By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, August 2 -- The day after the Sri Lankan army opened fire on protesters in Weliweriya, and amid threats against journalists seeking to critically cover the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, Inner City Press put these and one more Sri Lanka questions to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Martin Nesirky.
Four weeks ago Ban's deputy Jan Eliasson told Inner City Press he was near to completing his report on what the UN should learn from its actions (and inaction) during the slaughter in Sri Lanka in 2008 and 2009.
On August 2, as it had tried to on August 1, Inner City Press asked Nesirky for the status of the report, and if and when it will be made public. Video here, from Minute 13:43.
Nesirky said the report has recently been given to the Secretary General, and he is "studying it." He expects the Secretary General to have more to say about it -- "next month."
Today is only August 2. Can it take four weeks to study this report? On the well documented live fire shooting, involving as should be of interest to Ban's UN ground water contaminated by Global Compact member Hayleys, Nesirky said he had nothing. Maybe next month?
We intend to be here, despite another threat by the UN Department of Public Information to suspend or withdraw Inner City Press' accreditation for merely hanging the sign of the new media freedom organization the Free UN Coalition for Access on the door to its shared office. Ironically, Nesirky told Inner City Press on Friday that Ban thinks journalists should be able to do their work without obstacle or intimidation. Really? Watch this site.
