By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC-Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN NY Mag
UN GATE, May 9 – In the United Nations under Antonio Guterres, there is nothing but failure and excuses and fundraising on crises like Ukraine, Burma, Haiti and Cameroon.
There is impunity for sexual abuse by peacekeepers and UN staff like Juan Carlos Cunillera, just "along for the ride" during the UN sex-in-the-van exposed by Inner City Press.
But now as we looked at and asked about Guterres' omission of his links to UN briber CEFC China Energy, leading to him banning the Press (and Melissa Fleming continuing the ban, not even answering a law firm's pro bono letter), on April 17, 2022 we published on other officials - including long time UNOPS operative Vitaly Vanshelboim (whom Inner City Press covered in connection with UNOPS gag orders before being banned from UN by corrupt Guterres.)
We noted that Vanshelboim's skeeze in the S3i scam of UNOPS's Grete Faremo or whom Inner City Press repeated asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric in writing, with no answer, nor by Melissa Fleming.
Weeks later the NYT, silent on most of Guterres' and his cronies' corruption, has come to the UNOPS story. Fine. And quick spin by Dujarric: "The Secretary-General has accepted the resignation of Grete Faremo, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Ms. Faremo’s resignation is effective Sunday, 8 May. The Secretary-General is grateful for Ms. Faremo’s commitment and dedicated service to the Organization. Mr. Jens Wandel of Denmark is being appointed as the Acting Executive Director, effective 9 May, while the Secretary-General launches a recruitment process, in consultation with the UNOPS Executive Board, to find a successor to Ms. Faremo."
[Inner City Press, prior to being thrown out by SG Antonio Guterres, Dujarric and Fleming exposed Wendel too, for example here.]
On May 9 while refusing Inner City Press' written questions including on UNOPS UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq repeatedly passed the buck to UNOPS spokesman Peter Browne. Well, here is Peter Browne carrying out Guterres' and Melissa Fleming's cover up job on the slaughter in Ukraine:
"From: Peter BROWNE To: UNOPS Subject: Guidance on communications about the situation in Ukraine Date: 7 March 2022 Dear colleagues The ongoing crisis in Ukraine is deeply upsetting and a matter of grave concern. Although the current situation has affected our ability to deliver, we remain determined to find ways to continue helping the people of Ukraine. While it is understandable that many of us feel compelled to share views about the events that are unfolding, including in personal fora such as social media, personnel are reminded of their rights and duties which require us to act independently and impartially. General points: • UNOPS does not have a political or advocacy mandate within the UN system. We are a project implementer and service provider, supporting our partners. • In relation to political crises, conflicts and/or other sensitive, rapidly evolving humanitarian situations: our approach should always be guided by the principle of supporting broader UN system messaging. • In these situations, UNOPS neutrality is critical. UNOPS does not provide any commentary that could be perceived as jeopardizing our neutrality, which may be considered as going outside of our mandated areas and role within the UN system. Accordingly, personnel are asked to frame any communications on Ukraine in alignment with the UNOPS approach. Corporate accounts (including country and liaison offices) • Messages or information shared on UNOPS social media channels, websites etc. will to every extent possible directly align with the messages that have been developed and communicated by relevant UN units (such as the Dept. of Global Communications), UN Country Teams (such as the Ukraine UNCT and Resident Coordinator), and shared via official UN channels. • Caution should be exercised when sharing messages from UN channels, which adopt stronger (non-neutral) or politicized language on the evolving situation aligned to their respective thematic and advocacy mandates. • Bespoke messages on UNOPS channels should focus on how UNOPS is committed to supporting humanitarian needs and responses for those most vulnerable and affected. Personal/individual accounts: • UNOPS personnel are also strongly encouraged to consider the above guidance when considering sharing or engaging (retweets, likes etc.) with messages about the conflict in Ukraine on their personal social media accounts. • Please also take a moment to familiarize yourselves with the policies on outside activities and the use of social media. Attention is also drawn to guidance from the Ethics and Compliance Office on political activity., and the “2022 Guidance on Political Activities” recently issued by the UN Ethics Office. • NB: The official Twitter account of the UNOPS Executive Director (@UNOPS_Chief) may be used to provide more direct messages outlining a UNOPS perspective. Any tweets from the Executive Director on the situation may be shared (retweeted) on UNOPS other official channels, if deemed appropriate considering the primary audiences of those channels (partners, stakeholders) and local context. Please forward this message to any colleagues who may find this information useful. Should any specific guidance be requested please contact the Communications Group. Our thoughts are with all of those who are impacted as a result of this devastating conflict. Best regards, Pete." Yeah, Pete. Guterres' UN is corrupt.
While the NYT notes for example that a long time member of the UN Correspondents Association Gloria Starr Kins (Inner City Press previous tweet here) played a role in hooking up the fraud, they don't mention UNCA nor the NYT correspondents' membership in it and their role in banning the Press. That the NYT, so active on some beats, is generally little more than a cheerleader at the UN is a travesty. Watch this site - and Vanshelboim, here:
Two (2) residential properties, Ukraine
Two (2) residential properties, jointly owned, USA
Annuity, ING, USA
Investment fund, Citi Bank, USA
Investment fund, Danske Invest, jointly owned, Denmark
So while Citibank ("Citi Bank") still does business in Russia, what are the statuses of Vanshelboim's Ukraine properties? Either way, no friend of Press freedom.
We'll have more on this.
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