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STORY: UN / BAN KI-MOON
SOURCE: UNTV
TRT: 2:52
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS
DATELINE: 5 MAY 2009, NEW YORK CITY/ FILE
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior UN building
5 MAY 2009, NEW YORK CITY
2. Med shot, Secretary-General arriving at press conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
“Our watchword in potential health crises, now and in the future, must be solidarity — a global solidarity. In this spirit, I will therefore be asking governments in the coming weeks to: First, reach agreement on sharing of samples of viral and other materials, as well as data on outbreaks, in line with the International Health Regulations.”
4. Wide shot, reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
“It is not my intention to establish any further Inquiry. I intend to address any other incidents relating to UN personnel on a case by case basis, and through dialogue with the government of Israel. The government of Israel has informed me that it has reservations and objections to elements of the summary. At the same time, I am pleased that the Israeli government has agreed to meet United Nations officials to address some of the Board’s recommendations, in so far as it relates to Israel.”
6. Wide shot, cameras
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
“I have urged the authorities to avoid the use of artillery and heavy weaponry in zones where civilians are especially at risk. I have also appealed to the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] to let civilians go and stop forced recruitment. Above all, there is an urgent need for the two sides to bring the conflict to a peaceful and orderly end. It is very important that the Government lay out the conditions under which this conflict can end without further bloodshed.”
8. Wide shot, reporters
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
“While the Sri Lankan government is allowing us to approach by ship through ICRC, my position was that it’s not enough – they should be able to land and deliver all humanitarian assistance and assess the exact situation; how many people are trapped and how the international community can help them evacuate safely to a safe zone.”
10. Wide shot, dais
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held his monthly press conference today (5 May), addressing a variety of issues including the outbreak of the A (H1N1) virus, the situation in Sri Lanka and the release of the report of the Board of Inquiries on Gaza.
Ban said that the current Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is yet another reminder of just how much countries are interconnected, urging global solidarity to tackle the virus.
He said that he will ask governments to “reach agreement on sharing of samples of viral and other materials, as well as data on outbreaks, in line with the International Health Regulations.”
He also called for establishing coordinated long-term financing mechanisms for supporting poorer countries so that they are able to build their defenses against global health threats, and ensuring that WHO has all the resources it needs.
The Secretary-General urged countries to reverse restrictions on trade and travel unless there is clear scientific evidence that it is necessary.
Ban said that after submitting a summary of the report of the Board of Inquiries regarding incidents involving UN personnel during the recent Gaza conflict to the Security Council, he has no intention of any further inquiries and any other incidents will be dealt in a case by case basis.
He said that the government of Israel has informed him that it has "reservations and objections to elements of the summary”, while agreeing to meet United Nations officials “to address some of the Board’s recommendations, in so far as it relates to Israel.”
On Sri Lanka, he said that he has “urged the authorities to avoid the use of artillery and heavy weaponry in zones where civilians are especially at risk”. He said he also appealed to the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] “to let civilians go and stop forced recruitment” and urgently called on the two sides “to bring the conflict to a peaceful and orderly end” without further bloodshed.
He also insisted that the Sri Lankan government is not doing enough to allow delivery of humanitarian assistance “and assess the exact situation; how many people are trapped and how the international community can help them evacuate safely to a safe zone.”
The Secretary-General said he spoke to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today and called for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian workers into the conflict zone.
