the United Nations, and the lessons learned in that regard would prove useful to future collaborations.



He said that the commitment of the European Union in the country should continue in the post-transition period, through a strengthened commitment to security sector reform. At the European Union Council’s meeting on 15 December, members had confirmed the need to continue a coordinating role in that regard, in close cooperation with the United Nations and in support of the Congolese authorities. Belgium duly appreciated the crucial role played by MONUC, and the Security Council should soon deal with the question of the Mission’s revision and extension. He still remained concerned about the eastern part of the country, especially the fighting in East Kivu. Efforts should intensity towards lasting stabilization of that fragile part of the country, built on a political approach.



JAMAL NASSER AL-BADER ( Qatar) said that, as everyone agreed, the Council would remain closely involved in the situation, even though the elections had already been crowned with success. He earnestly hoped that the new President would be able to complete formation of the new Government and be able to fully discharge his responsibilities. Hopefully, Council members could agree before mid-February on the reconfiguration of MONUC. He, meanwhile, greatly appreciated the role played by the European Union forces in assisting MONUC during the elections. That had helped to stabilize the enormous country. Nevertheless, turmoil continued to beset the nation, especially in the east. Hopefully, that situation would be stabilized by the time the European Union forces withdrew and, hopefully, the new Government would be able to work together with all parties.



In terms of reintegration, he said he welcomed the talks among the three factions in Ituri on the path to disarmament and reconstruction. That would make possible the reintegration of more than 8,000 combatants. He greatly appreciated MONUC’s efforts in those negotiations and hoped that agreements concluded with the militias thus far could be consolidated. He was still terribly concerned about the humanitarian situation. Help was needed for tens of thousands of people displaced from villages throughout the country. Hopefully, the assistance of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and donor countries would continue. Relieving the humanitarian crisis would also help boost national development and prosperity.



LESLIE KOJO CHRISTIAN ( Ghana) said the successful conduct of the elections reflected the people’s desire for peace and development. The consolidation of peace for socio-economic development required enormous efforts to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions. He welcomed the nomination of the Prime Minister and hoped that he would engage in a process of wide consultations in order to enable him to form a Government of national unity. He also welcomed the nomination of Vital Kamerhe as President of the National Assembly.



He expressed concern, however, about the security situation in the eastern part of the country where FARDC and FNI were engaged in conflict. The conflict there had led to, among other things, a large number of internally displaced persons and frequent human rights violations. Widespread impunity was also a source of great concern. He urged both parties to rise above personal interest and allow peace and stability to return to the region.



While commending the United Nations, the European Union and other partners, he said he also complimented the countries of the Great Lakes region for signing a pact that would pave the way for stability in the region. Its implementation would require financial support and follow-up. He reiterated the crucial role of the country’s security and judiciary segments and urged efforts to reform those areas, which would require the assistance of partners.



BASILE IKOUEBE ( Congo) said he was grateful for the valuable support given to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and pleased with the smooth functioning of the elections in the country. Credit was due not only to the Congolese people, but also to the entire international community. Africa itself had played an active role in the process, including South Africa’s important role in organizing the country’s political dialogue. Africa’s involvement could also be seen through the continent’s presence within the International Committee in Support of the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He appreciated the European Union’s commitment to continue its efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as later developments would depend on the international community’s continued vigilance.



While the elections had been an important stage, they were just a stage, and most of the challenges facing the country, including security sector reform, remained ahead, he said. It was necessary to look at the entire process in the framework of the conclusions of the second summit of the Great Lakes Region Conference in Nairobi. It was also important to take into account the regional dimension that the question of the Democratic Republic of the Congo would evoke in the days ahead. He thanked all partners for the great interest they had shown in the development of the country’s electoral process, inviting them to continue their efforts.



LIU ZHENMIN ( China) congratulated the country for holding its elections and expressed appreciation to EUFOR for completing its mandate. Although its mandate had expired, he hoped the European Union would continue to support the democratic process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and help the new Government in carrying out security sector reform. At present, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was in the active process of forming a new Government. The international community should give the country the attention it needed. China supported the need for MONUC to continue to play an important role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to maintain the very fragile peace there, and it would continue to assist the country.



EMYR JONES PARRY ( United Kingdom) said he had heard today a very good example of cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations, and he welcomed the progress made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now, it was crucial to build on that and maintain strong support for the new Congolese authorities in what would be a crucial stage in reconciliation and peace consolidation. That was not unqualified support, however, and the Under-Secretary-General had set out what was expected of the Congolese authorities. The Council looked forward to the Secretary-General’s recommendations as to how the United Nations should carry forward its support of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the next phase, in terms of following up its mandate there, which expired on 15 February. The principal role should be to maintain stability, allow the new institutions to take root and redirect resources to priorities, namely tackling the armed groups in the eastern part of the country, which were undermining the chances for lasting peace.



He said that the operation had demonstration the “real world” contribution of European Union policy to tackle international issues in support of and in partnership with the United Nations. As far as the United Kingdom was concerned, a major objective of European security and defence policy was to project a foreign policy and, as appropriate, a military dimension in support of operations out there that conformed to the Union’s own policy. As it was developing, the Union hoped to be able to deploy forces rapidly and efficiently, as it had done in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in “stark contrast” to what it tended not to do in United Nations peacekeeping. Whereas the European Union member States were less active in United Nations peacekeeping, they hoped to be able to build the capacity to rapidly deploy when necessary, thereby contributing strongly to international efforts when needed. The European Union’s battleground concept took that forward and was aimed at deployment within 15 days. The world needed that, but it had rarely been available.



He asked Mr. Solana to comment on whether any lessons could be learned from the European Union on how the United Nations could work with other organizations, including in the setting up of an African Union-United Nations force in Darfur. He also asked whether the Union could be more active in helping to tackle the many different and difficult situations being confronted in Africa.



Like previous speakers, JORGE VOTO-BERNALES ( Peru) commended the decisive contribution made by MONUC and the significant security, diplomatic and economic presence of the European Union. There was little doubt about the strategic clout of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the African continent. It was important now to plan the next stage and to support the country’s authorities towards the election of provincial and deputy governors. It was up to the international community, development agencies and other countries to shape the future of international cooperation, in order to help the nascent Government in building peace and continue the transition towards an integrated society, leading to development. He was also pleased at the supporting role played by South Africa, and was optimistic that internal security, the rule of law and respect for human rights would be the focus of constant attention of the new Government. Peru would follow the processes of dialogue and peacemaking.



DUMISANI S. KUMALO ( South Africa) said that the Congolese people deserved credit for the progress made in their country, and he paid tribute to them for having achieved what they had so far. He looked forward to the new Government taking shape, and he would take its lead in terms of the way forward. He hoped for continued support of the European Union, because the Congo still had a difficult road to travel. As had been said today, there were still critical elections ahead. South Africa pledged its continued assistance to the Congolese. Mr. Guéhenno had cautioned in his briefing about too early disengagement from the country, which he seconded.



ATOKI ILEKA ( Democratic Republic of the Congo) noted that EUFOR RD Congo had been the European Union’s second military intervention in his country. The 2003 Artemis operation had managed to stabilize the security situation in Bunia and made it possible to implement the Global and All Inclusive Agreement. EUFOR, a military force authorized by the Council under its resolution 1671, had been set up by the Union to support MONUC in assisting in the country’s electoral process.



EUFOR’s record was largely a positive one, he said. The elections had taken place and the Congolese people had expressed themselves in freedom, voting in massive numbers. The transitional period had been completed with the inauguration of President Kabila, the first Congolese President elected by direct universal suffrage. The Prime Minister had also been appointed, the National Assembly was being set up and the existing provincial assemblies were ready to get down to work. The elections for governors and senators would take place by the end of the month. The structure of the third republic was slowly being set up. With the success of that endeavour, the United Nations and the European Union had made possible the establishment of a truly democratic space in his country. Several European States were also helping the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the bilateral level in close collaboration with the Union and the United Nations.



It was necessary to point out, however, that the human, material and financial mobilization by the United Nations and the European Union in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ran the risk of being wiped out as long as there were dictatorial States in the Great Lakes region. For its part, his country would play its role as a central and pivotal State in international strategies aimed at stabilizing the region. With the establishment of new institutions, the Congolese people were counting on the international community’s continued support and the future Congolese Government would begin a discussion with the United Nations on that partnership. The international community was invited to continue to provide assistance, including in such areas as security sector reform, the continuation of disarmament programmes, good governance and development, in order for the people to fully benefit from the peace dividends.



He said he was encouraged by the Union’s renewed commitment in that respect. The international community should also continue to help the country in tackling the challenges facing the country, including the illegal exploitation of natural resources and illicit arms trafficking in the region. He paid tribute to the EUFOR personnel for their professionalism. EUFOR’s military officials had returned home at the scheduled time with the confidence of having completed their mission. The Democratic Republic of the Congo today was beginning a new phase with the establishment of democratically elected institutions. Challenges remained, however, and the international community’s continued support was crucial. The international community had not only the opportunity but also the duty not to commit errors of the past, namely a hasty withdrawal. Building on the momentum achieved, the international community should consider the future of his country -- the spearhead of the African renaissance, where peace, justice and stability would prevail.



Briefly responding to questions and comments, Mr. SOLANA said it was true that the vocation of the European Union was to act in accordance with others. Of course, sometimes it had to act alone. It had acted in concert with the African Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations.



To another question, he said that the battleground force was well prepared for rapid and efficient operations, which could open the way for others to follow. He felt that good lessons could be drawn from the way the European Union force had been structured and organized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more would be learned in the future, which could serve other parts of Africa, particularly Darfur.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc8936.doc.htm

Security Council

5617th Meeting (PM)



SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UNITED NATIONS OPERATION, SUPPORTING FRENCH FORCES


IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE UNTIL 30 JUNE, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1739 (2007)


Seriously concerned about the persistent crisis and deteriorating situation in Côte d’Ivoire, including the large-scale civilian suffering and displacement, the Security Council today extended until 30 June the mandates of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the French forces which support it, and expressed its intention to review their mandates by that date, including their length and troop levels, in light of progress achieved towards peace.



Unanimously adopting resolution 1739 (2007) under Chapter VII, the Council, having taken note of the latest report of the Secretary-General on the situation, in which he said that some of the Ivorian parties were pursuing actions that could lead to widespread violence, decided to adjust certain terms of UNOCI’s mandate from the date of adoption of today’s text. (For background, see Press Release SC/8903 of 15 December 2006.)



Under the terms of the resolution, UNOCI would monitor the cessation of hostilities and movements of armed groups. In particular, it would observe and monitor the implementation of the joint declaration of the end of the war of 6 April 2005 and the comprehensive ceasefire agreement of 3 May 2003, to prevent, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, any hostile action and investigate violations of the ceasefire.



Among its other tasks, UNOCI would liaise with the National Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire and the Forces Nouvelles, in order to promote the re-establishment of trust among all the Ivorian forces, and assist the Government in monitoring the borders, with particular attention to the situation of Liberian refugees and any cross-border movement of combatants. It would also assist the Government in regrouping all the Ivorian forces involved and assist in ensuring the security of their disarmament, cantonment and demobilization sites.



UNOCI would also coordinate closely with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in the implementation of a voluntary repatriation and resettlement programme for foreign ex-combatants, paying special attention to the specific needs of women and children. It would secure, neutralize or destroy any weapons, ammunition or any other military materiel surrendered by the former combatants.



Its tasks would also involve, among other things, security sector reform; protection of United Nations personnel and institutions; provision of security for members of the Ivorian Government; monitoring of the arms embargo; support for humanitarian assistance; support for the redeployment of State administration; support for the organization of open, free, fair and transparent elections; assistance in the field of human rights; public information; and law and order.



The meeting began at 12:56 p.m. and adjourned at 1 p.m.



Resolution



The full text of resolution 1739 (2007) reads as follows:



“The Security Council,



“Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President relating to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, in particular its resolution 1721 (2006) on the transition period leading to the holding of free, open, fair and transparent elections in Côte d’Ivoire by 31 October 2007,



“Recalling also its resolution 1712 (2006) relating to the situation in Liberia,



“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d’Ivoire, and recalling the importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,



“Having taken note of the report of the Secretary-General dated 4 December 2006 (S/2006/939),



“Reaffirming its support to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the French forces which support it,



“Expressing its serious concern at the persistence of the crisis and the deterioration of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, including its grave humanitarian consequences causing large-scale civilian suffering and displacement,



“Determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,



“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,



“1. Decides that the mandates of UNOCI and of the French forces which support it, determined respectively in paragraphs 2 and 8 below, shall be extended until 30 June 2007, and expresses its intention to review by this date their mandates, including their length, and UNOCI’s level of troops, in the light of the progress achieved in the implementation of the peace process as referred to in resolution 1721 (2006);



“2. Decides that UNOCI shall have the following mandate from the date of adoption of this resolution:



a) Monitoring of the cessation of hostilities and movements of armed groups



- To observe and monitor the implementation of the joint declaration of the end of the war of 6 April 2005 and of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement of 3 May 2003, to prevent, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment, any hostile action, and to investigate violations of the ceasefire,



- To liaise with the National Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FANCI) and the military elements of the Forces Nouvelles in order to promote, in coordination with the French forces, the re-establishment of trust among all the Ivorian forces involved,

- To assist the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in monitoring the borders, with particular attention to the situation of Liberian refugees and to any cross-border movement of combatants,



B) Disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, repatriation and resettlement



- To assist the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in undertaking the regrouping of all the Ivorian forces involved and to assist in ensuring the security of their disarmament, cantonment and demobilization sites,



- To support the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, within UNOCI’s current capacities, in the implementation of the national programme for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, including through logistical support, in particular for the preparation of cantonment sites, paying special attention to the specific needs of women and children,



- To coordinate closely with the United Nations mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in the implementation of a voluntary repatriation and resettlement programme for foreign ex-combatants, paying special attention to the specific needs of women and children, in support of the efforts of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and in cooperation with the Governments concerned, relevant international financial institutions, international development organizations and donor nations,



- To ensure that the national programme for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants and that the voluntary repatriation and resettlement programme for foreign ex-combatants take into account the need for a coordinated regional approach,



- To secure, neutralize or destroy any weapons, ammunition or any other military materiel surrendered by the former combatants,



c) Disarmament and dismantling of militias



- To assist the Prime Minister in formulating and implementing the programme for the immediate disarmament and dismantling of militias consistent with paragraph 12 of resolution 1721 (2006), and to monitor its implementation,



- To secure, neutralize or destroy all weapons, ammunition and other military materiel surrendered by militias,



d) Operations of identification of the population and registration of voters



- To contribute, in close liaison with the working group mentioned in paragraph 17 of resolution 1721 (2006), to the security of the operations of identification of the population and registration of voters, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment,



e) Reform of the security sector



- To assist, in close liaison with the working group mentioned in paragraph 15 of resolution 1721 (2006), in formulating a plan on the restructuring of the Defence and Security Forces and in preparing possible seminars on security sector reform to be organized by the African Union and ECOWAS,



f) Protection of United Nations personnel, institutions and civilians



- To protect United Nations personnel, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment,



- To support, in coordination with the Prime Minister, the provision of security for members of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire,



g) Monitoring of the arms embargo



- To monitor the implementation of the measures imposed by paragraph 7 of resolution 1572 (2004), in cooperation with the Group of Experts established under resolution 1584 (2005) and, as appropriate, with UNMIL and Governments concerned, including by inspecting, as they deem it necessary and without notice, the cargo of aircraft and of any transport vehicle using the ports, airports, airfields, military bases and border crossings of Côte d’Ivoire,



- To collect, as appropriate, arms and any related materiel brought into Côte d’Ivoire in violation of the measures imposed by paragraph 7 of resolution 1572 (2004), and to dispose of such arms and related materiel as appropriate,



h) Support for humanitarian assistance



- To facilitate the free flow of people, goods and humanitarian assistance, inter alia, by helping to establish the necessary security conditions and taking into account the special needs of vulnerable groups, especially women, children and elderly people,



i) Support for the redeployment of State administration



- To facilitate, with the assistance of the African Union, ECOWAS and other international partners, the re-establishment by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire of the authority of the State throughout Côte d’Ivoire and of the institutions and public services essential for the social and economic recovery of the country,



j) Support for the organization of open, free, fair and transparent elections



- To provide all necessary technical assistance to the Prime Minister, his Government, the Independent Electoral Commission and other relevant agencies or institutes, with the support of the African Union, ECOWAS and other international partners, for the organization of open, free, fair and transparent elections, presidential and legislative, by 31 October 2007 at the latest, as referred to in resolution 1721 (2006),



- To provide technical information, advice and assistance as appropriate to the High Representative for the Elections,



- To contribute, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment, to the security of the areas where voting is to take place,



- To provide as necessary, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment, in close cooperation with the United Nations Programme for Development, logistical support for the Independent Electoral Commission, in particular for the transportation of electoral material,



k) Assistance in the field of human rights



- To contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire, with special attention to violence committed against children and women, to monitor and help investigate human rights violations with a view to ending impunity, and to keep the Security Council Committee established pursuant to paragraph 14 of resolution 1572 (2004) (the Committee) regularly informed of developments in this regard,



l) Public information



- To promote the peace process as referred to in resolution 1721 (2006) throughout the territory of Côte d’Ivoire, through the Mission’s public information capacity, in particular its radio broadcasting capability through ONUCI FM,



- To monitor the Ivorian mass media, in particular with regard to any incidents of incitement by the media to hatred, intolerance and violence, and to keep the Committee regularly informed of the situation in this regard,



m) Law and order



- To assist the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in conjunction with the African Union, ECOWAS and other international organizations in restoring a civilian policing presence throughout Côte d’Ivoire, and to advise the Government of Côte d’Ivoire on the restructuring of the internal security services,



- To assist the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in conjunction with the African Union, ECOWAS and other international organizations in re-establishing the authority of the judiciary and the rule of law throughout Côte d’Ivoire,



- To support the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in ensuring the neutrality and impartiality of public media by providing, as necessary, security of the premises of the Radio Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI);



“3. Decides to extend the provisions of paragraph 3 of resolution 1609 (2005) and of paragraph 2 of resolution 1682 (2006) for the period specified in paragraph 1 above;



“4. Reaffirms its intention to authorize the Secretary-General to redeploy on a temporary basis troops between UNMIL and UNOCIas may be needed, in consultation with the Governments concerned and relevant troop-contributing countries, in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005);



“5. Authorizes UNOCI to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate, within its capabilities and its areas of deployment;



“6. Requests UNOCI to carry out its mandate in close liaison with UNMIL, including especially in the prevention of movements of arms and combatants across shared borders and the implementation of disarmament and demobilization programmes;



“7. Urges UNOCI to take into accountthe rights of women and of gender considerations as set out in Security Council resolution 1325 as a cross-cutting issue, including through consultation with local and international women's group, and requests the Secretary-General, where appropriate, to include in his reporting to the Security Council progress on gender mainstreaming throughout UNOCI and all other aspects relating to the situation of women and girls, especially in relation to the need to protect them from gender-based violence;



“8. Authorizes from the date of adoption of this resolution the French forces to use all necessary means in order to support UNOCI in accordance with the agreement reached between UNOCI and the French authorities, and in particular to:



a) Contribute to the general security of the area of activity of the impartial forces,



B) Intervene at the request of UNOCI in support of its elements whose security may be threatened,



c) In consultation with UNOCI, intervene against belligerent actions, if the security conditions so require, outside UNOCI’s areas of deployment,



d) Help to protect civilians, in the deployment areas of their units,



e) Contribute to monitoring the arms embargo established by resolution 1572 (2004),



f) Contribute to the drawing up ofa plan on the restructuring of the Defence and Security Forces and to the preparation of possible seminars on security sector reform to be organized by the African Union and ECOWAS;



“9. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully in the deployment and operations of UNOCI and of the French forces which support it, in particular by guaranteeing their safety, security and freedom of movement with unhindered and immediate access, as well as associated personnel, throughout the territory of Côte d’Ivoire, to enable them to carry out fully their mandates;



“10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc8937.doc.htm

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 Michèle Montas, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.



Good afternoon, all.



**Secretary-General’s Trip



As you already know, the Secretary-General leaves later today on a seven-nation trip to Europe and Africa.



To recap, he has meetings lined up with European Union, European Parliament and European Commission officials in Brussels as well as senior representatives of NATO and the Belgian government, as well as the King.



Then in Paris, he participates in the International Conference on Support for reconstruction and development of Lebanon, hosted by President Jacques Chirac.



During his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), he will meet with President Joseph Kabila and other senior government officials, address the National Assembly, and meet with peacekeepers and staff of the UN’s largest mission. A trip to Kisangani is scheduled, as is a brief visit across the river to Brazzaville to meet with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo.



From DRC, he travels to Addis Ababa for the African Union Summit where he will address the opening session and hold a series of bilateral meetings. He ends his Africa visit with a stop in Nairobi, where he will meet with the Kenyan President and the staff of UN headquarters on the continent.



From Kenya, the Secretary-General travels to the Netherlands, where he will visit the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in The Hague. He will meet with Queen Beatrix as well as the Dutch Prime Minister and senior officials.



From The Hague, he flies to Washington, D.C. for a meeting of the Middle East Quartet. That’s it for the trip.



**Statement on Lebanon



Now a statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General:



“The Secretary-General is following closely current developments in Lebanon. He is greatly concerned that the political dispute in Lebanon has resulted in confrontation in the streets, reportedly leading to injuries and loss of life.



“On the eve of his departure to the Paris III conference on Lebanon, the Secretary-General reiterates the support of the United Nations for the stability, sovereignty, security and independence of Lebanon. It is essential that all parties within Lebanon work through the democratic process and return to dialogue as a means of addressing their political differences.”



** Lebanon Update



Some other information on Lebanon, the Office of Geir Pedersen, the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative for Lebanon, reports that the Beirut airport has been cut off during the recent demonstrations and for the moment is effectively closed. Many roads -- within and around Beirut and in other parts of Lebanon -- have been cut off by blockades, including those involving burning tires and old cars. The office also is monitoring reports of clashes between different factions, mostly north of Beirut.



I’ve been asked in recent days, meanwhile, about the Israeli overflights of Lebanon. In accordance with its standard procedures, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon protests each overflight to the Israeli authorities as a violation of the Blue Line. There were seven such flights recorded yesterday.



Sill on Lebanon, serious environmental challenges are confronting Lebanon as a result of the recent conflict there, according to a report launched today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).



For example, many bombed and burnt-out factories and industrial complexes are contaminated with a variety of toxic substances, such as ash and leaked chemicals. Urgent action is needed to remove and safely dispose of such substances amid concerns that they are threatening water supplies and public health.



**Security Council



The Security Council began its work today by holding consultations on peacebuilding, with a briefing by the head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, Carolyn McAskie. The Council intends to hold a public meeting to discuss peace-building issues further on 31 January.



Once consultations end, the Security Council expects to hold a formal meeting to vote on a draft resolution concerning the establishment, for 12 months, of a UN political mission in Nepal. Council members discussed the draft text of the Nepal resolution in consultations yesterday afternoon.



The members of the Security Council will also hold their first monthly luncheon with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.



** Iraq



Ashraf Qazi, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, condemned in the strongest terms the two bombings at the Bab al-Shargi district in Baghdad on Monday. He said that the bombings, which caused the death and injury of more than 200 innocent civilians, were shocking.



These deplorable outrages again underscore the urgent need for all Iraqis to reject violence and together choose the path of peace and reconciliation, Qazi said. We have his full statement upstairs.



**Kosovo



Many of you have been asking about Kosovo, and about when Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s status proposal will be presented.



We’ve just been told that, as a first step, Ahtisaari will share his proposal this Friday with the Kosovo Contact Group in Vienna. You’ll recall that the Contact Group includes representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.



** Iran



The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that it is discussing with Iran its request for withdrawing the designation of certain safeguards inspectors.



It should be noted however, that there are a sufficient number of inspectors designated for Iran, and the IAEA is able to perform its inspection activities in accordance with Iran's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. It issued a statement on this yesterday.



**UN Refugee Agency



UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, reports that, early this morning, 17 Palestinian men living in Baghdad were taken away by men dressed in Iraqi security force uniforms and driving security vehicles. UNHCR is very concerned and is seeking further information.



Meanwhile, in western Algeria today, UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) started a 12-day mission to Sahrawi refugee camps to assess the dire food and nutrition situation there, in view of a recent disruption in the food pipeline. You can read more on these items in UNHCR’s briefing Notes, which we have upstairs.



**Climate Change



The first of four installments of a major scientific assessment on climate change will be released next Friday, 2 February, in Paris, by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.



The first part of the report, which is based on the contributions of more than 2,500 scientists from 130 countries, will look at the current science behind climate change, provide data on observed changes, and offer predictions for the future. The report is the fourth such assessment by the Panel and its first in six years. More information is available in a media advisory available in my office.



**Bird Flu



The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today expressed concern about new flare-ups of bird flu in China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam. But it stressed that the number of outbreaks in the first weeks of 2007 had been significantly lower than the epidemic waves of last year. We have a press release on that also in my Office.



**International Court of Justice



The International Court of Justice today gave its decision on the request for provisional measures submitted by Uruguay against Argentina in the case concerning the pulp mills on the River Uruguay.



In their ruling, a majority of ICJ judges found that the circumstances, as they now present themselves to the Court, do not require the exercise of its power.



** Sierra Leone Court



The Special Court for Sierra Leone has scheduled a status conference in its case against former Liberian President Charles Taylor for January 26th on the premises of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

And to update you on the preparations for the start of the Taylor trial, Stephen Rapp, the Court’s newly-appointed Chief Prosecutor, will be our guest at the noon briefing on January 30.



**UNDP



David Morrison from UNDP took your questions outside of the room yesterday but some of our correspondents did not have an opportunity to hear his statements on UNTV. He will be available again a little later in the week, here on the podium, to take your questions if you have them.



**Announcement



And in response to your request for further details on the Secretary-General’s initiative to review the activities of UN funds and programmes, we have arranged for a senior UN official to brief you on Friday.



That’s all I have for you.



**Questions and Answers



Question: I assume now that the Secretary-General will not meet with Mr. Ahtisaari as was previously announced?



Spokesperson: Yes, he will.



Question: Where? When?



Spokesperson: He will meet him in Paris.



Question: So, Mr. Ahtisaari will first fly to Paris and then go to Vienna?



Spokesperson: Yes.



Question: Number two. I also assume that the Secretary-General will meet with Ms. Carla Del Ponte, the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY. In that light, what is his position on her request not to close the Tribunal’s doors before the so-called “big fish” –- namely Karadzic and Mladic – stand trial in The Hague? What is his position on the [completion] strategy?



Spokesperson: Well, at this point, as you know, the Tribunal has until 2008. We are not there yet, so we don’t know who will come in front of the Tribunal. We’ll have more on that certainly…you’ll have more information about it soon. About your first question, concerning Mr. Ahtisaari, he plans to travel on February 2nd to Belgrade and Pristina to officially present his proposal to both sides. He will then wait for feedback from both parties before sending the proposal on to the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General will then transmit the report to the Security Council, and then it will be up to the Council to decide when it wants to consider Kosovo. So that, more or less, is the road map.



Question: Does that mean that some type of open ended conference in Vienna will be running during that time – starting this Friday and continuing until sometime after February 2nd – waiting for the results from Pristina and Belgrade?



Spokesperson: No, there won’t be a conference. But Mr. Ahtisaari will be getting the feedback and feeding it through…



Question: Will that be in Vienna?



Spokesperson: I don’t know where yet. I don’t know where he will go from there.



Question: During his meeting with Lebanese leader [Fouad] Sinora, will Ban Ki-moon discuss a tribunal or a new expanded mandate for UNIFIL? What kind of discussions will be on the table?



Spokesperson: We expect all these issues to be discussed in bilaterals, but as you know, the conference itself, which will be presided over by President Jacques Chirac, is on the reconstruction of Lebanon, with a specific project on the table for the donors. But I’m sure all those issues will be evoked in the different meetings that the Secretary-General will have during the bilaterals at that conference.



Question: Will Ban Ki-moon raise with Mr. Sinora the question of why most of the aid that has been pumped into Lebanon has not reached the people most affected by the recent conflict? Up to now, billions of dollars have been pumped into the country but none of it has reached the people in the villages and towns of the south, where most of the aggression took place.



Spokesperson: He will be raising as many issues as he can on Lebanon.



Question: You brought up the UNHCR trip to western Algeria to look at the break in the food pipeline. Are they going to issue a statement or report at some point?



Spokesperson: Most probably, yes.



Question: Is it going to be issued here, or..?



Spokesperson: Well, as soon as we get it, we’ll tell you about it.



Question: Is the Secretary-General still hoping to meet with the Sudanese President on the sideline of the AU Summit? Does he expect significant progress on the peacekeeping mission in Darfur on this trip – or perhaps even a breakthrough?



Spokesperson: Yes, he is going to meet with President Al-Bashir. He has already spoken to him on the phone. So they will be meeting in a bilateral meeting at the AU Summit. I cannot say what progress will be announced, but the Secretary-General is hoping to see the whole Darfur issue move forward.



Question: On Lebanon, in previous statements, the Secretary-General had been keen to mention his support for the Lebanese Government. In this statement, the Government is not mentioned. Can you elaborate on that? Was this for any particular reason?



Spokesperson: Well, Prime Minister Sinora’s Government is the democratically elected Government of the country, and the Secretary-General supports the democratic process in Lebanon. We think it is important that on Lebanon, we have all agreed, several times, that all Lebanese communities need to be represented and feel represented in the Government. We continue to call on all parties to return to the table of national dialogue and work toward national reconciliation. That would be the statement.



Question: Does the Secretary-General see a direct link between the timing of the pre-planned donor meeting and the demonstrations, strikes and unrest right now in Lebanon?



Spokesperson: Well, all I can tell you is that the Secretary-General is going to the meeting, and we hope that the people who are now in Lebanon will be able to make it to the meeting.



Question: You mean…



Spokesperson: Prime Minister Sinora and Geir Pedersen are both in Beirut right now and cannot get out at this point.



Question: Does he expect to also meet with members of the opposition who don’t recognize the legitimacy of the Sinora Government?



Spokesperson: This is what Geir Pedersen, who is the Special Representative, is doing. And Mr. Pedersen will meet with the Secretary-General, and he will be at the reconstruction conference, so I’m sure he will be relaying to Secretary-General Ban, the results of his contacts.



Question: But does he see a direct link between the timing of those two events?



Spokesperson: He has expressed no opinion on this.



Question: A follow-up on Darfur: the Secretary-General has said that it’s one of his top priorities. What will he specifically be taking to President Al-Bashir?



Spokesperson: Well, as you know, there is a UN-AU plan – clearly expressed in phases – for Darfur. This is still on the table and being discussed. And I think what we’re going to see is how fast the different phases can be implemented.



Question: Secondly, Sudan is a candidate for the Presidency of the AU, and some are suggesting that that should be opposed with the conflict going on. Is that something that the Secretary-General would take a position on?



Spokesperson: No. That is something the AU members will take a decision on.



Question: Michèle, do you have a day-by-day itinerary for the Secretary-General’s trip? In particular, what are the exact dates of the Lebanon reconstruction conference in Paris?



Spokesperson: The reconstruction conference is on Thursday in Paris. The Secretary-General will first go to Brussels to meet different officials there…



Question: Yes, but do you have it in writing, or in the form of a bulletin that we can have?



Spokesperson: We’ll try to get you more details.



Question: The Doha Round of World Trade discussions have been at an impasse for a long time now over the issue of agricultural subsidies, and there are indications that they may resume. Is the Secretary-General encouraging their speedy resumption?



Spokesperson: Oh, definitely. He has talked about the Doha Round and he has spoken in favour of the resumption of those talks, yes, he has.



Question: The Lebanese Government now does not represent 50 per cent of the population. How can the donor countries -- with the United Nations encouraging them -– entrust this Government with additional loans, when, at the end of the day, the debts would be incurred by the Lebanese people, who, based on past experience, will not benefit? They have just accumulated more than $45 billion in debt – over 220 per cent of GDP -– and still they are giving them more loans. Is it for the United Nations to support meetings such as the Paris III conference?



Spokesperson: Well, the United Nations is dealing with an elected Government.



Comment: But you said yourself that it does not represent a large portion of Lebanese society.



Spokesperson: Did I say that?



Comment: That was what was extracted…



Spokesperson: I don’t think I said that.



Question: You said that all sects had to “feel represented”.



Spokesperson: Yes, I said that.



Question: So obviously, these people who are in the streets, more than 50 per cent of the Lebanese people, don’t feel they are represented there. So why would the United Nations support such a Government, which has a long history of corruption, evidently from the debt it has incurred? Do you support corrupt Governments?



Spokesperson: We are dealing with the Government that is there. If the Lebanese people want to change Governments, that’s an internal matter for the Lebanese themselves.



Question: Can we go back to Darfur? Are there any new ideas? It’s clear that the Sudanese are definitely hesitating on anything other than a little bit of logistic help. And so far, the Secretary-General/ [Jan] Eliasson plan looks like the “ Darfur light”. Is there any plan at the African Union to put pressure on Sudan’s Arab neighbours, who have been very, very silent on this peacekeeping issue?



Spokesperson: I have to say that the Secretary-General is having very wide-ranging contacts on this, Evelyn. A number of bilaterals will take place during the AU Summit and he is hoping for progress on Darfur. Now, how much progress will we have? Well, we don’t know at this point. I think you will find out as soon as we get some conclusion…he has already stated to make contacts, as I said. He spoke with President Al-Bashir. He also spoke with [African Union Commission] Chairman Konare today, and there will be a number of contacts initiated around the AU meeting and we should have more on this pretty soon.



Question: So it’s not just the Darfur light plan, but also the peace negotiations?



Spokesperson: Yes.



Question: I don’t know if anything was formally decided while I was away. On the monthly lunch today, why is there no television stakeout? There used to be. Is it that the Secretary-General doesn’t want to talk today?



Spokesperson: Well, the Secretary-General has a number of press briefings scheduled for the next few days, practically on an everyday basis. He is on a very tight schedule today and that’s what it is…



Question: Well, I know there’ll be briefings when he’s on the road, but…



Spokesperson: Yes. But he will certainly give a briefing when he comes back…



Question: So, it is going to be policy that he will not be doing luncheon stakeouts?



Spokesperson: No, no. It’s not policy, Richard. This is just today, which happens to be very busy for the Secretary-General.



Comment: Well, there are a lot of issues that are going on in the UN and the large-and-getting-larger UN press corps has not seen him for a while and it would not be a bad day for him to stop and talk about those issues…



Spokesperson: Yes, well, we talked a lot about those issues while you were away, and I’m sure the Secretary-General will keep on talking about them. Even if I am not here, you will have someone who will relay to you all the information we get on the road.



Question: Well, there’s a big difference between the Secretary-General and these other people. We’re talking about today. The other thing is that he had talked about the fact that he had selected a Deputy Secretary-General -– while she was interviewing him, he was interviewing her without her knowing it. I am curious: in choosing you as his Spokeswoman, when you were at UN Radio, how many times, if ever, did you interview him over the years?



Spokesperson: (laughter) No. I met with his team.



Question: But you never interviewed him?



Spokesperson: As a journalist? Yes.



Question: You did?



Spokesperson: Yes.



Question: Several times?



Spokesperson: Once.



Question: On Darfur, you were talking before about the country donations – or lack thereof – to the second phase of the Darfur package. Is there anything new on that? Are there any new contributions?



Spokesperson: No. We don’t have anything new on this.



Question: Is it basically that there is no contribution whatsoever outside the Bangladeshi contingent?



Spokesperson: No, we don’t have anything new at this point. We’ll let you know as more comes in. I just wanted to let you know that the Security Council has adjourned and the resolution on Nepal has passed. And the President of the Security Council will be at the Security Council stakeout following this briefing.



Question: In terms of new appointments or reappointments under Ban Ki-moon, has anything been done about the post of Special Envoy on UN Reform, held by Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga under Secretary-General Kofi Annan?



Spokesperson: No. There have been no appointments announced for the different SRSG [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] posts, or the USG [Under-Secretary-General], ASG [Assistant Secretary-General] posts. As you know the restructuring project is now in front of different members of the General Assembly. As long as this has not passed, there won’t be any further appointments, I don’t think. We might have some, but at this point. I don’t think we’ll have any major appointments right now.



Question: How many journalists are accompanying the Secretary-General on his trip, and how was it paid for? By the UN or through their agencies?



Spokesperson: Their agencies pay for the trip. The only thing the UN is paying for is their transportation from Paris through Africa and back to Amsterdam. And there are 22 journalists going with the Secretary-General.



Question: And the UN pays for that?



Spokesperson: No, the UN does not pay for that.



Question: Well, the UN pays for their travel from Paris through…



Spokesperson: It’s a UN plane. They pay for their hotels and all other incidentals.



Any other questions? Thank you very much.

http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2007/db070123.doc.htm

Security Council

5624th Meeting* (AM)



world community cannot afford another year like 2006 in middle east,


Says Under-Secretary-General, briefing Security Council




Ibrahim Gambari Says Recent Months Marked by Instability, Suffering,

Combined with Renewed International Urgency to Find Political Way Forward



Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefed the Security Council this morning, saying, “None of us can afford another year like the last one in Lebanon and the Middle East.”



The period since the former Secretary-General’s final report to the Council in early December, he continued, had been marked by heightened levels of instability and suffering, combined with a renewed sense of international urgency to find a political way ahead. Underscoring the “clear priority” of a resumed political process between Israel and the Palestinians, he said solutions were urgently needed also to the political impasses among the Palestinians and in Lebanon. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had encouraged leaders in both contexts to overcome their difficulties and move forward in the best interests of their people.



For many Lebanese, ugly spectres of the past had again begun to emerge, he said, stressing the shared responsibility of all sides to resolve their political differences peacefully through the democratic process in order to spare their populations further anxiety, insecurity and turmoil. The Secretary-General was attending today’s “Paris III” Conference, where he would reiterate strong support for Lebanon and urge redoubled efforts by all sides to return to dialogue and break the paralysing political impasse.



Noting that the demonstrations starting in Beirut on 1 December had been largely peaceful until 23 January, he said events two days ago had shown how easily political tensions could spill over into violence. There was great concern regarding those risks and their effect on Lebanon’s stability and security. The United Nations remained in contact with all parties encouraging an early return to dialogue and supported continuing efforts, including those of the League of Arab States, to bring the leaders to compromise and consensus.



General stability had returned to southern Lebanon due to the deployment of the enhanced United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces, which continued to enjoy a high level of cooperation, he said. The Lebanese Army was playing a crucial role in the south, in Beirut and elsewhere in the country, which underscored the importance of timely support for the army, as promised by the international community.



While UNIFIL also continued to maintain good relations with the Israel Defense Forces, that country’s violations of Lebanese airspace continued, he said. Civilians continued to be killed and injured by the cluster munitions dropped on Lebanon during last year’s conflict. The United Nations was continuing to identify and remove unexploded ordnance in the south, and at least 840 individual cluster strike locations had been identified to date, each containing up to hundreds of individual bomblets or sub-munitions.



Turning to Israeli-Palestinian developments, he said both Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had been working hard to ease tensions and move towards resuming political dialogue. The ceasefire in Gaza, agreed to at the end of November, remained in place, although militants had fired more than 104 rockets into southern Israel in the past two months, according to Israeli officials. To its credit, the Israeli Government had shown considerable restraint in the face of those attacks.



However, the ceasefire had not been extended to the West Bank and operations to arrest or kill wanted Palestinians continued regularly, he said. During the reporting period, 28 Palestinians had been killed and more than 130 injured in Israeli military operations, while 10 Israelis had been injured by Palestinian militants. Egypt continued to lead efforts for the release of the Israeli corporal captured last summer and of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, but they had yet to yield results.



Nevertheless, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert had met on 23 December and agreed to revive the joint committees established in the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings, he said. The Prime Minister had also undertaken to transfer to the President’s office $100 million of the more than half a billion dollars withheld by Israel; to intensify the upgrading of crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel; and to ease checkpoint procedures in the West Bank while removing a number of roadblocks. However, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had reported only a modest easing in the operation of a few West Bank checkpoints and the anticipated removal of roadblocks had yet to be observed.



Furthermore, the Government of Israel had approved the repopulation of a settlement deep in the Jordan Valley, in violation of the Road Map, he said. While that decision had been put on hold after international protests, settlement activity continued, and the number of West Bank settlers, excluding those in East Jerusalem, had increased by nearly 6 per cent since 2005. Moreover, the Government’s pledges to remove outposts remained unfulfilled, and the construction of the barrier on the Occupied Palestinian Territory continued, despite the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.



He said the evolving Israeli-Palestinian dialogue was complicated by the internal political situation in both the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where factional tensions had risen to acute levels in mid-December and early January, and Israel. A total of 43 people had been killed in Palestinian-on-Palestinian conflict during the reporting period, nearly double the number killed by Israeli military operations. In Israel, political scandals and other developments underscored the coalition Government’s difficulties in forging and implementing a clear agenda. The Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff had resigned and an official inquiry into the conduct of last summer’s conflict with Hizbollah continued.



Reporting on regional and international engagement in the region, he noted that the United States Secretary of State had recently announced her commitment to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of a revitalized Quartet. The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy had visited the region last week and the Secretary-General would attend a meeting of the Quartet Principals ( United Nations, United States, European Union and the Russian Federation) on 2 February in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Government of Syria had called publicly for resumed negotiations with Israel, while, on 16 January, the Israeli press had published understandings for a peace agreement between the two countries, arrived at through a private initiative. However, both Governments had strongly denied any official connection.



Prospects for a wider regional dialogue must be cautiously monitored and the door should remain open to discussions that might lead towards a wider, regional and comprehensive peace, he stressed. The Secretary-General had discussed with many interlocutors both the existing opportunities to make genuine strides towards peace and the very real obstacles that must be overcome. He considered next week’s Quartet meeting as an important opportunity to chart a way towards revitalizing the peace process and implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions.



The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and ended at 10:30 a.m.



Briefing Summary



Briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, IBRAHIM GAMBARI, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said that, since former Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s briefing in December 2006, there had been a period of heightened levels of instability and suffering, combined with a renewed sense of international urgency to find a political way ahead. In addition to senior-level contacts at the international level and the proposed meeting of the Quartet for 2 February in Washington, D.C., as well as a possible tripartite meeting of President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he was also encouraged by reports that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni would be meeting President Abbas in Davos. The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council had also been engaged in the search for a renewed and credible dialogue towards a resolution of that intractable conflict.



He said that both President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert had been working hard to try to ease tensions and move towards a resumption of political dialogue. The ceasefire agreed at the end of November in Gaza remained in place, although, according to Israeli officials, militants had fired more than 104 rockets into southern Israel during the past two months. In the face of those attacks, the Israeli Government, to its credit, had shown considerable restraint. Despite its flaws, the ceasefire had significantly reduced violence, and he encouraged the parties to build on it. However, it had not extended to the West Bank, where operations to arrest or kill wanted Palestinians continued on a regular basis in West Bank population centres. During the reporting period, 28 Palestinians were killed and more than 130 had been injured in Israeli military operations, while 10 Israelis had been injured by Palestinian militants.



Efforts led by Egypt were continuing on an arrangement to secure the release of the Israeli corporal captured last summer and of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, but those had yet to yield results, he noted. Nevertheless, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert had met on 23 December 2006 in Jerusalem, where they had agreed to revive the joint committees established in the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings and to resume the work of the quadripartite security committee between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the United States. Prime Minister Olmert had also undertaken to transfer to the Office of President Abbas $100 million of the more than a half billion dollars of Palestinian clearance revenues being withheld by Israel; to intensify efforts to upgrade the crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel; and to ease procedures at a number of checkpoints in the West Bank and remove several roadblocks.



He said that implementation of those understandings had proceeded slowly. Israel, in the past few days, had transferred the $100 million. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had reported a modest easing of the operation of a few West Bank checkpoints, but the anticipated removal of roadblocks had yet to be observed. Access and movement should be improved. During the first 16 days of 2007, the average exports out of Karni stood at approximately 46 trucks a day. That represented an improving trend, but still reflected only 11 per cent of the target of 400 per day. He encouraged further progress in the regard. In the same period, Rafah had been opened primarily for pilgrims for only 32 per cent of the scheduled opening hours. Finally, there had been no discernable improvement in movement for Palestinians in the West Bank. According to OCHA, the number of barriers currently on the ground -- 527 -- represented a 25 per cent increase over the course of 2006.



The Government of Israel had approved the repopulation of a settlement deep in the Jordan Valle