UN GA Schedule Has Iran, Chavez & Sri Lanka, Syria on Last Day, Qatar on First

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 14 -- After next month's UN General Assembly is kicked off on the morning of Tuesday, September 25 by Brazil's Dilma Rousseff and US President Barack Obama, then things get interesting. Inner City Press is putting the Provisional List of Speakers online here.

  The next day, Iran's head of state Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to speak in the morning. Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa starts that afternoon's session, which includes Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.

  Also on the afternoon of September 26 is Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, followed the next morning by Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the so-called M23 mutineers probably still on the agenda.

  But another son-of-a-leader, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, is not scheduled to come. Syria is related to what some call "garbage time" the next week and even month. On Monday, October 1, Syria is penciled in at only the Ministerial level.

  The same is true of the world's most populous democracy, India: only a minister will come, on October 1. Ethiopia, perhaps not surprisingly, plans to send its Deputy Prime Minister, on Friday, September 28 -- the same day Venezuela's Head of State -- Hugo Chavez? -- is scheduled to speak.

  Evo Morales of Bolivia is the last speaker on September 26, perhaps ready with the coca leaf he's waved before. Palestine is the last speaker on the morning of September 27 -- will another announcement be made?

  Turkey, which roughed up UN Security during Mahmoud Abbas' presentation last year, is set this year for the first day, but not in the premium time between Barack Obama and, well, France's new president Francois Hollande.

  In that Tuesday morning space is Qatar, armer of rebels everywhere, and Serbia whose Vuk Jeremic will have taken over the presidency of the the General Assembly from Qatar. 

  Morocco is in there, in the midst of its supposed dispute with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about his Western Sahara envoy Christopher Ross.

  Also Tuesday morning there is Cyprus, which holds the presidency of the European Union (whose own spot comes on the next afternooon), Georgia, Indonesia and Bulgaria, sure to talk about this summer's terrorist attack.

Tuesday afternoon, beyond Turkey, has Finland (which isrunning for a Security Council seat against Australia -- confined to Thursday -- and Luxembourg). There are also Argentina sure to talk about the Malvinas, and Myanmar, unlikely to meaningfully address the abused Rohingyas.

What will have happened with the Rohingyas, with Assad and M23, by this debate in late September? Watch this site.

At UN, Complaint About Lavrov Being Blocked & Unprotected, Obama Freeze

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, October 7 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was blocked inside the Hotel Intercontinental and then his US-provided security detail "disappeared," Russia complained on Friday in the UN's Committee on Relations with the Host Country.

The meeting was closed but sources inside tell Inner City Press that the US representative's response was that this was the first the US heard of it, and that a response would be provided. Any response provided to Inner City Press will be published on this site.

The US was already aware of the other "Any Other Business" complain, concerning the total freezing of First Avenue for half an hour on September 21. This blocked access to the UN for many "VIP" delegates.

The US explained that the blockage was no only for President Obama, but also Iran's Ahmadinejad, whose entry was delayed thus leading to a "double blockage." The US said it would try to avoid this in future years.

The annual UN General Debate usually gives rise to complaints, but the incident of the year was the dust up between the "huge" entourage of Turkey's prime minister Erdogan and UN Security. The incident left at least three UN Security officers injured and taken to the hospital. But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ran and apologized to Erdogan, leading to continuing "bad blood" with UN Security and staff, multiple sources daily tell Inner City Press.

This was not viewed as a Host Country -- that is, US -- issue, but one meeting attendee afterward asked Inner City Press, how did that large a delegation get into the UN? Watch this site.

At UN, Hyper Sexual Portrayal of Women Hit by Geen Davis and Ahmadinejad

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/gender1geena062810.html

UNITED NATIONS, June 28 -- With the UN abuzz with talk of women's rights, actress Geena Davis spoke to the Press Monday about the “hyper sexualized” portrayal of female characters in the media. She spoke of the showing of too much skin, of unrealistic curves.

It was somehow reminiscent of a UN appearance the previous money by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who when Inner City Press asked about women's rights in Iran said that the West is worse, in its portrayal of woman as sex objects. Click here for that.

Inner City Press asked Geena Davis is she saw any overlap between her critique of media objectification of women and that of Ahmadinejad. Ms. Davis did not directly answer -- understandably, one of her UN handlers afterward said -- but rather turned her answer to the topic of Halloween, and the inability when getting a witch costume to get anything but the sexy witch. Video here, from Minute 29:58.

The UN hook, if there was one, was Ms. Davis' statement that she is partnering with UNIFEM. Inner City Press asked her to describe this partnership, what they work on together. “We haven't developed any specific projects,” Ms. Davis answered, adding that perhaps the new UN Gender Entity would.

On a big screen in the ECOSOC chamber, the image of former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet “live” from Johannesburg was frozen. Ms. Bachelet, to whom the top Gender Entity post was offered, Inner City Press is told, but rejected after the UN turned her down for UNICEF, deeming it an American job, was supposed to be in New York to appear in person. But that was conditioned on Chile already having lost in the World Cup. That wouldn't be until Monday afternoon, 3 to 1...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/gender1geena062810.html

At UN, Uganda Ambassador Tells Colleagues Wives of Iran, Nuclear Monsters

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/wif1nuclear050610.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 6 -- Answering a question about Iran on Thursday the UN Ambassador of Uganda, a member of the Security Council, said "we should not let the development of science makes nuclear weapons move faster than us, who are trying to stop these monsters of mass destruction."

Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda, who invited Inner City Press to his session with Women's International Forum, fielded questions from the wives of Ambassadors to the UN from, for example, Bosnia and Mali. The latter, Mrs. Amalle Baba Lamine Keita Daou, asked "what about Iran?" (Click here for Inner City Press' question and answer with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.)

Ahmadinejad recently traveled to Uganda, in what was reported as a trip to lobby for Uganda to vote against nuclear sanctions on Iran. Afterwards, Uganda's position was that it would confer with other African nations, which it represents on the Security Council, and would seek "clarification" from the Obama Administration in the US.

Some read this as putting Uganda in the camp of Brazil and Turkey, for example, said to be skeptical of sanctions on Iran. But Uganda's Ambassador Rugunda on Thursday thundered against even non-weapon nuclear developments unless they could be closely monitored. He is a medical doctor, graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and a member of a group against nuclear weapons.

Rugunda was also his government's representative at the talks in Juba, South Sudan with the Lord's Resistance Army. He was asked about this, and characterized the LRA as reduced to groups of four or five "causing trouble." There are, however, reports from the Congo of massacres of 100 and even 300 civilians at a time by the LRA.

In the WIF audience on Thursday was Madam Yoo (Ban) Soon-taek, the wife of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Rugunda was introduced, quite formally and informatively, by his wife Jocelyn. While Thursday's session was productive, some thought the grouping a bit anachronistic, asking, are their any male spouses of Permanent Representatives, for example those of Brazil, Luxembourg, the U.S. and one other Permanent Five Security Council member? The group will hear next month from New Yorker author Adam Gopnik. The group's webmaster is leaving. So... watch this site.

Footnote: the Security Council members are set to dine Thursday evening with Iran's Foreign Minister Mottaki at the Iranian resident on Fifth Avenue and 84th Street. France will be represented by its "Charge d'Affaires." It is not clear who will be representing the United States. We'll see.

Update of 5:44 p.m. -- word on the street (84th Street, that is) is that since Susan Rice of the US is not going, the UK's Mark Lyall Grant is not, either, nor is his deputy Philip Parham. Apparently it is too late to talk...

Or, the UK PR and DPR will be drinking away their sorrows at Labour's loss, or celebrating the Conservatives' failure to gain a majority. One wondered if the Germans -- the one in the P5 Plus One -- are invited, at least for dessert.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/wif1nuclear050610.html

At UN, Ahmadinejad Defends Iran's Treatment of Women, Mocks Obama & Ban Ki-moon

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/iran1presser050410.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 4 -- When Iran dropped its candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council last month, some described it as restoring at least some credibility to the UN, as when Bosnia stepped in and beat out Belarus for a seat two years ago.

But when Inner City Press asked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about Iran's successful replacement candidacy, for a seat on the UN Commission on the Status of Women, despite gender discrimination and repression, Ahmadinejad had a different and lengthy answer.

He said the switch was procedural, that Iran had always wanted the CSW seat more than the Human Rights Council, which within the Asia Group Pakistan was supposed to run for. Due to a misunderstanding, Ahmadinejad said, Iran temporarily made a grab for the HRC, before returning to the seat promised to it, on the Commission on the Status of Women.

But how does Iran intend to use the seat, Inner City Press asked, since it has refused to sign the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women? We will never sign that, Ahmadinejad vowed. He went to on paint of picture of "love and complementariness" in Iran.

Women won't do menial jobs in Iran, he said, nothing "like you and me, cleaning the street or driving a truck." He said he had read that 70% of married women in Europe suffer physical abuse, but refuse to complain for fear of losing their families. Women are better off, he concluded, in Iran than in Europe.

Ahmadinejad's answers came during a more than one hour long press conference held Tuesday across the street from the UN. The room in the Millennium Hotel was full, with journalists from the Daily News, Washington Post (which said it was not invited) and wires, and even Christiane Amanpour (who was not called on).

The moderator had taken a list of reporters who wanted to ask question, which Inner City Press arrive too late to sign. But having covered Iran's Nowruz receptions -- "be more positive next time," the Iranian mission admonished, leading Inner City Press to ask "or what?" -- the moderator nodded and allowed the question.

In fact, many journalists remarked that Ahmadinejad's press conference was more open and democratic than those of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, or the pre-screened stakeout by Hillary Clinton the previous day. There, the US State Department decided in advance which questions to take. At Iran's event, alongside some very pro Tehran question, questions were taken about for example the reports of North Korean weapons intercepted on their way to Iran.

We don't need weapons from them, Ahmadinejad answered. If America finds and seizes such weapons they can keep them. Regarding Ban Ki-moon, Ahmadinejad said that if the UN were in Tehran and Iran had a Security Council veto, Ban would never have spoken as he did on Monday. Asked repeatedly about sanctions, he said that if they go through, it will mean that US President Obama has "submitted" and been taken control of by a gang. This order, he said, will soon collapse.

But what of those arrested and disappeared after the contested elections? Ahmadinejad did not answer that question, fastening instead on the women's rights part of the question. Whether the Iranian mission will in the future allow such questions to be asked, and even answered, remains to be seen.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/iran1presser050410.html

At UN, NPT Opens Amid Monks' Drums, Dissonant Expectations, Ahmadinejad's Speech

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1npt050310.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 3, updated below -- With Japanese monks beating mournful drums outside the NPT Review Conference opening Monday morning, the dissonance between the aspirations of those outside and inside the UN building could not have been more clear.

In Grand Central Station amid singing of "learn war no more," a man held a sign of who has the most nuclear weapons: Russia, the US, the other Permanent Five members of the Security Council (China, the UK and France), India, Israel, Pakistan and, the sign said, North Korea with ten.

Inside the UN, the talk was nearly all about Iran. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has flown in from Tehran -- former U.S. diplomat Mark Wallace wrote to the Millennium Hotel urging they tell him there was no room at the inn -- and is slated to speak late this morning in the General Assembly Hall.

In the new UN press floor, a maze of cubicles in which no whistleblower dares speak, the Iranian press was in a frenzy. Inner City Press was interviewed by a woman with a scarf covering her head. "What do you think of my President, Doctor Ahmadinejad?" she asked.

Another journalist for Iranian media came to make the argument that every time a small country joins NATO, it is an example of proliferation: more countries under the nuclear umbrella and, according to him, more countries paying for nuclear weapons.

The chairman of the conference is the Philippines Ambassador. Some wonder why him; the Manila press expresses hope his role will lead to the passage of an entirely different treaty, about the rights of migrant workers. Dissonant expectations.

From the press gallery above the General Assembly Hall, Inner City Press called out to a few ambassadors, including Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso. He was on the Council until replaced by Nigeria. Where does nuclear proliferation fit in the scheme of Burkina's concerns? Watch this space, this will be updated.

Update of 10:38 p.m. -- from the spaceship-like it begins, with greetings to Ban Ki-moon and... Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Ambassador of Zimbabwe missed his chance to chair the meeting. Zim for Iran! There was a recent visit by A-Jod, to Harare and Uganda. It has begun...

Update of 10:55 a.m. -- Chair Cabactulan quotes as a Chinese proverb that that leader is best who is not known. At seems he may be referring to Ban Ki-moon, who is now speaking about his visit to Russia's test site. Here in press section in upper deck, there are no headphones. How will be hear Ahmadinejad?

Update of 11:21 a.m. -- New IEAE chief bemoans DPRK, Syria and Iran. BKM praised Indonesia for saying it will ratify

Update of 11:29 a.m. -- while waiting for Ahmadinejad, UN email comes in: Hillary Clinton will speak to Press at 5:20. But when's the Ahmadinejad presser?

Update of 11:39 a.m. -- the General Debate begins, with Marty of Indonesia speaking for NAM. Groups get 8 minutes, nations only five. Ahmadinejad next?

Update of 11:59 a.m. -- after Marty of Indonesia went over his time, Ahmadinejad starts up. He takes on Ban Ki-moon's statement about the uranium deal. We accepted that, A-jod says. Puts on glasses.

Update of 12:21 p.m. -- after Inner City Press ran down to press conferene auditorium, having not yet received any response to its 12:11 email to the UN Spokesperson and Deputy asking when the briefing would begin, the room was already locked. Briefing held 12:05 to 12:10, no questions. They have delayed noon briefing in deference to stakeouts by the U.S. Permanent Representative. Not for the President of Iran?

Running back up to the GA Hall, Inner City Press is barred from 4th floor, but shunted to the press booths on the third floor. Three stories directly above Ahmadinejad, who is still speaking, now on the "Zionist regime."

Update of 12:32 p.m. -- Ahmadinejad has been going for half an hour, now reciting the names of famous Iranians. "there will be no room in the future for bullying."

Update of 12:43 p.m. -- as Luxembourg drones on, Ahmadinejad comes back into GA Hall, takes Iran's seat and sits grinning.. Apparently he wants to see if the Luxembourg's of the world will attack him to his face. These are prepared texts, so it seems that they will.

Update of 12:51 p.m. -- with Ireland speaking, Ahmaninejad leaves with entourage. Already the hall is half empty, the press area in the upper deck entirely empty.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1npt050310.html

In Anti-Nuclear March, Free Palestine Chants Trigger Questions of Iran, Ahmadinejad in Wings

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/npt2march050210.html

TIMES SQUARE TO UNITED NATIONS, May 2 -- In the anti-nuclear march to the UN from Times Square, scene last night of a bomb scare, there were chants incluing "Free, Free Palestine!" Teenage girl held a sign saying "Israel," cut out in the shape of a skull.

To a UN correspondent covering the NPT, one wondered of the place of Iran and its nuclear program to these protesters. Among the Western powers in the Security Council, Iran's nuclear ambitions have become the focus, to the exclusion of death in Sudan and the Congo.

Many of those so eager to target Iran are not against nukes at all. They are against Iran, and to a lesser extent North Korea, getting nuclear weapons. These marchers, on the other hand, see defending the rights of Palestinians against Israel as part of their movement. And of defending, as some would have it, Iran against Israel?

There were marchers from upstate New York, and a slew of Japanese handing out origami birds. There was a contingent from France, with their own "ca pu" chant. There were few to no Latinos. A lone woman lobbied to amend New York's wrongful death statute. But there were few to no signs about Iran. This will not be true for the rest of the week, or NPT. Inner City Press has been invited to cover Ahmadinejad's press conference. Watch this site.

Update of 5:26 p.m. -- UN correspondents for Iranian media tell Inner City Press that Ahmadinejad is slated to land in New York in half an hour. They think, but even they are not sure, that he will stay in the Millennium Plaza hotel across from the UN. Might he intersect with the anti-nuke marchers, still on 47th Street?

And see, www.innercitypress.com/npt2march050210.html

Amid Tales of Iran Torture, UN and Ban Urged To Speak, Treki Role Questioned

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/iran1bantreki092109.html

UNITED NATIONS, September 21 -- As Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepares to speak Wednesday before the UN General Assembly, across First Avenue on Monday two non-governmental organizations briefed the press on the arrests and killings of protesters that followed the recent contested election. By cellphone, 24-year old computer scientist Ebrahim Sharifi told the Press about his abduction on June 22 leading to a week of torture, mock execution and rape.

Sharifi has since fled Iran, having been told the rest of his family is also in danger. He worked on the campaign of Mehdi Karroubi; later, the government accused Karroubi -- or Mir-Hussein Mousavi -- of paying Sharifi to make the allegations.

While many of the protests of Ahmadinejad's UN visit focus on the nuclear or Israel issues, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and Human Rights Watch on Monday called on the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution appointing a special envoy to Iran.

Inner City Press asked for the panelists' review of the performance of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the Iran human rights and democracy issues. Steve Crawshaw of HRW was typically diplomatic, saying that while he is sure there is "robust" advocacy by the UN "behind closed doors," it is "very important that [Ban] makes his voice heard... repeatedly." In fact, Ban's Spokesperson has been asked repeatedly for comment on Iran, and has declined comment.

Since the new General Assembly is headed by Libyan Ali Treki, Inner City Press asked if this might have any impact on the likelihood of the Assembly addressing these Iran issues. Crawshaw, again diplomatic, said that while he didn't wish to pre-judge, every country should be worried when people are shot and killed. Yeah...

Footnote: at a briefing for countries' missions to the UN, the NY Police Department predicted 12,000 protesters of Ahmadinejad, diplomatic sources in the meeting tell Inner City Press...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/iran1bantreki092109.html

UN's d'Escoto Defends Ahmadinejad's Right to Free Speech, Decries (Ban's?) Theater

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/unpga1durban042309.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 23 -- Mahmood Ahmadinejad has asked the 137-member Non-Aligned Movement to condemn UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for criticizing him, as President of Iran, for his statements at the Durban Review Conference Monday in Geneva. Thursday it emerged, perhaps not surprisingly, that the President of the UN General Assembly Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann is diplomatically in support of Ahmadinejad. Inner City Press asked d'Escoto Brockmann's spokesperson, Enrique Yeves, for the President of the General Assembly's views on Ban v. Ahmadinejad. Video here, cleaned up statement below:

Subj: Durban Review Conference
From: yeves@un.org
To: Inner City Press
Sent: 4/23/2009 1:18:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Hi Matthew, below is what I said today at the briefing. Best regards, Enrique

Noon Briefing

The President of the GA, of course, believes that the United Nations must provide a forum where all views of Members States can be expressed, even those views that are considered controversial.

That said, he is disappointed that the controversy has become a distraction from the bigger goal of finding justice and sovereignty for the Palestinian People.

It is unfortunate that the attention has focused on the President of Iran rather than on this difficult process of bringing peace and justice to peoples of the region.

(The recent incident unfolded like a theatrical production and, he does not think this is the best use of the world stage.)

After Yeves read out this statement, Inner City Press followed up, asking who d'Escoto was criticizing for focusing on Ahmadinejad: the press or Ban Ki-moon? It was that Yeves made the parenthetical statement about it being a "theatrical production."

In fact, Monday in UN headquarters it was more like a screening of a home movie. Ban's Spokesperson's Office cancelled the normal Q&A noon briefing, and instead used the briefing room to show a broadcast, at first without sound and throughout without any possibility to ask questions from UN Headquarters, of Ban and Navi Pillay speaking in Geneva, denounced Ahmadinejad. Ban went further and called for "discipline" on NGOs. Since then, several have been thrown out from the Review Conference.

Footnote: D'Escoto's good buddy Evo Morales of Bolivia was at the UN on Wednesday for the new Madre Tierra / Mother Earth Day. One reporter protested that there was already one (or two) UN accepted Earth Days. Another called the nomenclature sexist, and said that Germany in the General Assembly spoke of Father Earth.

Morales, for his part, used his hour-long press conference to answer only four questions. Throughout he was sweating and later, while being interviewed, he got sick and was taken away in a wheelchair. He cancelled his appearance in a church in Harlem, where a long line of people arriving to hear him speak were told at 5:30 that he would not be appearing. He cancelled his trip to the indigenous conference in Alaska that d'Escoto is attending, and headed back to Bolivia. The UN says the country is being taken over by the Mexican drug cartels. But that's only part of the UN....

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unpga1durban042309.html

UN Pitches Ban vs. Ahmadinejad on One-Way TV Screen, No Questions

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/ban1durban042009.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 20 -- The UN's priorities were shown this Monday morning when a one-way video feed of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon denouncing Iranian president Ahmadinejad's comments on Israel preempted the UN's noon press briefing. Questions would not be taken, then, on the fire over the weekend in the UN compound in Darfur, more than 100 dead in South Sudan after the UN failed to increase patrols, a workers' strike against UNRWA in Jordan, nor the carnage in Sri Lanka.

A UN spokesperson explained that it would not be possible to be prepared on these other issues. Anyway, the spokesperson continued, reporters at the UN had expressed a desire to see the Ban briefing in Geneva, even if they could not ask any questions. This is the story today, the message was: Ban's outrage at Iran, for its comments on Israel.

What explains this seemingly disproportionate reaction? Some guessed it was Ban's attempt to put “deadbeat-gate” behind him, where he said the U.S. is the biggest deadbeat. Others said it was to make up for criticizing the U.S. and others for not attending the Durban review conference in Geneva (those countries were now saying, we told you so). Some journalists joked about throwing shoes or sandals at the one-way TV screen. “It's a new low,” said one wag. We will live-blog the proceedings, such as they are, in this space.

Update of 12:19 p.m. -- US Deputy Permanent Representative Alejandro Wollff came to the stakeout, primed to speak about Durban, and praised Ban's written statement. One of Ban's spokespeople watched from the riser: the sound was low because the UN Secretariat has allowed chaos in its UN TV service.

Update of 12:32 p.m. -- even with no stakeout going on, there are a total of two journalists in the briefing room, watching Ban answer two questions in Geneva, does he understand now why some countries didn't come? Ban's office said that “the reporters in New York” wanted it this way, no noon briefing, just the Ban presser. But this does not appear to be true.

Update of 12:40 p.m. -- In UN briefing room in New York, still only two journalists in the room, plus Inner City Press intermittently. Even the person from the President of the General Assembly's office has left. On screen, Reuters in Geneva is asking, is this a difficult day for the UN? That Ahmadinejad said what he said right after meeting with Ban... Ban calls it totally unacceptable, “destructive.” And some NGOs in the gallery, he says, along with some member states were not behaving in accordance with the rules and regulations. Hopes for disciplinary measures by conference president. What?

Update of 12:47 p.m. -- as Navi Pillay says she went to sleep on Friday telling herself, “job well done,” even the two other journalists have left. Pillay thanks Susan Rice for calling to cancel, digs at European countries which didn't even call. Fiasco on both sides of the Atlantic. In New York, all other news preempted by the UN for an empty room. Bad instincts?

Update of 12:59 p.m. -- speaking of bad instincts, running out of the empty briefing room while Ban speaks on screen, Council president Heller's stakeout is already over, and the UN's Lynn Pascoe has, reporters say, canceled his stakeout about Fiji. Thus, the UN has said nothing today expect Ban (and Pillay) vs. Ahmadinejad. But Inner City Press is told that, seeing the briefing room empty, UN Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe came back and read out a statement on camera. No questions, just one-way communication. Oh but one question that Inner City Press asked up in the spokesperson's office is answered, sort of, by e-mail:

Subj: Your question on the UNRWA strike
From: unspokesperson-donotreply un.org
To: Inner City Press
Sent: 4/20/2009 12:20:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

UNRWA says it is negotiating possible salary increases with its striking employees. But UNRWA also says its high budget deficit makes it hard to meet all their demands immediately. For any further information, please contact UNRWA.

And that was the question taken at, or in place of, the noon briefing. [Thankfully, Amb. Heller stopped in the hall and gave Inner City Press an answer on Sri Lanka that will be reported shortly.] Click here for a review of last week's performance, two misstatement and a run-around. 10-4, - 30 -

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban1durban042009.html

At UN, Ahmadinejad Denies Locking Up Journalists, Unless They "Infringe on Rights of Others"

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/unga1freepress092308.html

UNITED NATIONS, September 23 -- "In Iran, the only thing that is not penalized is speaking against officials," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Inner City Press on September 23. Ahmadinejad had started his press conference at the UN by saying that people can say whatever they want, both in Iran and around the world. Inner City Press asked about journalists imprisoned in Iran, including feminists and a blogger who satirized Ahmadinejad's security detail's purchas of expensive dogs from Germany. "There is no persecution," Ahmadinejad said. "I am not aware of that at all." Video here, from Minute 40:48.

At issue is Article 500 of Iran's Penal Code, which as translated on a UN website provides that "anyone who undertakes any form of propaganda against the state... will be sentenced to between three months and one year in prison." Inner City Press, reading from this very UN website, asked Ahmadinejad about the law. "Your information regarding Iran's penal code is not sufficient," Ahmadinejad replied. "Criticizing officials is free. But if you infringe on the rights of others, the law will respond."

Beyond the case of satirical blogger Reza Valizadeh and of "cyber-feminists" Parvin Ardalan, Jelveh Javaheri, Maryam Hosseinkhah and Nahid Keshavarz, there are a slew of journalists reported to be locked up inside Iran. Arash Sigarchi was sentenced to 14 years; Mansour Osanloo of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company has been jailed precisely for "propaganda against the state." Also, click here. While Iran is by no means the only enemy of press freedom, after Ahmadinejad claimed the people can say whatever they want in Iran, the issue had to be raised.

In posing the question -- which on the UN's webcast is left translated into Farsi -- Inner City Press acknowledged that there are limitations on press freedom in the U.S. and elsewhere. Still and all in the middle of his response, Ahmadinejad was handed a slip of paper which he read out, stating that in the U.S. the penal code prohibits criticizing the "military uniform." Perhaps the reference is to barring photographs of coffins of soldiers killed in Iraq. In any event, Inner City Press will be raising freedom of expression issues whenever possible with other heads of state during this UN General Assembly. Iran and the Press need a better answer, however.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unga1freepress092308.html