By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, December 21 -- The UN on Tuesday denied giving grounds passes to any representative of IIMSAM, the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition.
But last year Inner City Press witnessed such passes and wrote a story questioning the “snake oil” like claims in the UN of the “Ambassadors” of IIMSAM.
After that article, suddenly the IIMSAM Ambassadors became less present inside the UN. It was said that their passes had been revoked or downgraded, and that they were asking for a meeting with Inner City Press.
Asked about the group on December 21, acting Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said again and again, “No grounds passes have been issued to representatives of IIMSAM.”
Inner City Press then specifically asked him about a revocation or downgrading of ID cards by the UN. Haq repeated the same: “No grounds passes have been issued to representatives of IIMSAM, this is all I can say.” Video here, from Minute 11:38.
IIMSAM's Maradona with PGA d'Escoto Brockmann - and UN ID card
In this light, Inner City Press is publishing a photograph of IIMSAM representative Maradona, previously ubiquitous in the UN, with a grounds pass on. That it is a Diplomat's pass raises even more questions. Watch this site.
