By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 23 -- The controversial step of a UN “intervention brigade” in the Eastern Congo needed a more open debate before the Security Council approved it, ostensibly as a one time experiment and not a precedent.
Apparently on the theory of “better late than never,” now the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations will have a debate, not with the reclusive Herve Ladsous -- who has repeatedly refused to answer Press questions about his views of and roles in the region, now and in 1994, see memo here -- but another Herve, Herve Lecoq.
But who will Lecoq be “debating”?
None other than Steven Hege, former coordinator of the “Group of Experts” on the Democratic Republic of Congo. As we've reported, Hege authored a piece dismissive of the FDLR militia's threat to Rwanda, which was taken off the Internet as soon as Inner City Press linked to it.
One would still like to get Hege on the record about his writings -- but his “debate” with DPKO's “Other Herve,” Lecoq, will be on the Chatham House Rule -- ideas can be quoted, but not who said them.
Between Herve and Steve, it might be hard to tell them apart. The PEP talk will be at the UN Foundation, not in New York but in Washington, this Friday, April 26 at 9 am. Watch this site.
