IMF Tells Inner City Press It Will Answer on Yemen After the Country Stabilizes, While It Talks of Restoring Calm in Bangladesh: How?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, March 12 -- At the International Monetary Fund's biweekly embargoed briefing on February 19,  Inner City Press asked IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice "in Yemen, the World Bank has suspended its programs due to the 'dangerous political and security situation.' What is the status of the IMF's programs, and its estimate of impacts of the Houthi / Hadi stand-off?"

  Rice read out the question then replied, We are monitoring the situation very closely and will be able to say more once it has stabilized just a bit.

  But what if it doesn't stabilize?

 On Bangladesh, by contrast, the IMF's Rodrigo Cubero on March 10 said " the resurgence of unrest in recent months is taking a toll on the economy..  upside risks from unrest-related supply disruptions... Should calm be restored and uncertainty abate, growth should strengthen to 6½ percent in FY16."

 Of this, Inner City Press submitted this question to the IMF:

On Bangladesh, Mr Cubero said “should calm be restored and uncertainty abate, growth should strengthen to 6½ percent in FY16.” Does the IMF believe that the government's crackdown  is the way to restore calm or another approach should be used?

And this:

On Ghana and the draft agreement, is there any procedure for civil society organizations to view it before it goes to the IMF Board?  Does the draft agreement contain any provisions on access to information?

 Neither question, nor four submitted a week ago for a briefing postpone by Washington snow, have been answered. Watch this site.

* * *

 Previously, on February 5, Rice answered on the IMF's process in Ghana (and in Mongolia, see below).

  Inner City Press asked "In Ghana, President Mahama on Feb 3 said, 'Ghana is committed to securing an IMF programme and we are confident that we will reach agreement with the IMF by the end of this quarter.' What is the process / status at the IMF?"

  IMF spokesperson Rice said there has been "good progress," and mentioned "cleaning up the payroll" and "medium term reforms," as well as considering the impact of declining oil prices.

 On August 28, 2014 on Ghana Inner City Press had asked “Convention People’s Party chair Samia Nkrumah has said, 'It will be erroneous to accept the fact that IMF conditionalities could not be rejected since in 1965, Ghana, under the First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, rejected the proposal of the IMF when they recommended the sale of national assets such as factories in exchange for a loan.' What is the IMF's response?”

  Rice then said that the IMF team will be in Accra in September. Things have moved since then. But what about transparency?

  On February 5 about Mongolia, Inner City Press asked, "what is the process forward on their request for an IMF stand-by arrangement? When will a visit to the country take place?"

  Rice replied, "The IMF has received a request from the Mongolian authorities to begin discussions of possible support to Mongolia. The IMF will be sending a team to Ulaanbaatar soon to initiate these discussions."

 An earlier one not answered on Sri Lanka:

In Sri Lanka on bank consolidation, new Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran has said “I have also asked the IMF to send some technical experts to look at these issues from an international perspective and they have agreed to do so.” Can you confirm that? Would it be in connection with IMF visit at the end of February?

  On Sri Lanka, which was not answered during the IMF briefing, the new government is cutting off payments to Lagarde's predecessor Dominique Strauss Kahn, who once out through the revolving door (of a Manhattan hotel) sold his services to the Rajapaksas. Any comment, or future safeguards, on that? 

 After the briefing and expiration of the embargo there was this answer by Gerry Rice of the IMF: "“We have been discussing with the authorities a multi-faceted technical assistance mission on financial sector issues. Looking at financial system stability and supervision in the context of the ongoing consolidation process is one element. We are currently putting together a team to send to Colombo, but will discuss with the CBSL specific needs in the next week so that we can select the best experts and structure the mission. It will likely take place after the staff visit in February, as this is a separate, technical assistance exercise.”

   

On Yemen, UN Security Council Echoes IMF On Fuel Subsidy Cuts, Talk of Helping the Poor, Houthi Camps and Names

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 29, update with US statement -- While on Yemen the UN Security Council on August 29 focused mostly on the Houthi rebels, adding a condemnation of attacks by Al Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula, the protests in Sana'a are as much about the cut in fuel subsidies and other austerity measures “recommended” by the International Monetary Fund.

  Inner City Press asked outgoing Security Council president Mark Lyall Grant if the topic had come up in the Council's closed door consultations on August 29. He acknowledged that it had, but said that UN envoy Jamal Benomar had replied that the decision to cut the fuel subsidies was the right one. From the UK transcript:

Inner City Press: in the consultations was there any discussion of the cutting of fuel subsidies? It seems like a lot of the protest there are actually based on the raising cost of fuel demanded by the IMF. What is the relationship between Houthi "troublemaking" and actual protest of austerity of the rising cost of living, and what can be done?

Amb Lyall Grant:Yes, a number of Council Members raised questions about that.  In response, Jamal Benomar gave the background to the Economic Reform Program and why the government needed to eliminate the fuel subsidies. He considered that to be the correct decision, and indeed, the Council as a whole supported that in the Presidential Statement when it referred to the importance of economic reform. Of course that is not popular with all parts of Yemeni society and that is not a surprise. And Houthis have tried to take advantage of concerns about the elimination of the fuel subsidies for their own political ends, but that does not mean it was not the right decision for the government to take.

   Some might see all this as the UN Security Council operating in lockstep with the IMF, when the Council's power dynamics are more diverse, at least pending the IMF quota reform that the UN Senate has yet to approve.

So when Benomar followed Lyall Grant to the Security Council stakeout, Inner City Press asked him if it was in fact his and the UN's view at the fuel subsidy cuts are the right way to go. Benomar said that decision had been made, and reforms are needed. But he added that there is talk of a “package,” that would include alleviating the impacts on the poor.

The Council's Presidential Statement made various calls on the Houthis, including to dismantle their camps in Sana'a. It specifically named Abdul Malik al Houthi and military commander Abdullah Yahya al Hakim, and called on the Houthis to “withdraw their forces from Amran and return Amran to Government of Yemen control.”

Looking forward a full month, the statement cited “the next Friends of Yemen meeting that will take place on September 24 in New York.” We'll be there. Watch this site.

Update: soon after the UN Security Council Presidential Statement was read out, the US State Department issued this, naming one of the two individuals in the UNSC Statement:

The United States joins the United Nations Security Council and the international community in strongly condemning the actions taken by the Houthis, led by Abdul Malik al Houthi, and those who support them.  Their actions seek to undermine the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) political transition process and Yemen’s stability.  In particular, we condemn the Houthi’s provocative, aggressive, and destabilizing actions and incitement against the Government of Yemen, the establishment of armed camps in and around Sana’a, and their continued illegitimate control of Amran.

We call on the Houthis to immediately dismantle their armed camps and checkpoints in and around Sana’a; withdraw their forces from Amran, return Amran to Government of Yemen control, and return the weapons looted from the 310th Brigade compound; implement ceasefires in all conflict areas to prevent further violence from destabilizing the transition process; and cooperate with the Government of Yemen efforts to achieve a sustainable and peaceful political resolution to the current conflict, consistent with the GCC Initiative and National Dialogue recommendations.

We commend President Hadi’s continued efforts as he leads Yemen in implementing the GCC Initiative and National Dialogue recommendations.  We call on the Houthis, and all parties, to participate peacefully in Yemen’s transition process, which offers a historic opportunity to build an inclusive system of governance that ensures a stable and prosperous future for all Yemenis.  The United States remains firmly committed to supporting President Hadi and all Yemenis in this endeavor.   

   

In Yemen, Houthi Rebels Took Tanks in Amran, Sources Say, France Working for Total

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, July 14 -- Three days after the UN Security Council issued a press statement about the Houthi rebels' takeover of Amran, sources in Yemen and in the Council tell Inner City Press of crisis and dysfunction.

   In Amran, they say, the Houthis had agreed that soldiers and officers in the garrison would be allowed to leave and be replaced by military police. But after that, they stormed the garrison, seized tanks and also summarily executed officers, including the general in charge.

  Why wasn't this reflected in the Security Council's press statement? Sources tell Inner City Press to opposition to a stronger statement not only from the US but also from France. 

  This they attribute to French oil company Total having had a good (or abusive) deal under Saleh, and now feeling excluded under Hadi. They describe a meeting of "arrogant" Total executives with Hadi, that almost led to the Total team being totally thrown out. And now this.

    Outgoing French Ambassador Gerard Araud has in his final months been dodging press questions, from double standards through Western Sahara to French military business in northern Mali. One hopes that the coming change leads to more responsiveness -- and transparency.

  On July 11 the President of the Security Council for July, Ambassador Gasana of Rwanda, came to the Council stakeout after 6 pm.  He read an agreement to statement; Inner City Press asked if the "spoilers" referred to include Saleh. This was not answered, nor a question about the delay in the statement. But now this. 

Yemen is cited by the UN and its Security Council as one of their successes. When the government in Sana'a deported journalist Adam Baron, what did the UN do or say? 

 Back on May 9, Inner City Press asked UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, video here, transcript here:

Inner City Press: Yemen has deported a journalist named Adam Baron, who was described as one of the few foreign correspondents in the country, and I wanted to know if the Secretariat or Mr. Benomar has any comment on that?

Deputy Spokesman Haq: I don’t have any comment on that at this stage, no.

   Now, Yemen has rejected entry by another journalist, Tik Root.

  Meanwhile, the Yemeni government bragged of being praised by the UN, even as it is the only country, according to Under Secretary General for Management Yukio Takasu, which has been banned from voting in the General Assembly due to a failure to pay dues.

  Yemen has until May 16 to seek an exemption. But couldn't the UN use that as some leverage for free press -- if it wanted?

State media SABA on May 7 reported:

SANA'A, May 07 (Saba) - Interior Minister Abdo al-Tarib met here on Wednesday with Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security Kevin Kennedy.

During the meeting, al-Tarib and Kennedy discussed the possible means to enhance mutual security cooperation Yemen and the UN. The Minister underlined the Interior Ministry's adherence to strengthen the cooperation relations with the UN in the security field.

For his part, Kennedy praised the great successes achieved by the security services in cracking down on terrorists, stressing the UN's willingness to strengthen cooperation with Yemen.

So what about deporting journalists? When Inner City Press on behalf of the new Free UN Coalition for Access asked the UN Secretariat for comment on the jailing by Ethiopia of journalists including the Zone 9 bloggers, no comment came. The UN has a big office in Addis. What of its success story in Yemen? Watch this site.

   

On Yemen, Houthis and Amran, UN Security Council Issues Press Statement 2 Days After Jamal Benomar's Briefing

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 -- Two days after the UN's Yemen envoy Jamal Benomar briefed the Security Council about the Houthi rebels' takeover of Amran, and three days after some press in Yemen reported the Security Council had already acted, at 6 pm on July 11 there was a belated statement.

  The President of the Security Council for July, Ambassador Gasana of Rwanda, came to the Council stakeout after 6 pm.  He read an agreement to statement (below); Inner City Press asked if the "spoilers" referred to include Saleh. This was not answered, nor a question about the delay in the statement. But here IS the statement:

Security Council Press Statement on Fighting in Yemen 

        The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the serious deterioration of the security situation in Yemen in the light of the ongoing violence in Amran. The members of the Security Council expressed their deep regret at the high number of casualties caused by the violence. 

        The members of the Security Council demanded that the Houthis, all armed groups and parties involved in the violence withdraw and relinquish control of Amran and hand over weapons and ammunition pillaged in Amran to the national authorities loyal to the government. The members of the Security Council further demanded that the all armed groups and other parties involved in the current violence disarm; and urged the existing ceasefire agreements to be swiftly implemented and asked military units to remain committed to their obligation of neutrality at the service of the State.  They encouraged all parties, in line with the GCC Initiative and National Dialogue outcomes, to take these steps and to participate peacefully in the transition. They demanded that the current turmoil should not extend to other parts of the country, including Sana’a. 

        The members of the Security Council noted with concern that spoilers continue to stoke the conflict in the north in an attempt to obstruct the political transition.  The members of the Security Council recalled resolution 2140 (2014) that introduced targeted sanctions measures against individuals or entities engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability in Yemen, and urged the Panel of Experts as they discharge their duties in accordance with the resolution to look into these spoilers as a matter of urgency and to present expeditiously relevant recommendations to the Committee established pursuant to the resolution 2140.   

        The members of the Security Council reminded all parties to comply with their obligations under applicable international humanitarian and human rights law, and stressed the need for all sides to facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access to evacuate the wounded and to ensure the delivery of assistance to all populations in need.

        The members of the Security Council expressed support to President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi as he leads the political transition and encouraged continued efforts to find a peaceful political solution to the conflict in the north based on the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference. The members of the Security Council urged all parties to continue to work together to progress Yemen’s transition.  

Yemen is cited by the UN and its Security Council as one of their successes. When the government in Sana'a deported journalist Adam Baron, what did the UN do or say? 

 Back on May 9, Inner City Press asked UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, video here, transcript here:

Inner City Press: Yemen has deported a journalist named Adam Baron, who was described as one of the few foreign correspondents in the country, and I wanted to know if the Secretariat or Mr. Benomar has any comment on that?

Deputy Spokesman Haq: I don’t have any comment on that at this stage, no.

   Now, Yemen has rejected entry by another journalist, Tik Root.

  Meanwhile, the Yemeni government bragged of being praised by the UN, even as it is the only country, according to Under Secretary General for Management Yukio Takasu, which has been banned from voting in the General Assembly due to a failure to pay dues.

  Yemen has until May 16 to seek an exemption. But couldn't the UN use that as some leverage for free press -- if it wanted?

State media SABA on May 7 reported:

SANA'A, May 07 (Saba) - Interior Minister Abdo al-Tarib met here on Wednesday with Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security Kevin Kennedy.

During the meeting, al-Tarib and Kennedy discussed the possible means to enhance mutual security cooperation Yemen and the UN. The Minister underlined the Interior Ministry's adherence to strengthen the cooperation relations with the UN in the security field.

For his part, Kennedy praised the great successes achieved by the security services in cracking down on terrorists, stressing the UN's willingness to strengthen cooperation with Yemen.

So what about deporting journalists? When Inner City Press on behalf of the new Free UN Coalition for Access asked the UN Secretariat for comment on the jailing by Ethiopia of journalists including the Zone 9 bloggers, no comment came. The UN has a big office in Addis. What of its success story in Yemen? Watch this site.

   

UN's Zerrougui Cites 29 Child Soldiers with NYATURA, Obama Waiver in Yemen

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 3 -- When the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui came Monday to take questions from the press, the initial topic was Yemen, which she visited for three days in late November.

 But since Zerrougui before she replaced Radhika Coomaraswamy on child soldiers was the deputy chief of the UN's MONUSCO mission in the Congo, Inner City Press asked her about that mission as well.

 Specifically, what does MONUSCO do to ensure that the militias now working with the Congolese Army -- parts of which the UN supports, ostensibly in compliance with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy -- are not recruiting children?

  In the recent fighting with the M23 mutineers, the Congolese Army worked with, among others, the NYATURA. And in August, Inner City Press questioned the UN about MONUSCO flying Congolese authorities to meet with the Mai Mai APCLS. (The UN claimed it didn't know what the meeting was about).

  These seem like holes in the UN's Human Rights Due Diligence Policy -- other holes include Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous refusing to say, even now, which Congolese Army units were in Minova when well upwards of the UN reported 22 rapes took place.

  But Zerrougui focused on the positive side, recounting that when NYATURA elements were integrated into the Congolese Army, the UN conducted a physical inspection and removed or segregated some 29 child soldiers. But what about APCLS? And what about Minova?

  On Yemen, Inner City Press asked Zerrougui if the Obama administration having in late September waived the US Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 with respect to Yemen (as well as Libya, South Sudan and partially the DRC) was helpful to her mandate or not, for example during her trip to and discussions with Yemen.

  The answer would clearly seem to be no, but instead Zerrougui recounting telling the Yemeni authorities that although the US had given the waiver, it was only temporary and that "the ICC could be referred."

  The mention of ICC in Yemen would seem to apply most directly to Ali Saleh, but he made sure to obtain an immunity agreement before stepping back (and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Inner City Press that in his phone conversation with Saleh, immunity just didn't come up.)

Zerrougui visited the Houthis; it seems to have been an active first field visit. Watch this site.

Footnote: as a final question, Inner City Press asked Zerrougui for her view of a pending law in the Philippines which would penalize the parents of child soldiers. Zerrougui replied that it would depend on the context. But to many, the proposed law would allow the government to go after families perceived to be in the opposition, not to say Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF...

On Syria, EU's Georgieva Says Delay of Int'l Staff "Not Black & White"

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 1 -- When the European Union's Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva took media questions on Tuesday, her focus was on Syria. Inner City Press asked her to confirm what it had already reported on July 23, that international aid staff from five countries -- two of them in the EU -- have been blocked.

  Georgieva said there have been delays, yes, but called it "not black and white." Other Inner City Press sources said the same, that while international staff from France, the UK, US, Canada and Australia have been blocked or delays, others from these countries have gotten in.

  While sources told Inner City Press the number of international staff, two weeks ago, was 62, Georgieva said there are 80 international aid staff in Syria. She said she disfavors the use of so-called "humanitarian corridors," wondering if these might be used to bring in weapons.

  Some point to Yemen, where Ali Saleh at least ostensibly stepped down, as a model for "resolving" Syria. Georgieva told a story of visiting armed Houthi leaders with UNHCR chief Gutteres, staring down AK-47s and convincing them of the Geneva conventions. Can this be done with the Free Syrian Army?

  Georgieva said, there are areas Assad does not control, we need to go in and say, you cannot shoot at ambulance or pull people out of them. Yes, that would be good.

Meanwhile after as Inner City Press reported Tuesday morning, France could not yet come through on its statement it would convene a ministerial meeting on Syria as soon as possible after it took over presidency of the Council, it is dialing up a briefing by Herve Ladsous. He is the fourth Frenchman in a row to head UN Peacekeeping so he is always ready.

  Does Ladsous share Georgieva's views on humanitarian corridors?

  Georgieva also answered an Inner City Press' question on the Congo, where Ladsous' DPKO despite spending $1.3 billion a year cannot even access much less protect civilians in portions of North Kivu -- watch this site.

On Sudan, As US Says No Abyei Referendum Jan 9, UN Silent, on Darfur Killings Too

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 8 -- On Abyei, the day after US State Department spokesman PPJ Crowley told the Press “we have a recognition that that referendum will not go forward on January 9th,” the UN on December 8 declined to join in the recognition.

Inner City Press had asked Crowley about Sudan, including the referenda and bombings, regarding which the SPML has asked for an investigation by the UN Security Council, led this month by the US.

Crowley did not answer about the bombings, but called the South Sudan referendum among the most important issues of the first half of 2011. He added on “the situation on Abyei... we have a recognition that that referendum will not go forward on January 9th, but we continue to encourage the parties to work on a solution to Abyei.”

At the UN's December 8 noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky if the UN and its Mission in Sudan UNMIS agree or disagree with the US assessment.

Nesirky woodenly repeated that Abyei is important to the UN, just as he has repeated platitudes from the UN Mission in Darfur, UNAMID, about looking into Khartoum's actions and statement, in order to speak with the Bashir government behind the scene.

In fact, the lone Darfur rebel group which signed a deal with Bashir has now broken it off and had its offices raided. UNAMID won't confirm this. Inner City Press is informed that when asked for the results of its inquiry into peacekeepers' inaction while civilians were killed in Tabarat near Tawilla in early September, UNAMID said there is no report for public dissemination.

Nesirky on Wednesday called this a "long question" -- it has been a long story, including a claim by Ban Ki-moon himself that he was taking the killings and protection of civilians by UNAMID seriously, ending in a whimper: no public report.

Also, the US Mission has still not answered questions put to it last week and on Tuesday about murder and bombings in Sudan, including a call by the SPLM for a Security Council investigation...

Here is the US' transcript of December 7 Q&A with PJ Crowley on Sudan (and Yemen) --

Inner City Press: Thanks a lot. Matthew Lee, Inner City Press. I wanted to ask about Yemen. You were asked, I think back on December 15th, if the U.S. was involved in any military operations in Yemen. And you said no. And obviously, the cables have sort of confirmed air strikes at least as early as December 17th. I understand maybe you’re going to say that you – the question was only about the Houthis. Can you just say – I guess is it –

MR. CROWLEY: Well, in fact, the question was about the Houthis.

Inner City Press: Does that –

MR. CROWLEY: I went back. I was asked about this earlier, and I went back to the transcript of last year. And the question started with the Houthis claiming that the United States had bombed them, and the answer to that question was no. Remember, in Yemen, there are multiple conflicts, and thankfully, at least for the moment, the conflict between the Yemeni Government and the Houthis has been resolved – or not resolved, but it has been arrested. But there is a conflict between the Yemeni Government and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. If you go back to a number of cases where we have been asked about particular issues, we have given a different answer that the United States supports Yemen’s counterterrorism efforts without being specific. So I understand that there is some confusion over how I answered that question, but I answered that question in the context of whether the United States was involved in the Yemeni action against the Houthis, and the answer to that was and remains no.

Inner City Press: And also on Sudan, I wanted to ask you – there’s some who are saying that the government started bombing – has been bombing in Darfur for some weeks and has actually now twice bombed South Sudan. So some people are wondering why the U.S. – obviously, the focus is on the CPA and the referendum, but is the U.S. thinking of naming an envoy, as some of the activists and NGO groups have said? What is the U.S. view of – are things going – what’s this bombing mean? Does it mean that the government is trying to stop the referendum? And what does – during your Security Council presidency?

MR. CROWLEY: I’m delighted that you brought up Sudan, and I think probably working off of the question of accomplishments in 2010, we can look to probably what might well be the most significant story that we face in 2011. We are now 30 days away from a referendum about the future of Sudan. We are encouraged by the voter registration that has been ongoing in preparation for that referendum. And we have made it clear to the parties that their future relationship with the United States depends on working cooperatively towards a successful and credible referendum on January 9th.

And secondly, depending on the outcome of that referendum and the will of the people of South Sudan, who through the CPA have earned the right to have a voice in their future, we have made it clear to leaders in Khartoum and Juba that they must cooperate in the post-referendum phase. And should the people of South Sudan vote for independence, it’ll be incumbent upon them to work effectively and cooperatively leading to the creation of a new nation of South Sudan next July.

This is arguably the most compelling – one of the most – if not the most compelling story that the world will face in the first half of 2011. And we understand the risks quite compellingly that if this goes well, it has the ability to transform and have a very positive effect on many challenges around the region, not the least of which is the situation in Darfur. And if it goes badly, we understand that there is a significant risk of a return to civil war. We are doing everything in our power, working, again, cooperatively with the international community, to try to make sure that the referendum on South Sudan moves ahead constructively.

We continue to press the parties with respect to the situation on Abyei. I think we have a recognition that that referendum will not go forward on January 9th, but we continue to encourage the parties to work on a solution to Abyei. Our Special Envoy Scott Gration has just – is returning to the region today and will be engaged over the next several days in Khartoum, in Juba, in Darfur. He will also be in Doha where the Qataris have led a very effective process to garner international support for this effort. So this is something that we have been committed to since the Obama Administration came into office, following up on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was negotiated during the last American administration, and we are committed to do everything in our power to see this referendum come off peacefully and credibly.

As Sudan Bombs, UN Stonewalls, US Dodges

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 7 -- On Sudan, the UN turns away from killing and abuse while the US downplays it. On December 7, Inner City Press asked the UN spokesman, the US' PJ Crowley and the US Mission to the UN about bombings by Khartoum, with a range of evasive answers and non-answers.

At the UN's Tuesday noon briefing, Inner City Press asked spokesman Martin Nesirky:

Inner City Press: There have been — the SPLM [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] has come out and said that, now Monday and Tuesday of this week, that Khartoum has bombed West Bahr El-Ghazal State and they’re calling for a UN investigation and saying this could throw the referendum off track. What has UNMIS [United Nations Mission in Sudan] done to investigate it and what does UN say to this call for an investigation?

Spokesperson Nesirky: Well, as far as I know from UNMIS, they have been informed by the SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] that an aerial bombing took place yesterday, 15 miles north-east of Timsaha. And a monitoring and verification team led by UNMIS is on the ground trying to verify the incident. So that’s as much as I have at the moment.

Inner City Press: What about this thing that I asked you yesterday about the transitional Darfur regional authority being raided by the Sudanese authorities in Darfur? Does Mr. [Ibrahim] Gambari or UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur], have they been able in the many hours since that happened to confirm it?

Spokesperson Nesirky: I don’t have anything specific for you on that at the moment, no. Okay?

[The Spokesperson later added that, at this stage, the Mission is looking into the possible implications of recent statements and actions by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Armed Forces and will discuss it with the Government.]

Actually, it's NOT okay -- the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General delivered this belated (non) response not at the briefing or by email afterward, but by an in-house squawk system not audible at the Security Council where Inner City Press and other reporters were.

When US Ambassador Susan Rice emerged from the Council and delivered a short statement about Ivory Coast, Inner City Press asked one question on that topic, then asked repeated, “A question on Sudan?” Ambassador Rice smiled but walked away from the microphone.

Inner City Press conveyed the question -- what will the US do about the SPLM's call for a Security Council investigation of the bombings, during this month when the US is the Council President -- but four hours after delivery, there was still no answer. We will report it when one arrives.

US State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley came to New York on Tuesday to address reporters, largely about Wikileaks. Inner City Press asked about Crowley's December 15 negative response to a question if there were “any” US military operations in Yemen, in light of the December 17 drone attacks in Yemen (Crowley said his response was only about the Houthi), and about Sudan and the bombings.

Crowley barely addressed the bombings, but said that the South Sudan referendum would be one of the biggest events of the first half of 2011, and could help or hurt the situation in Darfur. But what about the situation now, and the UN's and envoy Ibrahim Gambari's inaction?

Inner City Press asked Human Rights Watch's Richard Dicker about Gambari's recent actions, attending Bashir's inauguration and negotiating to hand over to Bashir five supporters of Fur rebel Abdel Wahid Nur. Video here, from Minute 41:30. Dicker said that it seems “Gambari is violating policy.” Seems? Watch this site.