By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/monuc1mountain111309.html
UNITED NATIONS, November 13 -- With mounting reports of the UN Mission in the Congo working with Army units which target and kill civilians, outgoing MONUC Deputy Ross Mountain on November 12 spoke of "extraordinary progress in us using innovatively the military we have to" protect civilians. Video here, from Minute 19:32.
Inner City Press asked, what about the report of UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, that Army units commanded by one Colonel Zimulinda killed 50 civilians but nothing has been done? When MONUC chief Alan Doss was last in New York, Inner City Press asked him about Alston's report and Zimulinda, and Doss said there wasn't enough proof.
Now that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has called for action on Zimulinda, how does Mountain explain Doss' earlier statements? "I wasn't here for the earlier comments," Mountain said, adding "I haven't followed that."
Inner City Press asked about the case of MONUC local staff member John Dimandja, who was used the UN in disarmament until he and his family tell under threat. As exclusively reported by Inner City Press, he came to New York, told the UN about the theft and resale of UN jet fuel in Bunia. Ultimately, after he in frustration said he'd have to stand in front of Ban Ki-moon's car, the UN sent the NY Police to tell him to stay away.
"I heard of it last night," Mountain said.
He said that sometimes local staff are used as translator and interpreters, with "international counterparts and the military." Video here, from Minute 32:34.
But Dimandja, as demonstrated by a video tape he has provided to Inner City Press, was much more than a translator. "If there are allegations of theft, I'm sure that will be looked into," Mountain said. We'll see.
And see, www.innercitypress.com/monuc1mountain111309.html
