Q: Do you have any comment on this latest bombing in Afghanistan, another serious attack?
SG: I'm again very much surprised by this terrorist attack against the Foreign Minister of Norway, and I feel fortunate that he was not injured, but that really confirms that we must take necessary measures to address this terrorist attack. My participation in the Alliance of Civilizations is part of that kind of campaign by the international community. What we have seen in the last many years where the international community has been suffering from this kind of terror attack. We must do more to, first of all, appreciate more and respect more the cultures and civilizations and traditions of other worlds. This is a very important initiative taken by Spain and the Turkish Government, a co-initiative by the United Nations. As I have stated today, to establish an independent panel to look into the case of the Algiers terrorist bombing, that this is part of our ongoing efforts.
Q: Can we assume from your statement about the Algiers independent panel that the [David] Veness report raised some unanswered questions, doubts in your mind, things you need to know or to find out more about to where you're satisfied as to really what happened?
SG: I have received the interim report from the Under-Secretary-General for the DSS [Department of Safety and Security], and we are now going to try to find out more facts. It's not only limited to the Algiers case. After this internal panel makes a report, recommendations, we will try to discuss with the General Assembly how we can be sure of better safety and security of UN staff and premises all around the world. We need to take some sort of global measures.
Q: Do you personally have doubts now that the Algiers situation in the months leading up to the bombings had been properly dealt with and really properly handled?
SG: It's not because of doubt. We have [had] some internal investigations on this issue, but at this time we'd like to engage other Member States and other international experts on this issue, and try to find out more facts, and try to find out measures, what we can do more to strengthen our measures against all possible attacks against the United Nations.
Q: At what point do you think some of these reports would be made public, where you feel comfortable with the public, or at least the staff, seeing what the findings are?
SG: I think it is not appropriate at this time to make any interim report public. When there is a time, then we will let you know about our findings and recommendations.
Q: Is there anything new on Lebanon? The presidential elections have been postponed for the 12th time.
SG: This again is very frustrating, that they have been postponing all the time like this. There was a very important initiative by the League of Arab States. They should have taken that very seriously. I have been consulting the League of Arab States Secretary-General and other leaders in the region. Again, as I expressed my dissatisfaction and frustration on Monday, January 7th, that we will continue to exert our common efforts. Thank you very much.
Q: Why do you think they were targeting the Norwegian Foreign Minister?
SG: I am not going to make any comment on this. This is not my area at this time. Wherever, whenever it may be, this is really a serious crime against [our common] humanity.
Q: Where do we stand on getting a new SRSG for Afghanistan?
SG: I am still in the process of talking and interviewing. Thank you.