By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 6 – The UN Library advertised and hosted a presentative by Jane's Defence Industry Solutions IHS Markit on June 6 at 11 am. Inner City Press registered, clicking the box "Media Representative," and got an email confirming it was registered. It went to the UN Library's Room L-133 at 11:02 am only to hear, from the podium, that is was "Chatham House Rules," that what was said could be reported but not attributed. Strangely, someone was being allowed to film the event, with assurances not to show the audience. The presentation ranged from oil blocks being offered in Southern Lebanon to losses of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Inner City Press was typing a tweet with a quote, without attibribution, when it was tapped on the shoulder. "You can't do that," an officious man who will remain unnamed said. Inner City Press countered that it had registered and was obeying Chatham House Rules, and that the man should not be reading Inner City Press' laptop over its shoulder. "You'll have to leave," an equally officious woman came to say. Inner City Press voluntarily left, despite having registered as media and following the stated rules. What is wrong with today's UN? We'll have more on this. The UN which earlier this year hosted advertisements for rocket launchers and tanks on June 5 was asked about a display in its lobby for Jane’s Defence Industry Solutions complete with fighter jet, American flag and photo of the Chinese Army. The spokesman for Antonio Guterres the UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, said he hadn't seen the display just one story below his office. Inner City Press asked, UN transcript here: Dujarric: Let me look close to the screens as I go downstairs, and I'll try to answer and find… to your question. Mr. Lee?
Inner City Press: I can't resist. I have some other things, but --
Inner City Press: I can't resist. I have some other things, but --
Spokesman: When have you ever resisted?
[Note: As Dujarric has been informed, Inner City Press *has* resisted for more than a month the entirely legal live-streaming from the New York City sidewalk of UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres' $60 million mansion, first streamed by Inner City Press with its lights ablaze as Guterres told others to turn their lights off. A self styled intermediary said these streams caused security issues, so Inner City Press has “resisted” live streaming for more than a month. But not change, still restricted. It was just a pretext?]
[Note: As Dujarric has been informed, Inner City Press *has* resisted for more than a month the entirely legal live-streaming from the New York City sidewalk of UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres' $60 million mansion, first streamed by Inner City Press with its lights ablaze as Guterres told others to turn their lights off. A self styled intermediary said these streams caused security issues, so Inner City Press has “resisted” live streaming for more than a month. But not change, still restricted. It was just a pretext?]
The June 5 transcript continued: Inner City Press: In light of the tank and other military equipment that was advertised in the 1B area of the UN, this was late… said to be about… only about a Member State, I guess I… I just wonder, in this case, these days there are the signs up saying that the UN is not in any way endorsing any Member State thing. This is… would you acknowledge… even before you look into this, are the ads that are next to the… next to the café that talk about these library meetings with publications, these are endorsements. I mean, these are…
Spokesman: I'm not going to acknowledge anything until I see it.
Spokesman: I'm not going to acknowledge anything until I see it.
Inner City Press: All right, but when you do see it… can we watch you see it?
Spokesman: When I see it, I'll tell you.” Seven hours later, nothing - and the ad still up. Watch this site.
