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RUSSIAN INFORMATION AGENCY NOVOSTI Interview with UN chief Ban Ki-moon 09/04/2008 13:13 The United Nations secretary general gave an interview to RIA Novosti ahead of his visit to Russia, beginning on April 9. Interview with UN chief Ban Ki-moon (RIA Novosti video) - Secretary general, how would you assess Russia-UN relations, and what will be your agenda on your visit to Russia? I am looking forward to visiting your great country in my capacity as secretary general. Russia has been a very important player in the United Nations system. Since the beginning of the organization, and as a permanent Security Council member, Russia has been playing an important role in peace and security in the world. Russia has provided 300 soldiers and military observers in over 12 peacekeeping missions around the world. Of course, I would expect that Russia will do more. And Russia also has been taking many important initiatives on issues in the Middle East and other regional conflict issues. My visit to Russia at this time and my meetings with the President Putin and President-elect Mr. Medvedev will be very important, and I greatly look forward to them. I am very proud of the dedicated services and contributions by Russian staff within UN family. First of all, you have Undersecretary General and Director General for United Nations Office in Geneva, Mr. Sergey Ordzhonikidze, and also Mr. Dmitry Titov, who is an assistant secretary general in the Department for Peacekeeping operations in charge of rule of law. They are all taking very important roles as senior managers. Other than these, we have also many Russian citizens who are respected, and who are making a great contribution. Of course, I'm conscious of the Russian government's wishes to have more Russians working in the UN system, and at the same time I hope that the Russian government will provide good candidates for my consideration. KOSOVO - Secretary general, do you plan to raise the issue of Kosovo during your visit? First of all, the declaration of independence and recognition of independence of member state is something that must be done by member states - not the United Nations. As far as the United Nations is concerned, under the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1244 I will continue to exercise our mandate and authority through UNMIK in Kosovo, obligations and commitments given by the Security Council Resolution 1244. At this time it is very important to maintain peace and stability on the ground, therefore I would urge the parties concerned in the region to refrain from taking any unilateral measures which may provoke inside violence. UNMIK along with KFOR will continue to stabilize the situation on the ground. I will have close consultations during my visit to Russia with President Putin, president-elect Medvedev, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. - What is the likelihood of responsibility for Kosovo being divided between the UN and the European Union? I know of the decision of the European Union to deploy EULEX in Kosovo. My position, as I said, is that according to the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1244, UNMIK will continue to exercise its role, mandate and authority throughout Kosovo. For all other matters, because of the changing and evolving situation on the ground, we may have to very closely consult and coordinate with all the parties concerned, for example with the European Union, the Russian government, the Serbian government, and Kosovo authorities. MIDEAST - How do you assess Russia's role in the Middle East conflict? I support initiative of the Russian government to hold a Moscow peace conference sometime in the near future. I understand that your government has been actively consulting with the parties concerned in the region. If it is decided, I will certainly participate in the meeting. The international community through Annapolis peace initiative has launched a very important process. We must build upon this Annapolis peace process, but regrettably the situation which has developed on the ground has undermined the whole peace process at this time. While it is encouraging that the bilateral dialogue between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas has been continuing, at the same time, the situation taking place in the region has not been beneficial or encouraging to this ongoing peace process. Therefore if and when this Moscow conference is held, it will provide a very good opportunity for parties concerned to build upon and discuss in more depth how we can ensure peace and stability in the region. UN REFORM - We have heard several times from UN member states that reform of the organization is needed. Do you agree? The reform of the United Nations is very necessary, so that the United Nations can be trusted and gain confidence from its member states. The United Nations should be reborn to be more effective and efficient. Unfortunately, the UN has been criticized for not being transparent and not being effective. Since I won of my mandate as secretary general I have undertaken to change first of all the working culture in the UN to make all our step more professional, more transparent and more accountable, and also to streamline the bureaus of our organizations. For example I have restructured Department of Peacekeeping Operations, dividing it into two and creating new Department of Field Support. As you know, at this time we are maintaining 120 thousand soldiers in 80 missions all around the world, and they are very much overstretched. And I really want to divide it into two departments and to make them more specialized and competent in their work. As far as changing the working culture in the United Nations is concerned, I have signed with all senior managers the contracts in which senior managers should be accountable for their priorities and their performance. Their performance will be reviewed and monitored by the monitoring board. And at the end of their contracts there will be a reviewing of their performance. I have taken measures to streamline and simplify all bureaucratic processes of the United Nations. These ongoing efforts will continue under my mandate. - Recently, U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain criticized the role of the UN in the world. How would you respond to this criticism? First of all, the United Nations has been playing a leading role in the international community to bring peace, security and development, and to protect human rights throughout the world. Because of the numerous challenges we are facing and the limited manpower resources of the United Nations, it may be the case that progress in achieving all these goals has been slow. But as far as the commitment and support of the international community are concerned, you'll not be able to find any alternative to this organization. The United Nations is truly the only universal global body composed of a whole family of nations, so it is important for the international community to nurture and support the work of the UN by providing strong political support, and by providing necessary resources, so the UN can uphold the ideas and goals of the UN Charter. These are 3 pillars - peace and security, development, and the promotion of human rights. ABKHAZIA - During the NATO summit in Bucharest, Georgia and Ukraine's membership plans were discussed. Certain NATO countries refuse to take Georgia on board because of its unresolved territorial issues. One of the contentious issues is Abkhazia. How does the UN view the Georgian question? This is very sensitive issue. The United Nations military observer mission has been providing necessary assistance to bring about peace and a harmonious resolution in the conflict zone there. My major primary concern is first of all to assist a peaceful resolution, but also to help internally displaced persons and provide humanitarian assistance and protection of human rights. I know the position of the Georgian government vis-a-vis the CIS peacekeeping operation. And it would be very important for any peacekeeping operations to gain the support and confidence of all parties concerned. I understand that this is the case. And we will continue to facilitate the peaceful resolution of this issue through the work of my Special Representative in Georgia.
