By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, December 9 -- Why did Ban Ki-moon and now Navi Pillay hide from the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Liu Xiaobao? Because not only Ban but now also Navi Pillay want second terms in power, which China could block.
When Navi Pillay took the post as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, most understand that she wanted only one term. This was viewed positively, in that she could then do what she thought was right, without worrying about being blocked for a second term.
But recently, sources tell Inner City Press, Pillay has taken an interest in a second term. This, they say, and not any unbreakable other commitment, explains her controversial decision not to even attend the December 10 ceremony in Oslo to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.
The UN has said that she has another commitment, and that the UN somehow wasn't invited. During Ban's recent four day visit to China, he did not mention the name of the Nobel Peace Prize winner. When his Under Secretary General Sha Zukang handed an award to the general in charge during Tiananmen Square, Ban did nothing.
Inner City Press asked then, and again on November 24:
Inner City Press: finally on this, there is this issue of the award that was given by Under-Secretary-General Sha [Zukang] to Chi Haotian, the General involved in the Tiananmen Square incident. I just, it was left — at the time it was said that, Martin Nesirky said that, Mr. Sha was on UN time while he was in China, but that the Secretariat hadn’t been informed that this award was going to be given. Questions continue. It’s been reported in China that this was a UN award or somehow given in his official capacity. What’s the UN’s final position on whether Mr. Sha was operating as an Under-Secretary-General when he gave it, and if he wasn’t, what’s going, what’s happened since?
Acting Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq: Mr. Sha, I believe, tried to provide an explanation for his actions. At this point, I don’t have anything further to say about any UN response.
Inner City Press: He gave an explanation to the Secretary-General’s office?
Acting Deputy Spokesperson: To the Secretary-General’s office.
Inner City Press: Was it acceptable?
Acting Deputy Spokesperson: At this point I don’t have anything further to say. We did receive an explanation.
Chinese media have reported that the general was given a “UN Prize” by Sha Zukang... What will the UN -- and Navi Pillay -- do? Watch this site.
