By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, May 30 -- Imposing a two child policy on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's Rakhine State seems like something of which the UN would be immediately suspect and critical.
But not this UN, apparently. Two days after Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesperson Eduardo Del Buey if Ban or his Myanmar "Good Offices" envoy Vijay Nambiar had any comment on the policy, still there is none. There is, however, a statement about Nambiar's presence at and view of the government's Kachin talks.
On May 28 Inner City Press asked:
Inner City Press: In Myanmar, there are these talks between the Government and the Kachin rebels, it is said that Vijay Nambiar was part of it. But it wasn’t clear what his role was. There are some reports that the UN [in] Yangon wouldn’t say it. What is his role, and also, does the UN have any comment on the announced two-child policy in Rakhine State for Rohingya Muslims?Deputy Spokesperson: We’ve seen the reports of the announcement of two or two-child policy in Rakhine State.When we have something for you, we will get it to you. And Vijay Nambiar travelled to the country over the weekend, we will update you on what he is doing as soon as we get that information.
Two days later, nothing on the outrageous two-child policy. What is the UN coming to? But there's this, on or from Nambiar (who when in New York remains one of the few Department of Political Affairs affiliated people still based in the emptying North Lawn Building) --
Subject: Your question on Vijay Nambiar.
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Myanmar, Vijay Nambiar, is attending the peace talks that began yesterday. This is the first time that such talks have taken place inside the country between the Government negotiators and Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO). The request for the presence of the UN as an observer was made by the KIO and was agreed to by the Government. The Special Adviser reports that the talks started on a cordial note, with both sides stressing their commitment to achieving peace and reconciliation in Kachin.
There's buzz around the UN wondering what the relation might be between Nambiar and India possibly getting, on a non-interim basis, the top post at UN Women. Or will it goFinnish? Watch this site.
