Source: http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=883 http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=883 
Date: June 8, 2006

New York, 8 June 2006 - Secretary-General's press encounter outside the Security Council
SG: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I would like to say a few words and then take your questions. 
I think we've all been monitoring very closely the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. I'm pleased that it seems to be moving forward, and Mr. [Javier] Solana had very good discussions in Tehran. And I think we are off to a reasonably good start. And I am hopeful that this time it will lead to serious negotiations where all the parties will find themselves at the table. 
I know you've also been preoccupied with a little speech that had been given a few days ago. But let me urge you all to read the speech. There shouldn't be misreading of the speech. I think the message that was intended is that the US needs the UN, and the UN needs the US, and we need to support each other, and that the power structure in this Organization is also under discussion, and that when you talk of management reform, others have other things in mind. I myself have had the chance to say that the UN, in terms of power structure, is too narrowly based, where most Member States believe that five countries call the shots. And some adjustments will have to be made. In fact, in the past, I've even referred to a democracy deficit in the way we govern the UN. And so I think the speech by my Deputy [Mark Malloch Brown] should be read in the right spirit, and let's put it behind us and move on. 
Q: Your Deputy seemed to suggest yesterday that one of the objectives for him to give such a provocative speech was to shake the Member States into coming to some sort of an agreement in order to resolve this budget crisis. Is there anything being done by you now? Basically, that's what he was saying yesterday. And besides that, if that was the objective, by including issues like Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, do you think it clouded the whole thrust? 
SG: This is why I said, one has to read the speech simply and sincerely, and get the main message, the essence. There may be one or two things in the speech that you may disagree with, that I would disagree with, but I think the thrust of the message and the fact that the UN needs support, the fact that we need to work together, the fact that we should speak out for the UN, I think is something that we cannot all disagree with. 
On the question of the Member States coming together, they should come together not only to reform and strengthen the Organization, but overcome the debate over the budget. Quite frankly, I think we are all too excited and nervous about this budget issue. I do not see a major budget crisis at the end of this month. The Member States ought to be able to work it out. They all have interests in this Organization, and I think it is an issue. We are making progress on reform. We've made some progress. And I think, in the next couple of weeks, we should be able to make some more. And we should be able to carry on our work. As I've said in the past, the raison d'etre of this Organization is to carry out the mandates that the Member States have given us. Reform is suppose to make us more effective, more efficient, to be able to deliver to those who can serve people in the field. So if one is going to use the argument that I'm not satisfied with reform and I'm going to close down the shop, they will have lots of explanation to do, not just in this building, but to the people out there. And the Member States are urged to move ahead and press ahead with the reform. But they should do it in a calm, reflective manner, with the long-term interests of the Organization in mind. 
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, there are a lot of people, though, who have read the speech and say that it does smack of partisanship, and that it is an offense to the American public. Yet you stand behind Malloch Brown and also you have not repudiated the speech, as was requested by the Ambassador of the United States. How do you respond to this? 
SG: I think you've heard my comments this morning. I've been very clear. You may read into it things that are not there; that's your right. I've told you what message was intended and how I read it. Whatever you choose to read it, I don't want to quarrel with that. But I would only urge all of you to read the full text, simply, sincerely and honestly. 
Q: Sir, what is your reaction to the death of Mr. [Abu Musab] al-Zarqawi in Iraq announced this morning? 
SG: This is an individual who has been responsible for many heinous crimes, caused lots of problems in Iraq for the Government and the people of Iraq -- the people of Iraq who are afraid to step out, the people of Iraq who are only demanding peace, stability, and to have their streets back. I think they will all be relieved that he is gone. And of course, we cannot pretend that that will mean the end of the violence. But it is a relief that such a heinous and dangerous man who has caused so much harm to the Iraqis is no longer around to continue his work. 
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, about Syria and Lebanon, we understand that you responded to the Lebanese Prime Minister's letter and said about the importance of drawing the boundaries. Do you think it's time for the Syrians to send an official message in this regard? 
SG: I think this is an issue that the two Governments are working on. We have encouraged that we believe the border should be demarcated and it is up to the two Governments to take it up from now on. 
…
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, how do you [inaudible] your differences with Ambassador Bolton? 
SG: I have no differences with Bolton. I have my work to do; he has his to do. 
Q: I wonder if you believe that the killing of Zarqawi may stray somewhat dangerously close to the line on the Geneva Convention, such a targeted assassination? And secondly, can we get your comments on the election of Bahraini lawyer and first woman from the Middle East as General Assembly President [Haya Rashed Al Khalifa]? 
SG: Iraq is a war zone. And there are lots of groups fighting with each other. There are lots of militias, armies and others. And with Zarqawi, if it is him indeed who has been killed, has been at war. He's been in a fight. So I don't think you can equate it to targeted assassination of the kind that we have seen elsewhere. 
I think on the question of the new General Assembly Presidency, I'm particularly pleased that we do have a woman president for the first time [since] 1969. I met her yesterday and I found her quite impressive. All the Member States are determined to work with her and to support her. And I think she's going to bring a new dimension to the work here. And we should all be happy that she has been elected. 
Thank you very much.