Monday, June 11, 2012

At UN on Cote d'Ivoire, "Ladsous Has No Facts," Palestine Invite is Other Business


By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 11, updated -- As the Security Council met at France's request to be briefed by Herve Ladsous, the fourth Frenchman in a row atop UN Peacekeeping on Monday afternoon about the killing of Nigerois peacekeepers, outside diplomats complained to Inner City Press that Ladsous had "no facts." They also said that at least one member of the Ivorian security forces was killed.

  A troop contributing country representative told Inner City Press the speculation is that "Gbagbo supporters" are behind it, but that their grievance include that despite all the money the UN is spending in Cote d'Ivoire, it is not safe for them to return after the victory of Alassane Ouattara.

  Meanwhile, the massacre at Duekoue by Ouattara supporters has yet to be investigated much less acted on.

  The "other business" of the Security Council, sources told Inner City Press, was the invitation for the Council to visit Palestine. The US, sources said, would of course oppose it. Deputy Permanent Representative Rosemary "DiCarlo's come for that," a diplomat said, smiling. Watch this site.

Update of 5:10 pm -- Several Council members afterward told Inner City Press that US is opposed to a Palestine trip, so it will not happen. One said hopefully that talks will continue.

  When Ladsous came out and told the media about a ceremony in Abidjan, Inner City Press asked him about the Ivorian security officer a troop contributing country representative told Inner City Press about.

  "I'm not talking to you, sir," Ladsous told Inner City Press. Perhaps "sir" is progress from "Mister." Last time, Ladsous said "Well, Mister, I will start answering your questions when you stop insulting me and making malicious and insulting insinuations." That video, at Minute 28:10, is online here.  And so it goes in this UN.