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RE: [hr-wsis] Re: Mello
I also agree on Diana proposal.
CMIC will sign the letter
Alain
-----Message d'origine-----
De : Bill McIver [mailto:mciver@albany.edu]
Envoyé : 30 mai, 2003 15:57
À : hr-wsis@iris.sgdg.org
Objet : [hr-wsis] Re: Mello
Diana,
I agree.
I think it was articulated yesterday that
is the idea to have the office involved
and not De Mello specifically.
WJM
dbronson@ichrdd.ca wrote:
>
>
>Friends
>
>I have attached the transcript for the press conference where Sergio De
>Mello was named to run to run the UN's operations in Iraq and it is clearly
>stated that Bertie Ramcharan will be acting High Commissioner during his
>four-month absence. I suggest we aim in the letter for the involvement
>of the OHCHR, ask for Ramcharan's attendance at prep com 3 and De Mello's
>personal involvement at the Summit in December. It strikes me that it
>would be odd for human rights organizations to request he leave the
>desperate situation in Iraq -- where phone lines are not even working --
>to attend a prep com on information technology. We are interested not in
>his personal involvement, but it the involvement and centrality of the UN
>human rights system: the Commission, the treaty bodies, the special
>rapportuers etc.
>
>The relevant quote from Kofi Annan is this
>
>
>No one has more experience in this area than Sergio Vieira de Mello, and I
>think for us to really get organized and become operational and effective
>immediately I needed someone who can hit the ground running and help us set
>up the operation at its early stages, so Sergio will be there for four
>months and will then return to his assignment in Geneva. In the meantime,
>Bertie Ramcharan will serve as Acting High Commissioner. I hope Sergio will
>have the support of all the Member States, and I am confident he will work
>well with the coalition Authority in Baghdad and with all the other groups
>in Iraq.
>
>
>Along with others, we have decided not to submit to meet the 31 may
>deadline but rather will try and get something better in the coming weeks.
>As many of you know, we have a draft essay on human rights and information
>technology under production.
>
>Best regards to everyone. It is great to see some energy in this caucus.
>
>Diana
>
> (Embedded (Embedded image moved to file: pic26500.gif) (Embedded
> image moved image moved
> to file: to file:
> pic06334.gif) pic19169.gif)
>
>
>
>
>(Embedded image moved to file: pic15724.gif)
>
> xxxxxxxxxx TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI xxxxxxxxxx
> ANNAN AND
> SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR IRAQ,
> SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO, 27 MAY
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 27 May 2003
>
>
>
>
>
> The Secretary-General: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.
>
> Last week the Security Council came together in Resolution 1483 to
> chart the way forward for post-conflict Iraq. The Council has called
> on the United Nations to assist the Iraqi people, in coordination
> with the Authority, in a wide range of areas, including humanitarian
> relief, reconstruction, infrastructure rehabilitation, legal and
> judicial reforms, human rights and return of refugees, and also to
> assist with civilian police. These efforts are going to demand a lot
> from us and from the international community.
>
> I have asked Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello to serve as my Special
> Representative. He will lead the United Nations effort in Iraq for
> the next four months.
>
> You saw him at work in Kosovo and in East Timor, running a complex
> mission there. I don't think he needs an introduction. He has an
> exceptional and unique experience in running these operations and is
> also known as a good team builder and a consensus builder. I think
> he is someone who will hit the ground running.
>
> Obviously, I have to admit it was a rather difficult decision for me
> to name a sitting High Commissioner as my Representative in Iraq,
> even on a temporary basis, particularly as human rights has been on
> top of my own agenda and it is absolutely important to this
> organization. It was not an easy decision, but it also reflects the
> important challenge that we need to take on.
>
> No one has more experience in this area than Sergio Vieira de Mello,
> and I think for us to really get organized and become operational
> and effective immediately I needed someone who can hit the ground
> running and help us set up the operation at its early stages, so
> Sergio will be there for four months and will then return to his
> assignment in Geneva. In the meantime, Bertie Ramcharan will serve
> as Acting High Commissioner. I hope Sergio will have the support of
> all the Member States, and I am confident he will work well with the
> coalition Authority in Baghdad and with all the other groups in
> Iraq.
>
> I will now invite Sergio to say a few words.
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: Thank you, Secretary-General, for your kind
> words and for your renewed confidence in me.
>
> The people of Iraq, as we know only too well, have suffered and have
> suffered enough. It is time that we all -? the Iraqis first, the
> coalition Authority and the United Nations ?- come together to
> ensure that this suffering comes to an end and that the Iraqi people
> take their destiny into their own hands, as the Security Council
> resolution calls for, as quickly as possible. We must not fail.
>
> It will not come to you as a surprise, as the Secretary-General just
> indicated, that I consider the development of a culture of human
> rights in Iraq as fundamental to stability and true peace in that
> country. You may have read me in recent weeks, writing to that
> effect in the media. I believe, on the basis of my experience, that
> respect for human rights is the only solid foundation for durable
> peace and for development. I shall place particular importance, as
> agreed with the Secretary-General, on the need to ensure women's
> rights and their full participation in the consultative processes ?-
> not least the political one ?- that lie ahead.
>
> As the Secretary-General said, the decision to appoint me to this
> relatively short-term assignment was not easy for him and for me,
> which is why we kept it to a relatively short duration, in order to
> lay the foundations of the United Nations role in that country. But
> I will leave behind, as he pointed out, a very strong team in Bertie
> Ramcharan and the senior management in my Office, and I will remain
> in very, very close touch with them.
>
> I think I will stop here, and we will take your questions.
>
> Question [UNCA President]: Thank you, Secretary-General, for coming
> here today, and Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, as well.
>
> I would like to abuse my role, if I may, Sir, by asking a question
> about housekeeping before I ask a substantive question about Iraq.
> The housekeeping question has to do with a briefing that the United
> Nations Correspondents Association wanted to have on Friday of last
> week, which we were prevented from having because of pressures by
> one of the Member States.
>
> Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands
> solidly in defence of the principle of freedom of the press. I was
> hoping to get an assurance from you, Sir, that in the future you
> would be able to rely on this Article in defending our right to meet
> with whoever we choose. If I could get your answer to that, and then
> I will ask you a question about Iraq.
>
> The Secretary-General: Let me say that we have always respected that
> right. And I think you in this room are very much aware of the
> practice and my own approach towards that issue. While we respect
> your rights, I think as an Organization we also have certain
> principles. I think you have to respect those principles just as
> much as we have to. I think the explanation you got was that the
> event you planned conflicted with the "one China" policy, that you
> had an individual who was coming here to discuss with you Taiwan's
> relationship with the World Health Organization and its efforts to
> become an observer. That, quite frankly, you will have to admit, was
> not in line with the United Nations policy. So, this was an
> exceptional and unique situation. In the past, we have not
> interfered, and in the future we will not interfere.
>
> Question: Obviously, this is not the place for a debate on the
> issue, and we will be taking this up in the future. I thank you for
> your answer.
>
> To move on to the issue of Iraq, resolution 1483 (2003) is silent on
> the issue of human rights, silent on the proposals by the occupying
> powers to establish military courts. I was wondering if you are
> distressed or upset in any way by that omission.
>
> More specifically, there have been reports today that the United
> States is now considering establishing a death row for its camp in
> Guantanamo, and I am wondering what your reaction to that is.
>
> The Secretary-General: Let me say that the resolution does talk
> about promoting human rights, so human rights is covered. But on the
> legal and judicial issue, I think we are going to have lots of work
> to do. That is one of the areas that I am sure my Representative
> will have to tackle with the coalition Authority, and discuss this
> issue on the ground.
>
> Concerning the Guantanamo Bay development, I have not seen the
> details of it, and I would hesitate to comment on it at the moment.
>
> Question: There are critics in the Middle East who are very strongly
> criticizing the United Nations, first, for in their eyes
> legitimizing the results of an illegal war -- which you yourself
> described as illegal -- in resolution 1483 (2003). Secondly, it has
> proved once again that the United Nations is unable to stop the
> unilateral action of a powerful State if it wishes to do so.
>
> My question concerning the special envoy is, why so short? Why only
> four months? Why not longer?
>
> The Secretary-General: On your first question, let me say that this
> is an issue that the Council debated and considered for a long
> period. There have been divisions, and we cannot overlook that.
> Those divisions and issues -- positions of principle that
> governments and individuals took -- are a matter for the record. I
> do not think that the resolution that the Council adopted last week
> is going to change the history of the recent past. However, the
> Council has given us a solid and a legal basis for our operations in
> Iraq, and I think at this stage that all the Council members are
> focused on what they can do to help Iraq and the Iraqi people -- and
> I think that should be our focus and our emphasis. I think if we
> pursue our actions on that basis, we will be able to make a
> difference.
>
> On the question of the duration of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello's
> appointment, obviously, as I said, he has an important assignment in
> Geneva. Yet he was uniquely qualified for this, and I have asked him
> to go and help establish the United Nations presence ?- establish a
> relationship, mount the operation. He will be replaced at the end of
> the four months. I had to use him in a similar vein in Kosovo, as
> some of you may remember, and at that time, I limited it to two
> months. This time it will be four months. Iraq is a much more
> complex operation.
>
> Question: I think the forthcoming interim Government is going to be
> an important one for the Iraqi people. People are wondering how the
> leader of the interim Government, as well as the cabinet members,
> will be decided on or selected. I hear that the Special
> Representative of the Secretary-General is going to assist in
> establishing the interim Government. Are you going to make
> suggestions, and the Americans will decide who is going to be the
> head, and the cabinet members? Would you explain the role of the
> Special Representative?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: I think I will be in a better position to
> answer your question after I have reached Baghdad and had an
> opportunity to consult, as I said, with a broad spectrum of Iraqi
> leaders and opinion-makers, as it were. I am not privy to the
> intentions of the Authority in terms of establishing this Iraqi
> interim administration ?- transitional administration. I will do my
> best, however, on behalf of the Secretary-General and the Security
> Council to make sure that the interests of the Iraqi people come
> first.
>
> The Secretary-General: And you should also remember that everyone is
> agreed ?- and it is in the Council resolution -? that the Iraqis
> should be responsible for their own political future. They are going
> to be very much at the centre of this. We will be there to assist
> and to work with them; we are not going to impose any leaders on
> them.
>
> Question: You are apparently reluctant during this process to
> delineate the role that the United Nations could or should play in
> Iraq. But after the Security Council has spoken, the United Nations
> has ended up with quite a broad and long-ranging mandate. How close
> does the resulting role come to what you think the ideal United
> Nations role should be? Secondly, since Mr. Vieira de Mello's
> appointment is only for four months, are you preparing a successor?
> Who might that be?
>
> The Secretary-General: Good try. No, let me say that the resolution,
> indeed, does give us a broad mandate, and each situation is unique.
> When one refers to an ideal United Nations mandate ?- it is
> difficult to describe an ideal United Nations mandate. First of all,
> this is a unique situation. It is the first time we are working on
> the ground with an occupying Power, side-by-side, trying to help the
> population in the territory. Therefore, there are certain things
> that we will have to work out on the ground. We have to define and
> work out our relationship with the coalition Authority or the
> occupying Power, and also our relationship with occupied Iraq. As he
> said, we are going to be in touch -? he will be in touch -? not only
> with the coalition but with a broad range of authorities. Some of
> the activities are very clear. The humanitarian mandate is very
> clear. We have a direct responsibility for it and we are going to
> carry it out as we are doing.
>
> In other areas, we have to work in partnership with the coalition
> and, of course, with Iraqi civil society and leaders. And, of
> course, these relationships will have to be worked out on the
> ground; we cannot decide it here before Mr. Vieira de Mello gets in.
> As he indicated earlier, most of it he will have to work out on the
> ground. But as far as the resolution is concerned, I think we can
> work with it. I think it gives us specific areas of responsibility,
> and we are going to carry on with it.
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello will be replaced in four months, and I will
> announce his successor in due course ?- but not today.
>
> Question: This might be a little unrelated, but it is in the news.
> On the Road Map, reportedly one of the 14 conditions or reservations
> Israel has made is that the only part of the Quartet that will
> oversee the implementation on the ground will be the United States,
> and not the other three. Being one of the other three, will you
> insist that the United Nations will be in it? Also, what do you
> think of Israel's acceptance of the Road Map?
>
> The Secretary-General: I think it is a very encouraging development
> that Israel has accepted the Road Map. The Prime Minister has
> indicated that he has some questions that he is going to pose later.
> But the fact that he has accepted it is a positive development. And
> the Quartet, and the international community, has the basis for
> moving forward in assisting the two parties to resolve their
> conflict.
>
> As to the suggestion that Israel will only accept the United States
> as a party on the ground ?- I take it to monitor the Road Map ?- it
> is something that we will tackle as we move forward. But I think
> that all the partners are concerned to see effective action. We want
> to see progress; we want to see an end to this painful conflict. And
> we will, I am sure, accept any arrangement that will help us achieve
> that objective.
>
> Question: The sanctions were lifted in the name of the Iraqi people,
> and now Mr. Vieira de Mello has been appointed in the name of the
> Iraqi people. Who are these Iraqis? Have they been consulted? And
> secondly, there are 300 million Arabs and 1 billion Muslims in the
> world. Why not one of them, with all due respect to Mr. Vieira de
> Mello?
>
> The Secretary-General: Let me, first of all, correct you. I did not
> say that Mr. Vieira de Mello had been named in the name of the Iraqi
> people. I said that Sergio Vieira de Mello has been named to go and
> work with the Iraqi people, to assist them, and it is their
> interests and their concerns that should be forefront in our minds.
>
> As to your second question, I have a great deal of respect for all
> religions. It was not a religious factor. I think that, as we move
> forward and the team is formed, you will see that your question will
> be answered.
>
> Question (interpretation from French): How does Mr. Vieira de Mello
> envisage the work that lies ahead with the coalition? Could he tell
> us something about this four-month mandate?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello (interpretation from French): On the four-month
> mandate, I believe the Secretary-General has just responded. I have
> other full-time functions in Geneva. It was not easy to reach an
> understanding on the duration of the mission, so it seemed to us
> that four months was a reasonable duration that would not put my
> other functions in Geneva at risk. You are well aware of the
> importance of those functions, although, my mission in Iraq also
> relates to the protection of human rights, you will agree to that.
>
> Working with the Authority is part of the rules of the game. They
> are responsible for the administration of the country until there is
> a new order. As the Secretary-General has said and as the resolution
> says, we all hope that that new order will come soon. It is
> imperative that the Iraqi people take the destiny of their country
> in their own hands. We will contribute to that, working with the
> Authority, working with the other components of the international
> community: the diplomatic community in Baghdad, the neighbouring
> countries ?- because Iraq cannot be dealt with in isolation from
> those countries ?- and with all the representatives of civil and
> political society in Iraq.
>
> Question: Mr. Secretary-General, you have said that human rights is
> at the top of your agenda, and you, Mr. Vieira de Mello, have
> pointed to the importance of promoting women's rights. May I ask you
> what, specifically, do you think the United Nations can do to
> further women's rights in Iraq, especially when we hear now about
> various conservative clerics who want to turn back the clock and
> limit women's roles?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: I think experience has shown that an assertive
> policy in the promotion of the full range of the human rights of
> women ?- be they civil, political, or economic, social and cultural
> ?- can only lead to peace, stability, development and tolerance. So,
> we will do our utmost ?- within, obviously, the limitations of our
> own mandate ?- to bring that about among the components of Iraqi
> society and to assist the Authority, which is charged to do the
> same.
>
> The Secretary-General: I think your question also implied that you
> are concerned that Iraqi women, who have had relative freedom, may
> lose ground and that one should do everything possible to ensure
> that that does not happen and, if possible, that their interests and
> rights are protected. We do share that objective and I think that
> will be one of the efforts Mr. Vieira de Mello will be making with
> the Iraqi authorities and with others on the ground.
>
> Question: Mr. Vieira de Mello, when will you actually be hitting the
> ground running in Baghdad, and with what size of staff? What will be
> the makeup of that staff? And what is to prevent you hitting the
> ground running as a lame duck and with people basically saying:
> "Well, he is only going to be here four months. If we don't like
> him, we'll just deal with his successor"?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: First of all, the United Nations is not absent
> from Iraq. We already have a sizeable presence in that country that
> is doing a fabulous job in very, very difficult circumstances. I am
> speaking of the humanitarian community.
>
> Secondly, I intend to "hit the ground", as you put it, on Monday
> morning at the latest, with a relatively small team, because the
> conditions in Baghdad are still not ideal, both in terms of
> accommodation and office space, not to speak of security. But that
> will be reinforced in different, successive waves until we reach the
> ideal size, which I still need to determine, of our mission in
> Baghdad.
>
> As far as being a lame duck, I don't think I was a lame duck in
> Kosovo when I served for two months in the initial phase. We won't
> have time for that. I am going there with my team to do immediate,
> important and urgent work and you will see that we won't be lame
> ducks in any way or fashion.
>
> Question: Mr. Vieira de Mello, could you tell us what you actually
> plan to do next Monday, next week, when you get there? Specifically,
> you must have some ideas of what you would like to do. Also, could
> you tell us what your ideas are about doing a Bonn-style large
> political conference so that there would really be a great input
> from the Iraqi people in trying to decide on their political future?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: Your second question is difficult and you will
> easily understand that I cannot answer that now. Let me get there
> and let us see how we can contribute to that happening.
>
> Now, as far as I am concerned, as I hit the ground, priority number
> one will be to establish contacts with the representative Iraqi
> leaders, representatives of the media, of civil society -? and there
> are many. Iraqi society is rich and that richness has been
> suppressed brutally for the last 24 years. But they are there ?-
> they are there or are returning as we speak ?- and they are my
> priority. Number two: establish good working relations with the
> Authority, with the coalition members. Number three: visit all the
> provinces, because Iraq is not limited to Baghdad and I think it is
> important that I pay attention to what Iraqis in all the 18
> provinces actually feel and aspire to in terms of their future.
>
> Question: Mr. Vieira de Mello, have you in your long travels with
> the United Nations ever been in Baghdad and can you compare it to
> your experiences in East Timor, which certainly put you on the map
> for the United Nations in terms of nation building? The big
> difference is that you were like the mayor, governor, first de facto
> president of that island, and now a quite different situation. Can
> you compare the experiences?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello: I was in Baghdad as a child with my father when
> he was posted in the region, and I have visited once since, but that
> was a long time ago.
>
> Secondly, I find it always dangerous to compare one experience with
> another. Certainly, East Timor, Kosovo, Cambodia, Afghanistan and
> Sierra Leone have taught us many lessons which can be applied in the
> case of Iraq, but the two situations are completely different and
> I'll have to determine how the lessons I've learned and the
> Organization has learned could apply to this particular mandate in
> Iraq.
>
> Question (interpretation from French): Mr. Vieira de Mello, could
> you give us your assessment of the present situation, the problems
> that seem to you to be most urgent, most difficult to manage in the
> immediate term?
>
> Mr. Vieira de Mello (interpretation from French): I believe that, in
> the immediate term, it is obvious that the question of law and order
> is of priority. Security has not yet been fully restored and it is
> impossible to deal with the rest and to build what we want to build:
> democratic institutions, a real culture of human rights and a
> political process, making it possible for the Iraqis to govern
> themselves as soon as possible -? it's impossible without security.
>
> Question: Mr. Secretary-General, a lot has been written about the
> allegedly diminished role of the United Nations pre- and
> post-conflict. What is your reaction to these kinds of comment?
>
> The Secretary-General: I really will have to say that I obviously
> don't know the basis of the definition that before the conflict the
> United Nations was not active. I think all of us saw the intensive
>
> activities in the Council and the debate that led to the divisions
> we've all talked about -? the debate and the divisions that cut
> across old, traditional lines. So I think the Council, in a way, and
> the United Nations did before the war what it was supposed to do.
> The Council acted the way it should have. The fact that they did not
> come to a common consensus, and the war took place without the
> Council's approval, did not mean that the Council did not do its
> work. The Council did debate; the Council really took the issue
> very, very seriously. And since the war, the discussions that led to
> resolution 1483 (2003) were also extremely difficult. But I think
> that, if I understand you correctly, you are implying -? as others
> have implied ?- that the United Nations should have been able to
> stop the war, and it was not in the capacity of the United Nations
> to do that.
>
> Question (interpretation from French): Mr. Secretary-General, there
> has been a great deal of criticism regarding the fact that, despite
> your very strong attitude towards the war on Iraq, there was not
> enough strength to stop the war. What can you say in response to
> this type of criticism?
>
> The Secretary-General (interpretation from French): Obviously,
> Security Council members discussed and are still discussing this
> issue. The Council was fully seized of the matter. The decision was
> theirs to make, not mine. My position was clear: I would have
> preferred a peaceful solution. But that was not possible, and I
> believe everyone knows that. That's why today we have a mandate to
> help the Iraqi people, and we will do everything possible to help
> them.
>
> Spokesman: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
>
>
>
> * *** *
>
>
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--
Bill McIver
Assistant Professor
School of Information Science and Policy
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, New York 12222
USA
e-mail: mciver@albany.edu
URL: http://www.albany.edu/~mciver
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