By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, March 28 -- As forces supporting Alassane Ouattara announced they have taken over the town of Duekoue and moving in on Guiglo, the UN in New York had Cote d'Ivoire announcements only about Abidjan: shelling by Gbagbo forces, stoning of UN vehicles, presumably by supporters of Gbagbo. What kind of reporting is this?
Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky if he could confirm the fighting in Duekoue and if, as he had just done in calling for both sides in Libya to stop shooting, the UN is watching, reporting on and calling for restraint by both sides in Cote d'Ivoire.
Nesirky pulled out a piece of paper and read that the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire, UNOCI or in French ONUCI, confirmed “fresh fighting” in Duekoue as the FRCI forces “continue to push forward.”
Nesirky made no comment on this “pushing” by Ouattara's Ivory Coast Republican Forces. Nesirky said that local people are seeking UN protection. From whom?
When the UN speaks of civilians displaced by fighting, it strongly implies that this displacement is entirely attributable to actions of Gbagbo supporters. But some are questioning that, saying that the one sided nature of the UN's reporting undermines its credibility. We are seeking further information.
Nesirky was also asked about the UN's investigation of the leak of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire's military plans to use its attack helicopters. He confirmed there is an investigation, but wouldn't say more about it. One wag asked, could the UN have its own Bradley Manning? Watch this site.
