Ambassador Wolff: Good afternoon. I’ll be happy to take your questions.
Reporter: I have a question about UNDP, Ambassador, there is a controversy going on between UNDP and the Secretariat about how to handle the whistleblower case. Are you familiar on that case and could you give us some of your impression of the case so far?
Ambassador Wolff: We have been following it closely and of course anything relates to ethics at the UN is a great interest to the United States. The ethics office was a signal of reform of this organization and we believe that the work the ethics office, an independent ethics office, does is for the betterment of the organization as a whole, benefits the individual members states and ensures that the UN functions with the support and credibility, and transparency that we all expect of it.
Reporter: One follow up on that, UNDP is saying that they don’t accept the jurisdiction of the Ethics Office and they claim that they are going to do their own review of the whistleblower’s case through the Executive Board, which the US is on. As an executive board member, would the US participate or agree to that or do you feel that the Ethics Office should review the whistle blowers case and that Mr. Ban should tell Kemal Dervis to do just that?
Ambassador Wolff: Our view of the Ethics Office is that it should have jurisdiction over the entire organization including funds and programs. It is ludicrous, ludicrous to think that you can establish an Ethics Office and it is limited only to certain offices, certain employees, certain individuals not the organization as a whole. So our view on that is pretty clear.
Reporter: What’s the next step?
Ambassador Wolff: We understand that the jurisdictional issue, and I got a little bit into the details on that, the jurisdictional issue is something Secretary-General is looking into, our understanding is that the Secretary-General’s view is the same, that the Ethics Office should have jurisdiction over all funds and programs, and I am sure they will work something out to ensure that that is the outcome.
Reporter: Quick follow up; is this something that the US will raise at the Executive Board meeting of UNDP?
Ambassador Wolff: If it is an issue that is going to be discussed, you bet we will raise it.
Reporter: My question is the discussion on Chad. What is the US view of the request for this authorization for the EU Mission with the UN police component and does the US support a possible UN takeover in a year or so?
Ambassador Wolff: We are supportive of this French and EU proposal to have an EU Mission with a UN police component. We were briefed on this today by the Secretariat; we still have some questions related to the relationship between the two organizations, relationship with the Chadian government, the role this force will have, the duration of its mandate, what comes after including potentially a peacekeeping operation which we think is probably the logical result.
Reporter: Ambassador, thank you. The leader of Hezbollah, Mr. Nasrallah, says they own sophisticated weapons, how much do you take seriously what they are saying?
Ambassador Wolff: We take everything Hezbollah says regarding its weapons acquisitions seriously. We regret that others don’t take it as seriously. As you know under Resolution 1701 and 1559 and others, the disarmament of Hezbollah is one of the essential objectives to ensure that Lebanon continuous on its path to full independence and freedom from outside interference. And, the fact that Hezbollah not only admits, but boasts about these weapons acquisition that are in violation of Security Council resolutions, is another reflection of the threat that they pose to the stability of Lebanon and the region.
Reporter: Are you going to discuss Direction of Lebanon with Mr. Geir Pederson when you meet w him today?
Ambassador Wolff: I expect to have a broad ranging conversation with him, where we will hear his views and see if that issue comes up.
Reporter: Are you planning on coming to the stakeout?
Ambassador Wolff: I wasn’t planning on it but making a point of coming by if you’d like. Thank you very much.
