By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 27 -- While the UN remains elusive about whether Guinea Bissau's post-coup leader Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo will speak for the country in the General Assembly, and whether he will meet with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or his team, the head of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime Yuri Fedotov was more clear midday on Thursday.
Inner City Press asked Fedotov about UNODC's work in and analysis of Guinea Bissau, including whether, since the April 12 coup d'etat, UNODC has worked with the post-coup government. Inner City Press asked asked whether UNODC believes drug trans-shipment has increased or decreased since the coup.
Fedotov replied, "Unfortunately, it is clear the trans-shipment of drugs through Guinea Bissau is increasing. It puts an additional challenge."
On whether UNODC works with the post-coup government, he replied that it "obviously" does not even have any contacts with what he called the "military junta." Fedotov said:
"So far we keep our profile very low. We keep alive facilities we helped to install in Guinea Bissau, including transnational crime unit. Obviously as you understand we don't have any contacts with members of the military junta in Guinea Bissau. But we are keeping the modest assets we built, in close coordination with all UN programs and fund present there... That is an issue we are discussion with colleagues. I've had several meeting in New York. We'll continue to pursue matter and we'll see what could be done in this particular context."
One wonders, who has Fedotov met with about this while in New York for the General Assembly? With whom has Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo met? Watch this site.
