Taking Over UN Security Council for March, French PR Delattre Takes No Question on Burundi, Mali or CAR, “I Have to Run” - Trip Terms of Reference Here

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, March 3 -- When French Ambassador Francois Delattre said he would answer answers about his upcoming month as UN Security Council president, it seemed that Central African Republic and Burundi, to which Delattre has planned and controlled a Council trip he calls important, and former French colonies on the Council's agenda like Mali and Cote d'Ivoire could be asked about.

   But no.

  Instead, Delattre's press attache steered between Agence France Presse and Le Monde, Gulf media and the Reuters wire which had already planted a Libya naval embargo question with the UNCA head for whom the first question was set aside.  (The Free UN Coalition for Access opposes such self-serving set-asides.)

  No question was taken about any of the former French colonies which fill up the agenda of the Security Council and of UN Peacekeeping, which France has controlled four times in a row.

 There is a history here, which one hoped would be just that, history, but which there will be other times to review. Will Delattre always "have to run"?

  (Inner City Press has asked questions at all of the last Program of Work press conferences held by other presidencies, going backwards: China, Chile, Chad, Australia, etc.)

   Recently under Herve Ladsous, who relatedly refuses Press questions, UN Peacekeeping has hit new lows, with for example an OIOS investigation showing that Deputy Permanent Representative Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire has taken bribes to sell UN post in MONUSCO in the DR Congo -- which has again refused to fight the FDLR -- and in MINUSTAH in Haiti. 

  That document -- in French -- Inner City Press has put online here, as credited by, for example, The Independent (UK).

  Delattre said that the anti-Boko Haram Multi National Joint Task Force is very important to France. But in March 3 Program of Work is it only a footnote - and, significantly, it was not even a footnote in France's draft Program of Work of February 24, which Inner City Press published here.

  At the end, Inner City Press said clearly, “One question on Burundi?” It chose that because the Security Council is traveling there this month, and France “has the pen” on the country. 

  But Delattre shrugged and said, in English, “I have to run.”

  Here are France's draft “Terms of Reference” for Burundi and Central African Republic (and the African Union visit) which were leaked to Inner City Press by a country not enamored by France's domination of peacekeeping for its former colonies:

France's African Trip Draft "Terms of Reference," Burundi, CAR, African Union by Matthew Russell Lee

 What about the Cibitoke massacre in / by Burundi? We'll have more on this.

   

Exclusive: For Central African Republic Trip by UNSC, France's Terms of Reference, Here, After UN Says Sangaris Military Moves Trigger Fear in Bambari

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, February 26 -- With the UN Security Council set for a French-organized visit to the Central African Republic in two week's time, Inner City Press on February 24 asked UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Kyung-wha Kang about military action by French attack helicopters in Bambari. She replied that it had reclaimed public facilities in Bria, but left Muslims in the area worried.

"The attack in Bria has caused repercussions among Muslim population in Bambari, triggering fear that next would be them," she said. She also mentioned incitement by the ex-Seleka.

   Now Inner City Press exclusively publishes France's “Terms of Reference” for the UNSC Trip to CAR - to see if they address issues like the one Ms. Kang answered on, Sangaris military offensives and fear.  According to the French document, obtained by Inner City Press, the UNSC trip to CAR is

1. To recall that the Central African Republic (CAR) authorities bear the primary responsibility to protect all populations within its territory from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and to emphasize that any sustainable solution to the crisis in the CAR should be CAR-owned, 

2. To commend the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), Sangaris and EUFOR RCA for the work done in laying the foundation for increased security ahead of and in support of the United Nations Integrated Multi-dimensional Mission to the CAR (MINUSCA)’s deployment, 

3. To express grave concern that armed groups continue to destabilize the CAR and pose a permanent threat to the peace, security and stability of the country, and to further express concern at the recent increase in kidnappings and attacks against humanitarian workers in the CAR which impedes humanitarian access to vulnerable populations,

4. To reiterate the appeal to all parties and stakeholders, particularly the leaders of the ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka groups, as well as all other armed groups, to immediately cease all forms of violence including sexual violence, to permanently lay down their arms, to release all children from their ranks, and to embark upon the path of dialogue as the only viable means towards achieving lasting reconciliation and peace,  

5. To remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to ensure the immediate, full, safe and unhindered, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance and the principle of safe, dignified and sustainable return of internally displaced persons and refugees,

6. To commend efforts by the Transitional Authorities to gather views of local citizens in advance of the Bangui Forum by dispatching government ministers and officials throughout the CAR and to welcome the holding of the Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation as an important milestone for a comprehensive political dialogue and reconciliation process, at the local and national levels, 

7. To reiterate the call upon the Transitional Authorities to accelerate the transition process and to take concrete action, with the full, effective and equal participation of women, for the holding of free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential and legislative elections that allow for the full, effective and equal participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and CAR refugees, no later than August 2015; the fight against impunity, including for crimes of sexual and gender-based violence; the formulation and implementation of a disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation (DD/RR) strategy; and the rebuilding of effective State institutions, including through security sector reform (SSR), 

8. To reinforce the need for an inclusive and effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process (DDR) as well as repatriation and resettlement (DDRRR) in the case of foreign fighters, including women and children formerly associated with armed forces and groups, while respecting the need to fight impunity, 

9. To stress the important role of the internal security forces (police and gendarmerie) in the restoration of security in the CAR and encourage the CAR authorities to initiate the reform process of the CAR Armed Forces (FACA), to include appropriate vetting procedures in order to put in place a professional, representative and balanced army, including through the adoption of measures to absorb elements of the armed groups meeting rigorous selection criteria, building the capacity of the security forces to address sexual and gender based violence, as well as through the retraining of part of the FACA, 

10. To welcome in this regard the decision of the European Union to establish a one-year military advice mission based in Bangui (EUMAM-RCA), as requested by the CAR transitional authorities, in order to contribute to providing them with expert advice on reforming the FACA and to underline the importance of a clear distribution of tasks and close coordination between the international forces or missions in the CAR and the lead role of MINUSCA in this regard, 

11. To assess the deployment of MINUSCA’s military, police and civilian components; the Missions’ initial work in implementing its mandate; the establishment of the Bangui Task Force; and the Mission’s reconfiguration following the violent incidents in Bangui in October, 

12. To urge MINUSCA to accelerate the deployments of its civilian, police and military capabilities, including gender advisors and women protection advisors, in the CAR in order to reach its full operational capacity as soon as possible and enable the Mission to effectively discharge its mandate over the entire national territory, 

13. To assess the security situation and MINUSCA’s ability to intensify the implementation of its mandate, in particular to protect civilians under threat of physical violence; prevent and report on all forms of violence including sexual-based violence; support the implementation of the transition process, in particular the reconciliation and electoral processes with the full and effective participation of women; facilitate the civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance; support the promotion and protection and human rights; support national and international justice and the rule of law, and support the DDRR and SSR processes, in accordance with priority tasks set out in paragraph 30 of Security Council resolution 2149 

14. To assess the plight of vulnerable populations in the CAR, including those located in enclaves in Bangui and around the country,

15. To urge the former MISCA troop and police contributing countries that have been rehatted to MINUSCA to expedite the procurement and deployment of remaining additional contingent-owned equipment,

16. To call upon all international partners of the CAR to provide urgent financial contributions to support national dialogue and reconciliation, DDR and SSR processes, as well as the restoration of the judicial and penal chains in order to fight against impunity,

17. To further call upon all international partners to provide support to the electoral process as a matter of urgency, particularly through financing the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-donor basket fund for elections,

18. To express grave concern at the threat to peace and security in the CAR arising from the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and the use of such weapons against civilians affected by armed conflict, and to recall in this regard the important contribution the Council-mandated arms embargo can make to countering the illicit transfer of arms and related materiel in the CAR and its region, and in supporting post-conflict peacebuilding, DDR and SSR, 

19. To stress the urgent and imperative need to end impunity in the CAR and to bring to justice perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and of abuses or violations of human rights including sexual violence, underlining in this regard the need to bolster national accountability mechanisms and to implement without delay the 7 August 2014 Memorandum of Understanding on Urgent Temporary Measures, which describes, in particular, the establishment of a national Special Penal Court in charge of investigating and prosecuting the serious crimes committed in the CAR, 

20. To welcome and encourage the ongoing cooperation of the CAR Transitional Authorities with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court who opened on 24 September 2014 an investigation following the request of the national authorities on alleged crimes committed 

21. To exchange views with members of civil society, including local women and women organizations in the field, in accordance with paragraph 6 of UNSC Resolution 2122 (2013),

22. To express concern that illicit trade, exploitation and smuggling of natural resources including gold, diamonds and wildlife poaching and trafficking continues to threaten the peace and stability of CAR, 

23. To note the critical importance of effective implementation of the sanctions regime, including the key role that neighbouring States, as well as regional and subregional organizations, can play in this regard and encouraging efforts to further enhance cooperation,

24. To call on the Transitional Authorities to continue their efforts to restore sound and transparent public financial management, in line with the recommendations of the recent International Monetary Fund mission in Bangui (November 2014), in particular to mobilize domestic resources, particularly customs revenues, in full respect of financial best practice, in order to meet the expenses related to the functioning of the State; implement early recovery plans; and revitalize the economy.

  Does this address what UN official Kang spoke about? Watch this site.

After UN Gives "Climate & Cities" Post to Bloomberg, He Speaks on His Africa TV Station, Covers Mining and Air France: Conflicts of Interest?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- Three days after the UN announced a "climate change and cities" post for Michael Bloomberg, and Inner City Press asked about conflicts of interest, Bloomberg is in the news on his own Bloomberg Africa TV, which covers such issues as Air France and mining on The Continent.

   So Inner City Press went to the February 3 UN noon briefing and asked for whom Bloomberg is speaking, the UN or himself?  Video here from Minute 14:52. UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky replied that his deputy Farhan Haq had answered on this on January 31. 

  But Haq on January 31 after citing "terms of reference" said they are not public, instead to look at a press release which, it turns out, contains no safeguards. Nesirky said this is an early stage, and that is true. But it already seems clear that safeguards will be necessary. For now: UNIFEED video of Ban Ki-moon and team dining with Bloomberg, here.

  On January 31 Inner City Press asked Haq if any thought had been given to possible conflicts of interest, or restrictions on how information or access from the post could be used, given Bloomberg's businesses.

  The UN's Haq replied, "I believe appropriate terms of reference have been worked out with former Mayor Bloombeg, that should be an acceptable arrangement devised between them." Video here and embedded below.

  Inner City Press asked if these "terms of reference" were public and could be seen. Haq said "No... What's public is a lengthy press release available in our office."

  But the press release does not address any safeguards on conflict of interest at all. 

  As Inner City Press noted before the UN's announcement, when Michael Bloomberg was Mayor of New York, in light of obvious conflicts of interest he stepped back from Bloomberg News. He was criticized on issues ranging from stop-and-frisk to defending banks against minimal City community reinvestment standards.

  Now, according to one gushing report, he is poised to move to the United Nations, as envoy on cities and climate change. What about new conflicts of interest, and the above critiques?

  To give what credit is due, on the evening of January 30 Reuters' UN bureau issued a breathless "exclusive" with nothing but praise of Bloomberg -- not a word of any criticism, nothing on the conflict of interest with Bloomberg News purporting to cover the UN and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Given the percentage of the piece praising Bloomberg, that would seem to be the (anonymous) sourcing.

  Meanwhile at the UN on January 30, Inner City Press on climate changeasked Ban's acting deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq of documents leaked by Edward Snowden showing that the NSA spied on the Copenhagen talks in 2009:

Inner City Press: there’s one of the [Edward] Snowden-released documents, but there’s a reason I’m asking you is it’s published in a Danish website “Information”and it talks about the Copenhagen climate change talks of 2009. And this seems to be the document and it says that the NSA [United States National Security Agency] was involved in monitoring communications at the discussions in order to advise the United States on the position of other Governments and presumably at the UN. So, I’m wondering, this seems to get more closely into things that are of much import to the UN, to the Secretary-General. Is there any response as to this memo coming out and the propriety of such surveillance?

Acting Deputy Spokesperson: Well, we wouldn’t have any specific response to this because ultimately, again, this is a case where we’d need to know what the basic facts are and whether there was any such surveillance that’s happened. However, our basic point that we’ve articulated many times in recent months still holds: that the inviolability of diplomatic premises needs to be respected by all States.

  If Bloomberg is named on Friday, or is named at all, what will the coverage of criticism and conflicts of interest be? Watch this site.

Footnote: While giving what credit is due to Reuters' UN bureau, despite their history, it must be noted that the bureau chief has not only spied for the UN -- he has also misused the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act to get Google to block from its search a leaked document showing him trying to get the investigative Press thrown out of the UN. All of this.. is how this UN works, or doesn't.

   

As UN Gives Post to Big Bank Bloomberg, Conflict of Interest Not Addressed

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, January 31 -- After the UN announced a climate change post for Michael Bloomberg, Inner City Press asked UN spokesperson Farhan Haq if any thought had been given to possible conflicts of interest, or restrictions on how information or access from the post could be used, given Bloomberg's businesses.

  The UN's Haq replied, "I believe appropriate terms of reference have been worked out with former Mayor Bloombeg, that should be an acceptable arrangement devised between them."

  Inner City Press asked if these "terms of reference" were public and could be seen. Haq said "No... What's public is a lengthy press release availabe in our office."

  But the press release does not address any safeguards on conflict of interest at all. 

  As Inner City Press noted before the UN's announcement, when Michael Bloomberg was Mayor of New York, in light of obvious conflicts of interest he stepped back from Bloomberg News. He was criticized on issues ranging fromstop-and-frisk to defending banks against minimal City community reinvestment standards.

  Now, according to one gushing report, he is poised to move to the United Nations, as envoy on cities and climate change. What about new conflicts of interest, and the above critiques?

  To give what credit is due, on the evening of January 30 Reuters' UN bureau issued a breathless "exclusive" with nothing but praise of Bloomberg -- not a word of any criticism, nothing on the conflict of interest with Bloomberg News purporting to cover the UN and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Given the percentage of the piece praising Bloomberg, that would seem to be the (anonymous) sourcing.

  Meanwhile at the UN on January 30, Inner City Press on climate change asked Ban's acting deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq of documents leaked by Edward Snowdenshowing that the NSA spied on the Copenhagen talks in 2009:

Inner City Press: there’s one of the [Edward] Snowden-released documents, but there’s a reason I’m asking you is it’s published in aDanish website “Information” and it talks about the Copenhagen climate change talks of 2009. And this seems to be the document and it says that the NSA [United States National Security Agency] was involved in monitoring communications at the discussions in order to advise the United States on the position of other Governments and presumably at the UN. So, I’m wondering, this seems to get more closely into things that are of much import to the UN, to the Secretary-General. Is there any response as to this memo coming out and the propriety of such surveillance?

Acting Deputy Spokesperson: Well, we wouldn’t have any specific response to this because ultimately, again, this is a case where we’d need to know what the basic facts are and whether there was any such surveillance that’s happened. However, our basic point that we’ve articulated many times in recent months still holds: that the inviolability of diplomatic premises needs to be respected by all States.

  If Bloomberg is named on Friday, or is named at all, what will the coverage of criticism and conflicts of interest be? Watch this site.

Footnote: While giving what credit is due to Reuters' UN bureau, despite their history, it must be noted that the bureau chief has not only spied for the UN -- he has also misused the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act to get Google to block from its search a leaked document showing him trying to get the investigative Press thrown out of the UN. All of this.. is how this UN works, or doesn't.

   

On Way to Sudan, UN Council Praises Chad, Talks Contingencies, Terms of Reference

By Matthew Russell Lee

JFK AIRPORT, NY, October 4 -- As UN Security Council Ambassadors take over on a marathon set of flights from New York to Nairobi then Uganda and Sudan, the final Terms of Reference for their trip speak of the need for “contingency planning... in view of the upcoming referenda” in Sudan. Click here for the Terms of Reference, as obtained by Inner City Press, and see below.

Earlier on Monday in Khartoum, Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha spoke darkly of the referendum being delayed in oil rich Abyei. At Monday noon briefing at the UN in New York, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Martin Nesirky if there is any UN response to Taha's statements. Nesirky as usual had no comment.

Additions were made to the Terms of Reference, such as included human rights and children and armed conflict. It is not clear why the initial draft, largely the work of the US and the UK, needed such amendments.

To the 9th of the 13 Sudan paragraphs, “the recruitment of children by armed groups” was added. Not explicitly added is the issue of UN-African Union Darfur chief Ibrahim Gambari negotiating to hand over five supporters of rebel Abdel Wahid Nur to the government.

At least one Permanent Five member of the Council, having read Gambari's leaked documents on Inner City Press, has sent them to “the capital” and hopes the issue can be pursued in Darfur. Mais bien sur.

In the penultimate paragraph, the Council's Sudan Terms of Reference “welcome improved relations between the Governments of Sudan and Chad,” even though this led to the closure of the peacekeeping mission in Chad and Central Africa Republic, and drove Justice and Equality Movement rebel leader not only out of Chad but also out of the Doha peace process. Will the Council meet or at least speak with JEM's Khalil Ibrahim?

Here are the Terms of Reference, as obtained by Inner City Press:

Terms of Reference for Sudan

Led by Ambassadors Susan Rice (United States) and Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

1. To reaffirm the Security Council's commitment to and the international community's support for the Sudanese Parties' full and timely implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to encourage a peaceful, comprehensive, and inclusive resolution for the situation in Darfur. To reaffirm the Security Council's support for the Sudanese Parties in working to make unity attractive and respecting the right to self-determination of the people of South Sudan through credible, peaceful, free and timely referenda on 9 January 2011 that reflect the will of the Sudanese People of these areas and to hold popular consultations, in accordance with the terms of the CPA, and for all parties and states to respect the outcome.

2. To emphasize the importance of the partnership between the UN and the African Union for the international support to the Sudanese peace processes. To express support for the work of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel and the engagement of other regional and international partners of Sudan.

3. To stress that full and successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is essential to sustainable peace and stability throughout the Sudan, including Darfur, and in the region and to encourage increased cooperation between the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in carrying out their responsibilities to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including through successful and timely completion of negotiations on post-referendum arrangements.

4. To assess ongoing preparations for the referenda, and to reiterate that, regardless of the results, both parties to the CPA will need to work cooperatively to resolve critical issues and that the United Nations will continue to play an important role in supporting and promoting this dialogue, including through the recently designated UN High-Level Panel for the Referenda to be led by President Benjamin Mkapa.

5. To reiterate the Security Council's support for the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), to assess its performance and review the assistance provided by the mission, within its current mandate and capabilities, to the implementation of the CPA and the contingency planning being developed by the mission in view of the upcoming referenda, as well as the planning developed for its post-referenda presence in the Sudan, and to underline the importance of full and unhindered access for the mission, to all sites within its area of responsibility.

6. To emphasise the importance of addressing the challenges faced by South Sudan, including insecurity, humanitarian and development needs and capacity building, irrespective of the outcome of the referendum.

7. To emphasise the importance of continuing efforts to support the people of Sudan, democratic governance, rule of law, accountability, equality, respect for human rights, justice and establishment of the conditions for conflict-affected communities to build strong, sustainable livelihoods.

8. To stress the responsibility of all central and local authorities of Sudan for the safety of members of peacekeeping missions, humanitarian workers, and all working under local contracts.

9. To express the Security Council's deep concern about the upsurge in violence in Darfur; the number of civilian casualties and victims of sexual and gender-based violence; the recruitment of children by armed groups; the illegal arms flow into Darfur; and the continued restrictions on humanitarian access. To underline its concern for the security of civilians, humanitarian aid workers and peacekeepers in Darfur and to reiterate the vital importance of the protection of civilians and maintaining full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers to the population in need of assistance.

10. To reiterate the Security Council's support for the AU-UN led peace process and the work of the Joint Chief Mediator, Mr Bassole, including the principles guiding the negotiations, and the urgent need for achieving substantive progress. To urge all rebel groups to join the Doha peace process without preconditions or further delay and to call on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and engage constructively in negotiations with a view to finding a lasting peace in Darfur.

11. To reiterate the Council's support for UNAMID and its personnel and to reiterate its call on the Government of the Sudan and all relevant parties to co-operate fully with the mission; to assess UNAMID's performance and review the challenges it faces in carrying out its mandate, giving priority to the protection of civilians and the facilitation of humanitarian delivery, as well as the priority given to UNAMID's continuing efforts to promote the engagement of all Darfurian stakeholders in support of and to complement the AU-UN political process in Darfur.

12. To welcome improved relations between the Governments of Sudan and Chad following the agreement of 15 January 2010 to normalise their bilateral relations and the establishment of a joint border monitoring mechanism, and to encourage continued co-operation and strengthening of relations.

13. To underline the need to ensure that Security Council resolutions are implemented.

Terms of Reference for Kampala

Led by Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda (Uganda)

1. To reiterate the Security Council's support to the improvement of relations among the countries of the region and to encourage them to strengthen cooperation in all fields.

2. To emphasize the Security Council's support for action against armed groups in the region, particularly the Lord's Resistance Army.

3. To reiterate the Security Council's support for the Djibouti Peace Process and support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in the stabilization of Somalia

4. To stress the Security Council's firm commitment to the cause of peace in the Sudan, the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and successful negotiation of a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement for Darfur.

5. To examine the important contribution by the Regional Service Center in Entebbe, to the work of UN Missions in the region.

Watch this site.