By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, March 31 -- When Luxembourg's Ambassador to the UN Sylvie Lucas held her end of Security Council presidency press conference on March 31, she said seven resolutions had been adopted -- and one, on Ukraine and Crimea, was vetoed.
Inner City Press had earlier asked the UN Spokesperson why the upcoming Crimea "Arria formula" meeting was not listed in the UN Media Alert, even though meeting organizer Lithuania had told the Free UN Coalition for Access there would at least be a question and answer stakeout afterward. The question remains unanswered.
Lucas, though, did fully 14 question and answer stakeouts during the month, a major increase. At the beginning of the month FUNCA had expressed hope for them, and on March 31 offered thanks. Then Inner City Press asked about Palestine and also about the Central African Republic.
During March, the Mission of the Observer State of Palestine directed letters to Lucas as Council president, and a delegation of the OIC, NAM and the Arab League met with her. She said she conveyed that information, and it was discussed in consultations.
But what really comes of it? US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Tel Aviv; the UN's role in these talks is unclear or non-existent.
In the CAR, the Chadian special forces killed somewhere between eight and 30 civilians, while not being part of the MISCA peackeeping force. Lucas said she had read the reports, and understood that the Chadians were part of a team to evacuate other Chadians.
So what happened? Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's 150 word statement does not answer. We aim to have more on this. Watch this site.
