By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/dpi1begend112309.html
UNITED NATIONS, November 23, updated -- Those who praise the UN are in turn repaid. Hence for the pro-UN filmmaker and author Romuald Sciora, a book signing event in the UN Bookstore on November 20. Sciora was introduced by the chief of the Department of Public Information Kiyo Akasaka. Also present was the head of DPI's Outreach Division Eric Falt, in charge of the bookstore and tour guides (as well as photo ops, click here).
Inner City Press asked a question, and Sciora's response was, "I know you, last time I was here you were mean to me." Mechant was the word he used, in French. In his response, the word "siege" -- meaning a seat on the Security Council -- was mistranslated as headquarters, as in moving the UN's to Europe.
Sciora's film praised the UN, and Inner City Press asked if it considered abuse by peacekeepers. Afterward a crew member of Sciora's contacted the Press, and said he had never been paid. And when he complained, he was told he was being petty, to ask for promised payment for a work about UN.
A few weeks ago, UN tour guides told Inner City Press some of their work was being outsourced. Inner City Press asked two UN officials, both of whom denied it. One of them asked dismissively, where do you hear these things?
Now it is confirmed: the UN has hired a firm to offer audio tours of the UN, without any tour guides present. The outside vendor provides team leaders who "are not allowed to interact" with those on the tour, according to DPI. So, less cost, less staff: outsourcing. But the UN calls this good.
A gaggle of Chinese spokespeople filled the UN's briefing room last week, and outgoing UN spokesperson Michele Montas gave them a long talk. Inner City Press asked to attend, but was told to leave the room. Looking through the frosted glass, one wondered what lessons the UN's stonewalling Office of the Spokesperson might have for China, where a information purveyor working with the parents of children killed in the Sichuan earthquake was just given a three year jail sentence.
Martin Nesirky, who never directly replied to a request from the Press on the morning of November 17 that he confirm his new position, and whose fluency in UN working language French has been questioned in the briefing, starts on December 7. And in between?
At the noon briefing of November 23, Mr. Nesirky made an announced appearance, to state on language that he speaks German, Russian and English, and "a little bit of Korean" as well as a bit of French. He dost protest too much?
Mr. Nesirky left the rostrum without taking any questions, and left the briefing room before the Humanitarian Coordinator spoke. He will apparently be available on November 24 for an hour, no indication on what basis. In the interim questions have been submitted, since in the UN briefing room, usually if someone makes a statement, they then take questions.
Update: And the response / auto-responder: "I am out of the office until Friday 27 November. For OSCE-related matters please contact" OSCE. Watch this site.And see, www.innercitypress.com/dpi1begend112309.html
