As Myanmar Moves to Exclude Hundreds of UN Staff, Ban Has No Comment on Detentions

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/bangam5myanmar072009.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 -- A week after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon claimed credit for the Myanmar military government's vague statement that it would offer amnesty to some political prisoners this year or in 2010, though apparently not including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the UN had no comment Monday on that government's detention of peaceful marchers to Suu Kyi's father's grave.

Inner City Press asked Ban's Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe at the UN's regular briefing, and Ms. Okabe called the arrests a "temporary detention... I don't have a direct comment on that." Video here, from Minute 12:23.

Since Mr. Ban after his briefed the Council acknowledged that he didn't have any specifics about Myanmar's purported commitment to release political prisoners, a week later on Monday Inner City Press asked Mr. Okabe if he had sought or gotten any further information. "He responded to the question" at the stakeout, Ms. Okabe said, adding that the ball remains in Myanmar's court.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar government is now refusing to renew visa for hundreds of UN international staff, only a week after the UN's Ban Ki-moon briefed the Security Council on what he called the victory of future release of undefined political prisoners. Up to 400 World Food Program staff are slated for expulsion in August, Inner City Press is told by local UN sources, who previously blew the whistle on the UN's silence as Than Shwe took up to 25% of post-cyclone aid funds by requiring the UN to convert dollars to Foreign Exchange Certificates controlled and valued by the government.

These well-placed sources now surmise that the Than Shwe regime does not want international observers to its scam 2010 election, and to the land grab by regime cronies that is occurring in the run up. The sources expressed despair about last week's Security Council briefing, seeing it as a quid pro quo in which Ban was allowed to take credit for future release of prisoners in exchange for not pushing on other issues. Contacted again on Monday, the sources said that the lack of comment on political detentions was simply part of this larger pattern.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/bangam5myanmar072009.html

As Obama Deputy Doubts Copenhagen Outcome, Pachauri Doesn't Hear it, Excuses India and UNEP

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/ban1enviro072009.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 -- Climate change and "sealing the deal" at Copenhagen this year has become the mantra of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In the final days of George W. Bush, many say, Ban played a useful role. Now under Obama, Ban is largely a cheerleader for what he calls the U.S.'s new engagement.

Then on July 13, Obama's deputy special envoy on climate change Jonathan Pershing was quoted that the talks in Copenhagen "will likely be inadequate" and that "real components of climate change to come from 2010 meetings, likely to be held in Mexico."

On July 15, Inner City Press raised Pershing's quote to Janos Pasztor, Director of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Climate Change Support Team, and asked him to comment on it. Pasztor replied that he'd seen the quote, but that he thought it meant that Copenhagen will "not be easy." Video here, from Minute 9:16.

But inadequate was the word. Inner City Press asked if Ban has asked the Obama administration about this. Pasztor said Ban doesn't ask day to day. On July 16, another Ban advisor told Inner City Press that he hadn't even heard of Pasztor's quote.

On July 20, Inner City Pres asked Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, about Pershing's quote. Pachauri said he hasn't seen it, that he was surprised, that Pershing is his friend. He said, we have to make Copenhagen work and not look beyond it. Video here, from Minute 19:52.

But that is already happening.

Inner City Press also asked about the comments of the environment minister of Pachauri's native India, that the U.S. has not basis to push India to cap emissions. Pachauri essentially agreed, saying that while there are 1.6 billion people on earth without electricity, 400 million are in India, why should they be capped?

Last week, after meeting with Ban Ki-moon, French president Sarkozy proposed a new world environmental organization to replace the UN Environment Program. Inner City Press asked Pachauri what he thought of it, and what he assessed UNEP. Pachauri said that while France and Germany had proposed it, it would have to be more detailed, and would require the consent of the UN member states. That's a less than ringing endorsement of UNEP...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/ban1enviro072009.html

ICC Can't Provide Assurance to LRA's Kony, Despite Ugandan Promise and Chissano's

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/icclra1egg071709.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- Civilians continue to be chopped up and kidnapped and rape by the Lord's Resistance Army while a peace agreement lies unsigned, largely because its seeming promise that LRA leader Joseph Kony would be tried in Uganda and not by the International Criminal Court in The Hague cannot be substantiated. The UN's outgoing envoy to the LRA affected areas Joaquim Chissano on July 17 told Inner City Press that Kony should rest assured that the peace agreement provides for his trial in Uganda, not the Hague. But there is no way to know if the ICC judges in The Hague will accept the Ugandan's process as sufficient to drop the ICC warrant.

Inner City Press asked the President of the Assembly of State Parties of the ICC and its Rome Statute, Liechtenstein Ambassador Christian Wenaweser if the ICC could somehow pre-certify Uganda's process as complementary, and likely to replace the ICC warrants. Wenaweser replied that "It is the job of the ICC to look at the national judicial process.. I don't know how you can do that in an effective way before they are actually underway." Video here, from Minute 19:15.

This calls into question the statements of Chissano, and of Uganda's Ambassador to the UN Ruganda that Kony would face justice in Uganda, not the Hague. Actually, there is no way to know. Realistically, it is not surprising that Joseph Kony would not sign and turn himself in under these circumstances.

Why hasn't the ICC developed a procedure to pre-certify countries' procedures as complimentary, to avoid this chicken and egg standoff in which more and more civilians are killed? Some think that the leaders of the international criminal justice movement are more concerned with their own purity of concept than with the realities of more and more dead civilians. Watch this site.

Footnote: Inner City Press asked Chissano if Kony still has his cell phone number. Yes, Chissano said, before adding that he was returning a phone to the UN unless and until his mandate is re-activated. Is that the cell phone that Kony would call, Inner City Press asked. No, Chissano said, he has my other number. But he never calls it. Video here.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/icclra1egg071709.html

At UN, Liechtenstein Says Uganda Would Arrest Sudan's Bashir, Kampala Says Not So

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/iccau1bashir071709.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- Uganda is a state party to the International Criminal Court, and a member of the African Union. These two roles came into conflict this week, when Uganda officials were quoted that if he visited Uganda for a summit, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir would be arrested on the ICC warrant against him. Then it was reported that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who referred Ugandan rebel Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army to the ICC, called al-Bashir to assure him that Uganda would not enforce the ICC warrant.

On July 17, Inner City Press asked the President of the Assembly of State Parties of the ICC and its Rome Statute, Liechtenstein Ambassador Christian Wenaweser about Uganda's double message. Wenaweser said that on July 16, he had a long conversation with Uganda's Ambassador who gave assurances was committed "to its obligations under the Rome Statute" -- that is, to arrest al Bashir. Since Museveni had invited al Bashir to Uganda, Inner City Press asked Wenaweser if this might be a set up. "Ask him the question," Wenaweser said, referring to Uganda's Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda. Video here, from Minute 6:42.

As luck would have it, Ambassador Rugunda, July's president of the Security Council, came to the stakeout an hour after the ICC Justice Day briefing. Inner City Press asked Ambassador Rugunda to respond to Wenaweser's characterization of their conversation and his alleged commitment to live up to Uganda's Rome Statute obligations to arrest. Ruganda noted that the African Union has set up a committee of former heads of state, led by South African Thabo Mbeki, and said that Uganda is waiting for a report from Mr. Mbeki. Ruganda said this should make his country's position clear.

Inner City Press asked, so if al Bashir visits, he will not be arrested? Ruganda said his country has invited al Bashir and is a "respectable state" -- they did not invited al-Bashir to Uganda in order to arrest him. Video here, from Minute 1:26.

So Wenaweser claims Uganda's Ambassador committed to live up to its Rome Statute obligations to arrest al Bashir, while Uganda's Ambassador himself said that his country will not arrest al-Bashir. And this on Justice Day.....

Wenaweser also bragged that al-Bashir, since he was indicted by the ICC, has not visited any state party, leading some to believe that there is a method to the confusion in the run-up to al-Bashir's scheduled trip to Uganda, which got canceled. Also, a day after Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson was asked but did not answer if chief UN peacekeeper Alain Le Roy met with al-Bashir during his recent trip to Sudan, Inner City Press asked Le Roy if he had met with al Bashir. He was out of the country, Le Roy answered, "in Egypt" at the meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. But would Le Roy have met with al-Bashir? He shrugged at the hypothetical question.

Wenaweser said that the UN's policy is to meet with ICC indictees only if it is essential. Inner City Press, beyond asking if dinner with indictee Jean-Bosco Ntanga in Goma is essential, later asked UN spokesperson Michele Montas if the UN World Food Program met with Al Shabab in Somalia. Ms. Montas replied that UN agencies meet with whom they have to, "on the ground," but said to ask WFP about Al Shabab. The staff of the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee this week told Inner City Press there is good reason to believe that Al Shabab is affiliated with Al Qaeda. And so it goes...

And see, www.innercitypress.com/iccau1bashir071709.html

Despite Jakarta Protests, Xinjiang Is An Internal Matter, Indonesia's UN Envoy Says

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un3xinjiang071709.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 17 -- In Jakarta the day before the hotel bombings, the Chinese embassy was blockades by protesters about the deaths in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Chinese Charge d’Affaires Yang Lingzhu was quoted, "This is just a brawl between several groups of people. There is no ethnic violence in the province."

But as in Turkey, where Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said his country would bring the matter before the UN Security Council -- it hasn't happened -- in Jakarta, "the Indonesian parliament urged the United Nations to immediately help overcome the conflict in Urumqi, the capital of Xianjing, Indonesia's Antara news agency reported."

Inner City Press on July 17 asked Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the UN Marty Natalegawa, after a question about the bombings, about calls for UN action on Xinjiang by parliamentarians in his country. "I'm not aware of it," Ambassador Natalegawa replied. Video here, from Minute 4:41.

Ambassador Natalegawa continued, "We have been following developments, as others have, I'm sure. It is essentially a matter to be addressed by the authorities in China, the Chinese government. We are seeing such efforts by the Chinese authorities. So we don't see anything beyond that."

Given the rumors of Natalegawa continuing to rise in the Indonesian government, this can be taken as an official statement of the country's foreign policy, despite for example the article entitled "Indonesian Parliament Urges UN To Handle Uprising In China." No one, it seems, including the Western powers, has actually asked for any discussion in the UN Security Council.

Still, Chinese diplomat Yang Lingzhu's quote that "there is no ethnic violence in the province" appears ludicrous. With separate mobs of Han Chinese and Uighurs have been filmed in the streets armed with sharpened sticks, to deny the ethnic dimension is to be in denial.

One candid Chinese diplomat described it to Inner City Press as similar to the situation of African Americans in the ghettos of cities in the U.S., saying that they have a right to protest, but not to burn the buildings down. Or physically attack those they view as their oppressors, or replacements.

If this happened in another country, it would probably be raised in the Security Council, and might be put on the agenda. But for now you have Turkey's double game, and the split between at least some Indonesian parliamentarians and that country's executive branches. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un3xinjiang071709.html

At UN, Rapp Raps on Taylor Trial, Dodges on Johnson Sirleaf and Obama War Crimes Post

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1rapp071609.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- Already nominated to become President Obama's Ambassador at Large for War Crimes, Iowan Stephen Rapp came to the UN on July 16 to cautiously discuss the Charles Taylor trial ongoing at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague. In a nine-minute stakeout interview which only Inner City Press attended -- call it an exclusive -- Rapp and the Court's President Renate Winter took five questions and answer three and a half. Video here.

Inner City Press asked about the 227 witnesses that Taylor has called for his defense. Will the prosecution be trying to whittle the list down? Renate Winter said that will be up to the presiding judge. Rapp noted that in the case of the interim leader of the RUF, the defense named 330 possible witnesses and ended up calling 59.

Inner City Press asked about the missing and perhaps dead indictee Johnny Paul Koroma. Rapp said that either an internationalized court could be set up within the judicial system of Sierra Leone -- but then amnesty might apply -- or that the case could be transferred to other countries which would have jurisdiction. He said that discussion have begun with two such countries, which he would not name.

Since the recent press coverage of the trial has revolved around the skulls Taylor acknowledges authorizing his forces to display at roadblocks, Inner City Press asked what probative value if any this might have, and if Rapp thinks the media is focused on the wrong things at the trial. Rapp said he will not comment on anything under judicial consideration, but that skulls could constitute a "gruesome display of human remains" and have some probative value.

As it has asked Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson, the UN envoy to West African Said Djinnet and Congo envoy Alan Doss, Inner City Press asked Rapp to comment on the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendation that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf be barred from public life for thirty years, in part for providing financial support to Charles Taylor. Rapp said "what happened in Liberia... is up to Liberians," and noted that Liberia's parliament must consider the TRC's recommendations.

Now that Rapp has been nominated for his new U.S. job, Inner City Press asked Renate Winter what provisions are being made to replace him. She said there will not be a day with out a prosecutor. Rapp added that if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will begin arranging for a transition, seeing how much notice he should provide.

Rapp is a lawyer's lawyer, but whether his soft spoken style is best suited for the Obama Administration's Ambassador at Large for War Crimes, as the Administration considers joining the International Criminal Court, remains to be seen. The fact that only one reporter waited to question him even after the nomination speaks either to lameness within the UN press corps, or to a perceived lack of news value. Rapp knows the system, and could well advise a more public face of the fight against impunity.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1rapp071609.html

Proponents of R2P Say That UN's D'Escoto and Sen Are Opposed - But Honduras Is An Exception

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/pga2r2phonduras071609.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- The Responsibility to Protect, a concept seemingly endorsed by the UN in 2005 but since largely ignored, for example during the slaughter of civilians in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is the subject of a showdown in the UN General Assembly starting July 23. Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, the President of the General Assembly who told Inner City Press that R2P reminds him of U.S. interventions in Latin America, has scheduled a debate about the concept.

The Global Center for R to P briefed the Press on July 16 and critiqued in advance what d'Escoto and his advisor on R2P, former Indian Ambassador to the UN Nirupam Sen, are predicted to say next week.

Inner City Press asked James Traub, journalist and Global Center advisor, what he makes of d'Escoto Brockmann's appointment of Sen on R2P, and of the "murky" position of Ed Luck, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's advisor on the topic although the General Assembly does not allow use of that title or even a UN phone line by Mr. Luck.

"I'll leave aside the Ed question," Traub began, saying that former Ambassador Sen "like Father Miguel is on record opposing" R2P. Traub noted that this "historical fact" is in his "book about the UN," that Sen's opposition to R2P was "resolved only when the Foreign Minister of Canada called the Foreign Minister of India" and said, you can't let your emissary block the passage of Responsibility to Protect.

Traub's co-panelist William Pace of the World Federalist Movement added wryly, "That may be why it's a former Ambassador."

Sen has previously shot back at Ed Luck's characterization of his position on R2P, arguing to the Press that India was the first to invoke the responsibility to protect, on Bangladesh in the 1970s, and calling for a revamp of the UN Security Council, for example to prohibit a Permanent Five member of the Council from using its veto to block R2P action on itself or an ally.

UN's d'Escoto embraced by Zelaya, R2P for me but not for thee

Lost in Thursday's discussion of the President of the General Assembly's position on the responsibility to protect, which he has equated with a "responsibility to intervene," is d'Escoto Brockmann's position that Manuel Zelaya, ousted from Honduras, should be restored to power in essence by any means necessary.

D'Escoto flew on a jet owned by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez on a flight toward Tegucigalpa which was not approved by the on the ground Honduran authorities. Hugo Chavez, alongside threatening his own military action, has said that perhaps UN peacekeepers should be involved in getting Zelaya back into the country.

This is a "right to intervene" invoked for political not humanitarian reasons. What is the difference? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/pga2r2phonduras071609.html

IMF Says on Sri Lanka, Int'l "Views Will Be Considered," Spends on Honduras But Dodges Question

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/imf5srilanka071609.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 -- When the International Monetary Fund's Executive Board finally meets on Sri Lanka's application for a $1.9 billion loan, IMF spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson told the Press on Thursday, "all of the international community's views will be considered."

The question posed, by Inner City Press, asked the IMF to respond to reports that "funds spent in the North are 'the jailer of these people and 'looks like internment.' What safeguards would be in place?" Ms. Atkinson's answer, referring to what she called the IMF's "good discussion with the authorities," did not mention any safeguards. Briefing at Minute 17:18.

United Kingdom officials have made statements, which they have not retracted, that Sri Lanka's application for an IMF loan is "not moving," that the conditions are not right.

While the US position has vacillated, the Obama administration's close attention to media probably means that the New York Times front page story of July 13, and the next day's editorial, makes less likely for now U.S. support for a $1.9 billion loan to Sri Lanka, whose military budget is $1.6 billion.

Inner City Press also asked if the expulsion of Manuel Zelaya from Honduras has given rise to any changes or discussions within the IMF. Ms. Atkinson responded that "we have followed the normal international practice." She said that "we don't have any program with Honduras."

But the IMF last month opened up a Technical Assistance Center for Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic (CAPTAC-DR) in Guatemala City. IMF Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato was quoted that "this center is an example of strong regional cooperation in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic... A region with almost 40 million people has significant economic potential. The Fund is proud to be a partner in the effort to promote regional economic growth and development, and hopes that CAPTAC-DR will serve as an engine to push forward the objective of a more economically cohesive region.” The latest regional technical assistance center will serve Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

So the IMF has a center which spend money to serve Honduras. Clearly, as in the case of Sri Lanka for the last four months, the IMF likes to dodge questions and, some say, accountability. But in light of the CAPTAC-DR, it cannot so easily dodge the question of Honduras. The World Bank has spoken to the question. When will the IMF?

Footnote: Inner City Press also asked the IMF, "What is the IMF's response to the UN General Assembly's outcome document with its criticism of the IMF and geographical balance, etc? And please deny that you pick and choose and censor questions submitted online about pending IMF loan applications - like Sri Lanka." The former has yet to be answered; there has been one round of back and forth (without substantive answer) on the latter. We will continue to pursue this.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/imf5srilanka071609.html

UN Speaks on Pakistan IDPs Return, Silent on Sri Lanka Internment and ACF Whitewash

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/untrip6may4srilanka071509.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 15 -- The UN's delivery in Pakistan has been "uncoordinated," local officials say, while maintaining they will resettle two million internally displaced people by the end of August. Top UN humanitarian John Holmes was asked on Wednesday by Inner City Press about the local critique, and to compare the pace of IDP's ability to return home in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He affably ducked both questions. Video here, from Minute 49:31.

On Pakistan, he said that while he'd seen the comments, the official didn't say it to his face while he was there. Does that mean that all's well? On Sri Lanka, Holmes argued that the pace of resettlement is slower because the government is doing de-mining. He did not mention that the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa is conducting political interrogations in the UN-funded camps, searching supporters of Tamil autonomy. Video here, from Minute 1:00:56.

Pakistan has just as much reason to grill "its" IDPs if they support the Taliban. But instead, the IDPs are returning home. Why does the UN let Sri Lanka use its money to conduct interrogations? One cannot get a straight answer.

Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Michele Montas if it is the UN's position that its national staff in Sri Lanka have immunity and should not be arrested. Montas would not say if that was Ban's position, and if he raised it to Rajapaksa when the two met at the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Egypt. Video here, from Minute 20:54.

When Holmes finished his briefing, Inner City Press approached and asked for his comment on the formal end of Sri Lanka's inquiry into the killing of 17 Action Contre la Faim aid workers. Weeks ago, after the government's commission was disbanded, Holmes told Inner City Press that the disbanding hadn't yet been confirmed and did not comment.

Now that the government has released the final report, exonerating itself and blaming instead the Tamil Tigers, Holmes still says it has not bee finalized and will not comment. Why does the UN run so scared about Sri Lanka? Why does it not follow up on its commitments to monitor even those things in the Joint Statement of Ban and Rajapaksa? We will continue to pursue this.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/untrip6may4srilanka071509.html

At UN, Voiceless Chissano Ends "Useless" Outreach to LRA, Looks to Madagascar

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/scjuly2ruganda071509.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 15 -- Despite former UN humanitarian coordinator Jan Egeland and others calling for the UN to remain involved in trying to mediate between Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army rebels, on Wednesday the UN's envoy to the LRA affected areas Joaquim Chissano gave a final briefing under the mandate to the Security Council, and "stepped down" from his post.

After the closed down Council session, Inner City Press and BBC Afrique asked Mr. Chissano to explain his reasoning. I am voiceless, Chissano said, pointing at his throat. A UN official with him, Africa I Deputy Director Margaret Vogt, told the Press "we can deal with that later."

When the Council's President for July, Uganda's Ambassador Ruhakana Ruganda, came to read out an oral press statement by the Council, he was asked how Chissano briefed the Council if his voice was so weak. He was clear, Ruganda replied. Inner City Press asked Ruganda to respond to what another Council Ambassador told the Press earlier, that ending Chissano's mission sent the message that the military solution to the LRA is viewed as the only solution. Video here, from Minute 1:40.

No, Ruganda said, the military action of DRC and Uganda takes place alongside efforts to make Kony sign a peace agreement, "to remind" him of the need to sign. Inner City Press asked if it is true that Kony demands that the ICC and its chief prosecutor Moreno Ocampo come and explain what will happen on the ICC's warrant against him, before he considers signing.

Ruganda said that Kony would have accountability mechanisms in Uganda. Inner City Press asked, Not the Hague? Ruganda repeated, in Uganda.

At Wednesday's UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked UN spokesperson Michele Montas if Chissano's UN office in Kampala will close. Yes, Ms. Montas said, adding that Chissano had felt ill and couldn't speak at the stakeout. What about Egeland's critique -- does Chissano still have a role? Video here, from Minute 14:12.

Not at this point, Mr. Montas said. Who in the UN if anyone is reaching out to Kony, Inner City Press asked. Why end the effort at this time?

Ms. Montas said the UN "stopped what had become useless." If so, it would be a first.

The DRC's Ambassador to the UN told Inner City Press last week that at least Chissano stopped, closed the office and save the UN money, "unlike Obasanjo," he said, referring to the other Great Lakes mandate for the UN of the former Nigerian president....

Footnote: one would have liked to ask Chissano about any relation between his stepping down on the LRA and accepting another mediation job, for SADC, regarding Madagascar, trying to convince persuade what on Honduras is called "coup leader" Rajoelina and his Prime Minister Albert Zafy to meet with deposed President Ravalomanana and with his predecessor, Didier Ratsiraka. It is worth comparing the UN's stance on Madagascar's coup with that it has adopted on Honduras. Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/scjuly2ruganda071509.html

UN's Staff Union Slams Sri Lanka Detentions, Cites Immunity as UN Claims in Sudan

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/untrip6may3srilanka071409.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 14 -- With even the funders of Sri Lanka's camps for Tamils now calling them prison-like places of internment, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been quoted about Sri Lanka that "I should not be responsible for that." But what about the continued detention of the UN's own staff? Two UN system employees have grabbed up by plain clothes police in unmarked vehicles and have yet to be released: Kandasamy "Saundi" Saundrarajan and N. Charles Raveendran.

On July 10 the UN Staff Union called on Ban "to demand the Sri Lankan Government to release all UN staff members held without charge [and] not to restrict the movement of UN personnel."

The Staff Union alleges a pattern: "The recent action of Sri Lanka to detain two national staff appears to be a campaign against UN personnel, which is illegal under international law. Authorities have been arresting, without explanation, UN staff members, initially refusing to provide access to them by UN officials." Click here to view the Staff Union statement.

Before issuing their statement, UN Staff Union officials expressed outrage at quotes by the UN's Country Representative in Sri Lanka, UNHCR's Amim Awad, that "the UN acknowledges without reservation the right of the security services of Sri Lanka to investigate any allegations of criminal wrongdoing, including by UN staff members, and will cooperate fully to support due process."

Whatever happened to the UN's claims, for example in Sudan, that its staff members are immune, at least in the scope of their work?

In fact, the UN on Sudan was taking a contrary position, that immunity extends to national staff:

"In New York, U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe said U.N. officials in Khartoum had contacted authorities about Hussein to ensure a U.N.-Sudan agreement on the status of the mission was respected 'and that basic human rights are upheld in the context of national laws governing such issues.' U.N. officials said the United Nations interpreted the agreement to mean that members of the mission were immune from judicial proceedings."

Why are the UN's positions in Sri Lanka and Sudan so different? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/untrip6may3srilanka071409.html

UN's Ban Says Than Shwe Pledged Fair Election, But Suu Kyi Can't Run, Military Seats

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/bangam4myanmar071309.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 13 -- Myanmar's purported election slated for 2010 requires that one quarter of the seat go to candidates with military backgrounds, and precludes opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for office, since she married a foreigner.

Nevertheless, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on July 13 told the Security Council that during his recent visit, Myanmar's "Senior General Than Shwe has pledged to make the elections free and fair."

After Mr. Ban spoke to the Council, he came to the Council stakeout to take four questions. Since the other questions ranged from Lebanon through Sudan to Srebenica, Inner City Press went first, asking about Myanmar:

Inner City Press: Mr. Secretary-General, you said that [Senior General] Than Shwe has committed to make the elections free and fair. But the constitution that was passed right after the cyclone says that a quarter of the seats have to go to people with military backgrounds, and that Aung San Suu Kyi couldn’t run because she married a foreigner. Under those conditions, how can you believe that the elections are going to be free, fair or credible?

SG Ban: I urged Senior General Than Shwe that this election should be fair and free, but also legitimate, inclusive and credible. To be credible and legitimate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners should be released. I emphasized that, without participation of Aung San Suu Kyi, without her being able to campaign freely, and without her NLD party [being able] to establish party offices all throughout the provinces, this election may not be regarded as credible and legitimate.

Inner City Press: Should she be a candidate?

SG Ban: That is what I am going to continue to follow up. You have heard the Permanent Representative of Myanmar saying that his Government is now taking some procedures to allow some amnesty. But I’m not quite sure who will be included in this amnesty. But I have made it quite clear that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in particular should be released and free to participate in the election. [Video here.]

The question is, by "free to participate" does Ban Ki-moon mean "free to run for office"? Because the Constitution which Myanmar pushed through during the time of Cyclone Nargis prohibit a person who had a foreign spouse, even if as is the case with Ms. Suu Kyi the spouse has died, from running for office.

Inner City Press has repeatedly asked Ban's spokesperson and his envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, for the UN's position on Myanmar's constitution, whether any "free and fair" election is possible under its terms. The UN has thus far refuse to comment on that constitution, calling into question its commitment to free and fair elections.

Mr. Gambari last week affably told Inner City Press to please wait for him to comment, until after Ban Ki-moon briefed the Council. After the briefing and the stakeout, Inner City Press called out after Ban and Gambari, respectively, "travel safely" (to Egypt for the Non-Aligned Movement meeting) and "now you can talk." Gambari replied, the boss had just spoken. But what is the UN's position on the Myanmar constitution? Watch this site.

Footnote: Beyond his failure to meet during his visit with Aung San Suu Kyi, questions that have arisen since the trip include reports that even the former armed groups Mr. Ban met with were told what to say by the regime of General Than Shwe, and that he listened to opposition groups only two minutes each. Of the former issue, Ban's spokesperson Michele Montas told Inner City Press last week that Ban "would be become aware of it." On the latter, Ms. Montas said she didn't know how long each opposition group got with her boss. Presumably he does. We will await more answers.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/bangam4myanmar071309.html

At G-8, Mrs. Obama and Bruni Skip WFP's "Simulated Feeding" of African Children in Rome

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/wfp2g8display071109.html

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 -- On the sidelines of the G-8 meeting on July 10, the World Food Program shut down its headquarters for a "simulated food distribution" for the spouses of the G-8 leaders, flying in school children from Ghana to put them on display. Many WFP staff members found the display disgusting, a waste of money and a disrespect to UN recipients. U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama may have shared some of the concerns: she did not attend. Nor did French First Lady Carla Bruni.

WFP director Josette Sheeran, rumored to be under review by the the U.S. which nominated her under George Bush, conducted a "seminar" which some attendees found awkward and stilted, "a quest for personal publicity." WFP has yet to provide basic financial information on how much the "simulated food distribution display" cost, while Ms. Sheeran complains about not receiving requested donations. One wonders what new WFP deputy de Mistura, fresh in from the UN in Iraq, thinks of all this.

The event got very little international press coverage, for which Ms. Sheeran may paradoxically be grateful. WFP's own write up said that "in most developing countries women produce between 60 and 80% of food." But WFP insiders point out that while women make up 60 to 80 of farmers, commercial plots play a larger role that WFP says, depending on the country.

The First Ladies of Japan, Canada and the UK did attend, among others. WFP played up -- helped write? -- the blog entry of Britain's Sarah Brown, who said that one person in six does not know if they will have food today An insider counts that is an exaggeration:there are roughly 1 billion hungry people but a large percentage of them are only without food during the lean season before the harvest when stored food has run out.

The main question is whether the money spent, on telling WFP staff not to work on July 10, and flying in children for Ghana as a "Disneyland Africa feeding station," was worth it. Watch this site.

Since WFP refused to answer on the record, Inner City Press asked twice for response from the UN in New York. On July 8:

Inner City Press: In connection with the G-8, the UN World Food Programme is flying Ghanaian schoolchildren to Rome for a simulated feeding programme for the spouses of G-8 leaders at a reported cost of $500,000. Does Mr. Ban think…Some, including WFP staff, think it’s insensitivity to the beneficiaries of aid and a waste of money. What does the Secretary-General think about it and is he or members of his family participating in it?

Spokesperson Michele Montas: Not that I know, but I can find out for you, of course, whether he has any reaction to that.

Having heard nothing back, 24 hours later on July 9, also about North Korea:

Inner City Press: North Korea has said to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) that it should scale back its international staff, including not having international staff that speak Korean. They apparently “PNG’ed” a South Korean staffer of the World Food Programme. What does the UN system think of a country saying that they can’t have staff in it that speak the language of the country? Is the Secretary-General following, is he concerned about it?

Spokesperson Montas: I think the Secretary-General is always following what is happening to the different agencies, but I think you should address your question to WFP itself.

Inner City Press: And just one follow-up on WFP. This event that they’re having, now it’s tomorrow, at the headquarters of WFP, will be closed down for the simulated feeding programme with Ghanaian children flown in. Yesterday, you said you’d ask. I know he is busy. Is the Secretary-General’s wife there? Is she going to attend?

Spokesperson: No, she is not.

Question: She is not there?

Spokesperson: No.

Question: And does he think this is an appropriate use, I guess, of UN system facilities and funding to fly in children--

Spokesperson: Usually, the Secretary-General does not have express specific opinions on the way agencies deal with their own affairs. As you know, WFP is an agency. It is independent from the Secretariat, autonomous from the Secretariat, and they have their own policies. So I think you should ask them what their justification is for that event and get more details from them.

Question: Okay. I guess, since it may affect sort of confidence, you know, people are always asked to give funds to these agencies. So I just wanted to know whether he thinks it’s an appropriate use, but…

Spokesperson: We don’t usually comment on what the different agencies do.

But is that wise? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/wfp2g8display071109.html