As NPT Fails, US Gottemoeller Calls Egypt “Unrealistic,” Reuters Says She Didn't Name Egypt

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 22, updated -- After four weeks of Non-Proliferation Treaty talks at the UN in New York, and after a draft final document was distributed past midnight, on May 22 US Under Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller said in the UN General Assembly Hall that there was no agreement on the document and that Egypt had been “unrealistic”

   She said, on UNTV, that the US attempted to work with Egypt, but “in particular Egypt were not willing to let go of unrealistic and unworkable condition included in the draft text.”

    A few speakers later -- Canada, the UK and the Marshall Islands -- Iran asked for the meeting to be suspended. Inner City Press ran to the GA entrance; on the way a Western diplomat complained to it that Iran's suspension might jeopardize the ability of countries to give their speeches (about failure.) This diplomat, unprompted, said that the US attack on Egypt was irregular.

  In front of the GA, Inner City Press asked Austria's Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, who said the UN calling out Egypt was “surprising.” Video here.

   After this, the Reuters wire service's Louis Charbonneau ran a piece -- photo here
 claiming that “Gottemoeller did not name any countries but diplomats said she was referring to Egypt.”

   Apparently Reuters, at least at the UN, does not even watch on UNTV the meetings it “reports” on, preferring to cite unnamed “diplomats” for things that were said in public, on TV.  Or too busy censoring, for example blocking from Google copies of its anti-Press complaints?

Update: after the meeting ended and after this report, Reuters tried to erase its error by calling it an update - but even after US Robert Wood said at the GA stakeout, "Egypt is to blame," Reuters faux reported that a "senior Western diplomat" said that. This is Reuters, at least at the UN -- for the Thomson Reuters versions they said "(Adds Western diplomat, U.S. quotes)" -- that is, adds US quotes that Reuters-UN initially said didn't exist despite having been on UNTV.

The meeting ended five minutes after nine, with a statement that no agreement had been reached. Then the EU asked to speak, and did. 

Outside at the (non UNTV) stakeout, US Robert Wood said, twice, Egypt is to blame. One wag - this one - asked, What about the Apache helicopters? It was over.

The US put out the statement: "We attempted to work with other delegations—in particular, Egypt and other Arab League states—to improve the text; but a number of these states, and in particular Egypt, were not willing to let go of these unrealistic and unworkable conditions included in the draft text."

  Here now is a fast transcript of Egypt's speech in the GA:

Egypt associates itself with the statement of the Arab Group and NAM.

Egypt is disappointed at the end of this conference, after a month of diligent work. We are blocked from strengthening the NPT and the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons by 3 delegations.
We are concerned wit the  negative messages we have been receiving on the implementation of a middle east nuclear free zone.

It is a sad day for the NPT, a sad day for the 1995 resolution, and a sad day in moving forward.

As we and many parties in the Arab Group and NAM have said, we have come to look forward, not to look backward. Yet this approach and spirit has not been reciprocated. Even taking the right step forward in the right direction in a thousand mile march has been blocked.

Some countries are not satisfied except by obstructing.
Nothing in the paper you presented affects negatively any of the member states of the NPT and their interests. Egypt and the Arab Group have cooperated to the fullest with you. Most of the papers that were tabled were commended by Egypt, and let me, here commend Russia, let me salute them for their leadership in trying to move the process forward.

Blocking reflects the abuse of the concept of consensus. A few states, especially the United states, have stopped this document from moving forward. This will have consequences in the Arab world in terms of public opinion.

It is now clear it is no coincidence we are being blocked again.
Even as Russia assumed leadership with a middle of the road compromise, this approach was blocked. The moment of truth has come. By blocking this consensus we are depriving the middle east of a better future, away from the horrors of nuclear weapons.
We’ve heard one delegation deflecting the blame, referring specifically to Egypt. We would advise this delegation to reflect more and feel the consequences…

   

As NPT PrepCom Fizzles Out, Glass Half Full, Mexico on Nuclear Double Standards, Access to Info Controlled

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 9 -- The closing session of the Preparatory Commission for the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference was mostly a session of self-affirmation: nothing was agreed to, but just talking was a success.

  This was the position taken by the chair Enrique Roman-Morey. The UN described him as “Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations,” but at the press conference afterward he said he represents Peru in Portugal; in the wrap up session he said he was heading to lovely Lisbon.

  Inner City Press asked Roman-Morey about the closing statement of Mexico, which cited double standards. Roman-Morey jumped in to say that he has short circuited the critique because the final document, not by consensus, was his and his alone. Inner City Press jokes about the water glass in front of him being more than half full -- whereupon he took a long drink for it.

  Of the signing ceremony for a protocol for a nuclear weapons free zone in Central Asia that Inner City Presscovered mid-week, Roman-Morey said he was involved in that from the first meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 

   Inner City Press asked if reservations such as that expressed by the UK are positive or the norm. Roman-Morey said in the Latin America and Caribbean treaty there are comments from the 1960s, for example from a Central American country saying it might use “peaceful” nuclear weapons to build a canal like the Panama canal.

  Roman-Morey has a wealth of experience; he answered a rising Egyptian TV journalist in Arabic. But what was accomplished in New York these past two weeks. The US has publicly said some upbeat things, mostly about the Central Asian signing which even Roman-Morey admitted was really a side event with little relation to the NPT PrepCom. Hope springs eternal. Watch this site.

Footnote: Even though the first question was, correctly, not automatically handed to the UN Correspondents Assocation, the day's UNCA representative insisted on it. Becauseexecutive committee members of UNCA not only tried to get the investigative Press thrown out of the UN for its coverage of Sri Lanka, UN official Herve Ladsous and French Ambassador Gerard Araud, but have since engaged inoutright censorship with Google (here) and UNTV (here), Inner City Press on behalf of the new Free UN Coalition for Access counter-thanked Roman-Morey. 

 These events shouldn't be branded, particularly by censors; there should be no automatically given first questions, particularly to censors. Watch this site.

   

At UN, US on START and 123 Agreement with Russia, Iran Sanctions Link?

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/us123start051110.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 11 -- With the UN Security Council's discussion of Iran sanctions stalled by this week's trip to the Congo and this month's NPT meetings at the UN, on May 11 U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller told the Press there is "no link" between the NEW START treaty with Russia and that country's expected vote for at least some Iran sanctions.

Inner City Press asked Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller if she acknowledged a link between Iran sanctions and both the Senate's consideration of START and the proposed U.S.-Russia Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, called the ‘123’ Agreement.

Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller said that the 123 Agreement is "getting attention in Washington again" and called this a "good step." Of course, she said, the Senate in its advice and consent will look more broadly at the U.S. - Russia relationship. Video here, from Minute 5:37.

She didn't mean, she said, "no link" but rather "no direct link." She said the START agreement should have an "important" and apparently positive influence, as an implementation of the "reset button" pushed by Hillary Clinton and Sergey Lavrov.

Afterwards, Inner City Press asked Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller if she had seen the film "Countdown to Zero." It's on my schedule for next week, she said. Click here for Inner City Press' review.

Prognosticators on Iran sanctions predict at least two negative votes on the Security Council: Brazil and Turkey. One P-5 member favors waiting to let Brazil and Turkey try to work with Iran, figuring they too will then come to favor sanctions. But the U.S. does not want to wait. We'll see.

Footnote: while the visiting Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller spoke free and easy at the North Lawn building stakeout, getting answers from the US Mission to the UN has become increasingly difficult. On the morning of May 11 as Ambassador Susan Rice entered the Security Council, Inner City Press began to ask for a question about the statement issued in her name the previous day about Sri Lanka.

She indicated she was busy. Later a genial Mission staffer came to asked what the question was, and said he would go in and get an answer. But leaving the Council he said he'd have to check with the "Sri Lanka people." Hours later in the North Lawn building he again promised an answer. But still as of close of business and deadline, none was provided. Should Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller have been asked?

And see, www.innercitypress.com/us123start051110.html

At UN, Screening of Countdown to Zero Triggers Live Review, Bender Predicts Bootlegging in China, Syria Dodge

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1zero050510.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 5, updated below -- As the NPT review conference lurches on, thrown into turmoil by the appearance of Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Wednesday afternoon sees the U.S. premeire of the documentary "Countdown to Zero." On a podium in an antiseptic conference room sat producer Lawrence Bender, Michael Douglas and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"Business man" Jeff Skoll described the movie as a rallying cry to support the UN's efforts leading to disarmament, and said its opening will be on July 9. So Inner City Press will review the film, in the form of a live blog, herebelow.

Among the first on-camera speakers in the film is Valerie Plame Wilson -- yes, that Valerie Plame, wife of Joe Wilson, outed by the Republicans. Is she the main expert, or is this a political choice?

A Russian thief of uranium, who tried to sell it to a fence who bought car batteries. Now released from jail? He's smoking on a balcony, looking at the horizon.

Footage of plane crashes and other screw ups -- combined with story of a bomb falling on Goldsboro, North Carolina in the 1960s, detonation stopped by only one switch.

Americans interviewed in front of Yankee Stadium -- "we have the bomb, of course, that goes without saying." But North Korea?

Oops -- the voice over says if Iran gets the bomb, its "rivals" will want one, listing Saudia Arabia, Egypt, Turkey-- and Syria. But Syria is an ALLY of Iran...

Update of 5:02 p.m.-- Ban Ki-moon has left the screening, Vijay Nambiar with him. Apparently Kim Won-soo left earlier. Countdown to Zero, indeed.

On January 25, 1995 the US tested a missile from Norway, which Russia interpreted as an attack. Yeltsin was given five mintues to "launch on warning" but didn't. Film's voice over says "he wasn't drunk." Or...

Footage of Ahmadinejad and centrifuges... Of F.W. de Klerk, who upon taking power found the country had six Hiroshima like nukes. He said, let's stop. Inspiring music. But what's the plan?

Take missiles off high alert status... don't lose any highly enriched uranium, just like not an ounce of gold has been lost from Fort Knox....

It ends with Obama and Medvedev, "a new generation," hope. One viewer noted, the word Israel was not said once during the film. This is the UN -- will it come up as a question?

Update: the first question, from Iraq's Ambassador Bayati - is about Israel.

Postscript: in the Q&A session, Inner City Press asked the panel if they would translate the movie into Farsi and Chinese, referring the focus on Iran's nuclear program, and China's skepticism of sanctions. Lawrence Bender answered, snugly, that he expected the movie to quickly be available in China as a bootleg. It would be more difficult, he said, to get it into Iran.

But what is your proposal, Inner City Press asked, on Iran? Bender shifted to name dropping, saying that he had asked this very question, "at the Council on Foreign Relations... to Brent Scowcroft" who answered, "If I knew, I wouldn't be here."

When Inner City Press asked about the film listing Syria as a "rival" of Iran, the panel shrugged. They meant that if Iran gets a bomb, so too will the others lists: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Syria. We assume smaller Syria was included due to reports of a nuclear reactor with North Korean help. But would that be Syria preparing for what the movie calls its "rival" Iran, or for Israel? Why was that country not mentioned in the movie? Watch this site.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1zero050510.html

At UN, NPT Opens Amid Monks' Drums, Dissonant Expectations, Ahmadinejad's Speech

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1npt050310.html

UNITED NATIONS, May 3, updated below -- With Japanese monks beating mournful drums outside the NPT Review Conference opening Monday morning, the dissonance between the aspirations of those outside and inside the UN building could not have been more clear.

In Grand Central Station amid singing of "learn war no more," a man held a sign of who has the most nuclear weapons: Russia, the US, the other Permanent Five members of the Security Council (China, the UK and France), India, Israel, Pakistan and, the sign said, North Korea with ten.

Inside the UN, the talk was nearly all about Iran. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has flown in from Tehran -- former U.S. diplomat Mark Wallace wrote to the Millennium Hotel urging they tell him there was no room at the inn -- and is slated to speak late this morning in the General Assembly Hall.

In the new UN press floor, a maze of cubicles in which no whistleblower dares speak, the Iranian press was in a frenzy. Inner City Press was interviewed by a woman with a scarf covering her head. "What do you think of my President, Doctor Ahmadinejad?" she asked.

Another journalist for Iranian media came to make the argument that every time a small country joins NATO, it is an example of proliferation: more countries under the nuclear umbrella and, according to him, more countries paying for nuclear weapons.

The chairman of the conference is the Philippines Ambassador. Some wonder why him; the Manila press expresses hope his role will lead to the passage of an entirely different treaty, about the rights of migrant workers. Dissonant expectations.

From the press gallery above the General Assembly Hall, Inner City Press called out to a few ambassadors, including Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso. He was on the Council until replaced by Nigeria. Where does nuclear proliferation fit in the scheme of Burkina's concerns? Watch this space, this will be updated.

Update of 10:38 p.m. -- from the spaceship-like it begins, with greetings to Ban Ki-moon and... Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Ambassador of Zimbabwe missed his chance to chair the meeting. Zim for Iran! There was a recent visit by A-Jod, to Harare and Uganda. It has begun...

Update of 10:55 a.m. -- Chair Cabactulan quotes as a Chinese proverb that that leader is best who is not known. At seems he may be referring to Ban Ki-moon, who is now speaking about his visit to Russia's test site. Here in press section in upper deck, there are no headphones. How will be hear Ahmadinejad?

Update of 11:21 a.m. -- New IEAE chief bemoans DPRK, Syria and Iran. BKM praised Indonesia for saying it will ratify

Update of 11:29 a.m. -- while waiting for Ahmadinejad, UN email comes in: Hillary Clinton will speak to Press at 5:20. But when's the Ahmadinejad presser?

Update of 11:39 a.m. -- the General Debate begins, with Marty of Indonesia speaking for NAM. Groups get 8 minutes, nations only five. Ahmadinejad next?

Update of 11:59 a.m. -- after Marty of Indonesia went over his time, Ahmadinejad starts up. He takes on Ban Ki-moon's statement about the uranium deal. We accepted that, A-jod says. Puts on glasses.

Update of 12:21 p.m. -- after Inner City Press ran down to press conferene auditorium, having not yet received any response to its 12:11 email to the UN Spokesperson and Deputy asking when the briefing would begin, the room was already locked. Briefing held 12:05 to 12:10, no questions. They have delayed noon briefing in deference to stakeouts by the U.S. Permanent Representative. Not for the President of Iran?

Running back up to the GA Hall, Inner City Press is barred from 4th floor, but shunted to the press booths on the third floor. Three stories directly above Ahmadinejad, who is still speaking, now on the "Zionist regime."

Update of 12:32 p.m. -- Ahmadinejad has been going for half an hour, now reciting the names of famous Iranians. "there will be no room in the future for bullying."

Update of 12:43 p.m. -- as Luxembourg drones on, Ahmadinejad comes back into GA Hall, takes Iran's seat and sits grinning.. Apparently he wants to see if the Luxembourg's of the world will attack him to his face. These are prepared texts, so it seems that they will.

Update of 12:51 p.m. -- with Ireland speaking, Ahmaninejad leaves with entourage. Already the hall is half empty, the press area in the upper deck entirely empty.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1npt050310.html

In Anti-Nuclear March, Free Palestine Chants Trigger Questions of Iran, Ahmadinejad in Wings

By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/npt2march050210.html

TIMES SQUARE TO UNITED NATIONS, May 2 -- In the anti-nuclear march to the UN from Times Square, scene last night of a bomb scare, there were chants incluing "Free, Free Palestine!" Teenage girl held a sign saying "Israel," cut out in the shape of a skull.

To a UN correspondent covering the NPT, one wondered of the place of Iran and its nuclear program to these protesters. Among the Western powers in the Security Council, Iran's nuclear ambitions have become the focus, to the exclusion of death in Sudan and the Congo.

Many of those so eager to target Iran are not against nukes at all. They are against Iran, and to a lesser extent North Korea, getting nuclear weapons. These marchers, on the other hand, see defending the rights of Palestinians against Israel as part of their movement. And of defending, as some would have it, Iran against Israel?

There were marchers from upstate New York, and a slew of Japanese handing out origami birds. There was a contingent from France, with their own "ca pu" chant. There were few to no Latinos. A lone woman lobbied to amend New York's wrongful death statute. But there were few to no signs about Iran. This will not be true for the rest of the week, or NPT. Inner City Press has been invited to cover Ahmadinejad's press conference. Watch this site.

Update of 5:26 p.m. -- UN correspondents for Iranian media tell Inner City Press that Ahmadinejad is slated to land in New York in half an hour. They think, but even they are not sure, that he will stay in the Millennium Plaza hotel across from the UN. Might he intersect with the anti-nuke marchers, still on 47th Street?

And see, www.innercitypress.com/npt2march050210.html