By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, January 8 -- The UN Secretariat's bungling of Yemen mediation has become ever more clear, according to multiple sources and documents exclusively seen by Inner City Press, see below.
After the Hadi government declared "persona non grata" the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights representative for the country, George Abu Al-Zulof, Inner City Press on January 7 asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric if the UN has to obey the order, accepting instructions from a "host country in exile." Video here.
Then on January 8, Inner City Press asked Dujarric about the dropping on Sana's by the Saudi-led Coalition of US-made cluster bombs. Video here.
Later on January 8, Inner City Press learned that the UN was very proud that its statement on cluster bombs had crossed with that the UN said was a commitment to it by Yemen to reverse the PNG decision. In fact, the UN indicated that commitment came in just before its statement on cluster bombs. So does the UN mean what it says?
From the January 8 noon briefing transcript:
Inner City Press: on Yemen, first, on the cluster bombs, I'm sure you've seen the report and even photographs that one of the cluster bombs found there on January 6th was marked that it was made in the United States, in Tennessee. This has come up at the State Department briefing, and I wanted to ask you. Does the US, does the UN believe that those providing armaments, particularly now illegal, you know, possible war crime armaments, bear some responsibility? And what… what would you say if US-made cluster bombs were being dropped on Sana’a?
Spokesman: I haven't, I haven't seen those pictures myself, but it's clear, as a matter of principle, those who sell arms also bear some responsibility in how they're used.
Inner City Press: And I also wanted to ask about the Envoy's travel. I mean, you know, he's… he went to France. He went to the UAE, Saudi Arabia. Did he… did he attempt… did he ask to go to Iran? Has he spoken… when's the last time he spoke to Iran? I ask that because Saudi leads the coalition. The UAE is part of the coalition. France sells weapons to the coalition. When is he going to Sana’a? I guess it just seemed…
Spokesman: I, you may have missed it because were you walking in when I was reading, but I said he does, he will go to Sana’a soon. So he's making a series of stops. I don't think one needs to read too much into the order. Obviously, Riyadh is a key point, and Sana’a is another key point.
Inner City Press: I guess this is just a direct question. Has he asked to visit Tehran?
Spokesman: You know, as, whether it's Mr. de Mistura or the Special Envoy on Yemen, we try to announce the trips as they come. Obviously, Iran, as a regional power, is also a critical piece of the Yemeni puzzle which we're trying to solve.
Spokesman: I haven't, I haven't seen those pictures myself, but it's clear, as a matter of principle, those who sell arms also bear some responsibility in how they're used.
Inner City Press: And I also wanted to ask about the Envoy's travel. I mean, you know, he's… he went to France. He went to the UAE, Saudi Arabia. Did he… did he attempt… did he ask to go to Iran? Has he spoken… when's the last time he spoke to Iran? I ask that because Saudi leads the coalition. The UAE is part of the coalition. France sells weapons to the coalition. When is he going to Sana’a? I guess it just seemed…
Spokesman: I, you may have missed it because were you walking in when I was reading, but I said he does, he will go to Sana’a soon. So he's making a series of stops. I don't think one needs to read too much into the order. Obviously, Riyadh is a key point, and Sana’a is another key point.
Inner City Press: I guess this is just a direct question. Has he asked to visit Tehran?
Spokesman: You know, as, whether it's Mr. de Mistura or the Special Envoy on Yemen, we try to announce the trips as they come. Obviously, Iran, as a regional power, is also a critical piece of the Yemeni puzzle which we're trying to solve.
Dujarric had called the PNG-ing "regrettable," but when Inner City Press asked if the UN would in fact ban the human rights representative even from the north of the country, Dujarric said the UN respects sovereignty. [See below.]
Does Hadi exercise sovereignty over Sana'a? Over Saada? Or does this constitute allow Hadi or really the country bombing Sana'a - Saudi Arabia - to ban the UN's human rights official from looking into the impact of the bombs?
Looking at a couple of analogies: does the UN allow Kosovo to "PNG" UN personnel? Can both Syria and Israel "PNG" UN personnel from the Golan Heights?
A skeptic at the UN mused that Hadi's PNG of Zeid's representative might not be unconnection to Saudi anger at Zeid even mentioning the executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. We'll have more on this.
Past 5 pm on January 7, the UN issued this statement by Ban Ki-moon.
On January 8, OHCHR's Zeid issued this.
From the January 7 noon briefing transcript:
Inner City Press: the representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been declared persona non grata by the stated Government from Dubai. And what's the UN's response to him being blocked? And also if you can give an update on what Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed… I think you said he was going to kick back into action. Where is he and what's he doing?
Spokesman: He has been in action. I think they expect him in the region today. We hope to get an update. On the announcement on the listing of the Head of the Human Rights Office in Yemen as persona non grata, it's obviously an extremely regrettable development. I know our colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are waiting for some sort of official written communication from the Yemeni authorities. But we would obviously underscore that that person has been doing a very, very good job, an excellent job, and as I said, we're waiting for more official confirmation.
Inner City Press: A specific on that. It seems like probably most UN system personnel if they go into Yemen are flown on some kind of a UN flight. Would that be accurate? So does the UN check with the Government, the [Abdrabuh Mansour] Hadi Government, all people that it flies to Sana’a? Do you see what I'm saying? Would you… even though it's regrettable, is this… is this a statement that you're bound to respect as the UN system… [cross talk]
Spokesman: Obviously, the United Nations respects the sovereignty of Member States. We hope… we are obviously awaiting further detail on this, but we cannot… it is difficult for us to keep a staff member in any country against the wishes of the host country.
Inner City Press: But like in Libya, if you flew people in, which government would you check with? You'd now… I guess you'd check with this new… in the past, when it was unclear who was the Government, what would you do?
Spokesman: We'd check… obviously, there is a recognized State by… according to the United Nations, and I'm sure information is shared with that Government.
Spokesman: He has been in action. I think they expect him in the region today. We hope to get an update. On the announcement on the listing of the Head of the Human Rights Office in Yemen as persona non grata, it's obviously an extremely regrettable development. I know our colleagues at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are waiting for some sort of official written communication from the Yemeni authorities. But we would obviously underscore that that person has been doing a very, very good job, an excellent job, and as I said, we're waiting for more official confirmation.
Inner City Press: A specific on that. It seems like probably most UN system personnel if they go into Yemen are flown on some kind of a UN flight. Would that be accurate? So does the UN check with the Government, the [Abdrabuh Mansour] Hadi Government, all people that it flies to Sana’a? Do you see what I'm saying? Would you… even though it's regrettable, is this… is this a statement that you're bound to respect as the UN system… [cross talk]
Spokesman: Obviously, the United Nations respects the sovereignty of Member States. We hope… we are obviously awaiting further detail on this, but we cannot… it is difficult for us to keep a staff member in any country against the wishes of the host country.
Inner City Press: But like in Libya, if you flew people in, which government would you check with? You'd now… I guess you'd check with this new… in the past, when it was unclear who was the Government, what would you do?
Spokesman: We'd check… obviously, there is a recognized State by… according to the United Nations, and I'm sure information is shared with that Government.
Now that the Houthis and the GPC have both said they won't participate in any more talks facilitated by the UN's Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed -- who insists on retweeting praise about himself after skipping any public Q&A at the UN -- Inner City Press on December 28 asked the UN's lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric: "On Yemen, what is Ban Ki-moon's or Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's response to Saleh saying GPC will only negotiate directly with Saudi Arabia, and seeming rejection of the UN-faciliated talks?"
Dujarric replied at 2 pm on December 28 to another question, partial (on Burundi) then added: "On the other issues, if we have an update to share with you, we will."
So on Yemen, as usual, there is no UN response.
In the talks in Switzerland, despite the happy-talk Note to Correspondents issued on December 20, UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was repeatedly accused of merely operating “for the Saudis,” while the Saudi-led coalition took more military action.
Inner City Press intended to put the question directly to Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, after UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq at the December 22 noon briefing said he would be speaking at the Security Council stakeout after briefing the Security Council.
But after the Council meeting, in which High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al Hussein said that of harm to schools and hospitals, "a disproportionate amount appeared to be the result of airstrikes carried out by Coalition Forces" -- Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed did not as promised appear at the stakeout.
Last time he was at UN Headquarters, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed took only three questions at the stakeout, then went upstairs to the clubhouse of UNCA, now the UN Corruption Association after selling seats with Ban Ki-moon for $6000 and did an interview with the same pro-Saudi / GCC media.
So where did Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed go this time? Watch this site.
Inner City Press on December 20 reported that the UN-facilitated talks have been such a failure that there is already a clamor to replace Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Sources exclusively tell Inner City Press that among the names being mulled is Germany's Bettina Muscheidt, the European Union's Ambassador to Yemen.
UN insiders point to Germany having lost a UN post when Kim Won-soo replaced Angela Kane as Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs. Achim Steiner was passed over for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees post, in favor of Italy's Grandi. Germany already "got" Libya with Martin Kobler - why not Yemen too? And what, they ask, has Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed accomplished, with all his business trips to Dubai? Why will or would January 14 be any different?
UN insiders point to Germany having lost a UN post when Kim Won-soo replaced Angela Kane as Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs. Achim Steiner was passed over for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees post, in favor of Italy's Grandi. Germany already "got" Libya with Martin Kobler - why not Yemen too? And what, they ask, has Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed accomplished, with all his business trips to Dubai? Why will or would January 14 be any different?
On December 21, Inner City Press asked the UN's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, video here, transcript here:
Inner City Press: I heard in the discussions in Switzerland, but also online, since the Houthi side has said they believe Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is essentially operating for the Saudi coalition, attempting to waste time as military operations continue against them. Is there… what's the response to that view?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, that's utterly false. He's been negotiating to make sure that both sides, in fact all of the sides, because it doesn't really even just boil down simply to two, respect the cessation of hostilities, stop fighting and negotiate in good faith with each other. He's been trying very hard to make sure the negotiations are conducted in good faith, and he will continue with that. And like I said, he will brief the Security Council on this tomorrow.
Inner City Press: And is either he or the Secretariat here aware of airstrikes carried out on Sana’a during the talks?
Deputy Spokesman: We're aware of the various violations, and he has spoken out about that. He spoke to the press in Geneva about this yesterday.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, that's utterly false. He's been negotiating to make sure that both sides, in fact all of the sides, because it doesn't really even just boil down simply to two, respect the cessation of hostilities, stop fighting and negotiate in good faith with each other. He's been trying very hard to make sure the negotiations are conducted in good faith, and he will continue with that. And like I said, he will brief the Security Council on this tomorrow.
Inner City Press: And is either he or the Secretariat here aware of airstrikes carried out on Sana’a during the talks?
Deputy Spokesman: We're aware of the various violations, and he has spoken out about that. He spoke to the press in Geneva about this yesterday.
Previously: Inner City Press obtained UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's documents for the delayed talks in Switzerland, and exclusively put them online here.
Envoy Ould Cheikh Ahmed proposed that each side have six delegates and six advisers; on December 7 the UN announced eight "negotiators" and four advisers on each side. Hadi announced a seven day ceasefire, December 15 to December 21, or at least that he'd "informed the leadership of the Coalition of our intention to cease-fire." That would be Saudi Arabia, where now Syria armed rebel groups are meeting. Hadi as teacher's pet.
The UN on December 7 said, "The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed will convene Yemeni stakeholders in Switzerland on December 15 for a series of face to face consultations."
According to IOCA's ground rules published by Inner City Press, there will be no press access, other than photographs with the Special Envoy at the start. Delegates shall not use social media. Only the Special Adviser can speak publicly, and he is supposed to be seen has neutral. There are “Ground Rules,” also put online by Inner City Press here.
The ground rules include that the delegations should not speak with the media, or use social media. On December 4, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq about these proposals: are they normal for the UN? Haq said he would not comment on leaks. Video here.
Back on November 10, while Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was on the next to last day of his trip to Saudi Arabia to discussed among other things Yemen, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric to confirm that envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is not even IN Saudi Arabia with Ban.
Dujarric confirmed that he is not there, but would not confirm that he is in his native Mauritania, to which Inner City Press is informed he flew on the UN's dime, for a vacation, signed off on by the top of the Department of Political Affairs.
Inner City Press has reported from sources dates on which the UN's envoy went to Dubai, purpose UNknown. Given his follow UN enovy Bernardino Leon's deal with the UAE, this must now be explained and acted on by the UN.
Inner City Press previously reported on and published the Houthis' letterdenouncing UN envoy Ould Cheikh Ahmed as little more than a Saudi tool. Now it's gotten worse: even Kenny Gluck who works for the envoy and went to Muscat trying to meet the Houthis was unable. He waited then returned to Riyadh.
The envoy, meanwhile, is said by those who know him to not only be “laughably” cheap -- putting in for reimbursement for an eight dollar taxi ride from the UN to a Mission on 67th Street, for example -- but also still involved in the same business for which Inner City Press previously dubbed him “the Fisherman” or the “Fishy Envoy.”
He has traveled on the UN's funds to Dubai, claiming he would meet the Houthis there. Not only will the Houthis not meet with him -- even if they would, they would not be found in Dubai, given that the UAE is part of the coalition. In any event, Abu Dhabi is the capital, not Dubai. There is something... fishy.
Now we can report what UN sources say are dates of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's travel to Dubai: May 11; June 3 and June 5; August 1 and August 4; September 12-15; October 9-11; October 26; November 4; and prospectively November 10 and November 12.
What are Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's trips to Dubai for? Given the UAE's offer to UN Envoy Bernarndino Leon, while he was UN Envoy to Libya, this question must be answered.
So on November 4, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Dujarric,video here, transcript here:
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you something on Yemen. It seems like… I'd heard this, that, that the Houthis won't meet with Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed anymore. They've written a letter to him. They've published in their own newspaper something saying that he's Saudi aligned. This Kenny Gluck, who I guess works with this office, left without a meeting in Muscat. Can you say when was the last time that Ould Cheikh Ahmed spoke with the Houthis?
Spokesman: No. I think the discussions, as the Special Envoy said, are ongoing to try to get the parties back on track. I think in a period before these talks, there will be lots of back-and-forth about who is willing to speak to whom and who is not willing to speak to whom. There's a lot of, I think, gelling of the situation. Obviously, the discussions are ongoing, and we're not going to do a play-by-play of the results of these discussions until we are ready to announce something firmer.
Inner City Press: I'd also heard that he's traveled a number of times on UN dime to Dubai, stating that he's meeting the Houthis there. And since there are no Houthis there, I guess because… is that something that you could check? What's his travel…?
Spokesman: I don't know there are no Houthis there.
Inner City Press: Well, UAE [United Arab Emirates] is part of the policy… is part of the coalition…
Spokesman: The Special Envoy is doing the travelling that he needs to do, and I have no reason to question it.
Spokesman: No. I think the discussions, as the Special Envoy said, are ongoing to try to get the parties back on track. I think in a period before these talks, there will be lots of back-and-forth about who is willing to speak to whom and who is not willing to speak to whom. There's a lot of, I think, gelling of the situation. Obviously, the discussions are ongoing, and we're not going to do a play-by-play of the results of these discussions until we are ready to announce something firmer.
Inner City Press: I'd also heard that he's traveled a number of times on UN dime to Dubai, stating that he's meeting the Houthis there. And since there are no Houthis there, I guess because… is that something that you could check? What's his travel…?
Spokesman: I don't know there are no Houthis there.
Inner City Press: Well, UAE [United Arab Emirates] is part of the policy… is part of the coalition…
Spokesman: The Special Envoy is doing the travelling that he needs to do, and I have no reason to question it.
The Saudis, asserting control, have told Ould Cheikh Ahmed to try to cut Oman out, sources tell Inner City Press, hence the idea the talks will be in Geneva. But what talks, if the Houthis won't talk to Ould Cheikh Ahmed or his Kenny Gluck.
Some in UN headquarters, looking past this failed envoy, are floating names for a replacement, including none other than Kevin Rudd, looking for a long-shot project to raise his profile. We'll have more on this.
On October 26 Inner City Press reported that its sources exclusively told it of a new low, that the UN brought into Sana'a what the Houthis call two members of US intelligence, with the cover identification that they work for the company running the former hotel now occupied by the UN. But, the sources say, security in Sana'a recognized the two and they are now detained.
On October 30, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric about it, video here, transcript here and below. Dujarric acknowledged he knew about two "contractors."
On November 2, amid wire reports derivative and worse, Inner City Press followed up, video here, UN transcript here:
Inner City Press: I understand you're making this distinction that the people flown, you know, worked for a contractor that maintains the building. Obviously, you're… I mean, the allegation by those detaining them is they were previously with US intelligence. So, I'm wondering, is it… given that the building used to be occupied by the US Embassy, what is the company? What is the name of the company that maintains the building?
Spokesman: It's called DTF… no. You know what? I don't have the name of the… I don't have the name of the company.
Inner City Press: Seems like you probably… can you…?
Spokesman: No, I don't know about it.
Inner City Press: You're flying them.
Spokesman: I'm not flying them. I'll see what I can do.
Inner City Press: I read somewhere that… that the UN is trying to get… seeking the release through the DSG [Deputy Secretary-General]. Is that the case?
Spokesman: You know, the… whichever channels we use are UN channels. I'm not going to go into any of the details.
Inner City Press: Right, but there have been… okay. Here's a more sort of generic one on this day of protection of journalists. There was this Manama conference in… to which the envoy apparently attended, because he did some speaking there. And it turns out that the acting Foreign Minister of Yemen, Mr. Yassin, had two, “respected Yemeni analysts” asked to leave, calling them Houthis, which they, in fact, aren't. It seems, to many people who follow Yemen, this is kind of an embarrassment that people were ejected from a conference, and it showed a lack… and I wanted to know, did the envoy… maybe he didn't say anything that I'm aware of. But, can you check with the envoy whether he had any view of whether it is positive for the process to have people ejected from this conference?
Spokesman: "I don't have any facts about this conference. If I have facts, I will share them with you."
Spokesman: It's called DTF… no. You know what? I don't have the name of the… I don't have the name of the company.
Inner City Press: Seems like you probably… can you…?
Spokesman: No, I don't know about it.
Inner City Press: You're flying them.
Spokesman: I'm not flying them. I'll see what I can do.
Inner City Press: I read somewhere that… that the UN is trying to get… seeking the release through the DSG [Deputy Secretary-General]. Is that the case?
Spokesman: You know, the… whichever channels we use are UN channels. I'm not going to go into any of the details.
Inner City Press: Right, but there have been… okay. Here's a more sort of generic one on this day of protection of journalists. There was this Manama conference in… to which the envoy apparently attended, because he did some speaking there. And it turns out that the acting Foreign Minister of Yemen, Mr. Yassin, had two, “respected Yemeni analysts” asked to leave, calling them Houthis, which they, in fact, aren't. It seems, to many people who follow Yemen, this is kind of an embarrassment that people were ejected from a conference, and it showed a lack… and I wanted to know, did the envoy… maybe he didn't say anything that I'm aware of. But, can you check with the envoy whether he had any view of whether it is positive for the process to have people ejected from this conference?
Spokesman: "I don't have any facts about this conference. If I have facts, I will share them with you."
Meanwhile on November 2 the US Statement Department was referring questions to this UNresponsive UN: "We’re aware of those reports. Due to privacy considerations, I’m not going to comment on them... I would direct your questions to the UN."
After Inner City Press' October 26 report and October 30 noon briefing questions, on October 31 Reuters "reported" a piece citing an unnamed UN spokesperson about two "contractors," with no mention of the Houthis claim they work with US intelligence, which by now had also been reported, along with Inner City Press' October 30 Q&A with Dujarric, by Al-Akhbar.
But it's worse. Reuters initially (mis) reported that "'Two contractors have been detained and the Deputy Secretary-General (Jan Eliasson) is looking into it,' a U.N. spokesman said without elaborating or confirming if the two were American citizens."
Then a day after that, Reuters blamed the UN for its correction to "'Two contractors have been detained and DSS (Department of Safety and Security) is looking into it,' said a U.N. spokesman."
It would seem the UN spokesman, left unnamed by Reuters, said "DSS" and Reuters mis-heard it as "DSG," didn't note it would be strange for the UN's second highest official to be on two contractors when lower official Herve Ladsous is the one who made a call for 13 contractors in South Sudan.
But Reuters, including the Thomson Reuters Foundation Trust.org,running its correction, says "UN corrects source of information in second paragraph." So the UN made the mistake?
This is the same Reuters which on Friday regurgitated a UN report which Inner City Press had reported and asked the UN about fully two weeks earlier, same Reuters which refused to make public its policies, and tries to censor its anti Press complaints to the UN, here. We'll have more on this.
On Yemen, from the October 30 UN transcript:
Inner City Press: maybe you can confirm or deny that two individuals flew in to Sana’a on a UN plane have been detained by the Houthis who accuse them of being US intelligence individuals. What was the protocol for getting on a UN plane to Sana’a? Does the UN have a position of not flying in intelligent members of a UN member state?
Spokesman: I'm aware of two people who I believe are UN contractors and their situation. I don't have an update on it. The protocol for flying on UN planes and on UN humanitarian flights is pretty clear. I can give you the details. We do not, we do not knowingly fly in or out combatants.
Inner City Press: I just wondered, could you maybe say what kind of contractors they are? I heard and reported they were making a building that the UN works in. Is that true?
Spokesman: That's my understanding.
Spokesman: I'm aware of two people who I believe are UN contractors and their situation. I don't have an update on it. The protocol for flying on UN planes and on UN humanitarian flights is pretty clear. I can give you the details. We do not, we do not knowingly fly in or out combatants.
Inner City Press: I just wondered, could you maybe say what kind of contractors they are? I heard and reported they were making a building that the UN works in. Is that true?
Spokesman: That's my understanding.
We'll have more on this.
Meanwhile the Houthis are denouncing UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad and his (mis) representation to the Security Council regarding what they agreed to. This has happened before and the goal seems to be delay to allow for more air strikes. There's work of mercenaries, in essence, including from Colombia in Aden, joining the troops from ICC-indicted Sudan.
A new level of dysfunction was hit with the deployment in Aden of hundreds of troops from Sudan, putting ICC-indicted Omar al-Bashir on the same side as the US and UK. (Inner City Press is exclusively informed that "UN" envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is working on a similar Saudi deal with his native Mauritania, see below.)
Now Inner City Press is reliably and exclusively informed of a letter, drafted by Saudi Arabia and conveyed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon by envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, which has Ban thanking Hadi and stating that the Houthis have agreed without reservation to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2216. They have not - this is just another misleading move by the envoy, not a third strike but a fourth.
But more fundamentally, why would Ban Ki-moon even consider signing a letter that was drafted by Saudi Arabia? Ban's Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, arguably undermining the envoy, recently traveled to Saudi Arabia and then Iran.
Inner City Press is reliably and exclusively informed that the Saudis snubbed Eliasson, denying several of his meeting requests and finally providing him only with the Foreign Minister, just before he left. In Iran, complaints against envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed were lodged, that he does not have the trust of the Houthis. What kind of envoy is this? What kind of UN?
After the UN Security Council's praise of talks ostensibly committed to UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was not updated after Hadi canceled participation in the talks, then the Saudi led coalition bombed Oman's Ambassador's house in Sana'a.
The Saudi Mission to the UN, doling out information selectively as always, tweeted a photo of a meeting between its Ambassador and the deputy ambassadors of Security Council members the UK and US, of the EU - and UN humanitarian deputy Kyung-hwa Kang. What did Kyung-hwa Kang, if not the Ambassadors, say about the airstrikes?
The UN's envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, after complaining about his leaked email showing his marginalization from Yemen talks, that Hadi had committed to come to talks. The Security Council praised him in a Press statement.
Then Hadi canceled. It is similar to the UN's ceasefire-that-wasn't, and the failed "talks" in Geneva in which the UN never gave the Houthis passes to get into the UN building, after allowing them to be delayed along the way so that Ban never met them (while meeting with an individual on the US Al Qaeda sanctions list.)
In many contexts it's "three strikes and you're out," in this case faux ceasefire and two talks that never happened. But the Security Council has not updated its Press Statement of praise; some members apparently simply work around the UN envoy. We'll have more on this.
On September 5 as airstrikes on Sana'a picked up force, there was no comment from the UN or its envoy Ismail Ould Cheihk Ahmed. Nor on September 6. On September 7, the UN finally spoke -- not about the airstrikes but about a leak.
On September 8, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujrarric if he was denying the veracity of the UN email Inner City Press published, below. Dujarric did not deny it. Video here. Inner City Press on September 9 asked Dujarric's deputy, below, on September 9 about Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
Inner City Press exclusively reported the following: on August 27-28 in Muscat, the US and UK, the EU Ambassador to the UN and Saudi intelligence, met with the Houthis -- without the UN and its envoy present, or even sources say aware of the meeting. These sources say that the UN's Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was on vacation in his native Mauritania, and was entirely out of the loop.
On September 10, Inner City Press asked UK Ambassador Matthew Rycroft if the UK had met with the Houthis and GPC in Muscat, without the UN Envoy present. Video here.
Meanwhile Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed says the same parties will now meet with him. Replay?
On September 9, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, video here, transcript here.
The September 10 briefing by this envoy to the UNSC was requested by the UK - which, it seems, met with the Houthis without Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
Sources also note to Inner City Press that the Saudi have "dissed" Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, relegating him only to meeting with Saudi intelligence, not diplomats as was previously the case with the UN. This too is embarrassing to the UN.
Perhaps the discomfort is with the reference to the US National Security Council's "Eric Polovski" (that is, Eric Pelofsky) being "on board." Another source exclusively told Inner City Press that in the Security Council's last meeting on Yemen, those raising the mounting humanitarian toll were Venezuela, Chile and New Zealand. Consider again this, to USg Jeff Feltman:
"Dear Jeff,
Before traveling to Jeddah I held two days of meetings with Ansar Allah and GPC in Muscat in which I tried to convince them to improve upon the 10 points which they had submitted to me earlier. This was necessary to respond to concerns in Riyadh that the commitments to the implementation of 2216 were still inadequate and failed to include recognition of the legitimacy of the government.
AA/GPC agreed to a new wording on UNSC resolution 2216 that states unequivocally that they are committed to the full implementation of 2216, (see document attached) with the exception of article which infringe on Yemeni sovereignty and those related to sanctions.
In addition, the new text includes acceptance of the return of the current government for a period of sixty days during which a new government of national unity shall be formed. They also accepted to remove references to counter-terrorism and the Saudi border to which the GoY had objected, as well as the mandatory support by the international community for reconstruction that was in the earlier version. The latter was particularly opposed by KSA and GCC who did not want it to be interpreted as a form of mandatory compensation. Both Ansar Allah and GPC seemed positive and showed considerable flexibility.
My meetings followed two days of meetings between the Ansar Allah and KSA intelligence officers which were also attended by the US, UK and Oman. The discussions focused on possible confidence building measures such as a pullback from border areas in exchanges for a cessation of airstrikes and agreements in which they would cease operations within Saudi Arabia. This was the first time that Ansar Allah have been open to discuss limited and geographically specific agreement. Although they repeated that the return of President Hadi would be unacceptable, they expressed their openness to the return of the government for a limited time. The US Ambassador, Matt Tueller has been keeping me regularly informed of these discussions, which has been most helpful. The confidence building paper proposed by the Houthis to KSA is attached for reference.
Although US officials were disappointed that Saudis had sent relatively junior representatives, they still felt the meetings were positive, largely friendly and a good way for KSA to sound out Ansar Allah’s intentions. Ansar Allah and KSA agreed that there should be further meetings with hopefully more senior representation although no dates were agreed. The meetings unfortunately shed very little new light on KSA’s strategy in the conflict or their willingness to support a negotiated settlement in the near future.
The meetings in Muscat were of course heavily influenced by the military developments in Yemen. The coalition has not been able to make rapid progress since their successes in Aden, Abyan and Shabwa in August. Taiz remains contested and there are reports that Ansar Allah has regained some territory which had been lost in the past week. The coalition’s difficulties moving northward suggest that an assault on Sanaa would likely be difficult and time-consuming than they had previously expected.
The instability and violence which have plagued Aden following its capture is likely also a source of concern. The mostly pro-independence Hiraak fighters are unwilling to cooperate fully with the GoY in attempts to expand northward. This leaves the coalition dependent on ground troops from Islah, Salafi and AQAP related groups, which UAE is reluctant to support.
Conclusion:
I believe, following my discussions in Muscat, that we now have a strong opportunity to obtain a peace deal, and avoid a violent confrontation in Sanaa, for the following three main reasons:
i) The revised paper (attached) is much stronger and contains serious concessions by the H/GPC. It will be difficult, at this stage, to push them towards further concessions.
ii) The recent slower advance of the GoY affiliated forces around Taez and Maarib could also offer another opportunity.
iii) The on-going insecurity and lawlessness in Aden, and the increased visibility of AQAP in Aden region in the aftermath of the liberation of the city by the GoY and Coalition forces, has started to raise serious concerns for UAE, and in some KSA circles.
In light of the above, I have reached the conclusion that we should now move towards a new round of direct talks, two and half months after our first round in Geneva. My recent shuttling has now reached a point whereby it is becoming somewhat transactional with the Special Envoy obtaining a paper from one side and seeking comments/acceptance by the other side. I do not think we can sustain this and I recommend we move to a more strategic phase. I recommend holding this next round of talks in Oman Sultanate as a first choice, which seems to be acceptable to the Omanis and all parties, especially KSA. My second proposed option would be Kuwait, however the Houthis are still hesitant about this potential venue. Ideally, we should aim at holding this meeting before Eid.
My discussions in Jeddah and Riyadh will be explicitly in favour of moving to peace talks phase as opposed to continuing this shuttling around papers/proposals. I have first indications that Abu Ali and Matt Tueller are supportive of this new approach. In this regard, it was important to time my visit to Jeddah before the meeting between King Salman and President Obama tomorrow. Eric Polovski – White House NSC – who was just recently in Muscat is also fully on board on this.
I am conscious that the implementation of this new proposal depends very much on the GoY's openness and the KSA genuine support (and not only on what I am hearing from Abu Ali). But this proposal is also the only way to keep the UN's efforts at the center of the mediation process and to avoid a fatigue among our various stakeholders, especially the H/GPC. This is why I once again need the support of the SG and the P5.
Best regards. Ismail
Muscat Principles for a Solution to the Political Crisis in Yemen
Commitment by all parties to implement relevant UNSC resolutions including resolution 2216, according to an implementation mechanism to be agreed upon, and without infringing on national sovereignty, and with reservations regarding the sanctions against Yemeni citizens.
Commitment by all parties to implement relevant UNSC resolutions including resolution 2216, according to an implementation mechanism to be agreed upon, and without infringing on national sovereignty, and with reservations regarding the sanctions against Yemeni citizens.
A permanent and comprehensive cease-fire by all parties with the withdrawal of all armed groups and militias from the cities, according to an agreed mechanism to avoid any security and administrative vacuum along with lifting of the land, sea and air blockade.
Agreement on neutral monitoring instrument in order to verify implementation of the mechanisms mentioned above that will be agreed upon, under the auspices of the United Nations.
To respect international humanitarian law, including the elements relating to the protection of civilians and the release of prisoners and detainees from all parties, including those mentioned in UNSC resolution, and to facilitate humanitarian relief and allow the entry of commercial goods, food, medical supplies, oil derivatives and other essential good without restriction.
Kaled Bahah’s government, formed by consensus, returns and performs its tasks as a caretaker government for a period not extending 60 days, during which a government of national unity is formed, in a way that does not violate the constitution.
Kaled Bahah’s government, formed by consensus, returns and performs its tasks as a caretaker government for a period not extending 60 days, during which a government of national unity is formed, in a way that does not violate the constitution.
To resume and accelerate United Nations-brokered negotiations, according to the UNSC resolution.
All parties are obliged to hand over heavy weapons to the State in accordance with the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue."
Note: the "Eric Polovski" in the above would seem to be Eric Pelofsky. Just saying.
On August 7 Inner City Press was informed that as Houthis and Saleh's GPC headed to Oman for consultations on August 8 and 9, the UN's replacement envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was not even initially invited. He had to beg to get included, which after sweating has been allowed, in the run-up to his briefing on August 12 to the Security Council.
On August 12, Inner City Press asked Yemen Permanent Representative, outside the Council meeting, questions ranging from the destruction of schools and health care facilities in Sa'ada by Saudi airstrikes to when, according to him, the Houthis might be "driven" out of Sa'ana. Video here. He said in a few weeks - and added that the Oman talks were "not UN."
So how then might the parties negotiate? UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was headed back to Riyadh. That seems to be his base, where he works from - and for? Watch this site.
Oman has received murky thanks for France for facilitating the release of a hostage, who was working for the Social Development Fund there. Did Oman pay for France? Or will others be released, as France brought about in Mali?
On July 28, Inner City Press asked Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative about Mokha or Mocha; he replied that previous allegations about Saudi airstrikes on Old City Sana'a and on a palace in Aden once used by Queen Elizabeth had been proven untrue. We'll have more on this.
Inner City Press asked Yemen's representative about the talks in Cairo involving the United Arab Emirates, allies of former president Saleh and, it's said, the US and UK. He replied that the Yemeni government - in exile - deals through formal channels, the GCC or UN.
He might have been asked, which foreign minister is he reporting to: the one named by Hadi, or the one - his predecesor - named by Bahah? We'll have more on this as well.
After publishing its multi-sourced story, Inner City Press on July 22 asked the UN's Associate Spokesperson about new APC and weapons in Aden, and if Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is on vacation. Video here. She replied that she would check - but did not revert with any response either way.
So on July 23, amid reports that without Cheikh Ahmed or any UN presence talks were occurring about Yemen in Cairo, Inner City Pressasked, here.
Inner City Press asked the UN where Cheikh Ahmed is. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told Inner City Press that he has been "planning his travels," soon to Riyadh. Yeah, Inner City Press was told by another less constrained but at least as knowledgeable source: planning his future travels while already on vacation. Another source compared it to then UN envoy to Pakistan Jean-Maurice Ripert going on vacation amid national disasters in Pakisan and then losing his post.
The buzz in Sana'a, where Hadi has named a governor in exile described as an Islamist, is that Cheikh Ahmed may well have known of the plans to bring in APC and weapons to those fighting the Houthis in Aden, and so "misleadingly" urged a pause. Another compared this to the UN luring out surrendering rebel leaders in Sri Lanka - to their deaths.
And so from Aden, photographs of brand new light brown vehicles, American-made, brought in. Will they end up in the hands of Al Qaeda?
On July 20, Inner City Press asked UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Back on July 9, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon proudly announced a humanitarian pause to start on July 10 at midnight.
When the supposed pause failed, Inner City Press was told on July 14, it took Ban Ki-moon more than two days to speak with Saudi Arabia, through its foreign and defense ministers. Ban, it was said, was "in the air."
On July 14, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.here
The day before on July 13 at the UN noon briefing Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Dujarric why the UN had made another "call" for a pause sound like a commitment to a pause, at least by the Saudi led coalition. Video here.
Dujarric answered that envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed had told the Suadis of his desire for a pause. But that's not what the UN said on July 9.
Ban was in Addis Ababa for the Financing for Development conference; here are his UN's "messaging" points in the run-up to that conference (and here an Inner City Press story about it; we'll have more). But isn't the UN responsible to say something after a humanitarian pause it announced doesn't happen, and people are killed?
It quickly became clear that some of key parties had not been spoken with or agreed; the pause's midnight beginning came and passed amid airstrikes.
Inner City Press is informed by sources that Ban Ki-moon was urged to not make the dubious pause announcement, including from within the UN's own Department of Political Affairs -- but Ban announced it anyway.
At best, it was rolling the dice. At worse, on the very day that UN is rightly criticizing itself for making false promises of protection in Srebrenica 20 years ago, in this case Yemenis were told there would be a pause, and some perhaps relied on it, to their detriment. And still the UN had said nothing.
After the July 9 announcement, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman if the Saudis had been spoken with. The answer was, Hadi told the Saudis his position. But did Hadi ever agree to the pause, or just to the conditions set forth in his letter to UN? What of Hadi's responsibilities to the Yemeni people?
Now Saudi Al Arabiya has said Saudi Arabia never received any communication from Hadi to stop airstrikes, here. Someone is lying.
Where is the UN's replacement envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed? Headed to Ethiopia, Ban's spokesman said, to meet with Ban on the sidelines of the Financing for Development conference there. Does IOCA harbor ambitions for another UN system post, or back in his own country? What sort of a track record is this? Watch this site.
At the July 10 UN noon briefing in New York, Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric if the UN had spoken with those in Yemen opposing the Houthis but not supporting or in contact with Hadi. Video here. From Dujarric's answer, it seems no such contact has been made.
So, Inner City Press asked, if such a group fires on the Houthis and they fire back, is the pause over, has it been violated? We'll see what happens.
Back on July 9, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, transcript here:
Inner City Press: can you, one, characterize not the communications with Mr. Hadi, but with Saudi Arabia that's running the coalition, the Saudi-led coalition. And does this mean the Secretary-General's understanding is no airstrikes during this time period, and no further advances or use of heavy weapons by the Houthis? Does the pause mean no firing? What does it mean to each of those two sides?
Spokesman Dujarric: What it means is that, if you read the statement, the President… Secretary-General notes that the President, President Hadi, has communicated his acceptance of the pause to the coalition to ensure their support. A humanitarian pause means no fighting. It means no bombing. It means no shooting. It means no fighting. It means exactly that: a humanitarian pause in the fighting that we've seen, to enable our humanitarian colleagues to get the aid to where it's needed, to preposition, and stockpile, and to reach the millions that need it.
Inner City Press: Right. But just for example, policing, who's doing policing in these various cities? Things happen.
Spokesman Dujarric: Obviously I think… [cross talk] In any area in the country, there is a… there is de facto control and, obviously, there is a need to ensure safety and security. What we're talking about is a humanitarian pause in the fighting that we've been witnessing for weeks on end now.
Inner City Press: So just one last thing on this. So the commitment on airstrikes is through President Hadi to the UN?
Spokesman: You know, the… [cross talk] Obviously, President Hadi is a critical interlocutor with the coalition. And as I've said, we've taken note of the fact that he's conveyed to the coalition his acceptance. We expect everyone involved in this conflict to honor this humanitarian pause.
Spokesman Dujarric: What it means is that, if you read the statement, the President… Secretary-General notes that the President, President Hadi, has communicated his acceptance of the pause to the coalition to ensure their support. A humanitarian pause means no fighting. It means no bombing. It means no shooting. It means no fighting. It means exactly that: a humanitarian pause in the fighting that we've seen, to enable our humanitarian colleagues to get the aid to where it's needed, to preposition, and stockpile, and to reach the millions that need it.
Inner City Press: Right. But just for example, policing, who's doing policing in these various cities? Things happen.
Spokesman Dujarric: Obviously I think… [cross talk] In any area in the country, there is a… there is de facto control and, obviously, there is a need to ensure safety and security. What we're talking about is a humanitarian pause in the fighting that we've been witnessing for weeks on end now.
Inner City Press: So just one last thing on this. So the commitment on airstrikes is through President Hadi to the UN?
Spokesman: You know, the… [cross talk] Obviously, President Hadi is a critical interlocutor with the coalition. And as I've said, we've taken note of the fact that he's conveyed to the coalition his acceptance. We expect everyone involved in this conflict to honor this humanitarian pause.
On July 7 the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights upped its estimate of civilians killed since March 27 to 1,528, adding that one million people have been displaced since the beginning of this round of the conflict. To the Saudi airstrike on UNDP in Khormaksar, Aden, OHCHR added that "IOM’s Migrant Response Centre in Basateen, also in Aden, was struck by a mortar and an airstrike damaged IOM’s office in Harad."
IOM, as Inner City Press reported, had earlier paused its evacuation by air of those seeking to flee Yemen due to some party, which it left unnamed, demanding information about those fleeing BEFORE the flights could leave. Inner City Press has asked others in the UN about this and has been told IOM should have done the screening after the people were able to flee. IOM refused a direct question about caused it to violate this best practice, then stopped sending the Press any information.
There are countries, normally vocal about civilian deaths, which are selling military equipment to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies. Ban Ki-moon, now in Oslo, is relying entirely on Saudi-selected replacement envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who was unable to even get the parties in the same room in Geneva, much less reach an agreement. There remain, for now, OHCHR's body counts.
On June 24, Inner City Press asked the UN's replacement envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed about the request by the Houthis and others to meet not with him but with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who did not meet with them in Geneva. Transcribed here.
On June 25 Inner City Press asked Ban's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq to confirm receipt of the letter and if Ban will meet them. Haq said Cheikh Ahmed is the envoy, and Ban's headed to San Francisco. The UN Security Council issued a Press Statement, here.
Also on June 25, Inner City Press asked new UN aid chief Stephen O'Brien three questions about Yemen: cholera, the destruction of ambulances in Sa'ada and about international staff. Video here.
O'Brien replied that cholera is a risk; he had no information on WHO it was that destroyed the ambulances in Sa'ada (we can guess.) On international staff, which the UN evacuated earlier, he spoke of a rise from 17 to 70, with the goal of getting to 200. He would not say if they are anywhere in the country outside of Sana'a, citing security. But at least he spoke - the Free UN Coalition for Access thanked him.
Here's from the June 24 stakeout, as fast transcribed by Inner City Press:
Inner City Press: On the parties in Sanaa requesting to meet the Secretary General – what’s your response?
Cheikh Ahmed: "This question was raised during our discussion with the Houthis, the GPC and their allies. The Secretary General had delayed twice his travel in order to be there for the parties. We have sent twice a plane from Sanaa which the delegation from Sana'a could not take.. Therefore the Secretary General had a major engagement, which was the election of the new president of the General Assembly which takes place only once a year , and he had to attend it. But the Secretary General will continue being engaged on this."
The ceremonial elevation of the President of the GA who will take over in September was not an election at all - no vote was taken.
Before the meeting, UK Ambassador Matthew Rycroft stopped and told the press of the danger of famine in the country, and of his hope for a Yemen Press Statement from the UNSC, in which the UK is the "penholder" on Yemen. Periscope video here, replay including on desktop for 24 hours.
Inner City Press was digging into the letter from political parties IN Yemen, asking for a meeting with Ban Ki-moon, NOT with replacement envoy Cheikh Ahmed. These parties, including but not limited to the Houthis, were delayed in getting to Geneva so that they could not meet with Ban (who while there DID meet with a US-listed Al Qaeda terrorist).
While some are sure to argue that Ban now meeting with the parties would undercut Cheikh Ahmed, others point out the the underlying resolution speaks of the Secretary General's Good Offices INCLUDING his Envoy. The envoy is not the only game in town - nor, given his lack of disclosure, raised by Inner City Press, should he be. We'll have more on this.
