UNITED NATIONS, April 8 -- With the world temporarily focused on or at least looking at Kyrgyzstan, much of the focus has been on new "interim" leader Rosa Otunbayeva. One salient fact, however, has been missed: Rosa Otunbayeva has worked for the UN, in Georgia, from 2002 to 2004.
Inner City Press went back and found a quote from Rosa Otunbaeva:
UNOMIG deputy head Roza Otunbayeva said she hoped that both sides would still make an attempt to give concessions in order to advance the talks, and she pledged continued support from the United Nations. "The U.N. will do everything possible to create conditions conducive to trust and constructive work," she said (Kuchuberia, ITAR-Tass).
Based on this, Inner City Press asked UN Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq
The new [interim] leader of Kyrgyzstan is a former senior UN official, having served as the Deputy and Acting SRSG in UNOMIG during the previous SG's tenure. Does the Secretary-General believe that the new leader is someone he can work with, given her UN credentials?
The UN's Haq replied that
"Concerning Kyrgyzstan, as the SG announced, Jan Kubis will travel there tomorrow as his special envoy. We will await his travel and meetings as we evaluate the situation in the country; we wouldn't have any comment on the leadership there at present."
Inner City Press followed up:
"to the Kyrgyz question, can the UN confirm that the current 'interim' leader of Kyrgyzstan is a former Acting UNSRSG? And has the current SG or his staff had any communications with her prior or subsequent to the fall of the Baliev Government yesterday?"
Bear in mind that close observers say that Ms. Otunbayeva was chosen as interim leader due to her "international connections."
But the UN's Haq replied:
" I wouldn't comment on the leadership in Kyrgyzstan while Jan Kubis prepares his visit. I can confirm that Rosa Otunbayeva had been Deputy SRSG for UNOMIG from 2002 to 2004. "
What magic, then, can possible next UN Secretary General Jan Kubis perform in Kyrgyzstan? Watch this site.
