By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 3 -- The UN Secretariat of Ban Ki-moon's bungling of Yemen mediation has become ever more clear, according to multiple sources and documents exclusively seen by Inner City Press, see below. And see this Vine, & this.
UNITED NATIONS, October 3 -- The UN Secretariat of Ban Ki-moon's bungling of Yemen mediation has become ever more clear, according to multiple sources and documents exclusively seen by Inner City Press, see below. And see this Vine, & this.
Now after a UAE warship has been hit - and sunk - off the Yemeni coast near Mocha, Inner City Press on October 3 asked Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman for a comment, and if the UN knows if it was a warship or as claimed an aid ship. From the UN transcript:
Inner City Press: on Yemen, I wanted to know if the UN system has any comment or knowledge of this reported sinking of a UAE (United Arab Emirates) warship. Some are saying it was an aid convoy. The Houthis' side is saying it was a warship enforcing a blockade on them. Since it's a pretty high-profile incident that has the potential to result in reprisals, what's the UN's understanding of what the ship was? Was it an aid ship, or was it part of the military operations of the Saudi-led coalition?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we're aware of the latest reports, but we'll need to get some further information about the nature of this vessel before we make any particular comment.
Question: Given the UN's role in the humanitarian operation in Yemen, do countries like the UAE coordinate with UN if they're, as they say, moving medical supplies from one place to another, or is it just, everyone goes it alone?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, as you know, we do have a verification and inspection mechanism that's designed to help expedite the process by which aid gets into Yemen, and so we do expect that countries will use that mechanism.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we're aware of the latest reports, but we'll need to get some further information about the nature of this vessel before we make any particular comment.
Question: Given the UN's role in the humanitarian operation in Yemen, do countries like the UAE coordinate with UN if they're, as they say, moving medical supplies from one place to another, or is it just, everyone goes it alone?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, as you know, we do have a verification and inspection mechanism that's designed to help expedite the process by which aid gets into Yemen, and so we do expect that countries will use that mechanism.
Five hours later Inner City Press asked Vitaly Churkin of Russia, president of the Security Council for October, about it. He said there is a draft Press Statement pending but there's a need to check more. He added that the UN is a cynical place, "in some places they want to whip it up, in other places they want to hush it up."
Churkin noted Russia abstained on the last resolution - and said that the UK blocked an investigation because they sold $6 billion in weapons, the US is involved too.
(Churkin also said it is Eastern Europe's turn to be Secretary General, and that Russia does want more posts -- Inner City Press said DPA -- and that there will be a meeting on Western Sahara on October 18, and on Burundi at some still undefined date.)
While awaiting more, we note that Bernardino Leon while working ostensibly for the UN on Libya negotiated a job with a UAE diplomatic institute. That was just another piece of UN for sale under Ban Ki-moon. But now it may be time for Bernardino Leon to work for that money. Watch this site.
On September 23, Inner City Press went up to document Ban Ki-moon's meeting with Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The latter walked slowly in to the room for the ceremonial handshake and book signing. Ban Ki-moon appeared to position Hadi (more than one reader called Hadi puppet). Hadi in turn in term spread out his hands. Photos here andhere. Beyond the Vine video here.
Amid airstrikes on Yemen, Saudi Arabia this week at the UN has sponsored a garish multimedia display, workshops and culminating event with Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General who let the Saudi-led Coalition off the Children and Armed Conflict annex.
In the UN's 1B basement by the Vienna Cafe, a long TV screen has shown footage of palm trees and journalists, holograms testifying to a hallway draped in a large carpet. Inner City Press arrived at 4 pm for what was to be Ban Ki-moon's get-down, or most recent get-down, with the Saudis.
Ban Ki-moon arrived at 4:30 pm and was led by the arm around the exhibit, Inner City Press Vine video here. He was taken to a table and put on virtual reality goggles, presumably without cluster bombs or Yemeni children shown.
