Before Global Model UN, Financial Sponsors' Names Disappear, Malaysia on Refugees

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/gmun1malaysia020410.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- As the UN promotes its upcoming Global Model United Nations, to be held in Malaysia, questions arose about previous corporate sponsorships of the event, and of some participants' travel. Inner City Press asked UN official Eric Falt about listed 2009 "sponsors" including Nestle and AIG affiliate C.V. Starr. Video here, from Minute 31:13.

Falt said he thought the deal with Nestle had fallen through, and hadn't heard of "the other" sponsor, AIG's C.V. Starr. Later he sent the following explanation:

With regard to Nestle, we had been in discussion with them last year to possibly sponsor students from developing countries who could not afford to attend the first conference in Geneva. In this end, this did not happen but the information relating to their expected sponsorship somehow remained on the website. As an admittedly late update, Nestle's name has now been removed from the website as a sponsor.

Since students are responsible for paying their own expenses (i.e., travel and accommodations), we encouraged them to seek their own funding from local enterprises. The names of other sponsors you mentioned who were also listed as “SPONSORS who provided financial assistance to Global Model UN Delegates” were provided to us by the students themselves. The United Nations did not have any direct connection with any of these sponsors. In any case, I would agree that this is potentially confusing and we have therefore removed this list of "secondary" sponsors from the website as well.

We're not sure that the solution to this "confusion" is to remove information about who is paying to fly delegates to the Global Model UN. If AIG (or Nestle) is paying, it should be known.

During the press conference, Mr. Falt said that the UN reviews potential corporate sponsor under rules promulgated by the UN Global Compact -- it's not "anything goes," he said. But the Global Compact has as a member, for example, PetroChina which is under fire for its engagement with the Al Bashir government of Sudan. If there are standards, what are they? And is the solution removing the names of sponsors, even "secondary" sponsors, from the UN's website?

Inner City Press also asked Malaysia's Ambassador about human rights complaints against his country for treatment of refugees, and crackdowns on free press. He graciously responded that these must be seen in the "context of the country itself... we have three major groups, and many smaller." He said that although Malaysia has not joined the Refugee convention, it still implements. But there are stories of mistreatment of asylum seekers, for example from Myanmar, here.

Will these type of issues -- UN engagement with corporations like Nestle, AIG or even PetroChina, and the host country's treatment of asylum seekers, for example from Myanmar -- be allowed to be debated at the 2010 Global Model UN? We'll see. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/gmun1malaysia020410.html

In Haiti, UNDP Paying $4.47 a Day to Demolish, Few Safeguards on Right to Return, DR Congo Protests

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/haiti1undp020410.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- The UN Development Program, with which Bill Clinton is to coordinator aid to Haiti, bragged Thursday about $2.5 million being given by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Inner City Press asked UNDP's Jordan Ryan to respond to protests in the DRC about the grant, when Congolese people are under-served and unprotected, and asked if UNDP had sought out this contribution.

Ryan said the grant shows solidarity, and that UNDP is the "vehicle." Video here, from Minute 11:14. He didn't disclose, but should, what overhead fees UNDP is charging -- as high at 10% in some contexts. Given how much UNDP has in the bank, might it not waive such fees in the case of Haiti?

When UNDP new Associate Administrator Rebecca Grynspan -- according to African Ambassador, she took a post that had been promised to Africa, ironic in light of the happy talk about accepting also a $2.5 million grant from the DRC -- briefed the Press about UNDP's "cash for work" in Haiti, she said it would be $5 a day.

Since then, some have said $3 a day. Inner City Press asked Ryan, who said it is $4.47 a day, set by the government. Much of the work being done involves demolishing buildings in Port au Prince.

Inner City Press asked, since UNDP is involved in knocking buildings down, what safeguards will be in place that people can return? Video here, from Minute 28:45. These questions were asked about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina -- why not in Haiti? Ryan responded with platitudes about recovery plans with, among others, the World Bank. Great.

Meanwhile at the IMF, Inner City Press asked about criticism, including by a UN expert, of the IMF issuing a new loan rather than grant to Haiti. IMF Spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson said that nothing would have to be paid until 2012. And then? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/haiti1undp020410.html

UN Dodges Protest of Ban's TRNC Trick in Cyprus, Questions Refused

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/ban1prus020410.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- Following UN Secretary General's largely failed and protested visit to Cyprus, back in New York the UN spin machine doggedly presented things as rosy, alongside an upbeat view of Alexander Downer.

Inner City Press asked Ban's Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq to comment on February 2 on four Greek Cypriot parties' boycott of the reception for Ban, due to his meeting at the "presidential" compound in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. From the UN's transcript:

Inner City Press: About his trip, I wanted to ask about the reports that, while he was in Cyprus, four of the Greek Cypriot parties, European parties, the Greens and two acronyms, DEKO and EDEK, boycotted his reception. They say because he met with Ali Talat at the presidential office in the break-away region. Where did he meet with Mr. Talat and what’s his response to the boycott by these important parties in Cyprus?

Associate Spokesperson Haq: As for Cyprus, I would leave it, as you know, the Secretary-General is on his way back from Cyprus. He will brief the Security Council about this and his other travels tomorrow at 3 p.m., and he will meet with you after that at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the Security Council stakeout. So, I’ll leave it for him to comment.

But during Ban's media stakeout on Wednesday, February 3, Inner City Press was not allowed to ask him a question. In fact, no Greek or Greek Cypriot reporter was allowed. The only question allowed by Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky was from a Turkish journalist. And Ban's answer was, as always, rosy. But is this just propaganda?

Before the stakeout, a Greek Cypriot told Inner City Press there was no reason to even wait to here Ban Ki-moon speak. Ban has allowed Alexander Downer to destroy the process, he said, opining that beyond himself, what Downer cares about in this post is retaining the British bases.

And then there's Downer's claim that his work for business consultancy Bespoke Approach could never conflict with the Cyprus role that Ban has given him. Only at the UN.

Here to the single Cyprus question allowed by Nesirky was Ban's non-downer answer:

"I was very much encouraged by such a strong commitment by both leaders to continue their negotiations. And I was again, very much encouraged and touched by the strong support of the people from both sides who were chanting, in unison, shouting 'resolution now.' These were all the loud and clear voices from the general population, regardless of where they were from, both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot. That was quite moving for me. I felt a strong sense of responsibility [about] what the United Nations can do more to facilitate this Cypriot-led and Cypriot-owned negotiation. My observation was that a solution was possible and a solution was within reach, and, in fact, they made significant progress in power-sharing and governance. I was quite encouraged by this. Of course, there are many more important issues: property; border and security issues. I hope they will continue. President Dimitris Christofias told me that he will issue some sort of plan for further negotiations, despite this planned [Turkish Cypriot] election, and that is quite encouraging. And I am going to have my special adviser, Alexander Downer, continuously engaged, so that this negotiation will be facilitated."

Downer, of course, is not "continuously" engaged -- rather, he is drumming up business for Bespoke Approach. Alternate Foreign Minister of Greece Dimitris Droutsas, whom Inner City Press asked Thursday morning about the IMF, will meet with Ban Ki-moon and then the Press on Thursday afternoon. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban1prus020410.html

IMF's Strauss-Kahn Coy on Opposing Sarkozy and Intervening in Greece, IMF and Greek Denials, Yemen Deferrals

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/imf1greece020410.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 4, updated -- The managing director of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn bragged Thursday to radio station RTL in his native France that he might leave the IMF early -- and perhaps challenge Nicolas Sarkozy for the French presidency -- and that if asked by Greece, the IMF could "intervene" in the country.

Questions about both comments were dodged later on Thursday by the spokesperson for Strauss-Kahn and the IMF, Caroline Atkinson. Strauss-Kahn is quoted that "As it stands... I am planning to see out my mandate. But if you ask me whether in certain circumstances I could reconsider this question, the answer is yes, I could reconsider this question."

This is consciously leaving open the door to reconsider and leave. But Ms. Aktinson emphasized only his "planning to see out my mandate" and called everything else "hypothetical."

On Greece, Strauss-Kahn said regally, "I have a mission on the ground to provide technical advice requested by the Greek government. And if we're asked to intervene, we will." He added, "I understand that the Europeans don't want this for the moment."

Inner City Press on Thursday morning asked Dimitris Droutsas, Alternate Foreign Minister of Greece, to describe his government's thinking about IMF help. Mr. Droutsas responded on the record, "Categorically may I state, any idea of the IMF... there is no idea about that."

Still, at Thursday's IMF biweekly briefing, Ms. Aktinson emphasized the "the IMF" -- not just Strauss-Kahn -- "had a technical team in Athens because the Greeks are very interested in getting any help from us on the technical implementation of the plan."

Later on February 4 Droutsas told Inner City Press, on camera, that he was unaware of any IMF team having been in Athens. Video here, last question. One wag wondered, has the IMF become like the CIA, or Xe / Blackwater, whose presence is alleged and denied?

But the IMF under Strauss-Kahn brags about being present. As with the wider UN, the rush to be relevant.

It was surprising, then, that when Inner City Press asked Ms. Aktinson about Yemen -- using as the lead in a quote by UK Foreign Secretary (Ivan Lewis) that "we address the economic problems that face Yemen, especially through the IMF program" -- Ms. Atkinson said she didn't have information about Yemen and would have to respond later to Inner City Press. But as February 8 hit midnight, still no information was provided. Yemen is in the news, and one would expect the omnipresent Strauss-Kahn to be all over it. We'll see.

Ms. Atkinson gave a pro-IMF spin in responding to Inner City Press' question about the IMF's new loan to Haiti, but we'll be writing about that later, along with the IMF's Yemen response. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/imf1greece020410.html

As UN's Ban Rolls Dice on N. Korea Trip, Kim Won-soo Is Asked to Brief Press

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/unban2korea020310.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, returning from a brief trip during which protesters in South Sudan told him to "repent before judgment" while he was snubbed in Cyprus by four political parties, is said by close observers to be "rolling the dice" on a trip to North Korea.

"Ban wants to be remembered as the S-G when the Koreas reunited," the close insider said. "If it happens, all the other failures will be forgotten."

The importance of the upcoming trip to Ban's closest inner circle is reflected by on the record quotes that his main advisor Kim Won soo -- Ban's Karl Rove, as some put it -- gave to the JoongAng Daily. Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky, with his own Korean connections, about the quote at Wednesday noon briefing, UN transcription here, video here:

Inner City Press... You said the other three members; who are the other three members of Mr. Pascoe’s team?

Spokesperson Nesirky: Kim Won-soo, the Deputy Chef de Cabinet is one of them, and two other members of staff.

Inner City Press: Of DPA or of the Executive Office of the Secretary General?

Spokesperson: One of each.

Inner City Press: Okay. I had asked earlier about when it was first announced that Kim Won-soo was quoted in Joong Ang Daily, describing the trip, saying it may have a nuclear component, as well as humanitarian. So, I was wondering, I mean, those are his quotes, right? That he spoke on the record Joong Ang?

Spokesperson: Well, you have to ask Kim Won-soo.

Inner City Press: That’s why I asked. When it first came up, I actually asked whether he could be a part of the briefing with Lynn Pascoe, since I don’t think he’s ever briefed the media on the record, but he seems to have a pretty important role within the Executive Office of the Secretariat, and obviously he is willing to speak on the record to at least some media. Is that possible to convey that request?

Spokesperson: I will certainly convey it.

Hours later when Ban and his entourage, including Vijay Nambiar and Lynn Pascoe, passed the Press at the Security Council stakeout, Kim Won-soo waved over. Correspondents recounted anecdotes from Ban's trip last month to Haiti. There was general agreement: Mister Kim must brief the press, and on the record. We'll see. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unban2korea020310.html

UN's Ban Has No Comment on Himalayan Glacier Gaffe, Doesn't Rely on IPCC

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/ban1ipcc020310.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- With various ice research related scandals opening up around UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's signature issue of climate change, Inner City Press on Wednesday asked his spokesman Martin Nesirky for Ban's views on the misleading of the public about the melting of Himalayan glaciers.

While Nesirky dodged the question, Ban's climate change advisor later in the day told Inner City Press that Ban may have something to say later on the topic. Meanwhile Doctor Pachauri, with no guidance from Ban, it attacking those who question him, refusing to answer questions or apologize. From the UN's transcription of its February 3 noon briefing, video here:

Spokesperson Nesirky: Last question, Matthew.

Inner City Press: There has been a lot of controversy around the finding of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) about the Himalayan glaciers, and they have essentially back-tracked and said that they apologized; it was unverified information. Mr. Pachauri has said he won’t apologize. But, I wonder what, given the importance of climate change and the IPCC to the Secretary-General’s agenda, what does he make of this controversy and how can the IPCC process be reformed to not create this kind of controversy on the issue?

Spokesperson: The Secretary-General is obviously aware of these reports and what’s been happening in the last few days and weeks. But, you know, ultimately it’s for the IPCC to address this. It’s for the IPCC to talk about this, and they have talked about this in some detail. They have said that they regret what happened, and reaffirming their strong commitment to a high level of performance in their reporting and so on. So, therefore, it’s not really for the Secretary-General to weigh in on this specific report. There are many reports, there are many other aspects to the work on climate change, which is absolutely vital, as you’ve mentioned; it’s one of his priorities. So, I think that the most important thing is to focus on the road to Mexico and how you can improve the prospects for that meeting and what needs to be done between now and then.

Inner City Press: [inaudible] because… in the last 24 hours… Mr. Pachauri….

Spokesperson: IPCC regrets, Matthew, IPCC regrets.

Question: So, I mean, Mr. Pachauri says he wasn’t responsible for it. So, I guess what I’m saying is, who is in charge of the agency on which Ban Ki-moon rests his, you know, the case has been made by that agency

Spokesperson: No, no, Matthew, the Secretary-General does not rest his case purely on the IPCC. There is an enormous body of evidence and information out there from various different sources, not just from the IPCC, however important that may be. And an error in one report does not undermine the entire science that is clearly proven.

So who apologized -- the IPCC's website? To have nothing to say about the various scandals surrounding the IPCC and Pachauri seems strange. It's why some say Ban is now shifted to rolling the dice on a trip to North Korea -- our next story, forthcoming.

Footnote: The UN's and Ban's climate unit under Janos Pasztor, which was told there was no room for it in the UN's Temporary North Lawn Conference Building where Ban has his office, is now looking at space in the Alcoa Building on 48th Street, Inner City Press is told. For now, they are left behind in the nearly empty UN skyscaper where asbestos removal has already begun. Meanwhile, Pachauri has wished asbestos on his critics....

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban1ipcc020310.html

At UN, Spain Calls Push for Top Women's Post Delicate, Ghana on Oil but not Nigeria

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/spain1ghana020310.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- Ghana and Spain sent officials to brief a total of three journalists about the two week meeting of the 46 members of the Commission on Social Development. Inner City Press asked Ghana's Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian how his country intends to distribute its new found oil wealthy. Fairly, he said, taking best practices from other countries.

Which countries, Inner City Press asked, Nigeria? Ambassador Christian said he could not talk about other countries. He used to serve on the Security Council, which routinely talks about countries from Sudan to North Korea. But once off, diplomacy returns.

So too with Spain. Inner City Press asked Francisco Moza, Secretary General for Social Policy of Spain's Ministry of Health and Social Policy to explain his country's efforts to get immigrants to go back to Africa, by paying them. Is that social inclusion? He replied that his ministry does not cover immigration; he talked about Spain's historical and linguistic ties to North Africa. Video here.

Is Spain pushing UNIFEM's Ms. Alberdi to take over the UN's forthcoming women's agency, to be started on March 1? Francisco Moza called this "delicate," something that should not be spoken of. One wag in the audience translated this as "yes."

Now with the UN press corps placed over the library on 42nd Street, and meeting like the CSD taking place in the temporary "UN-KIA" building between 46th and 48th Streets, CSD gets even less media coverage than before.

But the Spanish mission came to document its moment in the development spotlight. After the financial crisis, Spain has less money to try to buy good will and posts in the UN. Last time, Spain's Alberdi got a job most involved NGOs said should have gone to a candidate from India. And now? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/spain1ghana020310.html

As UN Spins Statements on Sudan Separatism, Ban's Stance on Sri Lanka Recalled

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/banmis1sridan020210.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 2 -- Following a protest of the UN in Juba, South Sudan which included calls for "Ban Ki-moon [to] repent before judgment," the UN belated rushed to argue that Mr. Ban was misquoted by AFP about disfavoring a vote for self-determination by the South Sudanese.

Ban's Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq came in late for Tuesday noon briefing at the UN in New York, read a statement then began to leave the podium without taking any questions. Inner City Press called out, will you take questions later? When he did, later, the UN did not transcribe it.

But Inner City Press asked Haq both what the UN says Ban told AFP, and how Ban's statement about making unity attractive does not indicate a preference. Haq argued that this language is from the CPA. He said he would later provide Ban's actually words to those interested. Video here, from Minute 1:50.

When Inner City Press went to Haq's office before six p.m. on Tuesday, it was closed. The Deputy Spokesperson handed Inner City Press a print out in which AFP had dutifully modified the quote. This was taken at face value.

But also in Haq's begrudging Q &A period, when Inner City Press asked about UN vehicles stolen in Darfur, Haq answered that this would not undermine the UN's "relationship" with "military leaders of Sudan." Video here, from Minute 3:33.

Ban Ki-moon, whether due to personal beliefs or by letting others in his administration take the lead, has elsewhere come down firmly on the side of central governments over minorities seeking autonomy.

During the Sri Lankan bloodbath on the beach of 2009, for example, he and his closest advisors were seen as doing little to stop the Rajapaksa regime in Colombo from bombing civilians in norther Sri Lanka, to crush "separatism."

This is not irrelevant from consideration of Ban Ki-moon's statements and attitudes about Sudan. You can make AFP run a correction, then dodge and not transcribe questions, but the issue remains and will be pursued. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/banmis1sridan020210.html

At UN, Araud of France on Chad and Guinea but not Myanmar, Francophonie Meltdown

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/unfr2mychad020210.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 2 -- With France taking over the Presidency of the UN Security Council for February, Ambassador Gerard Araud told the Press on Tuesday that Myanmar is not on the agenda, because no member had raised the issue. Video here, from Minute 34:12.

This despite previous impassioned statements about Burma by both France and the UK -- the U.S. now seems to reply on Senator Jim Webb -- and other European members.

A non-permanent Council member told Inner City that the idea is that Myanmar can be raised "as needed." The UN's policy, too, is on auto-pilot, with envoy Ibrahim Gambari having left the post temporarily in the hands of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's titular chief of staff Vijay Nambiar.

Ban's actual main advisor, deputy chief of staff Kim Won-soo, recently told South Korean outlet JoongAng that he and UN political chief Lynn Pascoe will travel to North Korea starting February 9. Since North Korea was not even in the footnotes of the program of work Araud presented on Tuesday, Inner City Press asked if Araud expected Pascoe to briefing the Council upon his return.

"We have been informed of the mission of Mr. Pascoe and his team to Pyongyang," Araud answered, adding that a briefing after the visit was expected. Then why wasn't it in the program of work?

France leads the group of experts about the UN Peacekeeping mission in former French colony Chad. Inner City Press asked Araud about Chadian President Idriss Deby's statement that the UN Mission mandate should not be renewed past its March 15 expiration. Video here, from Minute 8:01.

Araud answered, "As you have said, I think it is right, the president of the Republic of Chad has signaled his will to see the force withdrawn after 15 March. But the Secretariat has sent a mission to N’Djamena, therefore there are high level contacts between the Secretariat and N’Djamena and we are waiting for the result of this mission."

Sources tell Inner City Press that in the closed door Chad experts meeting, the U.S. told the UN Peacekeeping Department DPKO to not make any commitments while in Chad, but to return to New York for instructions. When leadership of the MINURCAT mission passed from the European Union to the UN, Deby used it as a chance to charge more money. And now?

Surprisingly, when Inner City Press asked Araud about the finding of Guinea's national commission exonerating Dadis Camara for the killings on September 28, 2009, Araud responded with procedural notes about the Council supporting the political process, and praise for Burkina Faso's mediation.

What about Dadis Camara's war crimes? What about a human rights component being added to the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara? It should be an interesting month. Watch this space.

Footnote: Araud began the press conference in French, then stopped, to wait for non Francophone reporters to get their "helmets" or translation headsets. When this was delayed, Araud demanded, "C'est pas comme ca," it's not like that, not acceptable, saying, I don't speak English! Video here, from Minute 1:55. Araud said several times, I meet often to the press. Inner City Press has inquired into this, and will be testing it this month.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unfr2mychad020210.html

As Russia Denies Paulson's "Dump Fannie Mae" Story, Chinese Tricks Explored

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/unrus1paulson020210.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 2 -- Buried in the just released memoir of former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is the allegation that in August 2008 Russia asked China to join with it in dumping on the market the securities of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.

While Paulson does not draw the connection, it was in August 2008 that Russia's conflict with Georgia about the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia flared up into a war. The U.S. Administration jumped to Georgia's defense, at least verbally, and according to Paulson, Russia try to lure China into a "dump the GSEs" campaign. As it turned out, Russia did sell its over $60 billion stake in the two mortgage giants.

Inner City Press asked a senior Russian representative to the UN about Paulson's story on February 2, as the Security Council met about its program of work for February. "I don't think so," the diplomat said.

Why then would Paulson tell the story? "We are getting closer with the U.S.," the diplomat said. "People get jealous." He went on, "We don't have a good relationship with China right now. The U.S. does not have a good relationship with China." He shrugged. "People don't want Russia and the U.S. to get along."

Paulson sources his story in "On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System" to the Chinese, bragging perhaps that they hadn't gone along with Russia's urging. So, in this view, was China trying to drive a further wedge between Russia and the U.S.?

At the time of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflict, through which Russia recognized both territories as countries independent from Georgia, China expressed unease. What if Tibet or Taiwan, or even Uighur Xinjiang Autonomous Region, were similar recognized by another state?

If Chinese officials did in fact pass dirt about Russia along to the U.S. Treasury Secretary, perhaps the disagreement about recognizing breakaway separatist states explains it. It's something that should be expected to be covered more in the media, as Paulson hawks his book. It is may arise further at the UN -- watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unrus1paulson020210.html

UN Claims No More Tear Gas, Dodging Wyclef Jean, Killings by Haitian Police

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/haiti2bullets020110.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 1 -- Of the UN's use of tear gas in Haiti, the UN first denied it, then called it routine and regulated. Now, with its quasi partner Wyclef Jean saying he will speak to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about this "unacceptable" practice, the UN is at once acknowledging past use and saying it won't happen in the future.

Inner City Press at the February 1 noon briefing asked top Haiti envoy Edmond Mulet and his new adviser Michele Montas about Wyclef Jean's protest of the UN. Video here, from Minute 25:51.

Mr. Mulet answered that in the "first days" after the earthquake, there were "some of this incidents."

"All that has been taken care of," he said. "That is not happening anymore." This was tied, as he presented it, not to any swearing off of pepper spray, but due to what he called the instant success of the World Food Program's shift to distributing food coupons rather than food, only to women. He was asked about reports of some distributions breaking down this very day.

Ban Ki-moon traveled to Haiti with Wyclef Jean in March 2009, accompanied by Bill Clinton. What does he think of the UN's use of tear gas?

The Haitian National Police, with whom the UN proudly collaborates, are known to have shot and killed a number of "scavengers," and even some others.

Inner City Press asked Mulet about this. Mulet said the UN has "heard reports," acknowledged that "maybe elements of the HNP" shot at "looters." Video here, from Minute 27:37.

Earlier, the UN had urged journalists not to report on "looters."

Now, the term is deployed in connection with killings by the UN's partner the Haitian National Police. Meanwhile, there are reports of the HNP committing summary executions. Where is the UN's Special Rapporteur on executions, Philip Alston, when you need him? Mulet claimed the UN is "investigating" cases of killings by the HNP. Inner City Press was allowed no follow up questions at the briefing, nor any questions to UNDP's coordinator. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/haiti2bullets020110.html

Rice of US Thinks "Highly" of Menkerios, Ghost Tweets by UN Council, Bosnian Chaos

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/unsc1crorice020110.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 1 -- It's a new month and a new day at the UN. With France taking over the presidency of the Security Council from China, on the morning of February 1 other Council members met one by one with the presidency to discuss the month's agenda or program of work. It was not a formal or even listed Council meeting, and therefore the stakeout area was dark, with no other journalists present.

One European Ambassador told Inner City Press, "You're all alone out here." U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, on her way out, slowed and took a question from the Press.

"What does the U.S. think of Mr. Menkerios, the new chief of the UN Mission in Sudan, UNMIS?" (Click here for Inner City Press' story over the weekend about the nomination.)

"Highly," Ambassador Rice said. Inner City Press asked, "Haile?" -- it is Menkeios' first name. There was laughter in the half light. Ambassador Rice had been taking fire of light, including for not being present and accessible enough at the UN and Council in New York. Perhaps this is a new beginning.

A response to the criticism, signed by Ambassador Rice's spokesman Mark Kornblau, has appeared online. After Mr. Kornblau unleashed buckshot at flock of "canards" -- a l'orange? one wag wanted to know -- a snarky commenter retorted, "How much do you get paid to 'pump up' her IMAGE! obviously she isn't doing anything. if she was, then reporters would write what she was doing. instead, she has her assistant write a PR piece."

But simultaneous with Ambassador Rice's exit from the Council, two tweets were posted in her new Twitter feed, noting two resolutions passed in January, and the handover to the French. Does she tweet and walk at the same time? Or, like Ban Ki-moon, is someone tweeting for her?

Footnote: Other Ambassador greeted going in to consult with the French were those of Austria and Russia -- one wanted to ask about portions of Henry Paulson's memoir, more on this soon -- but not Croatia. The Mission of Bosnia is embroiled in controversy. The new Ambassador Ivan Barbalic is said to have requested the removal or reprimand of his deputy, Mirsada Colakovic.

But Ms. Colakovic pulled rank, and made her putative boss withdraw the request. Meanwhile the Bosnian Mission pays more rent in New York than its Balkan counterparts. If you can't run your Mission, how will you be effective on the Council? We'll see.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/unsc1crorice020110.html

NGO's Report on Conflict Resources, Targeting Rebels, May Let Regimes Off the Hook, Is Reviled by UN's Doss

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1gwconflict020110.html

UNITED NATIONS, February 1 -- The UN is a club of governments. Even the seemingly idealistic things it does, it does for reasons of state and sovereignty.

A UK-based NGO with 45 employees, Global Witness came to the UN in New York to lobby about conflict resources. Two of its campaigners met with the EU, and later the Press. They talked about the Congo, about Angola, all Africa all the time.

Inner City Press asked about Myanmar, about the military regimes use of resources to fund its war on the Burmese. Global Witness is looking at Burma, but only rebel groups export of timber across the border.

It seems obvious that to merely crack down on rebel groups is just what governments would want. What about North Korea? What about Sri Lanka, where clamp downs on financing of the rebels was accompanied by debt relief to the Rajapaksa government and then a "bloodbath on the beach" in 2009? What about Zimbabwe? Asked these question by Inner City Press, Global Witness' campaigner Amy Barry said another side of their work is anti-corruption.

But that doesn't line up with squarely with human oppression. And Equatorial Guinea, which she cited, is not on the Security Council's agenda. Nor is Sri Lanka: even during the peak of 2009's bloodbath, inclusion on the Council's agenda was opposed by China and Russia, and not pushed for by the UK and others.

Japan, she said, indicated it would need more evidence that in a UN Experts' report to go after companies trafficking in conflict resources. The UK said it could not rely entirely on reports by the UN Group of Experts. But few countries can afford to do their own research. If the UN reports are not credible, according even to an ostensibly human rights sensitive P-5 member, why are they being funded?

While many in the UN open their ears to Global Witness, the head man in the Congo Alan Doss showed only anger, it was said. As Inner City Press has reported, to solve his nepotism scandal he has rolled the dice with the ex-CNDP. Doss has called Human Rights Watch short sighted. He was even more brusque with Global Witness.

Ms. Barry recounted the founding and history of Global Witness: three guys concerned about timber sales in Cambodia. Lo these many years later, all three are still involved: two working from homes in the warmer part of Europe, the third and last still in London. They are still active on Cambodia, urging donors to impose conditions of transparency and human rights.

What sad is that despite all this heartfelt effort, when Inner City Press quizzed Security Council Ambassadors at the Chinese end of presidency shindig on the night of January 28, few had heard of the visit of Global Witness. Even spokespeople of EU Council members said they were not aware. Pearls to swine, it seems, at the UN Security Council.

Footnote: another too ignored NGO, International Commission on Nuclear Disarmament and Non Proliferation, re-released its report "Eliminating Nuclear Threats" last week. The first launch was during the Copenhagen climate change summit, and was largely ignored. Gareth Evans appeared at the UN last week, saying the report will have a long tail.

Inner City Press asked about North Korea, Reuters about Iran. Then Ambassador Gary Quinlan, the Permanent Representative of Australia who was moderating the press conference, called on an Italian diplomat, who gave a speech which cut off journalists' questions. So it is with NGOs, even those sponsored by governments, at the UN.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1gwconflict020110.html