ÉñÂíÎçÒ¹¸£ÀûÍø

SG:[Translated from the French:] The president has given a good summary of our discussions. First of all I would like to thank the President, the government, and the Chadian people for the warm reception they have given us this afternoon, and in terms of refugees, for having accepted to accommodate the Sudanese refugees. But the president is right, it is necessary to find a solution, a political solution, as soon as possible, otherwise it will not only involve the Sudan, it could become a regional drama.

We, the international community must do everything we can do to work with the Sudanese government and the President of Chad who has started the negotiations to find a solution and calm the situation, because otherwise, the drama that we are now living is nothing compared to what will come next and so I hope that we can work together now.

I will see President Bashir tomorrow to discuss not only the humanitarian situation but also the question of security of the population to permit them to return home in peace and security. And we are going to discuss the negotiations for a political solution. I think I will stop there.

Q: [Translated from the French:] Alexandra Zavis, Associated Press. Mr. President I would like to ask what is the impact of this conflict on your country if would you like to describe that to me. And Mr. Secretary-General, how does the UN propose to help Chad in their efforts to solve this crisis.

[The President answered the question put to him.]

SG [Translated from the French]: I believe that the best way to help Chad is to solve the problem of Darfur and so we will work with the Sudanese Government and with the rebels to find a solution. If we can manage the situation in Darfur, that will have a direct impact on Chad. In the meantime, we will increase the humanitarian assistance, a process which is already underway.

[A journalist then asked the President a question in Arabic, which he answered in Arabic.]

Q: Nathan King, South African Broadcasting. If I could ask you, Secretary-General, to reply in English to this question, if possible. What has been Chad's reaction, do you think, to the humanitarian crisis on its eastern borders and also, Mr. President, I know that you have been at the centre of the mediation efforts. Is there any real progress on the ground between the parties because the cease-fires have broken down?

SG: I think the impact on Chad, is quite clear. I think the President has indicated that they have over 200,000 refugees from Sudan who are here. The number is growing and it is likely that during the rainy season, even more will come. This is a major economic drain on the country. The international community is trying to assist, but I think the pace of the assistance and the urgency with which we are dealing with it, doesn't measure up to the nature of the crisis. And the international community needs to do more. Pledges have been made, but not all the money has been delivered. It's one thing to pledge, it's another thing to transform it into cash. And we are going to need more money from the international community, not just for Chad, but also for Sudan. If we are going to press the Sudanese, the rebels an others to do what we expect them to do, we should also do what we have promised to do as an international community.

I think the other impact is the instability that has accompanied this conflict. Because it is not only on the other side of the border, it also crosses over to this border. And Chad is a country that is trying to get its economy and social affairs in order. With that sort of instability on its border we can frighten away investors and nobody wants that.

Q: Mwamoyo Hamza, Voice of America. Is there a point where Chad would limit and say we are not taking any more refugees from the Sudan?

[The President answered the question in French.]

SG: Let me say something on this question. I thin I would want to take this opportunity to thank the President and the people of Chad for the hospitality and the generosity and the compassion they have shown for the refugees coming across from Sudan. And I think the thought, that they would want to limit the numbers and prevent people who are afraid for their lives, who are afraid they will be attacked, is not only illegal, against international conventions, but I should say as an African, it would also be un-African.