Kofi annan holds a media availability.
|
|
[*] ANNAN: I have followed with concern, the developments in Afghanistan. We’re following the tragic accident. Crowds gathered and led to even greater disturbances, leading to deaths and injuries of many people. Lots of properties were damaged, including UN and international humanitarian workers. Obviously the United Nations has always been supportive of the Afghan effort and we’ve worked with them over the years as a reliable partner and we will continue to do so, with the international community, in ensuring that the country is stabilized and we will continue our work to strengthen their institutions. I also had the opportunity of talking to President [Hamid] Karzai and [US] Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about measures we can all take to help bring the situation under control. But, obviously what has happened is symptomatic of perhaps deeper problems and the need we have to work with them, to strengthen their security forces. And what happened in Kabul came after major disturbances during the week around the country. And President Karzai believes that the situation is now under control. But we will continue to monitor it very closely. QUESTION: Sir, you say there are deeper problems. What can be done to ease the tensions and what deeper problems are you referring to? ANNAN: We have an insecure situation in parts of the country. We have the question of the drug cultivation and production. We have a question of the need to strengthen, as I said, security forces and national institutions, and these do take time and resources, but we need to persevere. QUESTION: On the issue of Myanmar, we’ve just heard that Aung Sang Suu Kyi will be under detention for, who knows how long. This comes right after you personally called for her release and there had been some signs that, maybe, they might release her. What’s your response to that and what can you do now to exert any pressure on the Government? ANNAN: I am disappointed that, when the Government reviewed her detention, they did not decide to release her. I will continue to work with our partners in the region and, as you may have noted, quite a few of them also issued statements appealing for her release. We will continue our work with the Government and we will continue to work with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian countries] and with Malaysia, which has the Presidency of ASEAN and NAM [Non Aligned Movement]. And we hope that other governments with influence will bring pressure to bear. QUESTION: East Timor has always been lauded as one of the biggest success stories of your administration. What went wrong? Did the Security Council draw down too quickly? What can be done? Who have you been on the phone with? ANNAN: I think it’s really sad and tragic that we have to relive this experience again in East Timor. Over the past couple of days, I have had the opportunity to talk to President Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister [Mari] Alkatiri, as well as with the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia, about supporting East Timor. I have also sent in Ian Martin as my Special Envoy. He’s now on the ground. He has the authority, and the rank as an Under-Secretary- General, to help deal with the situation, and make a political assessment for me. He hit the ground running and he’s been in a series of meetings already. What went wrong is what I hope this report would indicate. But obviously, there has been some miscommunication, some misunderstanding as to who is responsible for what and contradictory instructions having been given to forces. But I hope that, with the arrival of the international forces and Ian Martin’s presence, we will be able to get the situation under control. President Xanana [Gusmao] spoke to the population this morning, appealing for calm and indicating some changes in ministerial appointments, and I hope this will help calm the situation. QUESTION: Is East Timor now going to need a Coalition of the Willing to constantly run it? Is it still?. More : accessmylibrary.com |