By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, December 27 -- The UN's bungling of Sri Lanka continued Monday, when a snow storm because a snow job. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on December 17 announced that his Panel ostensibly on Accountability in Sri Lanka would travel to that country.
But on December 23, when Inner City Press asked Ban's acting Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq about such travel, after he was quoted that it might in fact not take place, all Haq would say is that an announcement would be made later.
Then he announced that there would be no opportunity for in person question and answers during the entire week beginning December 27.
Inner City Press asked why the noon briefings were canceled, when the UN is ostensibly open. Haq claimed that journalists had asked for less information, so that they would not have to come in. But he said that questions would be answered by lead spokesman Martin Nesirky, who has said that he speaks for the Panel.
On December 26, Inner City Press sent the following simple question to Haq and Nesirky, with a deadline of 12:30 pm on December 27:
"Confirm or deny that the Secretariat / chief of staff of the S-G's panel on Sri Lanka is traveling to that country, and if so, with what goals?”
At 11:30 am on December 27, Haq responded with five words: "UNHQ is closed on Monday."
Rather than a simple answer to a simple question, Haq sent this:
From: Farhan Haq [at] un.org
To: Inner City Press, Martin Nesirky [at] un.org
Date: Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Re: Press Qs on Cote d'Ivoire, Darfur, Sri Lanka and Kosovo (and old questions... reiterated re [26] days ago
UNHQ is closed on Monday. Thanks.
Watch this site.
