By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive
UNITED NATIONS, February 18 -- Three weeks ago, Inner City Pres was first to report that Nicholay Mladenov would leave his position as the UN's envoy to Iraq, to replace Robert Serry as Middle East Coordinator. At that time, Inner City Press said it would report on Mladenov's successor in Iraq.
And now, based on sources on the UN's 38th floor and in the field, Inner City Press can report that the next UN envoy to Iraq will be Jan Kubis. Out of respect for an initial but impeccable sourcing, Inner City Press waited to report it until now.
The move positions Kubis well, as well as possible given his gender, in the race to replace Ban Ki-moon as Secretary General. (Inner City Pressstory here.) The post is said slated for the Eastern European group. Kubis was previously foreign minister of his native Slovakia.
Eighteen months in Baghdad, if successful, would be just the argument to win the secret ballot of the Permanent Five (P5) Security Council members that, for now, determines who the SG will be.
When he was envoy to Afghanistan, Kubis deftly handled the P5. (Inner City Press questioned Kubis, for example here). He also served Ban on issues in Kyrgyzstan. What will other SG candidates be doing for the next eighteen months?
That the UN's new Middle East coordinator will be Nickolay Mladenov, Inner City Press was able to report exclusively on January 30, with sourcing from Permanent Representatives that the letter, which Inner City Press saw, had gone to the Security Council.
Of this exclusive report, at least 11 hours before any other mention, Inner City Press on February 2 directly asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, including though what process and timing Mladenov is to be replaced in Iraq.
Dujarric declined to confirm, despite the Secretary General's letter.Video here.
Some neglected to credit the exclusive - policies unclear - while Inner City Press scoops have since been credited by UK Channel 4 (OCHA successor race) and The Independent (sale of post in Herve Ladsous' UN Peacekeeping, here).
Earlier, Inner City Press reported that Mladenov was leaving his post as UN envoy to Iraq; before that, Inner City Press asked Robert Serry how he was remaining in the Middle East post past Ban Ki-moon's stated five year rule, and despite PNG (persona non grata) threats from Israel. Now, the switch is being made.
The hint, as to Iraq, was as Inner City Press exclusively reported, the UK's attempt to pick Mladenov's successor. That was opposed, and rejected. Now, after a “rude” call from UK Prime Minister Cameron to Ban Ki-moon, sources say rather than Cameron's first pick Andrew Lansley, UK candidate Caroline Spelman is in the lead.
Picking Mladenov's successor in Iraq is in its final stages, and we will have more on that soon. [See above.] Watch this site.
The hint, as to Iraq, was as Inner City Press exclusively reported, the UK's attempt to pick Mladenov's successor. That was opposed, and rejected. Now, after a “rude” call from UK Prime Minister Cameron to Ban Ki-moon, sources say rather than Cameron's first pick Andrew Lansley, UK candidate Caroline Spelman is in the lead.
Picking Mladenov's successor in Iraq is in its final stages, and we will have more on that soon. [See above.] Watch this site.
