With UN's Ban in DC, Procurement Scandals Unanswered, No Protection by UN Security

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/dcban2media031009.html

UNITED NATIONS - DC, March 10 -- With UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon slated to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, a report criticizing UN procurement was raised at the UN's noon briefing in New York on Tuesday. Ban's Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe read a statement denouncing a media summary of the report, by the UN's own Joint Inspection Unit, but she refused to answer any questions, even as to which of the five recommendations the UN Department of Management is claiming it will act on.

Only last week, Ms. Okabe's colleague Farhan Haq erroneously stated that the UN was not receiving computer services from Satyam, the so-called Indian Enron, through the UN-affiliated International Computing Center, and that the UN's now scandal-plagued Procurement Division covered the ICC. Haq's subsequent statement reversing what he'd told Inner City Press explains, some say, Ms. Okabe's refusal to answer any questions at all about the UN's procurement problems.

Inner City Press asked for the UN's response to the report, particularly its criticism of the UN's waiving of competition such as in its $250 million sole-source contract for camps in Darfur, which even the UN's Headquarters Committee on Contracts then its General Assembly criticized. Ms. Okabe said, please don't ask any more questions about this, what I've just read out is all I have. What she'd read out was an attack on a media summary, not the JIU report Inner City Press has asked about.

Ms. Okabe told other reporters, "Few of you have read the report," as an explanation for not answering any questions about it.

Inner City Press also asked for an explanation of the statement by Ban's envoy in Madagascar that the former mayor and opposition leader is "under [UN] protection in a diplomatic residence." Who in the UN system, which has in recent months allowed its envoy to Niger Robert Fowler to travel without security until he was kidnapped on the way back from a Canadian-owned mining company, is providing this protection? The UN is not actually providing any security, Ms. Okabe aid. At least it's an answer.

Afterwards, Inner City Press asked how Ms. Okabe's office, which is the media's interface with Ban Ki-moon, is assisting UN correspondents who wish to cover Ban's trip to DC, his meetings with President Obama and leaders of the House and Senate. "I don't have any information on that," Ms. Okabe said. Ah, transparency... Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/dcban2media031009.html

UN's Harston Removed from W. Sahara As Quid Pro Quo for Van Walsum, Ban Too Quiet as on Fowler, Diplomats Say

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1harston030909.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 9 -- The UN's envoy to Western Sahara, Julian Harston, has unceremonious left that post, and been reassigned to the UN Office in Belgrade, Serbia. Inner City Press is told, by Polisario and other diplomatic sources, that Harston's removal from Western Sahara was a "quid pro quo... The pro-Morocco [Peter] Van Walsun was taken out, or took himself out, and so Morocco demanded that Harston leave, tit for tat," one senior diplomat told Inner City Press.

At the UN noon briefing on March 5, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Michele Montas to confirm and explain Harston's removal from Western Sahara and reassignment to Belgrade. Even those the move, though not the reason, had been noted in the Balkan press, Ms. Montas said she didn't have information about it, would look into and update Inner City Press.

This did not take place that day or the next, and so on March 7 Inner City Press asked Ms. Montas' deputy, Marie Okabe, who was listed as on-duty that day. On March 8, Ms. Okabe replied merely that "we are looking into it." Inner City Press directly asked for UN comment on the diplomat's "quid pro quo" quote. A day later, none has been received.

How can it be that Ban's Spokesperson's Office still has "no information" about the new assignment given to Harston, and why?

Compared with the UN's ongoing silence about its ostensible envoy to Niger Robert Fowler, who was abducted in December while traveling in that country in a UNDP vehicle but without any UN security, Harston perhaps "got off easy," one of the Africa-focused diplomats remarked, adding that the Ban Administration's lack of transparency is making it more difficult for the UN to recruit qualified envoys to other countries, particularly in Africa. They claim they are withholding their short list of candidates to replace Kermal Dervis at UNDP, he continued, out of respect for those who applied. At that level, it's an absurd concern. But silence on Fowler, and selling out Harston, that hurts them with people who might otherwise apply. It's a race to the bottom.

As so it goes in Ban's UN.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1harston030909.html

On Haiti, UN's Council and Ban Focus, Abuse and Mandate Questions Unanswered

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/ungo2haiti030709.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 7 -- Haiti, so often a second thought in the UN system, is for this week its focus. Accompanied by US ex-President Clinton and hand-selected press, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel there on March 9 and 10. Then the Security Council, including nine members at the highest UN level, will arrive in Haiti on March 11, in the run-up to considering the renewal of the ever-changing Peacekeeping mission there. On March 6 Inner City Press asked Costa Rican Ambassador Jorge Urbina, who is leading the Council’s trip, who or what is being fought in Haiti, and whether the mission will seek answers on the UN’s own misdeeds, including a follow-up on the 107 Sri Lanka soldiers sent home in late 2007 charged with sexual abuse.

Ambassador Urbina said that while the issue of exploitation by peacekeepers is not formally in the terms of reference of the mission, other Ambassadors or if not he himself “may ask about this difficult issues” when they meet with the UN Special Representative Hedi Annabi or the mission’s Force Commander. He acknowledged that the mission has become one of “peacebuilding,” aiming at sustainable development, which is “not the focus” of the Security Council.

With much fanfare, the UN set up a Peacebuilding Commission to work in post-conflict countries. So far it has focused on Burundi and Sierra Leone, and now Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau. This last is hardly post-conflict: last week the president and prime minister were killed. In Haiti on the other hand, the military component of the ostensible Peacekeeping mission has devolved to law enforcement, and not very effective at that.

Haiti has been plagued by a spate of kidnappings, and sources alleged darkly that some UN peacekeepers stand by or even participate. (To be clear, those making these allegation are speaking of particular peacekeepers from relatively low-wealth countries, and call it a “crime of opportunity”). One wonders if this issue will come up in the Council’s trip or, less like, Bill Clinton’s and Ban’s.

On this last, Inner City Press inquired with Ban’s Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe on March 3, and later sent a reminder, without receiving any response. When one is received, it will be reported on this site.

As Inner City Press noted on March 2, that day UN Peacekeeping chief Alain “Le Roy mentioned ‘good news’ from Haiti. That's not what a long-time Haitian journalist, standing Monday morning in the snow across First Avenue from the UN, told Inner City Press. In fact, some are alleging some UN complicity in the very crimes in Haiti being denounced. The snowy Haitian journalist has urged further investigations.” The next day, Inner City Press sent a timely request to Ms. Okabe, followed by a reminder, but has not heard back.

Back on February 3, Inner City Press asked Ms. Le Roy’s colleague “Ms. Malcorra about reports of staff unrest in the UN Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, about which a question has been pending with the UN for five days. Malcorra shook her head, yes there is tension there, that she thinks can be resolved. Sources tell Inner City Press that international UN staff face a reduction in benefits.”

Later, Ban’s Spokesperson told Inner City Press that the unrest was not limited to Haiti. A Peacekeeping spokesperson tried to limit the complaints to higher-level staff. But the issue arose at a UN Department of Management Town Hall meeting, and it emerges that compensation was in fact being cut, and is now being phrased in, 100% for two years, then tapering off after that.

This Spokesperson responded back in November 2008 to questions about the deadly school collapse in Petionville, telling Inner City Press, which asked whether the UN given its central role in Haiti might be trying to encourage improvements in building codes, that "there is a government in Haiti... those codes have existed for two hundreds years." That might be the problem. Reportedly

"anger boiled over as thousands of Haitians looked on in the blazing sun, with the stench of rotting bodies beginning to rise from the rubble. Rumors have circulated that the international rescuers were working slowly to inflate their wages. About 100 men rushed the unstable pile... Thousands cheered them on, chanting, 'We don't need money to do the work!' Baton-swinging Haitian police and United Nations peacekeepers in riot gear drove the men away, only for them to return and throw rocks."

The Spokesperson was asked who decided on this use of force. Initially and cordially, she said that a "serious problem of crowd control" had existed as parents tried to get to the school, which "two teams, French and American, were working with MINUSTAH" to clear the rubble. Video here, from Minute 13:20.

One wondered, given the insistence that the UN system which includes the UN Development Program can do nothing about the building codes and practices that led to the collapse, why MINISTAH was described as being in charge of the rescue effort.

In fact, the Council mission if not that of Ban and Clinton might want to inquire into how MINUSTAH spends money, and who decided on it. As Inner City Press exclusively reported in October 2008, "there are other extensive overhead costs of the UN system in Haiti, not least the rental of a former hotel in Port au Prince. After weeks of waiting, DPKO finalize provided the following:

"the main MINUSTAH headquarters complex (The Christopher Hotel) is rented directly from a private individual (Dr. Gerard Desir) at the rate of $3.86 per square meter. The total complex is 24,383 square meters which includes parking, office space, pre-fab office space, canteen and conference space. The total monthly rent is thus $94,000. Please note that this does not include the MINUSTAH logbase, which is located on a plot of land provided at no cost by the Haitian Government. The decision to select the Hotel Christopher was based on a locally-completed analytical process which determined that this facility was one of the few premises in Port au Prince which would meet the Mission's requirements with regards to space, water and power . It is also in a neighbourhood that was judged in 2004 to be among the safest in Port au Prince."

Beyond all these hard-won numbers, we are left with the question of the transition from a peacekeeping mission, not to peacebuilding, but emergency humanitarian. As Annabi said, such aid is needed. But is DPKO the right agency to be coordinating it?

The Council may also wish to follow-up on a UN shooting incident in April 2008 which Inner City Press asked Deputy Spokesperson Okabe about

Inner City Press: There are reports from Haiti that a protest has been filed with MINUSTAH (the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti) after the death of the peacekeeper and the shooting up of street vendors and the destruction of their property and some deaths. Has MINUSTAH received a protest in that regard and is there an investigation?

Deputy Spokesperson Okabe: I'll look into that for you.

Added later to the transcript:

"The Deputy Spokesperson later told the correspondent that, according to MINUSTAH, the mission says it has not been sent any complaint or protest directly, but it has received a copy of a letter from two local commercial associations (Association of the Defense of Haitian Merchants & Consumers and The Association for Small Businesses) addressed to the Government prosecutor, in which it is alleged that the two persons named were killed by MINUSTAH troops on 12 April 2008 following the public murder of a Nigerian United Nations Police, who was shot dead in the market in Belair.

MINUSTAH is, of course, investigating these allegations, but has not found any facts to substantiate them. Consequently the allegations that any MINUSTAH personnel killed these individuals or subsequently removed their bodies from the scene remain unsupported by any evidence."

The individual named in Inner City Press follow-up written question were Amonese Pierre and Anna Ainsi Connu. While the UN has said it is investigating itself -- we have heard this before -- this particular case should continue to be followed, as a matter of the UN's own "Responsibility to Protect" and otherwise.

In March 2008, exactly a year ago and where we’ll leave this retrospective off, Inner City Press asked about "an AP story today about Haiti -- the headline is 'Millions Starve as Food Rots in Haiti's Ports' -- talking about blockages in the ports. It talks about WFP somehow getting its food in, but that other charities can't get its food in. Does MINUSTAH, or the UN system, can it confirm that millions are starving while food rots in Haiti's ports?

Ban's Spokesperson Michele Montas said, "I don't know whether I can say that or not. There have been a number of measures against corruption in the ports, which might have created this situation. I have nothing from MINUSTAH giving me information about people dying of hunger because the food is not getting in. Okay, thank you very much."

No, thank you – while we await the delayed response to our timely March 3 inquiry. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ungo2haiti030709.html

At UN, Talk of Printing Plant Stroke Death and Ambulance Delay, Dangers Unmitigated After One Year, Workers Say

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un2ambulance030609.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 6 -- There was a buzz both angry and sad among staff at the UN on Friday, about the death of a printing worker, Jesmel Navoa, who had a stroke the previous night in the third basement publishing plant. According to colleagues of his, it took nearly an hour for a New York City ambulance to be allowed into to attend to him. They offered to carry him themselves for treatment, but were told that they couldn't.

Speaking to Inner City Press on condition on anonymity -- they expressed fear of retaliation even for disclosing this -- they described another situation slightly more than a year ago, in which a printing plant worker had his fingers crushed in a machine, and again the arrival of medical services was delayed.

They questioned why, other than during the September to October General Assembly meeting period, there is not even a nurse on duty when they work the night shift. They said it makes them question the United Nations Organization and its commitment to the basic rights of its own line workers, despite its pronouncements about the right of others.

"Imagine," one of the dead man's colleagues told Inner City Press, "we work on 42nd Street on the island of Manhattan and it takes an hour for an ambulance to reach us."

What's worse in this situation is that a year ago, the same problem arose, and while a journalist died of a stroke on the UN's third floor, a New York Fire Department vehicle was stopped at the UN's gate from First Avenue. When Inner City Press reported on that story, the UN Spokesperson's office pushed back, denying the time line, implying it would not happen again. Now, according to UN printing plant staff, it has happened again. Where will accountability lie?

Last year, at the Feb. 22, 2008 UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked:

Inner City Press: How long did it take and what is the policy of the UN on letting emergency medical personnel on the UN property?

Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haq: First of all, there were emergency medical personnel on hand at the time. As I just mentioned, three UN security officers who are qualified EMTs performed CPR on Mr. Janitschek, and there was no sign of life at the time. A defibrillator was used to try to start his heart, to no avail, and appropriate medical protocols were followed. The person who was with Mr. Janitschek, Mr. Casella, your colleague, had immediately called the UN operator, who called security, who then called the emergency responders, including a direct call to New York hospital. The first responder was actually a fire engine truck. They were not allowed in, because they could not provide the level of care needed, compared to the trained EMTs, who were there on site already, the three UN security officers. An ambulance arrived 10 seconds later, and that ambulance and paramedics were let in directly. Like I said, all of that was to no avail, ultimately. Mr. Janitschek gave no sign of life throughout this process.

Inner City Press: First of all, who decides whether to let in or not to let in a New York City fire truck? And what is the policy of the UN in terms of this? Does it automatically allow emergency or fire personnel without [searching or blocking them]?

Associate Spokesperson: We have the protocol to call in emergency responders when there is an emergency in the building, and that protocol was followed. As far as checking vehicles that come in, that is a standard security procedure, but that did not result in any significant delay. Like I said, the ambulance and paramedics were let in directly.

The UN later added that [After the briefing, the Spokesperson’s Office confirmed that the ambulance was not stopped at the front gate at all.]

Editor's note: beyond that fact that several witnesses continue to describe the searching of the ambulance, no one has rebutted or even denied the 24 minute response time. In the UN's scripted statement at Friday's noon briefing, highlighted above, it is said that a fire truck was denied entry. A UN security officer after the briefing confirmed that when FDNY vehicles come to the UN, the policy is to not let them in unless there is / the UN is aware of a fire. There's a problem: FDNY took over EMS ambulances some time ago, and FDNY personnel are trained in the procedures which were needed that February 2008 night. So why have a policy that includes turning away official NYC emergency responders from the FDNY? Now, there's this event in March 2009. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un2ambulance030609.html

As UN Council Meets, NGOs' Eviction from Darfur Called "Only the First Step," Bashir Indictment Freeze Requests

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un4bashir030609.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 6 -- With African Union and Arab League diplomats headed to New York to lobby the Security Council for a suspension of the indictment against Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, the Council met Friday about Bashir's expulsion of NGOs which serve Darfur. The percentage of the humanitarian work in Darfur impacted by the expulsion order varied by source. The UN's Catherine Bragg, who cancelled her noon press availability and postponed it until after the Council's Friday afternoon session, put the figure at 50%. Costa Rica's Ambassador Jorge Urbina, on the other hand, said he'd head the figure was closer to 70%. Inner City Press asked Ambassador Urbina, on camera, to comment on the NGOs departure from Sudan. He declined, but off camera said "something must be done." Asked if the harm to civilians would make Costa Rica re-think its opposition to suspending the indictment of Bashir, he said no.

Footage from Khartoum showed al-Bashir dancing with a crowd and apparently little security. We will not back down, he told the crowd. This is the new Sudan.

At a diplomatic luncheon Friday for Ghana, Inner City Press asked a range of Ambassadors about the situation in Sudan. While most spoke off the record, the representative of the Holy See said he disagreed that the indictment would make peace talks less likely. Look at South Sudan, he said. Even after the death of John Garang, the talks continued. Bashir has been in power for nearly 20 years.

But now the Justice and Equality Movement says it will not negotiate with a war criminal. Were these foreseeable impacts thought out? Will Ocampo be the one serving breakfast in Nyala?

On the way into the Council, a senior Sudanese diplomat stopped and told Inner City Press that "our people" say the meeting is about the requests for suspension from the AU and Arab League. They are member states, he said, they should come before the NGOs. All of this could have been avoided, he said. This is only the first step. We have nothing to lose.

Beginning with this quote, we will endeavor to live-blog outside the Council's closed door session. Watch this space.

On his way into the meeting, Austria's Ambassador stopped to say that the UN taking over the humanitarian programs in Darfur is "unrealistic," and that Austria would not support any suspension of the indictment, as they believe in the rule of law, the fight against impunity and the independence of the court. He was asked, since Sudan could only be prosecuted due to the Council's 2005 vote to refer the case, if the Council couldn't not ask for deferral. That would be even more problematic, he answered, saying that the court proceeding must proceed.

Update of 4:09 p.m. -- in a rambling stakeout interview, Sudan's Ambassador said he has a "dossier" of proof against each of the 13 expelled NGOs. He said that the International Rescue Committee, for example, "has an MOU with the ICC," and that other NGOs "use their planes to fly supposed victims to Paris." One reporter suggested that he return to the stakeout Monday at 10 a.m. with the dossier. You can come to my office, the Sudanese Ambassador said, adding to the crowd, but he better be careful, he might have a heart attack, the evidence is so strong.

Reporters laughed, some cringed. Inner City Press asked if these 13 NGOs are being allowed to continue operations in South Sudan. I don't know if they have operations in the South, the Ambassador said. Inner City Press asked what Sudan would think of Bill Frist as the US Special Envoy for Darfur. That is a US decision, he said, adding that Sudan would prefer an "upgraded" US Ambassador in Khartoum, and might not allow in a new US Special Envoy. What will happen Monday at 10 a.m. is not known. Even Friday afternoon, the Council meeting continues.

Update of 4:35 p.m. -- France's Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert came to the stakeout, saying among other things that if Sudan does not reverse its position, Kalma camp and another may run out of water in 48 hours. Inner City Press asked him if France thinks the expulsion is a violation of international humanitarian law or implicates the Responsibilility to Protect (which France's Bernard Kouchner has said he invented). Yes, Ripert said, we think this violates the law, and we've said that in the Council, asking members to act on their commitments made in January to support international humanitarian law.

Will there be a written statement, then? A draft is being circulated. But it seems clear that several members will not sign onto anything that does not raise the suspension of the indictment of Bashir.

Update of 4:54 p.m. -- UK Ambassador John Sawers came to the stakeout out and, long story short, said there would be no Council statement. A British reporter said NGOs called this "grotesque." Sawers explained that one of the Permanent members insisted on references to the ICC. He said that Russia would have been willing to sign on to some reasonable statement. So call it China -- which, like the US, hasn't spoken at the stakeout.

Inner City Press asked Sawers if the expulsion was entirely unexpected, if any contingency planning had been done. You can't plan for everything, he said, adding that no one saw the NGOs as connected to the ICC. No one?

Update of 5:35 p.m. -- the UN's Catherine Bragg emerged, and her spokeswoman Stephanie Bunker said she's had a long day and has other engagements, so will take only three questions. She was asked about the capacity of national NGOs, and spoke of trying to replace six thousand some humanitarian workers. She dropped the estimate of impacted humanitarian services to 40%.

Inner City Press asked if it's true that Kalma camp and one other will run out of water in 48 hours. Ms. Bragg said the situation is serious, as the NGO providing water and sanitation in Kalma camp is being expelled. She said "we" are trying to pick up the slack. Inner City Press asked, does that mean the UNAMID peacekeepers? I don't have the details, she said. For the second day in a row, she did not answer if the NGOs being expelled have operations, and if they will continue, in South Sudan.

Update of 6:05 p.m. -- the Libyan president of the Council for March came out, speaking of a "high level" delegation from the African Union and League of Arab States which will come to the Council to argue for a suspension of the indictment under Article 16 of what he called the "Roma Statute." Inner City Press asked if the threat of African Union members which have joined the OCC un-joining came up in the Council. No, but there is a meeting of such members to reconsider their membership, he said.

Since the AU / Arab League delegation would come until March 16 or so, in part due to the Council being in Haiti next week, Inner City Press asked about the report that the Kalma camp will run out of water in 48 hours. The Libyan Ambassador said this was a "detail," that it might be true if the water came in bottles, but if the water is in wells, it will not run out. We'll see if it's a detail...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un4bashir030609.html

On North Korea, UN's Ban Has No Comment, No Control Over "UN Command," Planes Threatened

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/ban1koreas030709.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 7 -- The UN's interactions with the Koreas, always opaque, have become even more so under Ban Ki-moon, the first South Korean UN Secretary-General. His tenure began with questions about the UN Development Program's payments to the Kim Jong-il government in North Korea. Two years on, with North Korea threatening to shoot down South Korean airliners and to test another long range missile, Mr. Ban has no comment.

At the UN noon briefing on March 2, Inner City Press asked Ban's Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe, as a follow-up to media reports of talks between North Korea and the "United Nations Command," about Ban's political engagement with the Korean peninsula --

Question: Marie, would you have anything more on those talks between the [US-led UN Command] and North Korean officials?

Deputy Spokesperson Okabe: No, I do not. We obviously are monitoring closely what goes on on the Korean peninsula, and as I mentioned, the Korean peninsula did come up today between the Secretary-General and the Secretary of State of the United States. I could ask for a further readout if you like.

Inner City Press: Just a follow-up to that. There was a story last week saying that there had been a plan to send Lynn Pascoe and a team of others from the UN in early March to North Korea, but then North Korea cancelled that. Is that true or not true?

Deputy Spokesperson Okabe: I had some guidance on that for you. The United Nations has been working with the Permanent Mission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to revive the dialogue channel between the DPRK, which was suspended four years ago following Mr. Maurice Strong’s resignation.

The dialogue is proceeding smoothly through the Department of Political Affairs. No particular program for a visit to the DPRK has been set at this point and the consultation is ongoing. That’s what I have for you.

But on March 6, when Inner City Press asked follow-up questions to Ms. Okabe's colleague Michele Montas, there was more, including a late-offered statement that Ban and the UN have no control over the "United Nations Command," but a continued no-comment on North Korea's actions.

From the March 6 noon briefing transcript --

Inner City Press: Michele, North Korea has said that it can’t guarantee the safety of South Korean airliners that fly over it. This thing that keeps being called the UN Command, the United States-led UN Command has had some comment on it. First, I want to know if the Secretariat has any comment on what is viewed as a breach of international law; one country threatening another country’s airliners. And two, could you describe what is the relationship between the United Nations Secretariat and this UN Command that’s between South Korea and North Korea? Does Ban Ki-moon--

Spokesperson Montas: Well, it’s a body that’s been there for quite a few years right now, and we would have to bring your question to DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations].

[The Spokesperson later clarified that the United Nations Command is not a United Nations operation. Its name comes from the fact that it was formed after the Korean War in 1953 under Security Council resolution 82, which authorized United Nations Member States to provide military forces for the border.]

Inner City Press: Does he have any response?

Spokesperson Montas: The Secretary-General, at this point, no.

But when will he? Ban is slated to be in Washington March 10 and 11. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban1koreas030709.html

As UN Covers For Obama Climate Backslide, It Does Not Carbon Offset, "Act Not Together"

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN
www.innercitypress.com/ban2climate030609.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 6 -- As the UN provides groundcover for the Obama administration's retreat from its climate change rhetoric during the electoral campaign, the UN "doesn't have its act together" on even offsetting the impacts of travel by its Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other high officials, the UN's Yvo de Boer told the Press on Friday.

Mr. de Boer held a press conference to announce positive movement on climate change in Congress, at least in the House of Representatives. Inner City Press asked if he and UN agree with the Denmark's Minister of Climate and Energy Conniee Hedegaard, who has said if the U.S. doesn't pass cap and trade legislation in 2009, it will be a step backwards. De Boer responded that Rep. Markey (Dem-MA) told him legislation should emerge from his House committee in May. The Senate, de Boer said, is more complicated. That's an understatement.

Inner City Press asked if he agreed that Obama's climate negotiator Todd Sterns statement that any 25% reduction in emissions by the U.S. by 2020 is unrealistic is a "diss" of the UN's IPCC. De Boer said he agreed with Stern -- de Boer subtly moved the goal post being dissed to 40% -- but said that perhaps the U.S. could invest money in deforestation projects as a way to show seriousness.

On that, Inner City Press asked de Boer whether he, Ban Ki-moon and the UN are offsetting the carbon emission of their travel. De Boer admitted that they are not, saying that they are trying to come up with a methodology but "we don't have our act together yet." Video here, from Minute 49:22.

This seems the least one could expect from a Secretary-General who speaks so much about climate change. A senior Ban advisor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Inner City Press that the Ban administration thinks that carbon offsetting is hype. Why not say that publicly, then?

Inner City Press asked asked de Boer about a leaked draft of European finance ministers, that industry and not government should foot the bill of helping the developing world reduce its emissions. Governments print money, de Boer quipped, but they don't make it. One way or another, the taxpayer is on the hook. It's what the banks are saying, too. Some view it as competing ransom notes.

De Boer was asked about the climate "mini-summit" with Obama that the Ban Administration had leaked and then undercut, when they thought Obama would not come. De Boer said that climate and summits will be on Ban's agenda in Washington next week. We will continue to follow these issues.

Footnote: in fairness to Ban Ki-moon, Inner City Press asked the spokesman for President of the General Assembly Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, before his recent trip through Iran, Syria and Geneva, if he would be carbon offsetting. Ask the PGA, the spokesman said.

But the next day, when d'Escoto took questions in front of the Trusteeship Council, Inner City Press was asked to not repeat the question, an answer would be forthcoming. Then none was received, despite Inner City Press providing its previous coverage of UN offsetting -- in the case of one conference -- and not offsetting.

It's like Ban's demotion of Tanzanian Anna Tibaijuku from the UN's top post in Nairobi, during women and gender week: practice what you preach. We'll see.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban2climate030609.html

On NGOs in Khartoum, UN Is Not Sure, Council to Meet Friday, No UN Legal Expert Available

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un3bashir030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- The situation in Sudan is the UN's main focus, as stated Thursday by its Spokesperson who declined to take questions on any other subject. But while purporting to focus, the UN on Thursday could not answer basic questions. Inner City Press asked deputy humanitarian coordinator Catherine Bragg if the NGOs described as expelled from Sudan will be able to continue to run programs in South Sudan, from offices in Khartoum. "I don't have information on that," Ms. Bragg replied. "I'll have to check." Video here, from Minute 20:41. Seven hours later, no information had been provided.

But at 9 p.m. on Thursday, the Security Council announced that it will meet on Sudan at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Inner City Press asked Ms. Bragg if the UN considered Omar al-Bashir's expulsion order a violation of international humanitarian law. "I'm not a legal expert," Ms. Bragg replied, "so I can't answer that for you. But the UN's top lawyer Patricia O'Brien, at an on-camera press conference earlier in the week, told Inner City Press she would not answer any questions except on the Hariri Tribunal, and would not commit to any further press availabilities.

On March 4, the UN Spokesperson tried to argue that Ban was not calling on Sudan to hand Bashir over to the ICC in the Hague because Sudan is not bound by the indictment -- a position that ignores the UN Security Council resolution calling on Sudan to comply and cooperate with the ICC. Clearly, someone is given bad legal advice. But who?

Click here for Inner City Press' Feb 26 UN debate

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un3bashir030509.html

On Sri Lanka, UN Notes Starvation, Believes No Heavy Artillery in Use, Defers to Security Council's Silence

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/ban11srilanka030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- Even on a day when the UN belatedly notes the starvation of Tamils trapped in the conflict zone in Sri Lanka, it undercut this report Thursday by declaring the expulsion of NGOs from Darfur "the important issue of the day." At the UN's noon briefing in New York, Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson shifted directly from a read-out of press releases, including the statement on Sri Lanka, to a Q&A on Darfur, without taking questions on what she had read. Later on Thursday, Inner City Press asked the UN's Radhika Coomaraswamy if she thinks the UN is doing enough about Sri Lanka, and how to allocate blame for the deaths there, including of children and by starvation. Video here, from Minute 24:06.

Ms. Coomaraswamy said that the UN's focus is humanitarian, on the "ways and means of evacuation." She recited that the government of Sri Lanka has made a commitment not to use long range artillery, while noting that there are reports the continued use. For example, in Maaththa'lan on March 3. Still she called it a step forward, and said it was up to the Security Council to consider the "larger political issues" such as "whether to call for a ceasefire."

Ban has called, twice now, for a suspension of fighting. The Security Council held a single briefing -- explicitly on humanitarian and not political issues -- and now Sri Lanka is not on the Council's agenda for the month of March.

While the UN raises its voice, correctly, about the expulsion of NGOs from Darfur, it is more muted about the Northern Sri Lanka conflict zone where there are no international NGOs or journalists allowed at all.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban11srilanka030509.html

UN Security and Capital Master Plan Slammed for Bloat, Retaliation Starts, Flooding Denied by CMP

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/undss3chaos030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- The UN's Department of Safety and Security, already embroiled in a scandal about pre-decided promotions, was slammed was wasteful in a recent report on the Capital Master Plan. Urging that the 108 new security jobs requested for the UN's renovation be scaled back, the UN's Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) said that "their number could be reduced....the resources requested for training could be further reduced [by] forty percent." A/63/736.

As Inner City Press has exclusively reported, the current head of security for UN Headquarters, of whom the Staff Union has adopted a resolution of no-confidence, is said to be trying to shift to the Capital Master Plan. His ally Albert Lyttle, the author of the pre-selected promotion memo which Inner City Press obtained and put online last month, has lashed out at Staff Union representatives, in a letter which Inner City Press is putting online here. Inner City Press held off publishing this letter, but in light of reports of retaliation against whistleblowers, silence seems the wrong approach.

The letter concerns the meetings at which the vote of no-confidence was taken. Its claim of defamation seems tenuous at best. As one observer put it, if your own document defames you, the only one you have to sue is yourself.

Inner City Press asked the Capital Master Plan spokesman if the head of SSS was trying for a post with the CMP. He answered, "there are no posts." But there are many posts proposed, to the UN's Fifth Committee. While ACABQ has proposed to scale back by 40%, several posts will still exist. Watch this site.

In other responses to Inner City Press' questions, the CMP's spokesman tersely replied

Q1. -- Mayor Bloomberg has issued a report on climate change which predicts rising temperatures and sea levels for New York City (see e.g., http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29257373/). NYC is taking steps to prepare for a rise in the sea level between 7 and 23 inches, by among other things, raising water treatment equipment to higher ground. Has the UN seen this report, and is the UN taking any steps in its CMP to mitigate against the threat of rising seas?

A1. -- The Climate Risk Information by the New York City Panel on Climate Change, released on 17 February 2009, identifies some of the potential risks to the critical infrastructure of New York City posed by climate change. The Office of the CMP has seen this report, and will review it to determine if design changes are needed.

Q2. -- Doesn't the UNHQ sometimes flood now?

A2. -- There is no flooding in the UNHQ caused by the proximity of the complex to the East River.

Q3. -- What changes have you made to your plans to accommodate this?

A3. - See answer to Q1.

Q4. -- Also if you could describe why the staff assistance area in the 42nd Street library was demolished yesterday? What else should be expected in the lobbies?

A4. -- The Volunteers Desk was moved from the Secretariat Lobby to the Visitors Lobby in the General Assembly Building, since the Secretariat Building will begin undergoing renovation later in the year.

Q5. -- Which UN functions are slated to move not to Madison Avenue or the Albano building, but to the building on the corner of 2nd and 42nd with Innovation Luggage (and a liquor store) on the ground floor? The Medical Service? What else?

A5. -- Although all our plans are subject to adjustments until the move occurs, at this time the Medical Service, staff from DGACM and DPI (Radio Section) are scheduled to move to 300 East 42nd Street.

Q6. -- Please provide an update on the status of the idea of charging the press rent or costs, in the swing space or upon return.

A6. -- The issue is presently under review within the Secretariat.

Q7. -- Are there positions within the CMP which the current head of DSS's SSS and his deputy are applying for? What would those positions be?

A7. -- There are currently no vacant positions within the CMP.

Q8. -- Has the CMP (or wider UN if you can comment on that) had any money in the financial institutions which have either been merged or received over $5 billion in TARP funds during this financial melt-down?

A8. -- This question should be directed to the UN Treasury.

But the head of the office overseeing the UN Treasury, Angela Kane of the Department of Management, has since said she has no time to answer answers, and just to ask at the UN's noon briefing. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/undss3chaos030509.html

In Demoting Anna Tibaijuka, UN's Ban Did Not Consult His Gender Advisor, It Seems, UNIFEM and ECA Have No Comment

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un5unon030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- At the UN celebrated Women's Day and itself, questions continued to grow about its demotion of Tanzanian Anna Tibaijuka from the top post at the UN Office in Nairobi. Ban Ki-moon's Special Advisor on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Woman, Rachel Mayanja, was asked by Inner City Press if Ban consulted her before demoting one of his most senior female officials.

"I am not very familiar with this issue," Ms. Mayanja said. "I need to look into it and get properly informed before answering to you." Video here, from Minute 5:45. It seems clear that Ban did not consult his Special Adviser on Women's Advancement before demoting a top female UN official.

Nor has Ban complied with the UN General Assembly's call that he appoint an independent Special Adviser on Africa. It is known that Ambassadors, for example from Mozambique, have written in protest to Ban. His spokesman, however, said he remains "comfortable" with his decision.

Ban is calling on Sudan's al-Bashir to reconsider his decision to expel NGOs from Darfur. Ban has been asked to reconsider his demotion of Tibaijuka in favor of the German Achim Steiner. But on Thursday on the UN's intranet, the appointment of Steiner was formally announced.

No one at Headquarters seems to want to answer on this. Representatives of UNIFEM, the UN's women's agency and of ECA, Economic Commission for Africa, both declined comment when asked by Inner City Press. But the questions continue to grow. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un5unon030509.html

UN Belatedly Admits It Still Gets Satyam Services Through ICC, Cover-Up Alleged

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un3satyam030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- The UN on Thursday acknowledged that it still receives services from Satyam, the so-called Indian Enron, through the UN-affiliated International Computing Center. On Tuesday, UN Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq responded to Inner City Press' question on this point with a statement that "we were informed by our Procurement Division that Satyam was suspended in January... A communication has been sent to the UN procurement system (including peacekeeping missions) and the procurement extranet site is now updated."

Inner City Press asked Haq if the UN Procurement Division covered the UN-affiliated ICC, and Haq indicated that it did. He then called Inner City Press' questions "obnoxious." Later on Tuesday, a more senior UN official told Inner City Press that the UN does, in fact, continue to receive services from Satyam through the ICC, which is not covered by the UN Procurement Division. After more inquiries, on Thursday Haq's Office sent Inner City Press the following:

Subj: your question on computing/Satyam
From: unspokesperson-donotreply [at] un.org
To: Inner City Press
Sent: 3/5/2009 11:12:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time

We have received further information concerning links with Satyam, concerning the International Computing Centre (ICC), whose procurement activities are done independently of the UN Secretariat.

The UN Secretariat has several projects underway with the International Computing Centre (ICC) that involve Satyam. Satyam is engaged as a sub-contractor of ICC. The Secretariat does not have any direct contract with Satyam for these projects. In light of recent developments concerning Satyam, we asked ICC to find a replacement for Satyam as soon as possible.

While we will continue to cover if and when this replacement actually happens, the series of events, including the inaccurate answer that was only corrected after questioning deemed "obnoxious," has led two well-placed sources with intimate knowledge of the UN system's procurement activities to call this either a Spokesperson's Office cover-up, or intentionally incorrect answers by the UN Procurement Division.

The question arises, and is being pursued, who in the UN Procurement Division gave the incorrect information about the ICC and Satyam, and on whose orders. Watch this site.

Back in January, the UN told Inner City Press that "Satyam has been suspended from the UN Secretariat vendor database. The information has been communicated to the UN procurement system and the UN Global Marketplace. Ongoing contracts with Satyam are currently under assessment."

At the noon briefing on March 3, Inner City Press asked Ms. Okabe, does the UN receive computer services through the International Computing Center from Satyam, the so-called Indian Enron? Ms. Okabe said that while she didn't "have the guidance" with her, an answer had been sent to Inner City Press earlier in the day. Video here, from Minute 12:59.

Haq's March 3 response to Inner City Press' questions about the UN-affiliated ICC and Satyam also stated

UNDP's most recent contract with Satyam was signed in December 2007 for consulting work on its information systems. The contract went through the normal competitive process. This contract was set to expire after one year (November 30 2008). In October of 2008, media articles appeared on irregularities in Satyam's work with the World Bank. UNDP approached the World Bank and Satyam proactively to find out the details of the alleged irregularities. As a result of these conversations, UNDP took a decision not to renew Satyam's contract and began to evaluate the phase out while minimizing the risks to our information systems. UNDP currently has 11 Satyam technical consultants working on its information systems.

UNDP does not manage the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM), it is managed by UNOPS. We are in the process of having the misleading or erroneous information contained on IAPWG's site removed as it unfortunately creates this perception. UNDP can flag vendors in the UNGM should it experience problems and is currently in the process of doing so. It is worth noting that UNDP's review of the published World Bank list of barred vendors did not turn up Satyam's name, in spite of such references in the media to Satyam having been debarred.

In light of the most recent information regarding Satyam, UNDP, like many other companies and organizations, will not be continuing its business with them and is currently looking for a replacement.

So while UNDP like the ICC has been asked to is "currently looking for a replacement," sources raise the following additional questions: what is the visa status of the Satyam employees currently working for UNDP (and the UN and ICC)? Does UNDP (and the ICC) pay individuals for their services, or pay Satyam? Developing...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un3satyam030509.html

At UN, Spirulina Pomp Likened to Snake Oil, Obama and Rodham Clinton Links Played Up

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1spirulina030409.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- On the fourth floor of the UN on Wednesday night, a restive crowd formed to shake hands with a Sheikh from Dubai, in the name of spirulina. This is an algae which, according to the videos shown at the subsequent dinner, can miraculously cure the disabled. It was rubbed onto knees in Kenya, it was shipping into the white phosphorous marked Iraqi city of Fallujah.

While one skeptic in the crowd muttered, "Snake oil," it was said from the podium that the UN in 1974 deemed spirulina the best hope to fight world hunger. Its proponents called themselves Ambassadors; they are omnipresent in the UN's Delegates' Lounge, passing out books of poetry and quoting Che Guevara. Wednesday night they kept a Dining Room full of freeloaders waiting for two hours for the main course, as representatives of wine firms and the "Official Spokesman of the Obama Family in Kenya" praised the qualities of spirulina.

Inner City Press, among the freeloaders, spoke with a Thai refugee of sorts, now with Smith Barney in San Francisco, who admitted to only coming because it was a chance to see the UN, and contrasted the evening's pomp to a Bay Area non-profit which helps recent immigrants. Next to her was a farm owner from Mississippi, who flew up from Jackson for the promise of US Department of Agriculture subsidies for spirulina farms on the Gulf Coast.

"It'll be like ethanol production there," she said. "Thirty six months to make money, then get out." One wondered if the cited connection to Obama might help with the USDA subsidy. A point was made from the podium of noting the attendance of Hillary Clinton's brother Tony Rodham.

In the crowd, along with Tony and others, was the UN's envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari. Jovial as always, he wished "good luck" to those urging International Criminal Court indictment of Myanmar's General Than Shwe, and expressed concern at the demotion of Tanzanian Anna Tibaijuka from head of the UN Office in Nairobi in favor of the German, Achim Steiner.

The spirulina awardees, for the most part, did not come to the dinner. An award was given to an Jamaican soccer player -- called "the Diego Maradona" of that country -- and to a doctor who took spirulina to Falluja despite the dangers there. "I have a good nose for bullshit," said a woman from the Deep South, "and this is a Code Red, pure bullshit."

The evening's host and sponsor, Sulaiman al Fahim, is described in his spirulina bio as having begun "investing in the stock market under his mother's name" at the age of fourteen. An Inner City Press source saw him at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, while Sudan's press conference about their president's indictment went on, sitting in the delegate's lounge in what are described as dirty jeans. Hours later, in full dish-dash, he said "I have connections all over the world" and predicted a campaign for spirulina including "Hollywood" people.

In fairness, while not shown in the videos, sprirulina is said to re-open the digestive tract in under-nourished people. But to rub it on your legs? We will have more on this.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1spirulina030409.html

At UN, Amid Sudan Indictment Hoopla, Myanmar Follow-Up and Sri Lanka Forgotten

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un2bashir030509.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 -- While inside UN Headquarters television crews covering Sudan's President Bashir's indictment on Wednesday chased quotes from the human rights elite and the Ambassador of Liechtenstein, across First Avenue in a small conference room the indictment of Myanmar's General Than Shwe was urged with almost no coverage.

Alongside a small plate of cookies there were flyers describing "hundreds of cases of rape, forced pregnancy and murder" and over 450,000 "Burmese deemed to be internally displaced in eastern Burma." There were no reporters, save one. This is a great day for international justice, one of the speakers said. There is no obstacle to indicting Than Shwe than our own thinking, she added, saying that China has been meeting in secret with the National League for Democracy, hedging its bets about Than Shwe.

Earlier on Wednesday, Inner City Press asked Human Rights Watch's Richard Dicker if HRW is urging the Security Council to refer to the International Criminal Court Than Shwe, Kim Jong-Il in North Korea and even, as has been requested, some in Sri Lanka. He replied that Sri Lanka, like Myanmar, is not a member of the ICC. Neither is Sudan; HRW among others pushed to get the Council to make the referral.

In the conference room with cookies, Naw Htoo Paw and Khin Sann Htwe of the Thailand-based Women’s League of Burma spoke passionately about the lack of freedom in their country, and their refusal to accept the 2008 constitution, which was pushed through just after Cyclone Nargis in a campaign in which it was illegal to speak against the constitution.

The speakers called the result one of "gender apartheid," noting that 25% of the seats have to go to those with military backgrounds, and that the two military academies do not accept women. It was unclear if they would like Than Shwe's schools to open themselves to women.

Earlier in the week, Inner City Press had asked two UN constitution experts whether their seemingly laudable work, in Timor Leste and Afghanistan, is undercut by the UN considering assisting with an election based on a constitution like Myanmar's. Neither of the two would answer; later, one of them said that the decisions about Myanmar are being made elsewhere in the UN. But where?

Wednesday night at a surreal "gala for spirulina," Inner City Press caught up with Ibrahim Gambari, and told him of the call to indict Than Shwe. "Good luck," he said. He has previously criticized moralizing Western powers who demand changes in Myanmar but don't take steps to bring them about.

The speakers with the cookies had a simple answer: the policy that has not worked in Myanmar is one of appeasement, of trying to "talk a war criminal into rehab." They described Ban Ki-moon's visit to Myanmar, and consideration of a second trip, as "desperate and embarrassing," notice the Than Shwe wouldn't even take Ban's telephone call.

Like that, there seemed a huge disconnect Wednesday between the hoopla about Sudan, and the relative obscurity of those worried about Myanmar, much less Sri Lanka. The Burma campaigners are at least at the fringe of the UN debate. Those concerned with Sri Lanka are not even present. The Security Council had a single briefing on the topic; March's plan of work does not include it, even as a footnote. Will the Council meet about Bashir? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un2bashir030509.html

As Sudan's Bashir is Indicted, Spin and Real Wars Begin at UN and Beyond

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1bashir030409.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 4, updated -- On the day of indictment of Omar al-Bashir, a day so long expected, mis-predicted by the New York Times, the Ambassador of Liechtenstein booked the UN's briefing room for a victory press conference. Sudan's Mission to the UN responded with a counter-booking, the same room three hours later. As early at 9 a.m., an hour after the announcement, the DC-based Enough Project scheduled a conference call. [These are reviewed below on this page, as live-blog.]

Inner City Press last month called out the Enough Project, for fetishizing the tail end of death in Darfur but doing nothing about the hot war in Sri Lanka. The Project's director responded online, explaining they follow their expertise.

Sudan's Ambassador to the UN had pre-booked TV appearances. While he often walks alone, outside the Trusteeship Council chamber, on the day of his president's indictment he is a man in much demand. Inner City Press joked with him, today would be the day to sell advertising space on his national dress suit. "Coca-Cola," he said. How about... PetroChina?

At 8:31 a.m., it began, a press release emailed out by Human Rights Watch. At 9 a.m., the Enough Project's call began, in full self-congratulatory mode. Everyone who's been to Darfur knows that the government at the highest level was behind the attacks, said the first speaker. The noose around Bashir was described as including the president of Egypt, concerned about Islamism. Bashir's sins were enumerated to include supporting Saddam Hussein in both Gulf Wars. Finally one reporter asked, isn't this just Western justice?

The Enough Project's legal expert puffed up the Sierra Leone court, in which he was involved, and even mentioned the just-starting Hariri Tribunal. He did not mention the corruption-plagued Cambodia genocide tribunal. The continuing and even increased rampages of ICC indictee Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army were not mentioned, nor the effect on future UN peacekeeping. Inner City Press asked about each, and will add a link later in the day. We will update this, endeavoring to live-blog reaction from the UN. Watch this space.

Update of 11:05 a.m. -- the Human Rights Watch press conference featured not only the ubuiquitous Dick Dicker of HRW, but also Niemat Ahmadi, whose CICC-distributed bio cites her award from President Bush. Inner City Press asked her if the leaders of JEM, acnkowledged by the UN as recruiting child soldiers, should be indicted. She said that "all Darfurian agree" that all wrongdoers should face justice. Somehow we doubt that. In response to Inner City Press' question by the ICC hasn't done anything for example in Asia, Dicker said that North Korea, Myanmar and Sri Lanka haven't joined the ICC. But is HRW urging the Security Council to refer any of these cases?

When Inner City Press asked if this won't have the effect of making it less likely that countries like Sudan will consent to UN Peacekeeping missions, since information can be shared with the ICC -- even confidential information withheld from defendants, as in the Lubanga case from the Congo -- Dicker said to asked the ICC Prosecutor and DPKO. The former has rebuffed questions, and DPKO has said to "ask OLA," the UN Office of Legal Affairs. But OLA chief Patricia O'Brien on March 3, in a rare press availability, said she would not answer any questions beyond the Hariri Tribunal, nor would she commit to any future media availability...

Update of 11:26 a.m. -- in the hallway outside the Security Council, Sudan's Ambassador walked by to be filmed by BBC. "That's a lot of cell phones you've got there," Inner City Press remarked, pointing at the two that he was holding. "Abdul Wahid in Paris, he has more phones," he replied. His deputy told Inner City Press that angry crowds are afoot in Khartoum and it's not clear what will happen. He could neither confirm nor deny that Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders is being thrown out of Sudan.

Update of 11:55 a.m. -- HRW's Dick Dicker, asked about Gaza, cited a figure of 3000 people killed. Less than an hour later in the same seat, Khouloud Daibes, Palestinian Minister for Women Affairs, told Inner City Press the figure is 1300 killed. The figure in Sri Lanka, just so far this year, is over 2000. It is not clear what the figure is in Darfur so far this year. With a UN mission in the region, perhaps a number should be expected?

Update of 1:01 p.m. -- chaos at the UN's noon briefing. Ban's spokesperson Michele Montas declines to say Ban calls on Sudan to turn over al-Bashir to the ICC. Reporters ask "why is Ban scared" to do what he has in other ICC cases, to call on governments to turn in indictees. Because Sudan did not sign the Rome Statute, Montas says. But in Resolution 1593, the UN Security Council called on Sudan to cooperate and comply with ICC rulings. A shaved-headed UN lawyer, David Hutchinson, takes the podium, dropping references to Cicero and serpentine. Now Montas says you could read Ban's statement as calling for Sudan's compliance. But she "will not go beyond the statement." And here comes Sudan's Ambassador....

Update of 1:25 p.m. -- Sudan's Ambassador says, "We are not going to be bound by" the decision, it's "not worth the ink it was printed with." He adds, about Human Rights Watch's earlier press conference, that he asked the Ambassador of Liechtenstein if he had, as reported, sponsored it, and says that the Ambassador of Liechtenstein said "no." When Inner City Press asks if the Government of Sudan would like JEM to be indicted, and if it thinks the UN peacekeeping missions shared information with the ICC. No, and "they deny it," he replies.

Update of 1:33 p.m. -- a correspondent / columnist from the New York Post asks, slyly, if indictment for war crimes will make Bashir more popular in the Arab and African world. Oh yes, Sudan's Ambassador says, it is a big opportunity for us.

Update of 1:47 p.m. -- Inner City Press asked how Sudan will use its chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China to address the indictment, and if the President of the General Assembly should be expected to weigh in on the matter. Sudan's Ambassador said "the PGA is expected in Sudan soon," and that the "vast majority" of member states support Sudan. When Inner City Press asked twice for the status of indictees Harun and Kushayb, he answered that they will not be turned over, that France tried to bargain, turn those two over and Bashir can walk. To be continued.

Click here for Inner City Press' Feb 26 UN debate esp. here on Darfur

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1bashir030409.html

In UN Council, March Agenda Omits Sri Lanka, UK Did Not Even Request, Libya Implies

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/unsc10srilanka030309.html

UNITED NATIONS, March 3 -- "Sri Lanka is not an issue on the agenda of the Security Council, we just met the request of the Secretariat to brief the Council," the Libyan president of the Council for March Ibrahim Dabbashi told the Press on Tuesday. At the monthly briefing on the Council's program of work, Inner City Press asked Ambassador Dabbashi if there would be any follow-up on the UN's John Holmes February 27 presentation to the Council. Video here, from Minute 12:18.

Initially, Dabbashi tried not to answer the question at all. When Inner City Press asked it again, Dabbashi said "we are always ready when there is a necessity of getting information." Video here, from Minute 14:20.

Later, however, Dabbashi grew more combative. "The majority of the members don't feel the need to put it on the agenda," he said. "Sri Lanka, I have already replied, I am not going to comment any more."

The majority of the questions directed at Dabbashi, three of the first five, concerned the expected indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir for war crimes on March 4, and why Libya would like to suspend the indictment. That is the position of the African Union and the League of Arab States, Dabbashi replied. He called the conflict in Darfur one about resources, which unfortunately has become internationalized.

Inner City Press asked if the reference in footnotes to the month's program of work called "Peace and Security in Africa" refers to Zimbabwe or to Eritrea and Djibouti. Dabbashi confirmed it is the latter, and said that "the Leader" Gaddafi had been in Eritrea a few days ago, and that the UN's top politico Lynn Pascoe is "trying to do something." Therefore an overdue meeting on Eritrea has been postponed. One wonders what knowledge The Leader may have of the UN envoy taken hostage in Niger, Robert Fowler, and whether that will finally make the Council's agenda in March.

Tony Blair, the UN-affilaited Quartet's envoy, is again listed in the footnotes for the month. Since November, he has refused to brief the Council, despite showing up in Washington to speak at prayer breakfasts and the like. Dabbashi said noted the outstanding request of South Africa, no longer on the Council. So Blair outlasted Dumisani Kumalo, the South African Ambassador, muttered one wag. But Kumalo will be back, as South Africa's envoy to the Great Lakes, then maybe for the UN. Ban has been told, by the General Assembly, to get himself a new Special Advisor on Africa. We'll see.

It is not difficult to get an issue placed in the footnotes at the beginning of a Council month of work. The UK and US, for example, got Zimbabwe and Myanmar included even while their resolutions on the topics faced veto threats, and on Zimbabwe received a double veto. That Sri Lanka is not even in the footnotes calls into question things UK minister David Miliband said in London, that the UK would be doing at the Council in New York. These questions are yet to be answered.

Footnote: at the risk of again being called, by supporters of Sri Lanka's government, an agent of Mossad, we must report that Dabbashi called the "1500 dead" in Gaza a genocide, while saying that Sri Lanka with its over 2000 civilians killed so far this year is not on the agenda of the Council. Dabbashi was asked if the Council has that morning considered the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players in Pakistan. No, he said. Similarly, on March 2 Inner City Press asked

Question: in Sri Lanka there is this report of the Government giving the UN system 300 acres for a camp for people leaving the conflict zone. As Mr. Holmes had said on Friday, there is some dispute about whether the army will be near these camps, whether people will be able to leave the camps. Are these camps going to be entirely… are the rules going to be set by the UN who people are treated there? Or is the UN administering the camp for the Government?

Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe: We’ll have to follow up with Mr. Holmes if you already asked him the question.

Inner City Press: On Friday he said this was somehow implied and there is a story today saying that in fact 300 acres had been…

Deputy Spokesperson Okabe: So, we’ll follow up with Mr. Holmes.

And we're still waiting...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unsc10srilanka030309.html