In this Al-Jazeera International interview with a nicely designed set — possibly in the UNSG’s 38th floor office, it seems — UNSG BAN Ki-Moon speaks with Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey, and says:
“Membership in UN is something that is up to the member states of the UN … It does not fall within my mandate according to the Charter of the United Nations”
UNSG BAN also says:
“My only wish and hope is that we will not see any confrontational atmosphere in the UNGA over this issue.
“As a committed proponent of the two-state solution … the realization of that vision has been long overdue … Within that context I have been a strong proponent. I’m not in a position to prejudge any outcome which course of action the Palestinian president will take because I have not received any letter of application whatever … I’m going to have a bilateral meeting with the Palestinian leader in NY [the appointment has not been fixed yet]
“I have always been supporting the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations to have an independent state
“It is only natural that after such a loooooong time that the Palestinian people have been frustrated and trying to reach some of their goals. Whatever road they may choose is up to them … Now we are talking about recognition of a state within the UN or the admission of a state as a full member of the United Nations … but as far as their legit concerns and their aspirations or their enduring their sufferings, I fully sympathize…”
This video is posted both on Youtube here. and on the Al-Jazeera English-language website, here.