by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Sept 16 – When Dennis Francis took over at President of the General Assembly, his spokesperson Monica Grayley directed the press to his website.
But days later on September 11, under "Transparency," there were only two pages, both of which said "No posts."
This comes after the UN made a slew of promises after PGA John Ashe was indicted - and died before trial - and PGA Sam Kutesa was named in the SDNY prosecution of UN NGO China Energy Fund Committee's Patrick Ho.
So on the morning of September 11, 2023, Inner City Press wrote to PGA Francis' spokesperson Monica Grayley:
"Hi - these are Press questions about UN PGA 78 Dennis Francis and transparency, in light of the UN's statements after the SDNY indictment of PGA John Ashe (and named of PGA Kutesa in another corruption trial in SDNY) -- As of September 11, 2023 there is nothing - "no posts."
Likewise for Trust Fund. When you click "team", the link leads to the lead of PGA Kutesa.
Please explain and send - and post - the information asap. Also, please make PGA Francis aware that Inner City Press, which most closely covered the PGA Ashe and PGA Kutesa cases, applied to MALU to enter and cover his UNGA High Level week on June 19, 2023, here - and still, no answer.
I note that in your press conference you thanked "my Department of Global Communications and Under-Secretary-General, Melissa Fleming" - in charge of MALU. She has received a letter about restoring my access, from the pro bono law firm Duane Morris - and has not even answered. Please immediately confirm receipt.
PGA Francis should ensure Inner City Press can enter to cover his UNGA. Let me know. Thanks, -Matthew"
No answer in the morning, and at noon Grayley while congratulating Guterres spokesman Farhan Haq on his Portuguese pronunciation did not address the lack of transparency and follow through - or even acknowledge the request.
On September 13, still with no answer by Grayley, the team slapped together a list of donors to Dennis Francis. There were only three: China, Qatar and Kuwait. Photo here.
On September 16, when Inner City Press went and covered the Burmese protest of the UN, Francis added a fourth funder -- Saudi Arabia, at $80,000. China still 41% owns him.
And still online, no list of the team. And the no response? Pure censorship. We'll have more on this
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