United Nations Radio

PRESENTER:

SG press conference

At his monthly press conference, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called 2008 the year of multiple crises, and he told journalists the coming year  promises to be no less difficult.  Gerry Adams has more.

Presenter:  During his final formal press conference for the year, he said that 2008 has been a difficult year and next year will be more so. The Secretary-General touched on a number of issues of concern to the United Nations, ranging from human rights, natural disasters, the economic and food crises, climate change to ongoing conflicts. He said that looking back, 2008 has been mixed.

"I am pleased at the way the world has come together in the face of economic recession.  Yet I fear we are only at the end of the beginning;  this crisis will test the sense of global solidarity that is a key to any solution. I am pleased with our success in keeping climate change high on the global agenda. Yet the real test lies just ahead. "

Concerning natural disasters, the Secretary-General said he is pleased at how the international community responded in China, Haiti and Myanmar. However, he is disappointed by the unwillingness of the government of Myanmar to deliver on its promises for democratic dialogue and release of political prisoners. On the food crisis, the Secretary-General said the issue no longer dominates news headlines but it has not gone away.

"I'm pleased at how the UN system has come together to tackle the problem in its fullest dimension: nutrition, agricultural products, trade and social protection. We are well on the way to challenging decades-old policies in agriculture and public health, mainstay of our work in promoting the Millennium Development Goals and protecting those most vulnerable to climate change, poverty and economic crisis."

NARRATOR:
The Secretary-General said that United Nations peacekeepers have held the line in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under difficult circumstances. On Darfur in Sudan, he said the deployment of United Nations and African Union peacekeepers has been slower than he had hoped for.  On the Middle East he said that Israelis and Palestinians have engaged in direct, intensive negotiations.

"Only they can reach agreement. But we can help. On Monday, the Quartet met to support a Security Council resolution to re-affirm basic principles and reinvigorate the Annapolis negotiations. Yesterday that resolution was adopted overwhelmingly by Council members. It is important to keep up this momentum so that potentially 2009 could be the year of peace in the Middle East. "

NARRATOR:

On Iraq, Ban Ki-moon said that security has improved substantially and noted that provincial elections are scheduled for January. The Secretary-General spoke at length about the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. He recalled that several weeks ago he met with President Robert Mugabe.  At first, Mr. Mugabe agreed to receive a United Nations envoy, but now the United Nations is being told that the timing is not right. The Secretary-General noted that for the past eight months the Southern African Development Community and the African Union have insisted on leading international diplomatic efforts with little results.

"When the international community or a regional organization takes on a mission, it also takes on the responsibility to deliver. As I told the Security Council on Monday, we need a fair and sustainable political solution in Zimbabwe, as provided under previous agreements. And we need it fast."

Concerning Somalia, the Secretary-General said the danger of anarchy is clear and present. He stressed the need to act on Somalia.

"I have spoken with the leaders of 50 countries and three international organizations about organizing a Multinational Force. Not one nation has volunteered to lead. Yesterday, therefore, I proposed to the Security Council a series of steps that 1) advance the Djibouti peace process, 2) deal with piracy and issues of humanitarian access and 3) reinforce African Union Mission in Somalia, (AMISOM) and set the stage for a possible UN peacekeeping operation."

NARRATOR:
On Afghanistan,  insurgent attacks are increasing, and the Secretary-General expressed concern about that. He concluded his opening remarks to reporters by saying that he looked forward to a holiday and the chance to read something other than briefing notes.

Producers: Derrick Mbatha & Gerry Adams

(duration: 4'57")