By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, May 7 -- What are this UN's priorities, when it comes to the death of a UN Peacekeeper in Abyei and at least five questions left unanswered?
On May 6, Inner City Press asked the chief of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous, did the UNISFA mission under this command provide notification of its travel, in which at least one peacekeeper and paramount chief Kuol Deng Kuol were killed?
So Inner City Press submitted several questions in writing to the UN's top three spokespeople. But they did not answer, even as on Tuesday morning Ladsous' spokesman Kieran Dwyer was giving information to other scribes, not about the death in Abyei, but other peacekeepers, in the Golan Heights.Priorities.
So Inner City Press went to Tuesday's UN noon briefing and asked spokesman Martin Nesirky:
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about the death of the peacekeeper in Abyei. I had sent you some questions, but I need to ask them [here]. One, did UNISFA [United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei] give notification of its travel? Two, how large was the protection element? There have been some complaints now by South Sudan that it wasn’t large enough. And what were the casualties to the UN’s knowledge on the Misseriya side?
Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, we’ve already answered that question, Matthew…
Inner City Press: How?
Spokesperson: The last part: that we are not aware of the casualties suffered amongst the assailants, those who attacked that particular group. I don’t have anything further beyond what we have already given to you both in this room and subsequently by e-mail. If that changes, I will certainly update you.
Inner City Press: It seems like the permission question…
Spokesperson: I said if I have anything further, I will certainly update. Do you have some other question, Matthew?
Well, yes. Here's more: A, B and C:
In firefight it's reported in Sudan that 17 Misseriya were killed and 12 injured.
a) What were the numbers and weapons used on each side?
b) What happened afterward with the remaining Misseriya? Did the UNISFA take prisoners, or disarm the remainder of the group? Did they get identities of the ambushers?
c) Did they find out who leaked the route of the convoy?
Is it even worth sending questions to the UN, when Ladsous openly refuses to answer questions and the disease seems to be spreading and, incidentally, hurting the UN? Watch this site.
