By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 27 -- When Ban Ki-moon's Group of Friends on Myanmar met Tuesday afternoon things were different. Despite an upsurge in government attacks and displacement in East and Northern Burma, the mood was congratulations, for freeing Aun Sang Suu Kyi and holding elections how ever flawed.
On the way into the meeting, Ban's chief of staff Vijay Nambiar could not find his way, even to the bathroom, requiring directions from an Associate Spokesperson. Afterward even the UK's Mark Lyall Grant said he hadn't raise the issue of replacing Nambiar, since Ban said he would send him back to the country.
But Nambiar never speaks to the press or answers questions. He is a Myanmar unto himself, perhaps perfect for the job if the job is cover up.
When the meeting was over, or actually before, French Ambassador Gerard Araud left the room, intent on presenting about Iran up at the French consulate. He told a reporter, as told to Inner City Press with direct concern, that France cautiously welcomes the changes in Myanmar. But what does that mean?
UK Permanent Representative Mark Lyall Grant, who left later, was more direct, saying that the UK is concerned about violence in the ethnic areas of the Kachin and Shan, and want the NLD political party to be able to register.
Inner City Press asked Lyall Grant if he'd raised his previous point, about the need to replace Nambiar. Not this time, Lyall Grant indicated, saying that since Ban had said he'd be sending Nambiar back to Myanmar and soon, he had held his tongue. And so it goes at the UN.